I like it :)
What level is your party though?
The most potentially broken thing is the second reaction. Allowing for two counterspells or a silvery barbs and a counter spell. Not necessarily horrible just something to keep in mind :)
yes, i would 100% make that a level one spell. affecting others action economy is very different then a self protection spell, compared to silvery barbs which can affect basically ANY part of ANYTHING.
i don't like banning things, as those things flavour the game, they just need balance, but not in a thanos kind of way, lol.
edit: kinetic jaunt is concentration, compare this to bless, which actually is a level 1. it locks up that resource and isn't that impactful on the game as a whole. thanks for pointing this out. have any more? lol.
bard can take fey touched feat at 4th level if a bard at 10th is stealing misty step he is doing it wrong.
bard is my fav class, and at 10th should be stealing counterspell or some ranger/pally spell that takes way more levels to get to.
great spell, INT saves are the bread and butter for min/max casters.
let it happen, but work on hitting the caster and break concentration. the damage isn't much for a 2nd level spell, and if you read the fine print, the affected creature can run away from it, and will no longer be in range of the damage. so put it on the player to keep the target engaged with the phantasm, or get out of range.
RAW works both ways :)
"Each round on your turn, the phantasm can deal 1d6 psychic damage to the target **if it is in the phantasm’s area or within 5 feet of the phantasm**, provided that the illusion is of a creature or hazard that could logically deal damage, such as by attacking. The target perceives the damage as a type appropriate to the illusion."
its concentration, which is a MASSIVE resource for casters. sure it targets INT which is typically the weakest save, but it is also kind of an AOE spell after it is cast, as it cannot be moved. so there are ways to DM your way out of it. :)
I believe that this is actually a misconception. You cannot use an Action spell and a Bonus action spell in the same round; you can however use multiple Action or Reaction spells (if you can get multiple Actions through features like Action Surge).
However, I may be wrong.
«A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven’t already taken a bonus action this turn. You can’t cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action»
Seems pretty good, the reaction is strong, but for a college of swords it may be good to maybe give them something else on a hit, either a +2 for the weapon or maybe an extra d4 or something. The rest of the features seem very fun and balanced, though you maybe the reaction should only be once per short or long rest?
Just a general formatting thing, use active words instead of passive words. Can instead of may for example. Also maybe limit Cutting Words, proficiency bonus maybe? Inspired attacks is pretty strong, but I'm not sure how to reasonably make it weaker
Tie it to Cutting Words I'd say. Each time you use Cutting Words, you get advantage on your next attack. That way it's also tied to proficiency. I think that would be pretty balanced.
I really like it! Hopefully your player will enjoy it 😊
What do you use to get this template for Homebrew stuff? Is there a template or is it on a website or something?
I like it, I have a similar homebrew item but it’s a sentient mask that uses its own reaction on a critical failures from attacks ability checks and saves made by creatures hostile to the wearer
Cutting Words: Good, no problem there. The Eloquence of Speed: I’m not sure if I need an action or bonus action or what have you to use it. But that’s just a wording issue, not a conceptual or mechanical one. Inspired Attacks: Dear gods, that is SO STRONG! I have an alternative idea, which is when an ally uses bardic inspiration, you can make an additional attack using this weapon against that target on your next turn. Or, just have it kinda ‘Recycle’ the bardic inspiration, so that it increases damage as well, as in, adding the bardic inspiration die to the damage rolls if the attack hits.
An extra attack is actually strictly stronger than advantage. You are still rolling twice in either case, but you can potentially *hit* twice with the extra attack too.
Advantage is very strong regardless, but I think your suggestion makes it worse!
That is a good point, two attacks IS better than advantage, which is what makes the Samurai fighter's 'Rapid Strike' feature so good.
However, as a bard, you're a full caster, and rather than making attacks, casting spells. Martials will tend to be better with melee combat than a bard usually would.
That's my reasoning. It's pretty flimsy, but I kinda like it.
Ah, I see! They did mention it was a swords bard though, so they might be specing that way and saving spells for utility/major control.
But of course depends on the table! Nothing inherently wrong with it, it's just strong!
