In the 2~ years I've been playing 5e, I've heard many opinions on what you should and shouldn't do with the bard's best feature, Magical Secrets. So, what do you guys do with it?
My preference for its use depends on what type of bard I'm playing and my party, but typically I try to get mid-level spells of around level 3-5, spells that I could use at varying degrees on strength and conserve spell slots with, but still make a great difference in my setup. Haste, Telekinesis, and Shield in particular and favorites of mine, depending on what college I'm playing as.
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It's ok Ranger, you'll always be cool to me.. Unless druid gets another use for its wild shape charges.
I also tend to pick based on what role my bard will be playing. That said, most of my bards tend to be general-purpose, and so usually have pretty similar picks.
Counterspell is common, especially for my Lore Bards. And Wish is just awesome. Those are the two that are most common for me.
My tendency is to pick spells of either the highest or second-highest level that I can pick with the Magical Secrets, but I'm starting to look at choosing lower-level spells. Haven't actually chosen one yet (why grab Shield or Mage Armor when I can just ensure I have a decent AC before I even get to pick it?) but we'll see if that changes.
I see no reason to pick up mage armor with the feature personally, but Shield gets a lot of use from valor and sword bards in my experience. With shield on my most recent sword bard, I was able to forgo the investment into fighter/a feat for heavy armor, and the added boost to her AC when needed was great, as I played her as a skirmisher of sorts.
As for wish, I do enjoy the spell, but sometimes I feel like it's non-mimicking usage can be too risky for my tastes. The gains, of course, could potentially be amazing, but so could the adverse effects, depending on your DM. I don't know, I can admit its usefulness but I'm so risk-averse that the slightest chance of a major backfire would make me think long and hard before using it.
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It's ok Ranger, you'll always be cool to me.. Unless druid gets another use for its wild shape charges.
As for wish, I do enjoy the spell, but sometimes I feel like it's non-mimicking usage can be too risky for my tastes. The gains, of course, could potentially be amazing, but so could the adverse effects, depending on your DM. I don't know, I can admit its usefulness but I'm so risk-averse that the slightest chance of a major backfire would make me think long and hard before using it.
Just keep in mind that even if you ONLY use Wish to mimic other spells, it's still incredibly useful, definitely worthy of keeping in one's pocket.
Level 6 "Magical Secrets", I'd probably like "Misty Step", "Pass Without Trace", "Spiritual Weapon", or "Hunger of Hadar".
These spells are iconic to certain classes...so of course I love to steal them. They fulfill mobility, stealth, combat support, and crowd control.
As for the other ones...
Paladin spells are certainly appealing..."Destructive Wave" is just too much fun. "Find Greater Steed" is character-defining...a trusted companion for your character to valiantly ride into battle.
"Steel Wind Strike" is not the most effective...but it is very cool.
An odd choice...but "Soul Cage" is one I've been meaning to try.
Catch the soul of an enemy who just died...and pretty much extract any information you need, heal yourself with their essence, or just gain advantage on your rolls.
Might also be worth it just to see the reactions of your party. You could also, hypothetically, catch the soul of the main villain of your campaign.
Might be worth it to trap Acereak in your Soul Cage. Just a thought.
"Wish" is obvious...the "Demiplane" / "Clone" combination is classic...
...but I like "Prismatic Wall". Never know when you might need a multi-colored death cake to creatively solve a campaign's problem.
I like to steal Ranger spells like "Steel Wind Strike" or "Swift Quiver" so I can cast them at Level 10 where the Ranger in the party has to wait until level 17. Totally balanced.
I like to steal Ranger spells like "Steel Wind Strike" or "Swift Quiver" so I can cast them at Level 10 where the Ranger in the party has to wait until level 17. Totally balanced.
It is because spell levels have nothing to do with character levels. Just because a spell might typically be exclusive to a class doesn't change that.
Unless you think spells half casters share with full casters are somehow more powerful because of the higher character level. Magic secrets just shares the spell list a bit.
