How to make Bards interesting

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  • čas přidán 14. 03. 2022
  • Bards are one of my favorite classes in Dungeons and Dragons, so it's only fair to start with roasting them when talking about D&D.
    Get the Dancer Bard Here!
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    Video Editing by the amazing Bia: / bnazf
    Writing, Illustration, and Narration by me: / antodemico IDtrack: sg1hj2kkl4del9del94uirlioplsce33
  • Krátké a kreslené filmy

Komentáře • 1,6K

  • @MegaDeStone
    @MegaDeStone Před 2 lety +3081

    So weird to find a channel that appeals to my exact sense of humor while at the same time giving me fun ideas of how to play. 10 out of 10 would twist again

  • @delilahkreitz822
    @delilahkreitz822 Před rokem +426

    This is crazy how calm and quiet Pointy Hat is from a year ago. Now he speaks in his mic not caring his parents hear him! 😂

  • @caitlinreddy7330
    @caitlinreddy7330 Před rokem +381

    I made my bard a dancer, so happy I did :)) but she also fits the characteristics of the second character, much betrayal, much sad, much horny but is scared of feelings and commitment 😂

    • @ConstantChaos1
      @ConstantChaos1 Před rokem

      I'm a literal bard, like accepted to a bard college before I turned 14 this is how we actually operate, we are meant to be raw forces, people should have to roll to be a bard. We are comparable to sorcerers, an anomaly, my parents have a 127 and 129 iq respectively, but out of 5 successful 9+ total pregnancies I was born my iq was tested at 149 I fucking know everything but I'm shit at like daily activities? I mastered nuclear physics in less than a month scoring silver at a national competition we are meant to be all that but like unless strangers subsidize my life I can't do anything, in short bard is supposed to mean aspergers
      We are too intelligent yo liberals alone, I have talked my way out of felony charges, I can make meth (not that I have outside lab settings with federal permission) in an instant, we are meant to be the annoying cunt who always has something to say that is secretly helpful but like yeah font tell us or we will get a big head.

    • @McDonaldWilliamT
      @McDonaldWilliamT Před 10 měsíci +2

      That's a fair interpretation. My personal favorite one I ever made was in the style of a Skald. Instead of song or dance, his perform checks were him reciting the Poetic Edda in order to inspire his friends to acts of heroism. And then I took a few levels in Barbarian because battle rage. Also the name 'Bardbarian' is just too punny for me not to use. XD

    • @peaceprinceshaxi5978
      @peaceprinceshaxi5978 Před 10 měsíci

      That’s just leliana from orlais though

  • @insomniacwriter9411
    @insomniacwriter9411 Před rokem +320

    My friend has two teenage daughters that play. The younger one wanted to play a bard and the older one told her not to because of the "horny bard" trope. I told her it didn't have to be like that and told her that they could be like Viking skalds or that they could give inspiring speeches, etc. I touched on the idea of dance but couldn't think up of a good enough example. Yours is a MUCH better idea! I can't wait to have an opportunity to use one!

  • @SiaCh_
    @SiaCh_ Před 2 lety +800

    one of my biggest pet pieves about wizards and other extremely intelligent characters is that just because they have 30 INT, doesnt mean that they have any kind of teaching skills cus thats CHA! So i absolutely love the teacher (backseat gamer) bard cus it actually focuses on teaching as a separate ability.
    also love going full out on harny bard, endorsing the stereotype 110%

    • @Gamer_G33k
      @Gamer_G33k Před 2 lety +32

      I play an artificer with low wisdom, so she's very smart but also stupid. She's easily distracted and very childish, she's just well read and knows how to mix a good potion brew

    • @davidpotts7116
      @davidpotts7116 Před 2 lety +8

      Glamour bard is my favorite specifically because it allows you to play that stereotype lol. One of my favorite characters is a glamour bard who actually dances to use her inspiration and abilities. Outside of combat she uses her other abilities to make it easier to seduce others for gathering info, making a few gold on the side (not necessarily prostitution but giving various services, I also sometimes flavored song of rest as her just tending to the party with foot or back massages to help them relax since she was proficient in sleight of hand), and in general making the party liked by the town. One of her routines was a ribbon dance that is enhanced using minor illusion to make her appear on fire and play background instrumentals, and prestidigitation turned her black dress to a fiery palette like a resurrecting phoenix.

    • @Jenna_Talia
      @Jenna_Talia Před 2 lety +7

      As much as it feels great to go against the grain with D&D characters, so too does it feel good to shamelessly play into stereotypes.

    • @ANONM60D
      @ANONM60D Před 2 lety

      I prefer horny bard to be miraculously castrated in a series of unfortunate events

    • @Tomyironmane
      @Tomyironmane Před rokem +5

      It always bugs me that Wizards and the like can't get expertise in Arcana, but it's stupidly easy for the Bard to do so. If someone was playing that ultimate nerdy bard, it would fit a LOT better.

  • @Krwzprtt
    @Krwzprtt Před 2 lety +422

    I had a fun concept for a creation bard that, instead of music, revolved around stage magic and circus themes. They'd be wearing a ringmaster outfit with a top hat an a lil cane, perform inspiration by going "and introduciiiinnggg...the mighty Garok!", pull things out of their hat for the creation stuff.
    Mostly because I imagined them casting invisibility on a party member by throwing a sheet over them, turning to the other members and saying "And now, before your bewildered eyes, I'm going to make Garok disappear!"
    (and yes, they'd be using prestidigitation every two seconds for confeti and clapping)

    • @Celste_Angel_Art
      @Celste_Angel_Art Před rokem +23

      I had a bard who’s father ran a circus. He was also a bard. She would dance around the around care-free to give inspiration. Her clothes were based off of ringmasters.

