“Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft” is looming on the horizon (or dusk? Sundown? There’s a joke to butcher somewhere there)...
...and with the book comes the confirmation that the Undead Warlock & College of Spirits Bard subclasses are returning as official, playable specializations.
Personally, I’m all sorts of excited about this bard subclass returning...the bard using storytelling to literally conjure echoes of legendary figures to aid them in battle? Epic.
That said...I think a lot of people agreed that the subclass needed a bit of “tweaking” for smoother play; as it had a lot of little distracting bits which made it seem a little...clunky.
First off...I think the actual effects of “Tales From Beyond” were great...a nice balance of effects which naturally scaled with the Bard levels. Very versatile.
...but the other subclass features needed some work.
“Guiding Whispers” was interesting...being able to cast “Guidance” at a 30ft range is pretty useful...though the general vibe towards actually “remembering” to use Guidance is sort of an ongoing discussion, even for Clerics.
Your results may vary. I might just give the Bard “Thaumaturgy”: because dammit, Bards should already get that cantrip; and it fits the “spooky” vibe of the subclass better.
Maybe they cast it without components; that isn’t terribly unbalanced.
“Spiritual Focus” is actually decent...I wouldn’t change it much. I like the alternative spellcasting focuses...especially the candle, skull, and tarroka deck...and a minor boost to damage & healing is fine for a Bard.
A bit later, and the Spirits Bard gets “Spirit Session”...so the Bard gets limited access to Necromancy & Divination spells...I LOVE that.
...the execution is a bit convoluted; the spell level is tied to your proficiency PLUS the actual number of people you can get to attend your ritual / seance.
Dunno...it might be easier to say that: “The bard performs a ritual to commune with lingering spirits; they bestow them with whispers of grim knowledge...”
“...you pick a necromancy or divination spell of a level you can cast and learn that spell. You may replace this spell upon completion of a long rest, after performing the ritual again.”
Period. I don’t see that as terribly unbalanced...it’s a level the Bard can cast. One at a time. None of that proficiency or volunteer nonsense.
Scales better, too.
The capstone, “Mystic Connection”, is decent: it directly feeds into the core mechanic of the subclass.
If I’d adjust anything...I suppose...maybe let the Bard roll twice to pick an effect, and then choose?
This would help the whole “randomness-aspect” that could grow a bit tired at higher levels...and would represent the Spirit Bard getting the “hang” of reaching out to these otherworldly spirits a bit easier.
“Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft” is looming on the horizon (or dusk? Sundown? There’s a joke to butcher somewhere there)...
...and with the book comes the confirmation that the Undead Warlock & College of Spirits Bard subclasses are returning as official, playable specializations.
Personally, I’m all sorts of excited about this bard subclass returning...the bard using storytelling to literally conjure echoes of legendary figures to aid them in battle? Epic.
That said...I think a lot of people agreed that the subclass needed a bit of “tweaking” for smoother play; as it had a lot of little distracting bits which made it seem a little...clunky.
First off...I think the actual effects of “Tales From Beyond” were great...a nice balance of effects which naturally scaled with the Bard levels. Very versatile.
...but the other subclass features needed some work.
“Guiding Whispers” was interesting...being able to cast “Guidance” at a 30ft range is pretty useful...though the general vibe towards actually “remembering” to use Guidance is sort of an ongoing discussion, even for Clerics.
Your results may vary. I might just give the Bard “Thaumaturgy”: because dammit, Bards should already get that cantrip; and it fits the “spooky” vibe of the subclass better.
Maybe they cast it without components; that isn’t terribly unbalanced.
“Spiritual Focus” is actually decent...I wouldn’t change it much. I like the alternative spellcasting focuses...especially the candle, skull, and tarroka deck...and a minor boost to damage & healing is fine for a Bard.
A bit later, and the Spirits Bard gets “Spirit Session”...so the Bard gets limited access to Necromancy & Divination spells...I LOVE that.
...the execution is a bit convoluted; the spell level is tied to your proficiency PLUS the actual number of people you can get to attend your ritual / seance.
Dunno...it might be easier to say that: “The bard performs a ritual to commune with lingering spirits; they bestow them with whispers of grim knowledge...”
“...you pick a necromancy or divination spell of a level you can cast and learn that spell. You may replace this spell upon completion of a long rest, after performing the ritual again.”
Period. I don’t see that as terribly unbalanced...it’s a level the Bard can cast. One at a time. None of that proficiency or volunteer nonsense.
Scales better, too.
The capstone, “Mystic Connection”, is decent: it directly feeds into the core mechanic of the subclass.
If I’d adjust anything...I suppose...maybe let the Bard roll twice to pick an effect, and then choose?
This would help the whole “randomness-aspect” that could grow a bit tired at higher levels...and would represent the Spirit Bard getting the “hang” of reaching out to these otherworldly spirits a bit easier.
Thoughts?