Counterspell, Shield, Haste, Simulacrum, Telekinesis, and Spiritual Weapon are the ones I'm going to pick when we hit those levels. Maybe Chain Lightning/Disintegrate if our party needs it
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“Basically, if you tell anyone, we’ll kill you. We’re pretty good at that sort of stuff”-Salros Viper, Whispers Bard, paid assassin
For a party based class, there aren't as many party buffing abilities that I would like to see. Magical Secrets is often spent to steal pali auras or multiclass into cleric -- just doesn't seem right. Bards should be a walking party AOE buff machine.
Depends on my character. I like Destructive Wave and Banishment for tenth level picks. I've picked up Holy Weapon and Spiritual weapon for my swords bard I almost got to a level to pick Tenser's Transformation. I think spirit guardians is a good lore bard pick along with fireball or lightning bolt. I like to pick based on my character rather than optimal choices. Although if I play a lore bard I always pick counterspell it just comes in clutch too many times.
I like to pick based on my character rather than optimal choices.
I like doing that as well. Wish and time stop are cool and all, but often I feel like the bard I'm playing as wouldn't care for those spells. Case in point, the last bard I played as was a levistus tiefling valor bard, and I would up picking up banishing smite, shield, investiture of ice, and flame shield. He had a dumb gimmick where he would use his racial armor of agathys and spike up his pompadour with icy needles, and the investiture of ice was supposed to be the "ultimate" version of that, more or less.
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It's ok Ranger, you'll always be cool to me.. Unless druid gets another use for its wild shape charges.
In my current campaign I'm playing a Goblin, which allows me to disengage as a bonus action. So in order to have a solid melee spell just in case anyone got too close to me I actually used a magical secrets slot to learn Booming Blade. It was a fun flavor spell and actually gave me an excuse to use my character's nice magic sword that I otherwise would never have a reason to use. Although I swapped it for something else when I eventually just multi-classed into Warlock... I think I dropped it for Telepathic Bond.
In my current campaign I'm playing a Goblin, which allows me to disengage as a bonus action. So in order to have a solid melee spell just in case anyone got too close to me I actually used a magical secrets slot to learn Booming Blade. It was a fun flavor spell and actually gave me an excuse to use my character's nice magic sword that I otherwise would never have a reason to use. Although I swapped it for something else when I eventually just multi-classed into Warlock... I think I dropped it for Telepathic Bond.
I always felt taking a cantrip for a magical secret would feel like a waste since you can dip one level into a class or take spell sniper/magic initiate. Especially if you weren't a lore bard and you forgo the first set of secrets at 10. There are so many interesting choices.
In my current campaign I'm playing a Goblin, which allows me to disengage as a bonus action. So in order to have a solid melee spell just in case anyone got too close to me I actually used a magical secrets slot to learn Booming Blade. It was a fun flavor spell and actually gave me an excuse to use my character's nice magic sword that I otherwise would never have a reason to use. Although I swapped it for something else when I eventually just multi-classed into Warlock... I think I dropped it for Telepathic Bond.
I always felt taking a cantrip for a magical secret would feel like a waste since you can dip one level into a class or take spell sniper/magic initiate. Especially if you weren't a lore bard and you forgo the first set of secrets at 10. There are so many interesting choices.
Yeah, it made a lot more sense to just take a dip in Warlock to pick it up, but I just really liked the idea of having a sword attack cantrip, plus I had sort of gotten to a point where my character had a theme of Thunder spells. Definitely wasn't the smartest choice, but it was fun and that's what ended up mattering in the long run.
In my current campaign I'm playing a Goblin, which allows me to disengage as a bonus action. So in order to have a solid melee spell just in case anyone got too close to me I actually used a magical secrets slot to learn Booming Blade. It was a fun flavor spell and actually gave me an excuse to use my character's nice magic sword that I otherwise would never have a reason to use. Although I swapped it for something else when I eventually just multi-classed into Warlock... I think I dropped it for Telepathic Bond.
I always felt taking a cantrip for a magical secret would feel like a waste since you can dip one level into a class or take spell sniper/magic initiate. Especially if you weren't a lore bard and you forgo the first set of secrets at 10. There are so many interesting choices.
Magical secrets makes it a bard spell for the character, however, and doesn't cost in level delays for higher level spells or abilities.
The bard spell might or migh not be relevant, but the level delay is very significant. I would rather access high level abilities sooner over splashing a level for a low level ability I can already grab via secrets.