    • @ConstantChaos1
      @ConstantChaos1 Před rokem +6

      I'm an actual bard, like literally accepted to a bard college in 2015 this is one of many tricks we do, bards are supposed to be more intelligent than wizards, wizards have raw knowledge, divine casters have raw wisdom, others have raw charisma (3.5 sorceress) bards should have all 3 of these beyond their respective classes sure a cleric might dutchess better than a Bard but a bard knows what wild plant to add before the sutchering begins, a sorcerer might be more charismatic but the bard recovers better form a faux pass, they might not know the fable the wizard knows but they do know the guy who made a whole Stand-up special about the intricacies of the subject so they know the truth behind the writing. Bards are supposed to be better than anyone at anything just because they know so much of so much

    • @Jr837_
      @Jr837_ Před rokem +1

      THIS IS AMAZING WHAT???

    • @TaakoBadger
      @TaakoBadger Před 11 měsíci +3

      For some reason I just totally geek out on circus themed things in D&D. My bard accidentally made a pact with an inter-dimensional “dark circus” ringleader and multi-classed into warlock from it, and it’s been so much fun! Campaign going on for little over a year and a half now (with a long 5 episode prequel campaign too).

    • @mrurl42
      @mrurl42 Před 8 měsíci +3

      @@TaakoBadger I play in a pathfinder 2e campaign that is an "oops all bards" campaign. We have a mime, a clown, an animal tamer, and a pyrotechnics expert as our group. And we go and do missions for the travelling circus we are part of. A group of all bards (at least in PF) works WAY better than people seem to think! While we all have our specialties, can all cover for each other on a failure being jack of all trade type characters.

  • @RafaelElectronic
    @RafaelElectronic Před rokem +41

    I think the Dancer subclass is easily one of your best, and so intuitive for Bards that I’m shocked it’s not in the game already

    • @loliithaay
      @loliithaay Před rokem +1

      fr as a dancer i was shocked that dance isnt a typical bard strength canonically 😭😭

    • @hobblesgames9376
      @hobblesgames9376 Před 6 měsíci +1

      I was thinking of homebrewing a capoeira bard that would essentially be dance fighting so it would give them a buff in some form to give them better melee abilities. It's only a concept so no idea how I'd work it yet but the idea intrigued me

    • @hobblesgames9376
      @hobblesgames9376 Před 6 měsíci

      Maybe treat it as if it were a monk multiclass or something

    • @LockandLoad79
      @LockandLoad79 Před 6 měsíci

      Bard focus on dancing.
      Now, in the real world there are dance that also Martial Art.
      Sooo ... would capoeira bard, Lezginka(rev: Rasputin in The King's Man) bard, Silat(yes it's often part of traditional dance) bard, Taijiquan bard workable ? would the skill effect stacks ?
      Capoeira bard will have with them their Berimbau, Lezginka will have their Panduri, Silat can bring their Serunai, and Taijiquan can have their GuZheng(as reference to Kung Fu Hustle).
      And then, are the use of these instrument stacks with proficiency in dancing and Martial arts ?

    • @user-xc8zd1fg1c
      @user-xc8zd1fg1c Před měsícem

      Totally

  • @joshuahorne6033
    @joshuahorne6033 Před 9 měsíci +10

    Playing my first 5E bard in a new campaign and made him a storyteller. The DM, during the first session, put me on the spot by filling a room with children and townspeople and had the Mayor request a story… I. Went. Off. The table was totally invested in my off the top story and by the end of it the DM had given me inspiration. A traveling storyteller bard is a TON of fun.

  • @HarPaelTheMessenger
    @HarPaelTheMessenger Před 2 lety +465

    I actually have an anti-horny bard! He was a fighter, multiclassed into bard. He has a partner and a daughter and inspired people by being Team Dad(tm).

    • @Drekromancer
      @Drekromancer Před 2 lety +30

      I actually love the idea of an anti-horny bard who loved and got burned so many times that he swore off sex and romance entirely. He may have great sway over people, but deep down, he's cynical and alone.

    • @AlexanderTzalumen
      @AlexanderTzalumen Před 2 lety +5

      I have an anti-horny bard that i described in another comment rogue 1, lore bard 3, warlock 2, Lore Bard for the rest. The skill checks are insane with expertise in 6 skills, and he's basically a mostly reformed con artist.

    • @yojimboeastwood5602
      @yojimboeastwood5602 Před 2 lety +2

      Soy bard. Not very rock and roll, kids

    • @MegaPokefan97
      @MegaPokefan97 Před 2 lety +10

      I had an idea for a anti-horny bard: Barbog the Nutless. He is a half-orc who lost his junk to a stray arrow. His music is basically the blues, and he took the college of swords. his goal is to learn the regenerate spell to regain his "lost leg" take the Dual Wielder feat and the two weapon fighting style and use drumsticks (maces)

    • @edwardwilson7459
      @edwardwilson7459 Před 2 lety +5

      Team daddy

  • @VikingMale
    @VikingMale Před 2 lety +394

    Well going back to the Celtic myths… Bards were the Lore Keepers and storytellers ( teaching people the lore). They knew the history, politics, laws, and goings on of the day. So in my campaign world, there are lots of Lawful Good and Lawful Neutral Bards. In my main kingdom Lawful Good Monks, multi class into Bards, and vice versa and they become the Mediators and Judges. They wander from village to village managing disputes, and overseeing trials, acting as the judges and lawyers.

