I took more detailed notes this time because I expected bigger changes from the UA and there were some doozies. Will update once the article goes live.
Base Bard
(Change from UA) Back to dedicated class spell list, includes more spells than 2014
Can change a cantrip on level-up
Bardic Inspiration now lasts 1 hour
Can recover BI by burning spell slots with Font of Inspiration now
Countercharm gives advantage on the saving throw
(Change from UA) Magical Secrets can only do Bard Cleric Druid Wizard
(Change from UA) Magic Initiate feat ALSO can only do Cleric Druid Wizard
As with UA, MS simply unlocks your ability to pick from those spell lists every time you level once you get it, rather than at specific levels.
(Change from UA) Superior Inspiration gets you up to 2 BI back when you roll initiative as long as you have less than two, rather than needing to be at zero
Words of Creation capstone from UA still there (Twinned PWH + PWK)
I brought this up with the cantrip adept in ToV, but a Valor bard with a dip/feat for metamagic (quickened spell) can cast Mold Earth twice on the same turn to virtually instakill anything (on the right terrain) and then attack something else.
Likewise Sapping Sting to knock prone then make a normal attack in the same action is pretty good - dual wield for a ba attack on top.
Nothing that couldn't have been done already. I'm curious what shenanigans new spells might add to the mix.
I'm scratching my head a bit at the College of Dance doing extra unarmed attacks, and using their bardic inspiration die for the damage. Feels a bit out of place, mechanically. I get a little bit of a warlord (4e) vibe from them.
Shame they dropped the bardic inspiration being used to heal from the first Bard UA. I liked that and we’ve been using it in our home games since it came out, it’s only a small amount of healing and there’s other uses for inspiration so it’s never been my players first use for it but a couple of times it’s been a handy emergency heal once the spell slots dry up
I brought this up with the cantrip adept in ToV, but a Valor bard with a dip/feat for metamagic (quickened spell) can cast Mold Earth twice on the same turn to virtually instakill anything (on the right terrain) and then attack something else.
I think you're using an unusual reading of mold earth, I don't see anything in there that can do more than annoy someone by covering them in a pile of loose dirt.
I brought this up with the cantrip adept in ToV, but a Valor bard with a dip/feat for metamagic (quickened spell) can cast Mold Earth twice on the same turn to virtually instakill anything (on the right terrain) and then attack something else.
I think you're using an unusual reading of mold earth, I don't see anything in there that can do more than annoy someone by covering them in a pile of loose dirt.
I wondered that. Unless they’ve reworded it for 2024 Mold Earth specifically says it’s not strong enough to do damage
I brought this up with the cantrip adept in ToV, but a Valor bard with a dip/feat for metamagic (quickened spell) can cast Mold Earth twice on the same turn to virtually instakill anything (on the right terrain) and then attack something else.
I think you're using an unusual reading of mold earth, I don't see anything in there that can do more than annoy someone by covering them in a pile of loose dirt.
First cast: move dirt out from under target; target falls 5' because of gravity.
Second cast: move the dirt back. Target is now buried alive. 5 cubic feet of dirt is heavy - target is likely restrained and will begin suffocating
Correct! and people who were afraid of Magic Initiate: Divine Smite or Hunter's Mark have been addressed too.
Well, unless they moved some of those spells to another list; some smites were on the cleric list in UA.
Searing and Staggering I believe.
My point though is that the basic Divine Smite wasn't/isn't!
Did we see an updated Cleric spell list in an UA? The last version of the Cleric; I think, was UA6, where they were still using the Divine list.
Do we know if Magic Initiate requires you to use the spellcasting ability of the class you’re borrowing spells from or if it lets you choose? (The fact that it’s restricted to Wizard, Cleric and Druid lists, without a Charisma caster option, makes me think that it’s a free choice, but it’s hardly strong evidence.)
Do we know if Magic Initiate requires you to use the spellcasting ability of the class you’re borrowing spells from or if it lets you choose? (The fact that it’s restricted to Wizard, Cleric and Druid lists, without a Charisma caster option, makes me think that it’s a free choice, but it’s hardly strong evidence.)
It has not been stated, but "choice of stat" seems likely, given their design direction in the last several years.
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Bard Article: 2024 Bard vs. 2014 Bard: What's New
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I took more detailed notes this time because I expected bigger changes from the UA and there were some doozies. Will update once the article goes live.
Base Bard
Dance Bard
Glamour Bard
Lore Bard
Valor Bard
I brought this up with the cantrip adept in ToV, but a Valor bard with a dip/feat for metamagic (quickened spell) can cast Mold Earth twice on the same turn to virtually instakill anything (on the right terrain) and then attack something else.
Likewise Sapping Sting to knock prone then make a normal attack in the same action is pretty good - dual wield for a ba attack on top.
Nothing that couldn't have been done already. I'm curious what shenanigans new spells might add to the mix.
I'm scratching my head a bit at the College of Dance doing extra unarmed attacks, and using their bardic inspiration die for the damage. Feels a bit out of place, mechanically. I get a little bit of a warlord (4e) vibe from them.
Shame they dropped the bardic inspiration being used to heal from the first Bard UA. I liked that and we’ve been using it in our home games since it came out, it’s only a small amount of healing and there’s other uses for inspiration so it’s never been my players first use for it but a couple of times it’s been a handy emergency heal once the spell slots dry up
I think you're using an unusual reading of mold earth, I don't see anything in there that can do more than annoy someone by covering them in a pile of loose dirt.
I wondered that. Unless they’ve reworded it for 2024 Mold Earth specifically says it’s not strong enough to do damage
First cast: move dirt out from under target; target falls 5' because of gravity.
Second cast: move the dirt back. Target is now buried alive. 5 cubic feet of dirt is heavy - target is likely restrained and will begin suffocating
[REDACTED]
That's not what 'loose earth' means.
Hmm I feel a lot of the 2024 changes mean you gotta revamp 5e subclasses
^ This. Loose earth isn't going to restrain/suffocate anyone, and that would be way too powerful for a cantrip anyway.
But if you want to keep discussing offensive uses for Mold Earth that can be its own thread.
Get the party to dance with the bard, you say?
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Wait Whaaat? No more MI to get Eldritch Blast or Armor of Agathys? YESSS!
Correct! and people who were afraid of Magic Initiate: Divine Smite or Hunter's Mark have been addressed too.
Well, unless they moved some of those spells to another list; some smites were on the cleric list in UA.
Searing and Staggering I believe.
My point though is that the basic Divine Smite wasn't/isn't!
Did we see an updated Cleric spell list in an UA? The last version of the Cleric; I think, was UA6, where they were still using the Divine list.
Do we know if Magic Initiate requires you to use the spellcasting ability of the class you’re borrowing spells from or if it lets you choose? (The fact that it’s restricted to Wizard, Cleric and Druid lists, without a Charisma caster option, makes me think that it’s a free choice, but it’s hardly strong evidence.)
It has not been stated, but "choice of stat" seems likely, given their design direction in the last several years.
Mark of Finding subraces get Hunter's Mark, though...