Peerless skill gets over-rated, IMO. Higher bonuses can be useful but there's diminished returns because of bounded accuracy and it's competing directly with bardic inspiration and cutting words. The spells skill empowerment and enhance ability already cover improving skills if learned.
Lore bonus proficiencies are also minor because they already gain jack-of-all-trades bonus without it.
You're under-rating crown of madness. Even with the drawbacks the range is better than most control spells of the same level, and it adds the charmed condition so the target cannot attach the caster and the caster gains checks with advantage. It's true the target can move after taking that attack but it still uses up that attack and if the target does move it triggers opportunity attacks. Whether the caster pays the high upkeep cost is a discretionary decision at that point and the cost only exists if it's worthwhile to maintain the spell.
Crown of madness is situationally useful enough that it's worth a black rating.
Enhance ability for DEX gives advantage on initiative checks. That alone is worthwhile over temp HP.
You also underestimated compulsion. The benefit is triggering attacks of opportunity repeatedly, much like we get from dissonant whispers and crown of madness.
Skill empowerment shouldn't get a low rating if expertise gets a higher one. If expertise is good then freely handing it out is also good. I get that it's using a 5th level slot but that doesn't make it that bad.
Moderately armored is a strong AC bonus for most bards. It's easily a good feat, especially since it covers the best part of valor proficiencies for which you gave a good rating plus a half ASI.
I will try to overhaul this guide at some point when I have time. Might be able over the holidays, if not it’d probably be a while. If I do, I would include the Tasha’s options—although I haven’t looked too much at the new subclasses yet.
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)
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Peerless skill gets over-rated, IMO. Higher bonuses can be useful but there's diminished returns because of bounded accuracy and it's competing directly with bardic inspiration and cutting words. The spells skill empowerment and enhance ability already cover improving skills if learned.
Lore bonus proficiencies are also minor because they already gain jack-of-all-trades bonus without it.
You're under-rating crown of madness. Even with the drawbacks the range is better than most control spells of the same level, and it adds the charmed condition so the target cannot attach the caster and the caster gains checks with advantage. It's true the target can move after taking that attack but it still uses up that attack and if the target does move it triggers opportunity attacks. Whether the caster pays the high upkeep cost is a discretionary decision at that point and the cost only exists if it's worthwhile to maintain the spell.
Crown of madness is situationally useful enough that it's worth a black rating.
Enhance ability for DEX gives advantage on initiative checks. That alone is worthwhile over temp HP.
You also underestimated compulsion. The benefit is triggering attacks of opportunity repeatedly, much like we get from dissonant whispers and crown of madness.
Skill empowerment shouldn't get a low rating if expertise gets a higher one. If expertise is good then freely handing it out is also good. I get that it's using a 5th level slot but that doesn't make it that bad.
Moderately armored is a strong AC bonus for most bards. It's easily a good feat, especially since it covers the best part of valor proficiencies for which you gave a good rating plus a half ASI.
Just my initial thoughts. :)
That was very useful overall, thank you for taking the time to make it.
Will you update your guide with the new subclasses from Tasha?
I'd be curious to know your opinion on them.
I will try to overhaul this guide at some point when I have time. Might be able over the holidays, if not it’d probably be a while. If I do, I would include the Tasha’s options—although I haven’t looked too much at the new subclasses yet.
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Class Guides: Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Bard General Guides: PvP
Currently playing in: Quest for the Shunned City, Coliseum of Conquest, DragonDenn's Dragonlords, Shipwrecked on Fugue, Tomb of Annihilation, Razor's Lost Mine of Phandelver, The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above
Currently DMing: Princes of the Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss, Coliseum of Conquest—The Arena (Sometimes)