So, one of the more potent subclass features for the new "College of Eloquence" is the feature, "Unsettling Words"...which let's the bard use their Bardic Inspiration dice as a bonus action to subtract the number rolled from a targets next saving throw.
Now, this can be done as a bonus action...and while this can apply to a saving throw imposed by a subsequent allies turn, more often than not, your Bard is going to use this to make their own spells have a better chance of working.
"Dissonant Whispers"..."Tasha's Hideous Laughter"..."Thunderwave"..."Hold Person"...any spell that requires a saving throw will now either have a higher likelihood of activating, or maximizing damage potential.
So I'm curious what spell combinations with "Unsettling Words" people plan on using.
Personally, I like the roleplay potential of using the "Unsettling Words" right before casting a spell...
Examples:
Tasha's Hideous Laughter - "Ever hear the joke about the person who died laughing...?"
Dissonant Whispers - "You should run...death is coming for you."
Enemies Abound - "Your friend...they are going to betray you. They've been planning it for ages."
Crown of Madness - "Let the hatred flow through...do not hesitate. Show no mercy."
Bane - "You were never really good enough...that is why you always fail."
Blindness / Deafness - "All you will know from now on is darkness."
Bestow Curse - "You might want to get that checked out...could be fatal."
Dominate Person - "Look at me...I am the captain now."
Dream - "Welcome to your worst nightmare."
Polymorph - "I don't think I like you this way..."
...and so forth.
How will all of you use these new "Unsettling Words" to play your Bard?
(minor edit - feel free to include spell combinations from "Magical Secrets"...for variety!)
Great idea, I was thinking along the same lines! Seems like the best Magical Secrets spells that require saving throws are quite similar;
Banishment or Plane Shift "Go to hell... or one of them, anyway!" "You've won a one way trip to another dimension...Buh-bye now!" "Tell me, are you feeling homesick? I think you'd better go back to where you came from!" "I'll send you packing on a one way trip, as your prospects take a terminal dip..." (recognise the song?) "Have you ever met an Astral Dreadnought? Would you like to?"
Disintegrate "Is someone cracking under the pressure? Don't go to pieces on me now..." "Are you a [insert target of the spell]? Or are you just dust, pretending?" "I can tell your confidence is shattered.... like the rest of you!"
Phantasmal Force is my go-to for my impersonator-style bard. My main combat move is dissonant whispers into Phantasmal Force to put people into a very tiny dark room. After all, why think outside the box when you can put people in a box?
I've used it with Slow and Hypnotic pattern, debuff whoever looks nasty and you can practically take them out of the fight. Unfortunately for me the DM plays smart enemies so I have a habit of being targeted for being such potent battlefield control.
So, one of the more potent subclass features for the new "College of Eloquence" is the feature, "Unsettling Words"...which let's the bard use their Bardic Inspiration dice as a bonus action to subtract the number rolled from a targets next saving throw.
Now, this can be done as a bonus action...and while this can apply to a saving throw imposed by a subsequent allies turn, more often than not, your Bard is going to use this to make their own spells have a better chance of working.
"Dissonant Whispers"..."Tasha's Hideous Laughter"..."Thunderwave"..."Hold Person"...any spell that requires a saving throw will now either have a higher likelihood of activating, or maximizing damage potential.
So I'm curious what spell combinations with "Unsettling Words" people plan on using.
Personally, I like the roleplay potential of using the "Unsettling Words" right before casting a spell...
Examples:
Tasha's Hideous Laughter - "Ever hear the joke about the person who died laughing...?"
Dissonant Whispers - "You should run...death is coming for you."
Enemies Abound - "Your friend...they are going to betray you. They've been planning it for ages."
Crown of Madness - "Let the hatred flow through...do not hesitate. Show no mercy."
Bane - "You were never really good enough...that is why you always fail."
Blindness / Deafness - "All you will know from now on is darkness."
Bestow Curse - "You might want to get that checked out...could be fatal."
Dominate Person - "Look at me...I am the captain now."
Dream - "Welcome to your worst nightmare."
Polymorph - "I don't think I like you this way..."
...and so forth.
How will all of you use these new "Unsettling Words" to play your Bard?
(minor edit - feel free to include spell combinations from "Magical Secrets"...for variety!)
Great idea, I was thinking along the same lines! Seems like the best Magical Secrets spells that require saving throws are quite similar;
Banishment or Plane Shift
"Go to hell... or one of them, anyway!"
"You've won a one way trip to another dimension...Buh-bye now!"
"Tell me, are you feeling homesick? I think you'd better go back to where you came from!"
"I'll send you packing on a one way trip, as your prospects take a terminal dip..." (recognise the song?)
"Have you ever met an Astral Dreadnought? Would you like to?"
Disintegrate
"Is someone cracking under the pressure? Don't go to pieces on me now..."
"Are you a [insert target of the spell]? Or are you just dust, pretending?"
"I can tell your confidence is shattered.... like the rest of you!"
Phantasmal Force is my go-to for my impersonator-style bard. My main combat move is dissonant whispers into Phantasmal Force to put people into a very tiny dark room. After all, why think outside the box when you can put people in a box?
I've used it with Slow and Hypnotic pattern, debuff whoever looks nasty and you can practically take them out of the fight. Unfortunately for me the DM plays smart enemies so I have a habit of being targeted for being such potent battlefield control.
Just used - "Don't you realize you're all tied up?" for Phantasmal Force (worked really well!)
I'd love more suggestions!