I'm looking for some advice. I have a friend that plays Pathfinder but wants to try out D&D. She wants to play a Viking type character and the Valor Bard is close to what she is looking for. Basically, a warrior that inspires others while she fights. However, she also wants the ability to rage, similar to the Skald class in Pathfinder. I'm not sure how to go about doing this, aside from multicasting. Does anyone have some advice on how to add a rage mechanic to Valor Bard without making it OP?
Well, what level are you planning on playing? If your playing 4th level or higher, there's the Inspiring Leader feat, but you could homebrew an inspiration feat that is mostly through combat. Add that to a barbarian and boom! Your player is happy!
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Well, what level are you planning on playing? If your playing 4th level or higher, there's the Inspiring Leader feat, but you could homebrew an inspiration feat that is mostly through combat. Add that to a barbarian and boom! Your player is happy!
Thanks for your response! I should have included this in my original post, but she wants to inspire others through music in combat. Specifically, she wants to use her shield (a wargong?) to make sounds to buff/inspire the party. She also wants the ability to cast spells and to be charisma based to fit the character idea she has. So Valor Bard accomplishes much of what she is looking for. The only thing she really wants that isn't a Bard feature is a rage mechanic.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
I concur with taking a level or two of barbarian. I will note that if you're going to do this, from a mechanics perspective, it might make sense to choose a college other than valor. Valor's bonus proficiencies don't really give you anything you're not already getting from barbarian. The ability to add inspiration to damage instead of just attack rolls is kinda meh. The extra attack and ability to attack and spellcast at higher levels is nice, though.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
I'm looking for some advice. I have a friend that plays Pathfinder but wants to try out D&D. She wants to play a Viking type character and the Valor Bard is close to what she is looking for. Basically, a warrior that inspires others while she fights. However, she also wants the ability to rage, similar to the Skald class in Pathfinder. I'm not sure how to go about doing this, aside from multicasting. Does anyone have some advice on how to add a rage mechanic to Valor Bard without making it OP?
Well, what level are you planning on playing? If your playing 4th level or higher, there's the Inspiring Leader feat, but you could homebrew an inspiration feat that is mostly through combat. Add that to a barbarian and boom! Your player is happy!
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Well, It sounds like she wants to be a bardbarian. Multiclass is the way to go.
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
I agree with Astromancer. It is not uncommon for players to take a 1 Level dip into Barbarian simply for Rage and/or Unarmored Defense.
I concur with taking a level or two of barbarian. I will note that if you're going to do this, from a mechanics perspective, it might make sense to choose a college other than valor. Valor's bonus proficiencies don't really give you anything you're not already getting from barbarian. The ability to add inspiration to damage instead of just attack rolls is kinda meh. The extra attack and ability to attack and spellcast at higher levels is nice, though.
Well, you can't cast spells while raging. I can obviously see going with College of Swords but College of Glamour might also fun.
Tooltips | Snippet Code | How to Homebrew on D&D Beyond | Subclass Guide | Feature Roadmap
Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Thanks for the suggestions! I'll run all of this by her to see what route she wants to go :)