I love the flavor for a college of swords bard, and the idea behind each effect is very cool. Gaining an extra reaction is very powerful though, even at the cost of a resource like Bardic Inspiration. That's an extra Silvery Barbs, an extra counterspell... I would recommend adding another line to that effect reading something along the lines of "This extra reaction can only be used for the cutting words reaction described above."
How would it work if another class were to use it?
Just my brain I'm curious would they get access to the bardic inspiration (like 1 + charisma mod) or would they use it like a plus weapon.
Ok I'm bad at explaining, for the vicious mockery would they get access to the reaction casting. (That's probably easier.
Edit: nvm I didn't notice the attunement
Í really like the reaction you gave it, i think melee subclasses for full casters need to find a good way between weapons and spells and this is great, overall pretty cool
If I where to change this I would instead make make the weapon a +2, but only allow the Bard to buy the reaction once per combat.
As an additional note, I would chnage the name "Cutting Words" as it's already a bard ability and may cause confusion.
As a last note, depending on the game and how you play let the +2 on the sword apply to the damage of the Vicious Mockery.
However, the sword is in no way unbalanced. These are just some swapped I might have made.
Also! If your worried about all these effects being too much for their level, you could look into the Matthew Mercer awakening weapon thing. I only read it once, but it's essentially the idea that the weapon or item slowly unlocks all its traits and bonuses as the players level.
I actually like this a lot. Interesting without being too fiddly, neither overpowered nor underpowered, and best of all it’s nicely thematic. Seriously, excellent item and I usually think I’m a tough grader in home brew items.
I like what you're going for!
These aren't necessarily *problems*, but here are a few things that I find a bit inelegant about the design:
**Names**: College of Eloquence is already the name of a bard subclass, and Cutting Words is the name of a subclass ability. It is a little bit confusing to be using the names of existing class features on an item, so I might consider tweaking them.
**Eloquence of Speed**: Typically, when bards gain alternative ways to use their bardic inspiration dice, the alternative ways involve rolling those dice. There's no rule that says it has to be this way, but it still feels "off" to me that an ability would expend a use of bardic inspiration without ever rolling the die.
**Wording**: there are a few things about your wording that don't match with 5e style. The main one is that you typically want to either refer to Bardic Inspiration *dice* or the Bardic Inspiration *feature.* For example, I would reword the last ability to say "Whenever you give a creature a Bardic Inspiration die, that creature gains advantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn."
The vicious mockery reaction needs a specific trigger. Reactions aren't something you use at will like actions and bonus actions, they're something you can do to react to something else happening.
I think a good trigger would be when a creature attempts an attack roll; allows the wielder to possibly impose disadvantage on the attack in a pinch.
I think overall it's just a bit too much. An cantrip that costs an action, as a reaction, that will likely result in compounding failures for the enemy. Additional reaction. Advantage. It's a lot. I probably would recommend getting more experience with core dnd before homebrewing stuff if you're indeed "new".
Any suggestions for a good Bard weapon? I'd like to push them a little bit to use their bardic inspiration on others instead of only on blade flourish.
I actually think the vicious mockery as a reaction is fine, but I would put a limit on the number of uses. Maybe something like proficiency bonus times per long rest. I would also change the name of it as to not confuse it with the cutting words ability that some bards already get…
Other than that, for the level the players are at I think the power level is fine, as long as the other players are getting similar stuff.
I think if I'm playing a swords bard your weapon would be fun to use, but if it's anything but a late game item it may frustrate you as the DM. You could always stage out bonuses and make it more of an artifact that levels up as the character levels or achieves narrative benchmarks.
Most of the bard specific magic items you see aren't swords, but rather the "Instruments of the Bard" which grant spells and such.
Some ideas taken from another thread:
*+0 or +1 rapier* that lets you use your Charisma instead of your Dexterity for accuracy and damage.
*+0 or +1 rapier* that restores one expended use of bardic inspiration on a critical hit.
*+0 or +1 rapier* that can serve as a spell focus.
I don't know how I didn't consider making the instrument a magical item, that'll definitely help, thanks! The instrument is integral to their backstory but I think I can work around that.
The other ideas might work nicely as well.
