As a Bard I’ve been trying to use Mantle of Inspiration. But I’m told that I cannot use it since I need A spell like command before using the mantle. Wouldn’t that defeat the ability?
The Mantle of Inspiration ability has nothing to do with spellcasting. It's an ability that's similar to Bardic Inspiration and uses the same resources.
However, there is also another ability called Mantle of Majesty. This one allows you to cast the Command spell as a Bonus Action. You don't already need to know the spell and you don't already need to be able to cast the spell. This Feature grants the ability to cast it. Features always do what they say.
Just to add to up2ng's comments. Here is the text for the two abilities:
"Mantle of Inspiration
When you join the College of Glamour at 3rd level, you gain the ability to weave a song of fey magic that imbues your allies with vigor and speed.
As a bonus action, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to grant yourself a wondrous appearance. When you do so, choose a number of creatures you can see and that can see you within 60 feet of you, up to a number equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one). Each of them gains 5 temporary hit points. When a creature gains these temporary hit points, it can immediately use its reaction to move up to its speed, without provoking opportunity attacks.
The number of temporary hit points increases when you reach certain levels in this class, increasing to 8 at 5th level, 11 at 10th level, and 14 at 15th level."
As mentioned, Mantle of Inspiration has nothing to do with spellcasting. As a bonus action, the bard can give 5 temporary hit points to a number of allies who can then move up to their speed without triggering opportunity attacks but at the cost of their reaction. The ability is completely unrelated to spellcasting.
The level 6 bard ability is Mantle of Majesty and it specifically gives the character the ability to cast the command spell as a bonus action for a minute as long as the bard maintains concentration on the ability. However, it only uses the command spell.
"Mantle of Majesty
At 6th level, you gain the ability to cloak yourself in a fey magic that makes others want to serve you. As a bonus action, you cast command, without expending a spell slot, and you take on an appearance of unearthly beauty for 1 minute or until your concentration ends (as if you were concentrating on a spell). During this time, you can cast command as a bonus action on each of your turns, without expending a spell slot.
Any creature charmed by you automatically fails its saving throw against the command you cast with this feature.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest."
This ability GIVES you the ability to cast the command spell. You invoke the ability using a bonus action and cast the command spell. You can then concentrate on the ability and cast the command spell as a bonus action every turn for a minute as long as you retain concentration.
As a Bard I’ve been trying to use Mantle of Inspiration. But I’m told that I cannot use it since I need A spell like command before using the mantle. Wouldn’t that defeat the ability?
The Mantle of Inspiration ability has nothing to do with spellcasting. It's an ability that's similar to Bardic Inspiration and uses the same resources.
However, there is also another ability called Mantle of Majesty. This one allows you to cast the Command spell as a Bonus Action. You don't already need to know the spell and you don't already need to be able to cast the spell. This Feature grants the ability to cast it. Features always do what they say.
Just to add to up2ng's comments. Here is the text for the two abilities:
"Mantle of Inspiration
When you join the College of Glamour at 3rd level, you gain the ability to weave a song of fey magic that imbues your allies with vigor and speed.
As a bonus action, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to grant yourself a wondrous appearance. When you do so, choose a number of creatures you can see and that can see you within 60 feet of you, up to a number equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one). Each of them gains 5 temporary hit points. When a creature gains these temporary hit points, it can immediately use its reaction to move up to its speed, without provoking opportunity attacks.
The number of temporary hit points increases when you reach certain levels in this class, increasing to 8 at 5th level, 11 at 10th level, and 14 at 15th level."
As mentioned, Mantle of Inspiration has nothing to do with spellcasting. As a bonus action, the bard can give 5 temporary hit points to a number of allies who can then move up to their speed without triggering opportunity attacks but at the cost of their reaction. The ability is completely unrelated to spellcasting.
The level 6 bard ability is Mantle of Majesty and it specifically gives the character the ability to cast the command spell as a bonus action for a minute as long as the bard maintains concentration on the ability. However, it only uses the command spell.
"Mantle of Majesty
At 6th level, you gain the ability to cloak yourself in a fey magic that makes others want to serve you. As a bonus action, you cast command, without expending a spell slot, and you take on an appearance of unearthly beauty for 1 minute or until your concentration ends (as if you were concentrating on a spell). During this time, you can cast command as a bonus action on each of your turns, without expending a spell slot.
Any creature charmed by you automatically fails its saving throw against the command you cast with this feature.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest."
This ability GIVES you the ability to cast the command spell. You invoke the ability using a bonus action and cast the command spell. You can then concentrate on the ability and cast the command spell as a bonus action every turn for a minute as long as you retain concentration.