    • @LupineShadowOmega
      @LupineShadowOmega Před 2 lety +12

      I'd throw some Clerics in there. Not to make it a theocracy, but because Clerics feel like they'd also be teachers and mediators. I have a College of Elegance bard that I'm working on and want to dip Order Cleric, he's very fastidious and meticulous almost to the point of seeming cold or aloof, but really he just wants to help people and he values other people's time as much as he values his own. Which is pretty darn highly.

    • @ga22by
      @ga22by Před 2 lety +3

      If memory serves me right, studying to become a fully fledged bard irl took 12 years and was a big step in pagan religious practice. If you know better, cool, because I can't find me sources anymore and I'm quoting from memory.

    • @natanoj16
      @natanoj16 Před 2 lety

      Are you talking about the Filli or the Drwuid? (Or how it is spelled (no not modern druid))

    • @natanoj16
      @natanoj16 Před 2 lety +2

      @@ga22by a Bard was specifically not well studied. The Filli on the otherhand had the education you mention ^_^

    • @thestatusjoe9949
      @thestatusjoe9949 Před rokem +1

      @@natanoj16 The distinction between bards and fili isn’t very clear, as early modern usage conflates them, and many scholars think the distinction was artificially applied by later Christian scholars when there wasn’t any historically.

  • @seanriley2695
    @seanriley2695 Před rokem +49

    I think the reason your channel seems to be growing so quickly is because your videos are amazing, your ideas are incredible, and who doesn’t love free stuff?!

  • @agitatedwaffle8418
    @agitatedwaffle8418 Před 11 měsíci +22

    The college of lore would screech “THE MITOCHONDRIA IS THE POWERHOUSE OF THE CELL” for all of their vocal component spells.

  • @ArvelDreth
    @ArvelDreth Před 2 lety +148

    "What unifies all bards is their use of performance"
    Yet funny enough they can do everything they do with no proficiency in performance.

    • @johnathanmonsen6567
      @johnathanmonsen6567 Před rokem +14

      Yeah I was just double checking that while watching. You'd think they'd just give Performance as an automatic bonus proficiency, since it doesn't generally have much actual use -- most social encounters are based on Deception or Persuasion or even Intimidate, most skill problems are around Intelligence or Dexterity skills, I think the only actual core use of Performances is as a side hustle to make money.

    • @jean-paulrobidoux5083
      @jean-paulrobidoux5083 Před rokem

      anyone that doesnt take perfermoance in their 12 proficiency isnt doing it right

  • @SwitchFeathers
    @SwitchFeathers Před 2 lety +295

    Some other bard idea for not just singing:
    - Oratory (like the ones in The Adventure Zone: Ethersea): Bards whose ability is essentially just firm, clear, inspirational or intimidating speech. Bards who speak spells into life and command magic in a loud, authrative voice.
    - Art: Bards whose spell catalyst is a brush or pen or quill, who draw and paint spells into life with dynamic motions in the air, or summon ink-based creatures from enchanted pages, or weave ethereal colour pigments together as elemental spells.
    - Sculpture: A more engineer-style bard who meticilously sculpts and crafts beatiful magical items into existance with tools and measurements, kind of like a bard/artificier hybrid. Bards whose magical items gain power not through complex incantations or rare materials, but by sheer force of artistic purity.
    - Fashion: A bard whose catalyst is a thread and needle, who weaves spells into their clothing and carries scraps of magically imbued fabrics with them to cast spells. A bard who can _literally_ "weave" magic into existance using their skill with sewing and stitching.
    - Cookery: A good idea for a healer/buff focused bard who literally cooks magic into their dishes, whipping up fabulous meals or drinks enchanted with spells that they or their party can consume to gain benificial effects. Chefs and mixologists who make a show out of their craft and use that showey-ness to inbue their creations with magic.
    - Comedy: Clowns, jesters, stand-up comedians and improv crews who's magic comes from making others laugh and by directing comedy. Their offensive spells could come in the form of insults, jabs and bad puns that deal pyshcic damage while their buffs and inspiriation could be hearty, inspiring jokes that raise the morale of their party members.
    Pretty much any performing art or sufficiantly skillful craft can be translated into a bardic ability, both to flavour existsing subclasses or create new ones. Bard is one of my fave classes because of how versatile it is in this way.

    • @thinslayer8026
      @thinslayer8026 Před 2 lety +13

      There's a webtoon/manhwa called "Karina's Last Days" featuring that exact art-bard concept. The titular Karina is a magical artist who expends her life force to bring her paintings to life. She was abused and abandoned by her family throughout her life, and art was the only thing that gave her peace - but it's also killing her, and the story depicts her final days as she rediscovers the joys of life.

    • @Kevinblue035
      @Kevinblue035 Před 2 lety +7

      i love the idea of a painter bard who can copy the spells of monsters and legendary heros by painting portraits for them, like Relm from FF6!
      or a comedian Pink dragonborn who has a harmless bubbles breath weapon

    • @Skaxarrat
      @Skaxarrat Před rokem +11

      I just made my first D&D bard and it is a philosopher (like greek pre-socratic ones) that uses rhetoric and logic (and sometimes, sarcasm) to mock their opponents and persuade people

    • @SwitchFeathers
      @SwitchFeathers Před rokem +8

      @@Skaxarrat This character sounds utterly insufferable and I say that as the highest complement, fantastic concept!

    • @Skaxarrat
      @Skaxarrat Před rokem +8

      @@SwitchFeathers He was being trained to be an advisor to the local power at Bard's College, but he was caught stealing from a noble in a party. Instead of defending himself, he insulted the noble.
      He was kicked from college the next day and wandered alone. After being robbed, beaten up and being thrown to the local well, now he is in a party and "safe".
      I hope.