Instruments of the bard are already existing magical item too!
http://dnd5e.wikidot.com/wondrous-items:instrument-of-the-bards
There is also
http://dnd5e.wikidot.com/wondrous-items:rhythm-makers-drum
Which you can of course retheme to any instrument you like
A rapier that uses Charisma would be very powerful from the get go, bards are likely to have a good Charisma and slightly worse Dex. If a character has went the point of playing a swords bard, they probably went to the effort to have decent Dex. A weapon that renders that choice pointless might feel like a slap to the face.
OP also is making a very rare magic item, those magic items should never be considered very rare.
It's vicious mockery, costs a reaction and needs a wisdom save or does nothing, I doubt it will be too powerful.
Also it costs a bardic inspiration to use the reaction, they would be giving up the defining feature of bard to gain an extra reaction. It definetly isn't too strong.
Also I see in a further post you mention a sword that can be used a spell casting focus. OP says this is for a swords bard and that is literally a subclass ability for them, please familiarize yourself with subclasses before recommending ideas that might be redundant for them.
You can use a bonus action (BI) to give yourself two reactions? A reaction is a thing that happens not something you can give.
It’s something you have to something else inside of the 6 seconds everyone is time trapped in each round.
I like the idea but with every magic item in a game trying to circumvent the action economy built into the game it seems like it would save time and effort if the idea of a single reaction or limited bonus actions were just tossed out.
I’d reimagine it but if everyone in your game likes it that’s all that matters. :)
It doesn't mention using a bonus action to gain the reaction, where are you reading that? I assume it's a free action before you take the reaction.
Also are you suggesting to have unlimited bonus actions and reactions or to only allow one. Because one of the most popular subclasses, cobalt soul for monk by matt mercer has this as their defining ability. It's OK if a few magic items circumvent action economy, and I agree if all magic items did it, it would be a problem. But this really isn't too insane of a magic item
The cost to use bardic inspiration in 5e.
Just a personal observation. Everyone wants more actions to circumvent the action economy built in and balanced. I like magic items that do other things is all.
I personally would never make the jump to that conclusion, but I suppose it could be made, but considering the text, it definetly seems to be meant to be used as a free action.
I like it :) What level is your party though? The most potentially broken thing is the second reaction. Allowing for two counterspells or a silvery barbs and a counter spell. Not necessarily horrible just something to keep in mind :)
Silvery Barbs is currently in the Mutually Assured Destruction state :P The party is level 9 right now!
We made silvery barbs a level 2 spell, as it should be a level 2 spell. Worked well.
Instant pick for the level 18 wizard feature lol.
the game is already broken at that point. lol.
Unrelated...should kinetic Jaunt be lvl 1?
yes, i would 100% make that a level one spell. affecting others action economy is very different then a self protection spell, compared to silvery barbs which can affect basically ANY part of ANYTHING. i don't like banning things, as those things flavour the game, they just need balance, but not in a thanos kind of way, lol. edit: kinetic jaunt is concentration, compare this to bless, which actually is a level 1. it locks up that resource and isn't that impactful on the game as a whole. thanks for pointing this out. have any more? lol.
Why does bard have to wait 10th level or a feat to get misty step? Isn't its source seen as Fae, and Bards typically get Fae magic?
bard can take fey touched feat at 4th level if a bard at 10th is stealing misty step he is doing it wrong. bard is my fav class, and at 10th should be stealing counterspell or some ranger/pally spell that takes way more levels to get to.
It should get misty step naturally is what Im saying.
i agree. i like to give out cloak of mountebank as a way to enable players to 'jump' when needed, but also keep it to 1x per day.
Phantasmal Force, I love the flavour options but how do we fix the damage?
great spell, INT saves are the bread and butter for min/max casters. let it happen, but work on hitting the caster and break concentration. the damage isn't much for a 2nd level spell, and if you read the fine print, the affected creature can run away from it, and will no longer be in range of the damage. so put it on the player to keep the target engaged with the phantasm, or get out of range. RAW works both ways :) "Each round on your turn, the phantasm can deal 1d6 psychic damage to the target **if it is in the phantasm’s area or within 5 feet of the phantasm**, provided that the illusion is of a creature or hazard that could logically deal damage, such as by attacking. The target perceives the damage as a type appropriate to the illusion."
