D&D 5E Valor Bard tips?

[DarklordKyo]

Also, this is a bit long-term, but when magical secrets come up; look at the ranger-exclusive high-end.
Swift-quiver will turn your crossbow into a machine gun.
https://www.dnd-spells.com/class/ranger/
Just know that if you have a ranger in your party, they will hate you as a person for getting their exclusive spells at level 10 while they have to work up to 17. Like never share their snacks with you again hate you.
Same applies for Paladin smite spells.

Huh, any specific recommendations other than Swift Quiver?

 

[Souplex]

It was in the first batch of errata on the "Ammunition" property of weapons.
By that logic you could use a shield with a longbow due to straps, or you could use a shield hand to do somatic components because "Straps". It's also something of a game balance thing. As always when the rules seem a little stupid to you, consult your GM about ignoring them.
So yeah, get yourself a heavy crossbow and drop the shield, or if you want to be ranged and keep the shield get into throwing weaponry.
Also, this is a bit long-term, but when magical secrets come up; look at the ranger-exclusive high-end.
Swift-quiver will turn your crossbow into a machine gun.
https://www.dnd-spells.com/class/ranger/
Just know that if you have a ranger in your party, they will hate you as a person for getting their exclusive spells at level 10 while they have to work up to 17. Like never share their snacks with you again hate you.
Same applies for Paladin smite spells.

Huh, well, I guess I'd rather get the big crossbow. Do I even have proficiency?, or is it just hand crossbows?

You have proficiency in all Martial Weapons from being a Valor Bard. Since there's no categories of weapons outside of Simple, Martial, and Siege (it's in the DMG) you can use anything that fits in your hands.
Also, until your dex gets higher, medium armors will have better AC for you. As a Valor Bard you have proficiency in medium armor. You need max dex for studded leather to outperform a breastplate. There's no stealth penalty for a breastplate, but there is for half-plate.
You can be a fine valor bard without raising your charisma if you take spells that don't require attacks or saves. Being made invisible by a charismatic person is the same as being made invisible by the weird kid who won't shower.
Soap is 2CP. Buy a couple of bars for role-playing.
Good spells for magical secrets down the line:
Haste: Best buff in the game for your front-liner.
Counterspell: requires you to up your casting stat to work reliably, but it can make your GM cry when you neutralize their mage villain.
All the ranger shit: Already discussed it. If you use a ranged weapon it's lethal. The fact that you can get it makes the ranger even more useless.
Lightning bolt/Fireball: You want to diversify your save DCs, giant monsters aren't good at dodging, small things aren't good at enduring, and stupid things have weak Wis saves. The Bard list has nothing that targets Dex. Granted as a Valor you can attack instead, but it's worthy noting.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Also, this is a bit long-term, but when magical secrets come up; look at the ranger-exclusive high-end.
Swift-quiver will turn your crossbow into a machine gun.
https://www.dnd-spells.com/class/ranger/
Just know that if you have a ranger in your party, they will hate you as a person for getting their exclusive spells at level 10 while they have to work up to 17. Like never share their snacks with you again hate you.
Same applies for Paladin smite spells.

Huh, any specific recommendations other than Swift Quiver?

Honestly, that's a long ways away my friend. I'd wait to see how your party has developed by level 10. See either what the party needs by then or what makes sense for the character to learn at that time, as in roleplaying-wise. But I do like to say; Sleet Storm from the Wizard spell list is a heavily underestimated crowd control spell.

 

[DarklordKyo]

You have proficiency with light crossbows, not heavy crossbows. Still, even a light one does more damage, a d8, than a hand crossbow, a d6. Still, keep that hand crossbow somewhere tucked away. I mean it's basically a pistol you can slip in a coat and pull out under a table or something. Makes for a neat little surprise weapon, some swell intimidation roleplay, that kind of thing.

I'd need Warcaster first though. I need my off hand to shred some sick riffs.

 

[Souplex]

But that kind of Chaotic Neutral sounds fine. Sounds like Jack Sparrow, aka CN's patron saint.

The patron saint of Chaotic Neutral is rick Sanchez.

Y'know, ever since the last episode I've been leaning way more towards Chaotic Evil. CN doesn't really step over the amount of bodies CE gladly does. Like he destroyed an intergalactic federation pretty much for shits and giggles. That shit ain't CN bro, that's pure CE.