  • @haoyu53
    @haoyu53 Před 9 měsíci +11

    Sword dance was the first thing I thought of when I realized bards don't have to play music on the battle field too. Milo from triangle strategy fits your battle field dancer description perfectly (and she also uses a fan as her weapon!) Dancer of the Boreal Valley from dark souls 3 and Riju from BotW also kinda fit, although they are probably more college of swords

  • @VinceOfAllTrades
    @VinceOfAllTrades Před rokem +47

    I've always wished the Bard class was similar to how Fire Emblem bards/dancers work: a pure support unit who uses performance to directly enable their teammates to do better by providing resources. This might be increased movement, advantage/buffs on rolls, debuffing/distracting enemies, or even "sharing" mana with casters or actions with martials.

  • @Uberphish
    @Uberphish Před 2 lety +209

    My older sister ended up doing something very similar to your teacher-bard concept! She was an int-heavy Warlock of a Death God, and hung around with an Orator bard NPC who was guiding them to various treasures over the course of the campaign. When she decided to multiclass into Lore Bard, she flavored it as taking her existing otherworldly knowledge, pairing it with the lecturing skills she was picking up from the NPC, and essentially becoming a knowledge-seeker with a flair for dramatically revealing information when it mattered most. It's been a fun little arc!

  • @Kihen9
    @Kihen9 Před 2 lety +148

    SO! I had a concept of an warforged bard that has holes all over his body, and when he dances the holes function like a wind instrument, and this class is PERFECT for it, so thank you!
    I just watched your tiefling video, so maybe the horns could have grown to be a wind instrument and work the same way too, and i think thats neat. You're literally inspiring me, loving your videos!

    • @Drekromancer
      @Drekromancer Před 2 lety +12

      Look up the Phantom Troupe from HunterxHunter. One of the members is very similar to your idea! Except instead of being a robot, he's a human man from a tribe that practiced extensive body modification in order to fill the body with musical holes. (Terrifying, I know - but he hides the holes by dressing like a mummy a lot of the time.)

    • @Kihen9
      @Kihen9 Před 2 lety +11

      @@Drekromancer Where do you think i got the idea xD

    • @ACDBunnie
      @ACDBunnie Před 2 lety +2

      Whoa, that's a dope characrer concept!

    • @truekurayami
      @truekurayami Před 2 lety +1

      @@Kihen9 A good option to add more "flavor" to your bard, would be working in Monk or Swashbuckler Rouge elements that would give it a psudo-Valor subclass to allow a "dance" to become an offensive/defensive ability beyond the connected spell.

    • @simontatton5424
      @simontatton5424 Před rokem +1

      Warforged bard but he plays an electric guitar and uses his head as an amp by plugging his guitar into it

  • @michaelb2685
    @michaelb2685 Před 2 lety +57

    Being an ex-professional dancer and playing Bard in my current campaign makes me wish I had seen this video earlier. It's frigging brilliant!! I'm going to find a way to add some of your suggestions to my bard.💛💚💙💜🧡❤

  • @esleep
    @esleep Před rokem +21

    The bard concept that's been living in my head for days now is an older-middle-aged half-orc woman who tells incredible stories. She can weave a narrative in a few words that would bring you to tears, although in battle she relies more on limericks and poems. Narratively, her high charisma and ability to influence people is played as her just being a sweet old lady who most people are naturally disarmed by (college of eloquence ftw). However, she is lowkey also multiclassed into a warlock, because her ex-husband (an archfey) tricked her into a pact. Her character arc involves her battling through the fantasy legal system's inscrutable layers of red tape to try to finalize her divorce AND break the pact, while her former husband/patron makes pathetic puppy-dog eyes at her from the Feywild and tries to get in the way of her finally breaking free. Eventually, when you threaten her friends enough, she drops the sweet old lady act, invokes her Pact of the Blade, pulls out the massive greatsword from her patron/ex-husband, and starts swinging. I'm glad I found this video because it gave me the push to make my dreams a reality and finish character creation with her. Heldi Grimtusk, coming soon to a poetry slam near you.

    • @lucascova7875
      @lucascova7875 Před rokem +1

      That’s one of the coolest dnd backstories I have ever seen

    • @TaakoBadger
      @TaakoBadger Před 11 měsíci +1

      I love that! I’m playing a bard warlock now too and love it (though the warlock class was almost accidental from story beats we hit, but I don’t regret it).

  • @sunsorcerer
    @sunsorcerer Před 2 lety +137

    "Eloquence bard, brought to you by people who read Greek mythology during recess"
    me, looking at my greco-roman-styled-philosopher eloquence bard: how was this known?
    Loved the video, I recently found your channel and it is magnificent. Thanks for all your hard work!!

    • @dragoninthewest1
      @dragoninthewest1 Před rokem +2

      When you want to be the brain and the face of the party.

  • @ivanhagstrom5601
    @ivanhagstrom5601 Před 2 lety +22

    I've always loved the idea of a Bard as an old adventurer gone into retirement, now playing the role of a mentor. Their Bardic Inspiration is them giving tips abput form and technique and the likes.

  • @MadnessStalker
    @MadnessStalker Před rokem +5

    My bard is a dancer bard. He's a swords bard that dual wields scimitars and multiclass splashed with barbarian. His performance is similar to what you get if you YT search Russian or Asian sword dancing. His flourishes fit the dancing across the battlefield motif, and the barbarian rage is flavored more as him going into a kind of focused trance as he weaves through enemies humming a tune that he's moving to.