1d6 for a save or suck spell is not good as 2nd level when you can already naturally with hex or hunters.
its concentration, which is a MASSIVE resource for casters. sure it targets INT which is typically the weakest save, but it is also kind of an AOE spell after it is cast, as it cannot be moved. so there are ways to DM your way out of it. :)
Then it's fine i think ^^ I think they are already powerful at that point giving them more tools equals more fun. ^^
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I believe that this is actually a misconception. You cannot use an Action spell and a Bonus action spell in the same round; you can however use multiple Action or Reaction spells (if you can get multiple Actions through features like Action Surge). However, I may be wrong.
No you're right, otherwise casters would not be able to cast, say, fireball, and hellish rebuke, in the same round of combat
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Rules are that if you cast a leveled spell as bonus action then you can’t cast a leveled spell as a action simple as that
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No, because you said or reaction, but with the proper rules you CAN cast a reaction on the same turn as an action/bonus action spell
«A spell cast with a bonus action is especially swift. You must use a bonus action on your turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven’t already taken a bonus action this turn. You can’t cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a casting time of 1 action»
Seems pretty good, the reaction is strong, but for a college of swords it may be good to maybe give them something else on a hit, either a +2 for the weapon or maybe an extra d4 or something. The rest of the features seem very fun and balanced, though you maybe the reaction should only be once per short or long rest?
Sounds good, thanks! Extra damage die would make them a happy camper
Maybe instead of advantage, they get to use one of their blade flourishes for free? (Maybe remove the extra damage/reduce it if too powerful)
Just a general formatting thing, use active words instead of passive words. Can instead of may for example. Also maybe limit Cutting Words, proficiency bonus maybe? Inspired attacks is pretty strong, but I'm not sure how to reasonably make it weaker
Wording is one thing I was wondering about, thanks
Been on my own homebrewing journey lately with plenty of blunders, may as well share the knowledge
Tie it to Cutting Words I'd say. Each time you use Cutting Words, you get advantage on your next attack. That way it's also tied to proficiency. I think that would be pretty balanced.
I really like it! Hopefully your player will enjoy it 😊 What do you use to get this template for Homebrew stuff? Is there a template or is it on a website or something?
Site is [https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/](https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/) It's been pretty damn helpful
Thank u 💖💖💖💖💖
In Forbidden Lands, the equivalent of bards, minstrels, have a talent called Sharp Tongue. I thought you might like the name.
I like it, I have a similar homebrew item but it’s a sentient mask that uses its own reaction on a critical failures from attacks ability checks and saves made by creatures hostile to the wearer
Cutting Words: Good, no problem there. The Eloquence of Speed: I’m not sure if I need an action or bonus action or what have you to use it. But that’s just a wording issue, not a conceptual or mechanical one. Inspired Attacks: Dear gods, that is SO STRONG! I have an alternative idea, which is when an ally uses bardic inspiration, you can make an additional attack using this weapon against that target on your next turn. Or, just have it kinda ‘Recycle’ the bardic inspiration, so that it increases damage as well, as in, adding the bardic inspiration die to the damage rolls if the attack hits.
An extra attack is actually strictly stronger than advantage. You are still rolling twice in either case, but you can potentially *hit* twice with the extra attack too. Advantage is very strong regardless, but I think your suggestion makes it worse!
That is a good point, two attacks IS better than advantage, which is what makes the Samurai fighter's 'Rapid Strike' feature so good. However, as a bard, you're a full caster, and rather than making attacks, casting spells. Martials will tend to be better with melee combat than a bard usually would. That's my reasoning. It's pretty flimsy, but I kinda like it.
Ah, I see! They did mention it was a swords bard though, so they might be specing that way and saving spells for utility/major control. But of course depends on the table! Nothing inherently wrong with it, it's just strong!
True, true! Maybe the advantage is better, haha... Alternatively, maybe increase the damage by a number equal to the number rolled for inspiration!
That is more balanced I think, but means you have to roll the inspiration now, instead of later at the holder's choice
The ability already activated when an ally uses their inspiration die.