Not just for shits and giggles, but because they are an authority figure, and a threat to his operations.
He values his independence more than anything. Governments don't generally want crazed rogue mad scientists.

Also, this is a bit long-term, but when magical secrets come up; look at the ranger-exclusive high-end.
Swift-quiver will turn your crossbow into a machine gun.
https://www.dnd-spells.com/class/ranger/
Just know that if you have a ranger in your party, they will hate you as a person for getting their exclusive spells at level 10 while they have to work up to 17. Like never share their snacks with you again hate you.
Same applies for Paladin smite spells.

Huh, any specific recommendations other than Swift Quiver?

Covered that a bit in my last post.

 

[Souplex]

You have proficiency with light crossbows, not heavy crossbows. Still, even a light one does more damage, a d8, than a hand crossbow, a d6. Still, keep that hand crossbow somewhere tucked away. I mean it's basically a pistol you can slip in a coat and pull out under a table or something. Makes for a neat little surprise weapon, some swell intimidation roleplay, that kind of thing.

I'd need Warcaster first though. I need my off hand to shred some sick riffs.

Look into a component pouch. You can do the gestures then grab the component, plus it's a little less silly to do while wielding a weapon.
My bard used a lute because he never used a weapon so it never felt incongruous. He did sing classic rock songs for each spell though.
Thunderwave and shatter were power-chords.
Hold Person/Monster: Pressure, pushing down on me, pushing down on you whoaoaa!
Haste: You're travelling at the speed of light, oh I wanna' make a super-sonic man out of you!
Hypnotic pattern: All in all you're just a-nother brick in the wall!
Counterspell: If that's your best, your best won't do!
Confusion: Stay calm! Don't be alarmed! It's just a holiday, back at the funny farm!
Greater Invisibility: I'm on the hunt I'm after you, and I'm hungry like the wooooolf.
Thankfully I can sing so it was fun rather than annoying.
Also, use that site I linked, it's a really useful tool.

 

[Cowabungaa]

I'd need Warcaster first though. I need my off hand to shred some sick riffs.

Nah, at least not how I'd rule it as a GM. Yes you need your second hand to load a crossbow and even fire one that's bigger than a hand crossbow. But it's not like when you've shot it and you're not reloading your crossbow your other hand isn't free for the somatic component of a spell.

But if you mean playing an instrument, well in that case even wielding a hand crossbow hampers that. And come to think of it; an instrument is your spell focus. You might not even want to wield a weapon all the time.

Not just for shits and giggles, but because they are an authority figure, and a threat to his operations.
He values his independence more than anything. Governments don't generally want crazed rogue mad scientists.

I wouldn't call it him valuing his independence as simply him not wanting people to stand in his way. It's why Demons are forever at war with Devils in D&D, they have the same kind of independence-valuing as Rick has. Rick is way too murderous for CN, and way too insane. I mean he owed up he'll kill anyone preventing him from getting what he wants. That speech at the end of S03E01? Yeah that's Rick admitting he's CE alright. Someone CN would never go that far. And if he would, what even is the difference between CE and CN?

 

[DarklordKyo]

You can be a fine valor bard without raising your charisma if you take spells that don't require attacks or saves. Being made invisible by a charismatic person is the same as being made invisible by the weird kid who won't shower.

Then again, Dissonant Whispers can combo pretty well theoretically. Whisper, enemy fails, damage them, Battle Magic to bonus action weapon attack, they get damaged more if they run through teammates, and a high Charisma helps make enemies fail the save.

Good spells for magical secrets down the line:
Haste: Best buff in the game for your front-liner.

Plus, I can use it on myself to up my DPS if they don't need it.

All the ranger shit: Already discussed it. If you use a ranged weapon it's lethal. The fact that you can get it makes the ranger even more useless.

Though, then again, couldn't Haste be considered a more versatile Swift Quiver in that case?, for example.

Lightning bolt/Fireball: You want to diversify your save DCs, giant monsters aren't good at dodging, small things aren't good at enduring, and stupid things have weak Wis saves. The Bard list has nothing that targets Dex. Granted as a Valor you can attack instead, but it's worthy noting.

That'd be worth considering, seeing as though I can combo the Fireball into weapon attacks with Battle Magic.