  • @midnamidnightwhisper7529

    My first character I’ve made is a bard, and I wanted to lean into a non-cliché bard that is more than just a musician with a stapled on backstory, and frankly, the subclasses aren’t very good (but not bad) at flavoring them as anything but a classy musician except for the newer (and not that strong) collage of Spirits - honestly, you’ve done a great job at remixing and overcoming cliches of dnd classes, monsters, and races and I’m happy your channel is getting the recognition it deserves seeing how much catered homebrew you create - thank you!

  • @randyfool2065
    @randyfool2065 Před 2 lety +46

    Proud backer of the Hexbound kickstarter and I am super happy with it. Can’t wait to see this vid tomorrow!

  • @SiaCh_
    @SiaCh_ Před 2 lety +73

    just took a look at the description and saw the dancer bard, and ive actually been thinking about that for some time now cus i began playing dancer in ffxiv. normally not a fan of bard, but really think this would be an amazing subclass. definitely setting a reminder for this premier to hear more of your thoughts on it

    • @pointyhatstudios
      @pointyhatstudios  Před 2 lety +14

      Oops! Leave it to me to not realize that it'd show the video description with the premiere! We'll call it a sneak peek!

    • @davea6314
      @davea6314 Před 2 lety +1

      A bard that dances in melee combat could be done with a college of swords bard. A teacher bard could be done with a college of lore bard. I agree with Dungeon Dudes that eloquence bards and lore bards are the 2 best bard subclasses.

    • @Pyracyntrix
      @Pyracyntrix Před rokem +1

      @@pointyhatstudios its really cool looking back on your first video and seeing how the way you voice out your commentaries has improved

  • @tylertubemc8973
    @tylertubemc8973 Před rokem +3

    This video aged well. "College of dance"

  • @raulperez375
    @raulperez375 Před rokem +2

    If you had transitioned into a skillshare ad right at 2:15 i wouldn't even have gotten mad

  • @rtaraquin
    @rtaraquin Před 2 lety +13

    I did not realize how absolutely brand new this channel is. I'm definitely commenting on every video to boost metrics.

  • @7ShadesOfBlue
    @7ShadesOfBlue Před 2 lety +6

    I made a valor bard that was an entertainment gladiator, he acted out scenes in a theater with other actors as a form of retelling battles of old. One day he had enough of acting it out and quit his job, leaving on an adventure to do it for real. His inspiration was flavored as his actual movements and showboating inspiring his allies. That sword move was pretty gool, it inspired the fighter to do something, too. That spell was performed in such a flashy way the wizard couldn't help but contribute to the spectacle. Stuff like that. He is to this day my favorite character I've played, and all he really was is John Cena quitting his career to go kick some actual ass.

  • @summertime69
    @summertime69 Před 3 měsíci

    A player told me that they needed help leveling their bard so I immediately went looking for Pointy hat. I love your stiff and how you do stuff outside the same-old same-old

  • @marc-antoineleber109
    @marc-antoineleber109 Před rokem

    My favorite character ever was an Half-orc viking-esque bard performing the war horn wielding a two-handed axe and throwing axes. His lifelong goal was to have an undead army/band to play "metal" with and through leadership (3.5e) gained a cleric follower to raise an undead orchestra.
    He had a full marching band of mindless musicians and low level bards.
    He lead the charge into the fray sounding his inspiring war horn and invoking the God of War. The unofficial theme song was raining blood by slayer.
    He used most of his skill point in various athletics skills.
    Was fun and everyone loved him.

  • @rafaelcastor2089
    @rafaelcastor2089 Před 2 lety +102

    Disclaimer: Bards don't need the performance skill; Only musical instruments serve as arcane focus'; You WILL get proficiency with a musical intrument and start with one.
    5e claimed one thing and did the opposite.

    • @annasolovyeva1013
      @annasolovyeva1013 Před 2 lety +25

      Technically, for a dancing bard castanets could be a great musical instrument fit.

    • @canphan1375
      @canphan1375 Před 2 lety +10

      Im playing an eloquence bard rn I have persuasion and deception but didn’t pick up performance. So he can lie or convince anyone but got made fun of on the street when he played his guitar.

    • @hannahbecton9209
      @hannahbecton9209 Před 2 lety +2

      College of Spirits would like a word.

    • @LupineShadowOmega
      @LupineShadowOmega Před 2 lety

      @@annasolovyeva1013 Or Zills.

    • @TroySpace
      @TroySpace Před 2 lety +5

      Or, you can say, "I'm the DM" and designate something you feel is appropriate. Have a set of paints as focus for an art-based Bard that paints their spells into reality. Quill and ink for a writer or poet. You can have the Bard be a scholar as mentioned in the first example and use INT for class features instead of CHA, like the way Warlocks are often homebrewed. INT and CHA have no impact on combat stats other than rare saving throws anyway.

  • @tcdoesstuff
    @tcdoesstuff Před 2 lety +23

    I’ve never played dnd, but I like fantasy stuff so I like watching these stuff.
    The last one reminds me of Dancers in Fire Emblem. Enabling other characters to make another turn Dancer.

  • @davidjennings2179
    @davidjennings2179 Před rokem

    My favourite bard was a newspaper reporter, travelling with the party and sending home snippets of what they did.
    It started off as a minor background point to my character. However, after one particularly amusing battle (where we caused just slightly less damage than we averted) I posted a little write up in our discord where I'd twisted things to make it sound like we really did nothing wrong. The DM ran with it and I started writing tales of our battles back home and rolling charisma checks to see how well I came off - we gained a little fame, some offers of free drinks when we were in certain taverns...and also a target painted on our back.