Feats are worse in delays waiting five more levels for another feat. Resilience or war caster and ASI's tend to be important competition for feats.
I've used magical secrets for shillelagh to avoid MAD, for example.
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In the 2~ years I've been playing 5e, I've heard many opinions on what you should and shouldn't do with the bard's
bestfeature, Magical Secrets. So, what do you guys do with it?My preference for its use depends on what type of bard I'm playing and my party, but typically I try to get mid-level spells of around level 3-5, spells that I could use at varying degrees on strength and conserve spell slots with, but still make a great difference in my setup. Haste, Telekinesis, and Shield in particular and favorites of mine, depending on what college I'm playing as.
It's ok Ranger, you'll always be cool to me.. Unless druid gets another use for its wild shape charges.
Usually they go to more healing spells at 10th level trying to fill cleric shoes. Wish at 18th level.
I like to take spells that fit the concept but sometimes it's just crackfill the party seems to need.
Counterspell. Even gets half proficiency added on from lv 2 ability.
Ah yes, I always wind up getting that one eventually. It's a life saver.
It's ok Ranger, you'll always be cool to me.. Unless druid gets another use for its wild shape charges.
I also tend to pick based on what role my bard will be playing. That said, most of my bards tend to be general-purpose, and so usually have pretty similar picks.
Counterspell is common, especially for my Lore Bards. And Wish is just awesome. Those are the two that are most common for me.
My tendency is to pick spells of either the highest or second-highest level that I can pick with the Magical Secrets, but I'm starting to look at choosing lower-level spells. Haven't actually chosen one yet (why grab Shield or Mage Armor when I can just ensure I have a decent AC before I even get to pick it?) but we'll see if that changes.
Whistler
Titus - V. Human Battle Master Fighter 3 - [Pic] - [Pic2] - [Traits] - in Shadowglass
Locke - V. Human Shadow Monk 3 / Undead Warlock 2 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in FOW - DMless West Marches
Flèche - V. Human Swords Bard 10 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in The Scarlet Mist
Sterling - V. Human Bard 1 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
I see no reason to pick up mage armor with the feature personally, but Shield gets a lot of use from valor and sword bards in my experience. With shield on my most recent sword bard, I was able to forgo the investment into fighter/a feat for heavy armor, and the added boost to her AC when needed was great, as I played her as a skirmisher of sorts.
As for wish, I do enjoy the spell, but sometimes I feel like it's non-mimicking usage can be too risky for my tastes. The gains, of course, could potentially be amazing, but so could the adverse effects, depending on your DM. I don't know, I can admit its usefulness but I'm so risk-averse that the slightest chance of a major backfire would make me think long and hard before using it.
It's ok Ranger, you'll always be cool to me.. Unless druid gets another use for its wild shape charges.
Just keep in mind that even if you ONLY use Wish to mimic other spells, it's still incredibly useful, definitely worthy of keeping in one's pocket.
Having the power of Clone, Crown of Stars, Delayed Blast Fireball, Demiplane, Fire Storm, Illusory Dragon, Mighty Fortress, Plane Shift, Reverse Gravity, and even Simulacrum, all available on a whim, and requiring no costly components or lengthy casting period? You pretty much don't even NEED the other aspect of the spell.
Whistler
Titus - V. Human Battle Master Fighter 3 - [Pic] - [Pic2] - [Traits] - in Shadowglass
Locke - V. Human Shadow Monk 3 / Undead Warlock 2 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in FOW - DMless West Marches
Flèche - V. Human Swords Bard 10 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in The Scarlet Mist
Sterling - V. Human Bard 1 - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Assuming Lore Bard...
Level 6 "Magical Secrets", I'd probably like "Misty Step", "Pass Without Trace", "Spiritual Weapon", or "Hunger of Hadar".
These spells are iconic to certain classes...so of course I love to steal them. They fulfill mobility, stealth, combat support, and crowd control.
As for the other ones...
Paladin spells are certainly appealing..."Destructive Wave" is just too much fun. "Find Greater Steed" is character-defining...a trusted companion for your character to valiantly ride into battle.
"Steel Wind Strike" is not the most effective...but it is very cool.
An odd choice...but "Soul Cage" is one I've been meaning to try.
