My initial idea is a performer who can take on different traits depending on which mask they are currently wearing, with the flavour of comedia del'arte- something like an initiative and speed bonus for harlequin, charm and frightened immunity for capitano, or copying languages for scaramouche
My main problem is balancing- what kind of limits for how many masks per day, how long they last etc would work so that it also scales with level?
(Just in case, i do not mean the genshin characters)
First off that is a super broad topic, the theatre has all kinds of different aspect to it that could be built upon. What aspects do you really want to capture for the subclass?
Secondly, what is the party role you want the subclass to focus on? Do they lean into scouting/infiltration? intrigue/social? skill monkey/versatility? spellcaster? support/healer? tanky defender? glass-cannon damage dealer? mobile skirmisher? controller/manipulator?
Thirdly, I also recommend thinking about in what situation will this character be the key hero that saves the rest of the party? - Note that the answer here should be only certain circumstances, because every character in the party should get a different time when they get to be the one that saves the day.
Finally, Bard subclasses have a pretty standardized format:
At 3rd level they gain 1 major feature that uses their Bardic Inspiration in a new way and is usually the main defining feature of the class. At 3rd level they gain 1 minor feature that can be limited use or a passive alway-on proficiency that defines the playstyle or role in the party that the subclass fulfills - e.g. whether they use weapons, or are skill monkey's or specialized in intrigue / social interactions.
At 6th level they get something that builds on the same idea as the non-BI 3rd level feature, but is a whole new feature.
At 14th level they usually get something that directly builds on one of their 3rd level features.
I’d say first of all have actor and either disguise self or alter self baked in. Could give it certain boosts in things like insight or history. Maybe an inspiring leader feature? Disguise kit proficiency?
One thing that could be cool is being like an acting coach and give others the limited ability to mimic speech! College of the Directorate?
My initial idea is a performer who can take on different traits depending on which mask they are currently wearing, with the flavour of comedia del'arte- something like an initiative and speed bonus for harlequin, charm and frightened immunity for capitano, or copying languages for scaramouche
My main problem is balancing- what kind of limits for how many masks per day, how long they last etc would work so that it also scales with level?
(Just in case, i do not mean the genshin characters)
First off that is a super broad topic, the theatre has all kinds of different aspect to it that could be built upon. What aspects do you really want to capture for the subclass?
Secondly, what is the party role you want the subclass to focus on? Do they lean into scouting/infiltration? intrigue/social? skill monkey/versatility? spellcaster? support/healer? tanky defender? glass-cannon damage dealer? mobile skirmisher? controller/manipulator?
Thirdly, I also recommend thinking about in what situation will this character be the key hero that saves the rest of the party? - Note that the answer here should be only certain circumstances, because every character in the party should get a different time when they get to be the one that saves the day.
Finally, Bard subclasses have a pretty standardized format:
At 3rd level they gain 1 major feature that uses their Bardic Inspiration in a new way and is usually the main defining feature of the class.
At 3rd level they gain 1 minor feature that can be limited use or a passive alway-on proficiency that defines the playstyle or role in the party that the subclass fulfills - e.g. whether they use weapons, or are skill monkey's or specialized in intrigue / social interactions.
At 6th level they get something that builds on the same idea as the non-BI 3rd level feature, but is a whole new feature.
At 14th level they usually get something that directly builds on one of their 3rd level features.
I’d say first of all have actor and either disguise self or alter self baked in. Could give it certain boosts in things like insight or history. Maybe an inspiring leader feature? Disguise kit proficiency?
One thing that could be cool is being like an acting coach and give others the limited ability to mimic speech! College of the Directorate?