  • @Bibi-lt6qh
    @Bibi-lt6qh Před 8 měsíci +2

    ive been running a bard that uses visual arts like drawing or painting for her magic

  • @maurawhite5229
    @maurawhite5229 Před 2 lety +7

    2:10 Gotta say the strength behind "PUZZLE" made me realize Bards are terrifying because that hit me for at least 3d6 force damage.

  • @VibingVampire
    @VibingVampire Před 2 lety +10

    i love bards in D&D so much they are the joy in my life haha, I found a bard subclass someone homebrewed on D&D beyond called collage of the kitchen and these bards COOK to perform and I just fell in love with it X'D never got to play it but one day I will play it :) your collage of dance design is SO pretty btw I love her!

  • @vee1267
    @vee1267 Před 20 dny

    “Nerd bard” gives major “Bill Nye the Science Guy” vibes and I love it!

  • @castbet9183
    @castbet9183 Před rokem +1

    I’m actually played a bard who’s apart of the College of Creation who’s disconnected from the world. So he has a high Wisdom & Charisma!

  • @sharkuli6481
    @sharkuli6481 Před 2 lety +13

    This was really fun to watch and some good ideas that I'm gonna borrow. Very excited to see the the bard and fan weapons. I'm looking forward to more videos.

  • @wenchisito7898
    @wenchisito7898 Před 2 lety +10

    this was amazing, really loved the art and the whole design of the video

  • @coolguy5133
    @coolguy5133 Před rokem +1

    Aasimar Bard: I can be your Angle or your Devil.

  • @Someguy-ez3nk
    @Someguy-ez3nk Před rokem

    My bard is an opera singer who was classically trained in violin. She also is the main healer and got some cleric spells. Her college is college of eloquence. She was built for a curse of strahd campaign and her build was to maximize radiant damage.

  • @ChaoticSalad
    @ChaoticSalad Před 2 lety +34

    I made a bard based off old adventure games, like monkey island:
    Charming, but bumbling
    Tries to avoid conflict and seems cowardly, but steps up when he's needed the most
    Seems like an idiot but comes up with clever solutions
    And the universe seems to favor them with luck and magical effects ( how his spells work )

  • @daggergaming3943
    @daggergaming3943 Před rokem +3

    Best character idea:
    A bard that uses the Dancer archetype, who is literally a Broadway musical character! They can and will break out into song and dance numbers regularly

  • @TheAce5399
    @TheAce5399 Před rokem

    I made a character once who was a bard, but instead of charming people with song and dance he was more "The Art of the Deal" sort of bard. He was a diplomat that used his knowledge of the places he visited and his silver tongue to charm other kingdoms into peace deals or trades that would favor his kingdom over those he was convincing. He was more about social interactions when gathering information and was very much the "bad cop" in interrogation situations as he later multiclassed into fighter since sometimes he couldn't talk his way out of a bad situation. He was a lot of fun to play and I wish I could play another bard like him.

  • @mts25204
    @mts25204 Před 10 měsíci +1

    Big respect for coming up with college of dance a year before WoTC put it out in the UA for one dnd😊

  • @randyfool2065
    @randyfool2065 Před 2 lety +14

    Wow that was great and worth the wait! I will check out the free stuff you made! Really awesome Dungeons and Dragons content. D&D with a Twist is a series I will look forward to seeing again.

  • @greendragon4026
    @greendragon4026 Před 2 lety +3

    Ngl, this was so well done that I was literally taken aback when you mentioned this was you're first video. You're already killing it dude, good job.

  • @byrdology9613
    @byrdology9613 Před 10 měsíci

    I love playing a valor or lore bard as a butler to one of the other PCs. He fusses over them with healing and buffing, and handles all of the party’s traveling needs as a majordomo instead of an over excited bard of many horns.

  • @colejames3654
    @colejames3654 Před rokem

    i run a bard who is someone who just wants to help people and his bardic abilities along with his musical affinity and charisma are just a means to an end to help him help people

  • @phantomkat42
    @phantomkat42 Před 2 lety +9

    I just started playing my first bard recently and I'm very proud to say that they're an oral storytelling-based harengon Lore bard. The stories they tell are Aesop's Fables to lean into the fun of playing a beast race! I also wanted them to be shy so if I was being intimidated by being an introvert playing a 20 Charisma character I had a good reason (they light up when they tell stories though!), and they're not at all horny cause I'm asexual and that was just NOT something I wanted to do 😅 Glad I managed to lean away from the stereotypes at least!
    Video was great overall! Loved the use of gifs and the "turn the beat around" joke killed me. Well done and I'm looking forward to the next one! ❤️

  • @SweetCaptain77
    @SweetCaptain77 Před 2 lety +5

    Loved it! Loved the whole dance-fighting interpretation, been trying to find a way to incorporate that. Will definitely use this.

  • @jacobrubydev
    @jacobrubydev Před 3 měsíci +1

    I was legitimately surprised when I checked and saw that... this is indeed actually his first video o_o

  • @owenhanson7790
    @owenhanson7790 Před rokem +1

    I audibly gagged when the whisper "ASMR" happened.
    Also, creation is pretty mush a mobile dance party with animating performance and what not.

    • @canifer5546
      @canifer5546 Před rokem

      FR! Straight up almost chucked my phone from the visceral disgust

  • @alsyrriad
    @alsyrriad Před rokem +4

    You spoke my imagination into existence with the Dancer homebrew. I’ve been hoping that this was a thing. Thank you so much!