Catch the soul of an enemy who just died...and pretty much extract any information you need, heal yourself with their essence, or just gain advantage on your rolls.
Might also be worth it just to see the reactions of your party. You could also, hypothetically, catch the soul of the main villain of your campaign.
Might be worth it to trap Acereak in your Soul Cage. Just a thought.
"Wish" is obvious...the "Demiplane" / "Clone" combination is classic...
...but I like "Prismatic Wall". Never know when you might need a multi-colored death cake to creatively solve a campaign's problem.
Besides...it's pretty.
After counterspell i also like wish, blink (underrated as it doesnt require concentration), find greater steed and mirror image
I like to steal Ranger spells like "Steel Wind Strike" or "Swift Quiver" so I can cast them at Level 10 where the Ranger in the party has to wait until level 17. Totally balanced.
It is because spell levels have nothing to do with character levels. Just because a spell might typically be exclusive to a class doesn't change that.
Unless you think spells half casters share with full casters are somehow more powerful because of the higher character level. Magic secrets just shares the spell list a bit.
Encode Thoughts cantrip actually... Amazing roleplay options.
Counterspell, Shield, Haste, Simulacrum, Telekinesis, and Spiritual Weapon are the ones I'm going to pick when we hit those levels. Maybe Chain Lightning/Disintegrate if our party needs it
“Basically, if you tell anyone, we’ll kill you. We’re pretty good at that sort of stuff”-Salros Viper, Whispers Bard, paid assassin
For a party based class, there aren't as many party buffing abilities that I would like to see. Magical Secrets is often spent to steal pali auras or multiclass into cleric -- just doesn't seem right. Bards should be a walking party AOE buff machine.
Depends on my character. I like Destructive Wave and Banishment for tenth level picks. I've picked up Holy Weapon and Spiritual weapon for my swords bard I almost got to a level to pick Tenser's Transformation. I think spirit guardians is a good lore bard pick along with fireball or lightning bolt. I like to pick based on my character rather than optimal choices. Although if I play a lore bard I always pick counterspell it just comes in clutch too many times.
Your secret is safe with my indifference - Percy
I like doing that as well. Wish and time stop are cool and all, but often I feel like the bard I'm playing as wouldn't care for those spells. Case in point, the last bard I played as was a levistus tiefling valor bard, and I would up picking up banishing smite, shield, investiture of ice, and flame shield. He had a dumb gimmick where he would use his racial armor of agathys and spike up his pompadour with icy needles, and the investiture of ice was supposed to be the "ultimate" version of that, more or less.
It's ok Ranger, you'll always be cool to me.. Unless druid gets another use for its wild shape charges.
In my current campaign I'm playing a Goblin, which allows me to disengage as a bonus action. So in order to have a solid melee spell just in case anyone got too close to me I actually used a magical secrets slot to learn Booming Blade. It was a fun flavor spell and actually gave me an excuse to use my character's nice magic sword that I otherwise would never have a reason to use. Although I swapped it for something else when I eventually just multi-classed into Warlock... I think I dropped it for Telepathic Bond.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
I always felt taking a cantrip for a magical secret would feel like a waste since you can dip one level into a class or take spell sniper/magic initiate. Especially if you weren't a lore bard and you forgo the first set of secrets at 10. There are so many interesting choices.
Your secret is safe with my indifference - Percy
Yeah, it made a lot more sense to just take a dip in Warlock to pick it up, but I just really liked the idea of having a sword attack cantrip, plus I had sort of gotten to a point where my character had a theme of Thunder spells. Definitely wasn't the smartest choice, but it was fun and that's what ended up mattering in the long run.
Watch Crits for Breakfast, an adults-only RP-Heavy Roll20 Livestream at twitch.tv/afterdisbooty
And now you too can play with the amazing art and assets we use in Roll20 for our campaign at Hazel's Emporium
Magical secrets makes it a bard spell for the character, however, and doesn't cost in level delays for higher level spells or abilities.
The bard spell might or migh not be relevant, but the level delay is very significant. I would rather access high level abilities sooner over splashing a level for a low level ability I can already grab via secrets.
Feats are worse in delays waiting five more levels for another feat. Resilience or war caster and ASI's tend to be important competition for feats.
I've used magical secrets for shillelagh to avoid MAD, for example.