 

[Souplex]

I wouldn't call it him valuing his independence as simply him not wanting people to stand in his way. It's why Demons are forever at war with Devils in D&D. Rick is way too murderous. I mean he owed up he'll kill anyone preventing him from getting what he wants. That speech at the end of S03E01? Yeah that's Rick admitting he's CE alright. Someone CN would never go that far. And if he would, what even is the difference between CE and CN?

I admit, I declared him "The definitive CN before that episode, and never updated.

Then again, Dissonant Whispers can combo pretty well theoretically. Whisper, enemy fails, damage them, Battle Magic to bonus action weapon attack, they get damaged more if they run through teammates, and a high Charisma helps make enemies fail the save.

D. Whisps doesn't work with battle magic as they move away before you can bonus action attack them unless you want to chase after them.

Plus, I can use it on myself to up my DPS if they don't need it.

Casting haste on yourself is a dangerous prospect. If you get smacked out of concentration you lose a turn to get smacked again.

All the ranger shit: Already discussed it. If you use a ranged weapon it's lethal. The fact that you can get it makes the ranger even more useless.

Though, then again, couldn't Haste be considered a more versatile Swift Quiver in that case?, for example.

As I said above, haste on yourself is dangerous. Haste says its extra action can only give one more attack regardless of how many attacks you give normally. Swift quiver is two attacks.

 

[DarklordKyo]

BTW doods, I have a question, would a Manual of Bodily Health, Gainful Exercise, or Quickness in Action require attunement after the 48 hours over six days needed to read it?, or would I be able to replace it after gaining the benefits?

I'd like to know in general, multiple characters of mine depend on either strength or dex, and the con bonus is nice too.

Also, is something like that even legal in Adventure League?

 

[Souplex]

BTW doods, I have a question, would a Manual of Bodily Health, Gainful Exercise, or Quickness in Action require attunement after the 48 hours over six days needed to read it?, or would I be able to replace it after gaining the benefits?

I'd like to know in general, multiple characters of mine depend on either strength or dex, and the con bonus is nice too.

They don't require attunement at all. They just require significant downtime.
Hell, certain races (not humans) might be able to use them multiple times depending on the scope of your campaigns.

 

[DarklordKyo]

They don't require attunement at all. They just require significant downtime.
Hell, certain races (not humans) might be able to use them multiple times depending on the scope of your campaigns.

Nice, they legal in Adventure League? Also, aren't they supposed to turn into normal books until a century passes? Also, considering my monk has over 100 downtime saved up, I wouldn't say six days is significant.

 

[Souplex]

They don't require attunement at all. They just require significant downtime.
Hell, certain races (not humans) might be able to use them multiple times depending on the scope of your campaigns.

Nice, they legal in Adventure League?

Anything in the books is, just know if you're bringing an established character with them you might get that look from the GM that they reserve for Munchkins.

Also, aren't they supposed to turn into normal books until a century passes? Also, considering my monk has over 100 downtime saved up, I wouldn't say six days is significant.

Yeah. That's why I talked about the scope of your campaign. If you've got something that spans centuries the books are that much better.
That's why humans can't re-use them. Younger halflings can get a second use out of them. Dwarves, Gnomes and elves can get many uses from them.
GM Thoughts: If I had a campaign that spanned centuries, I would totally have a huckster try and pawn off fake Statbooks on rich adventuring elves/dwarves/gnomes by saying they had been used recently. They could upcharge by saying that they'd been used further back.
Does it count as a long con if the people take a long time (Like 99 years) to realize they've been conned but you profit immediately?

 

[DarklordKyo]

Does it count as a long con if the people take a long time (Like 99 years) to realize they've been conned but you profit immediately?

Well, considering the con artist would be long gone, long vanished, and possibly long dead by then, probably.

 

[Dr.Susse]

I've always loved the idea of charisma heavy bards.
Out of combat they can be the funniest characters.
Charm person all day (as may as slots allow....) every day.

 

[DarklordKyo]

I've always loved the idea of charisma heavy bards.
Out of combat they can be the funniest characters.
Charm person all day (as may as slots allow....) every day.

Well, Charisma is a bard's spellcasting stat. Not having at least decent charm is playing it wrong.

