Suggestion: Flame Weapon Variant for Bards

Started by Nidaresil, July 09, 2019, 04:24:28 PM

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Nidaresil

In short, suggesting that bards get some elemental weapon enhancements so they can further flesh out a support role among parties, as this seems to one of the things that distances them from clerics, sorcerers or wizards (some of these examples are less comparable than others but you get the idea)

Suggestions:

1.) Flame Weapon

This would be simply adding Flame Weapon to bard spell lists, either as a level 2 or level 3 spell. If bards got this spell this way, I would think it would be fitting that bards only got the sonic variation no matter their preference. This would work as an ordinary bard spell.

2.) Defeaning Clang

Same idea as above, but implementing Defeaning Clang instead of Flame Weapon, either as a level 1 or 2 spell.

3.)  Flame Weapon (bard song version)

Same as 1, but you'd use Bard Song uses (in the same way Bard Song/Curse Song work) to get this effect rather than get it as a spell. Perhaps this could be a song sheet in-game to acquire or selectable as a feat.
(I have no idea if this exists already so sorry if it does)

Cruzel

They have this. Bard songs add damage of varying types to attacks depending on song, which stacks with flame weapon.

LoveLess

Actually, the idea that based on what song you are currently singing and it changes how your spells operate, like Flame Weapon getting a different element, would be pretty cool. Especially since that would make it very unique compared to the other casters more so than it is now.

Stranger

Deafening Clang would be cool as a bard spell.

HighGround

Would be cool, but it's a very strong spell on an already strong class.  Style-wise its great, but I'm not sure its very balanced.

Nidaresil

Agreed that it's hard to figure out where it would be okay but not too overpowering.

My personal preference would be either defeaning clang or something that uses up Bard Song. In hindsight I think outright giving flame weapon would detract too much from the classes that offer it.

Stranger

I am in favor of Deafening Clang as a L2 bard spell.

And maybe Flame Weapon as a L3 spell.

Consider it a perk for "pure bards," because bardic spellcasting is generally the province of full class bards. Because these are spells which can already be self-applied by the canny bard and his bag of tricks, the spellcasting option mostly seems like a quality of life improvement to attract players toward a class that seems to've lost its glamor with the changing priorities of song design.

Octarine

What about bard spells (new) that augment songs?

Cast Song of Ice and Fire - For 5 turns your song empowers attacks of allies with d4 cold, or d4 fire.

el groso

Bards (specially pure) are one of the strongest classes there is. Melee wise they can outclass most melee classes, if built for that. I don't think bards need buffs at all. However, I'm in favor of some song that gives sonic damage boost. :)