  • @JonarusDraconius
    @JonarusDraconius Před 2 lety +3

    That third concept is extra cool! Like a D&D Belly-dancer type deal, maybe even multiclassing into monk for the whole 'martial arts disguised as Dance' thing!

  • @djphroop
    @djphroop Před 11 měsíci +1

    Two twists I took when playing a Bard.
    1. Bard, College of Lore.
    At 6th level took Animate Dead with class feature Magical Secrets. Bag(s) of holding + bunch of raised skeletons= pocket army. Had a homebrewed deity bards worshipped.
    2. Bard, College of Swords.
    Built to be a commando or assassin. Since Bard is basically a rogue without sneak attack gaining some martial maneuvers. Spells were focused on aiding in stealth, infiltration, espionage.

  • @IanBarth
    @IanBarth Před 16 dny

    So crazy that two years later the new core rule book puts out a College of Dance Bard.

  • @Crushanator1
    @Crushanator1 Před rokem +4

    I'm not a huge fan of the bard as they're often played, but I do really like red mages and dancers from jrpgs. Great content and I love the split of humor and incredible advice

  • @kirajones1650
    @kirajones1650 Před 2 lety +10

    A joy to watch, made me laugh. I’m so hecking excited to see what else you come up with.
    ALSO!!!!! Finally a subclass for my cancan dancer!!!! I need to make her now!!!!

  • @madmohawk6560
    @madmohawk6560 Před rokem

    I have a bard in the vault whose magic was painting the spells they wanted to use like the brush was doing the heavy lifting in terms of painting the spells but the Bard still has to visualize the spells in both his mind and into reality

  • @fieldbalazs12
    @fieldbalazs12 Před rokem

    For a one-shot, I made a bard-rogue, he was a kenku, who traveled with a circus earlier and worked as a juggler there. Then he met with a real bard, who joined and traveled with that group for a while, so my kenku started to mimicry that bard, and used magic in the adventure with his voice

  • @KoriThomasProduction
    @KoriThomasProduction Před 2 lety +6

    Awesome explanation and exploration of the class! Amazing job!

  • @annaolegovna1910
    @annaolegovna1910 Před 2 lety +3

    That was an amazing video! Proud Hexbound backer here waiting impatiently for her witchy fix and shiny clic clacs. There is obviously so much love and effort that went into the best of all the classes and the video overall! I love every single character and now need three more campaigns where I can play them all. Actually, this might be a bit clichee but a party consisting entirely of bards with different subclasses is a concept that sounds like fantastic fun to play! And it would drive the DM absolutely bonkers, just as an added bonus.

  • @prometheuskayne9320
    @prometheuskayne9320 Před rokem

    I've done something similar with Bards, focusing on entertainment/performance. I had jugglers (great with thrown objects and catching), contortionists (which mostly just confused or fascinated folks), dancers, playwrights (like Shakespeare), tightrope walkers, acrobats, actors, and stage magicians (slight of hand and practical illusions). It was part of a homebrewed campaign, where they sailed in to ports appearing to be pirates and then burst out into performances to sell tickets. The thing is, they were part of a secret mission to regain a kingdom from a Duke (the late king's brother), led by their captain (the escaped prince). But they were just a plot tool to get the players' characters to join up and begin adventuring. Still, they were alot of fun to use and each had a flamboyance to them.

  • @libertylibertybelle
    @libertylibertybelle Před rokem +1

    I watched this on my lunch break at the office.... I did not expect to snort mayonnaise out my nose from laughing so hard. WHY and HOW did you make this so funny... I am mortally in danger of dying of embarrassment.

  • @Drekromancer
    @Drekromancer Před 2 lety +3

    I can't believe the level of quality on this channel. Idk where you pulled all the different skills from (writing, editing, illustration, game design), but you're doing a wonderful job. I'm happy to see you join in as a part of the community. 🙂 I can't wait to see what you'll do next.

    • @Drekromancer
      @Drekromancer Před 2 lety +1

      Holy shit, this was your first video? God damn. We've got a natural on our hands. 🙂

    • @Ennui000
      @Ennui000 Před rokem

      He's a GM lol
      So it makes sense

  • @milohobo9186
    @milohobo9186 Před 2 lety +14

    As a mental health counselor, I'm like the real world equivalent to a bard, inspiring people to overcome challenges in their life, healing from deep wounds from the past, and like magic helping people see things that they could never have imagined for their future.

  • @emilymetcalf8290
    @emilymetcalf8290 Před rokem +2

    I just spent my day watching all of your videos. I have absolutely fallen in love with your videos! You have inspired so many new characters and your google docs have all been saved (and the art is *chef's kiss*). Thank you thank you thank you for making this pure ART!

  • @hlc97a
    @hlc97a Před 3 měsíci

    I'm now contemplating what a bard mime would be and it sounds kinda fun.

  • @Dead.Pegasus
    @Dead.Pegasus Před 2 lety +6

    Just watched all your videos! Really looking forward to more :-) As a Slam Poetry Bard I loved this video and your new perspective on the class!

  • @ronsantiago2207
    @ronsantiago2207 Před rokem

    DMing my first campaign. One of my players didn't feel inspired to create a character, so I created some for her. The one she chose was the character I based off of the character from your flavour text on The Thousand-Feathered Fan. Dancer Queen and her Monk lover were murdered in a fire by her subjects because of her love for someone from a lower social standing. Princess survives the burning castle, but losing her voice from smoke inhalation. Recalling her mother's fan dances, she channels her bardic magic through her dance, and travels to find her mother's long lost treasures, the Thousand-Feathered Fan being both the mother's and the Princess' most treasured item.
    Love your videos! Thanks for the inspiration!