 

[DarklordKyo]

I have another question. If I were to use Battle Magic to combo a Fireball into crossbow shots, would I be able to use Banishing Smite on one of the arrows after the Fireball?

 

[Souplex]

I have another question. If I were to use Battle Magic to combo a Fireball into crossbow shots, would I be able to use Banishing Smite on one of the arrows after the Fireball?

While most smite spells are melee weapon attack only, Banishing has no such limitation.
However; Battle Magic is a bonus action, and readying banishing smite is a bonus action.
This means you need to set up banishing smite on the previous turn with your bonus action if you want to do that combo. Smite Spells also take concentration. This means you can't concentrate on anything else for those two turns, and need to keep concentrating if you want the banishment to stick. (Text is unclear as to whether you need to keep concentrating to make the banishment stick for an outsider)
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/banishing-smite
Also, if there's a Paladin in your party they will hate you forever if you take Banishing Smite.

 

[DarklordKyo]

While most smite spells are melee weapon attack only, Banishing has no such limitation.
However; Battle Magic is a bonus action, and readying banishing smite is a bonus action.
This means you need to set up banishing smite on the previous turn with your bonus action if you want to do that combo. Smite Spells also take concentration. This means you can't concentrate on anything else for those two turns, and need to keep concentrating if you want the banishment to stick. (Text is unclear as to whether you need to keep concentrating to make the banishment stick for an outsider)
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/banishing-smite
Also, if there's a Paladin in your party they will hate you forever if you take Banishing Smite.

So I wouldn't be able to combo Banishing Smite and Swift Quiver, aww well.Also, since it's a concentration, I'd be able to use it on my bow and forget about it for the duration?

Also, would I need to use a component pouch to cast spells that require my lute while holding a Heavy Crossbow?, or could I reason my bard can hold the bow one-handed for the minute it takes to play the song? If neither, would I need Warcaster to use a Heavy Crossbow & cast magic?

Either way, about the Swift Quiver recommendation from earlier, I figured I'd get Banishing Smite instead. Four d8s does less damage than ten d10s and two d8s, and they'd follow a Fireball. Besides, by then, hit chance could get to a point where you hit more often than not for most encounters (like how my monk is lvl 9, and has +10 to hit, though one of those points is from his Insignia of Claws, to be fair).

 

[Souplex]

So I wouldn't be able to combo Banishing Smite and Swift Quiver, aww well.Also, since it's a concentration, I'd be able to use it on my bow and forget about it for the duration?

Yes, but all smite spells only apply damage once on your next hit. Once you've smote your load, the concentration is to keep the debuff up, but there's no more damage.

Also, would I need to use a component pouch to cast spells that require my lute while holding a Heavy Crossbow?, or could I reason my bard can hold the bow one-handed for the minute it takes to play the song? If neither, would I need Warcaster to use a Heavy Crossbow & cast magic?

You could totally grab your lute for a casting. (You don't actually need to play your lute, you just need to hold it) The rule for two-handers is that they need two hands to operate, not that they need two hands to hold. And as I said yesterday, a component pouch works fine. It's a bit less of an awkward image than juggling a lute and a crossbow too.

Either way, about the Swift Quiver recommendation from earlier, I figured I'd get Banishing Smite instead. Four d8s does less damage than ten d10s and two d8s, and they'd follow a Fireball. Besides, by then, hit chance could get to a point where you hit more often than not for most encounters (like how my monk is lvl 9, and has +10 to hit, though one of those points is from his Insignia of Claws, to be fair).

You seem to have misread Banishing Smite:
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/banishing-smite
"The next time you hit a creature with a weapon attack before this spell ends, your weapon crackles with force, and the attack deals an extra 5d10 force damage to the target."
The average result of a D10 is 5.5. So a Banishing Smite is only 5D10 (average 27.5) damage once. With 20 Dex a heavy crossbow shot does an average of 10.5 damage. In three shots Swift Quiver outperforms Banishing Smite for raw damage. The Banishment effect is prety great though.
Also, keep in mind what you'll be fighting if you pick fireball. If you're up against Devils it's completely useless.
Fire is one of the most resisted elements:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?379165-MM-Resistances-Immunities-Vulnerabilities-and-Damage
If you're up against people or something Fireball is better than lightning bolt. If you're up against one of the countless things immune/resistant to fire, Lightning bolt will serve you better.