  • @TheJohtunnBandit
    @TheJohtunnBandit Před 3 měsíci

    bard that casts vicious mockery by serving someone some sick dance moves like in a movie

  • @christenh359
    @christenh359 Před rokem

    I love your twists on everything.

  • @m3gatr0n28
    @m3gatr0n28 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Look at how far we've come, my friend

  • @extrachilioilplease
    @extrachilioilplease Před rokem +1

    So happy i found this channel. Every twist is genuinely so fun

  • @SinCitysOnly
    @SinCitysOnly Před 2 lety

    I made a bard whose performance is professional wrestling. He's based around grappling his opponents, and giving inspiration (or, since he's a Lore Bard whose specialty is anatomy, cutting words) through epic promo skills.

  • @matheusthemaus2393
    @matheusthemaus2393 Před 11 měsíci +1

    comming from the future to say that bards in dnd one may have a dance subclass

  • @kodygeddes2597
    @kodygeddes2597 Před 8 měsíci

    Hopping back and watching this again is like watching a turtle slowly climb out of its shell

  • @OmegaX9
    @OmegaX9 Před 5 měsíci

    So here's an idea for a bard that I don't think I've ever seen anyone do: a military tactician. It subverts the usual idea of the artistic bard (while also adding in a different flavor of edge) by having their power work through their orders and speeches. They use Persuasion to recruit troops and boost morale while using Intimidation and Deception to mess with their enemies. Add in the high INT required to make these plans and now the bard could even supplant the wizard as the brains of the party.

  • @pink_parade2900
    @pink_parade2900 Před rokem +1

    Love this subclass and all the awesome character ideas. Can't wait to use it in my games and to see more of this series and your content.

  • @Balafras
    @Balafras Před rokem

    Loving the fact that I'm learning, laughing (my gawd, how I LOVE your sense of humor) and yes sharing your videos to newcomers to D&D that need hints, examples and whatnots. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THESE!!! 😁

  • @FourthRulerEntity
    @FourthRulerEntity Před rokem

    The dancing bard is a subclass I’ve been hoping to see. Can’t wait to read it over.

  • @Atlas3060
    @Atlas3060 Před 2 lety +1

    That Nerd bard gave me the idea of Phoenix Wright as part of the College of Lore. Anyone who played Marvel Versus Capcom knows that dreadful moment when he has all the clues and you hear the fateful battlecry of OBJECTION!

  • @joesgotmore
    @joesgotmore Před 2 lety

    Now I'm inspired to make a College of Glamour Bard who is a Mime. Annoying to everyone they encounter but like a song that gets stuck in your head, you can't look away.

  • @fyahmoonwishes1402
    @fyahmoonwishes1402 Před rokem

    You explain it in such a digestible way! Some of these other DND "experts" they bog me down with so much information I feel overwhelmed, but they way that you talk about it is so much better. I am literally 4 months old playing DND with my friends who have played for years, but I can hold my own thanks to you and your videos! Please make many more! They are worth waiting for

  • @dianaferreria
    @dianaferreria Před 10 měsíci

    Not gonna lie, the accuracy of the "bards are versatile" pre correction sentence is scarily accurate

  • @cplmajbox7629
    @cplmajbox7629 Před rokem

    “They could be more powerful when they’re dancing” - Bladesinger says hello.

  • @Patticonline
    @Patticonline Před rokem

    This is literally the perfect channel for me… I’ve been wishing I had vids that were like this!!

  • @chrislemaster75
    @chrislemaster75 Před rokem

    I just went through and watched almost all your videos today. I’ve even. Few lately and didn’t realize you were so new! I love these videos!!!!!

  • @kiratastic7048
    @kiratastic7048 Před 10 měsíci

    I have a bard who’s a comedian. His jokes and comedic performances give him his abilities!

  • @Kiljoy_
    @Kiljoy_ Před rokem

    My favorite was an Orc war drummer that charged into battle using fear against their enemies. The drums were ogre skulls and his sticks are maces

  • @umutcantacer7271
    @umutcantacer7271 Před rokem +1

    Can’t believe this was your first vid. This is really good and made me wanna think about more twists.

  • @LunarOverdrive
    @LunarOverdrive Před rokem +2

    I literally immediately started thinking "wait he's just making Zevran for the horny bard." Lmfao.

    • @christianwiebe8485
      @christianwiebe8485 Před měsícem

      Right I was about to say why did he do him dirty like that and then I read your comment and realized that he did him justice with it. So go DA:O

  • @paige2339
    @paige2339 Před 2 lety

    super great, high quality video! i've been looking to get back into dnd but so many videos on it are so serious. it's nice to have something more laid back and creative like this!

  • @shadenox8164
    @shadenox8164 Před rokem

    I had an idea for dancer bard myself, but I didn't go that deep into it. Mostly it just meant changing some of the rules around inspiration. Essentially a dancing bard's inspiration would work in magical silence but not in magical darkness.

  • @creative_angst
    @creative_angst Před rokem

    I have a new favorite channel. I set a few goals of things I wanted to do to trigger dopamine in my ADHD brain that's not shopping, and one of them was improving my D&D playing, and learning to DM. This was perfect to trigger that dopamine and I immediately shared it to my D&D group.

  • @ladaleenglish6756
    @ladaleenglish6756 Před rokem

    the dancer just reminded me of so many times I've seen people use there dancing partners as weapons in movies shame i cant recall the movies .