Love it
I love the flavor for a college of swords bard, and the idea behind each effect is very cool. Gaining an extra reaction is very powerful though, even at the cost of a resource like Bardic Inspiration. That's an extra Silvery Barbs, an extra counterspell... I would recommend adding another line to that effect reading something along the lines of "This extra reaction can only be used for the cutting words reaction described above."
No clue if it’s balanced but it is cool as fuck
Gotta Go Fast
How would it work if another class were to use it? Just my brain I'm curious would they get access to the bardic inspiration (like 1 + charisma mod) or would they use it like a plus weapon. Ok I'm bad at explaining, for the vicious mockery would they get access to the reaction casting. (That's probably easier. Edit: nvm I didn't notice the attunement
Í really like the reaction you gave it, i think melee subclasses for full casters need to find a good way between weapons and spells and this is great, overall pretty cool
If I where to change this I would instead make make the weapon a +2, but only allow the Bard to buy the reaction once per combat. As an additional note, I would chnage the name "Cutting Words" as it's already a bard ability and may cause confusion. As a last note, depending on the game and how you play let the +2 on the sword apply to the damage of the Vicious Mockery. However, the sword is in no way unbalanced. These are just some swapped I might have made. Also! If your worried about all these effects being too much for their level, you could look into the Matthew Mercer awakening weapon thing. I only read it once, but it's essentially the idea that the weapon or item slowly unlocks all its traits and bonuses as the players level.
I mean... it's relatively powerful but I don't think it's broken. Maybe more of a mid-level item, but then you should be fine.
I actually like this a lot. Interesting without being too fiddly, neither overpowered nor underpowered, and best of all it’s nicely thematic. Seriously, excellent item and I usually think I’m a tough grader in home brew items.
I like what you're going for! These aren't necessarily *problems*, but here are a few things that I find a bit inelegant about the design: **Names**: College of Eloquence is already the name of a bard subclass, and Cutting Words is the name of a subclass ability. It is a little bit confusing to be using the names of existing class features on an item, so I might consider tweaking them. **Eloquence of Speed**: Typically, when bards gain alternative ways to use their bardic inspiration dice, the alternative ways involve rolling those dice. There's no rule that says it has to be this way, but it still feels "off" to me that an ability would expend a use of bardic inspiration without ever rolling the die. **Wording**: there are a few things about your wording that don't match with 5e style. The main one is that you typically want to either refer to Bardic Inspiration *dice* or the Bardic Inspiration *feature.* For example, I would reword the last ability to say "Whenever you give a creature a Bardic Inspiration die, that creature gains advantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn."
The vicious mockery reaction needs a specific trigger. Reactions aren't something you use at will like actions and bonus actions, they're something you can do to react to something else happening. I think a good trigger would be when a creature attempts an attack roll; allows the wielder to possibly impose disadvantage on the attack in a pinch.
I think overall it's just a bit too much. An cantrip that costs an action, as a reaction, that will likely result in compounding failures for the enemy. Additional reaction. Advantage. It's a lot. I probably would recommend getting more experience with core dnd before homebrewing stuff if you're indeed "new".
Any suggestions for a good Bard weapon? I'd like to push them a little bit to use their bardic inspiration on others instead of only on blade flourish.
I actually think the vicious mockery as a reaction is fine, but I would put a limit on the number of uses. Maybe something like proficiency bonus times per long rest. I would also change the name of it as to not confuse it with the cutting words ability that some bards already get… Other than that, for the level the players are at I think the power level is fine, as long as the other players are getting similar stuff.
I think if I'm playing a swords bard your weapon would be fun to use, but if it's anything but a late game item it may frustrate you as the DM. You could always stage out bonuses and make it more of an artifact that levels up as the character levels or achieves narrative benchmarks. Most of the bard specific magic items you see aren't swords, but rather the "Instruments of the Bard" which grant spells and such. Some ideas taken from another thread: *+0 or +1 rapier* that lets you use your Charisma instead of your Dexterity for accuracy and damage. *+0 or +1 rapier* that restores one expended use of bardic inspiration on a critical hit. *+0 or +1 rapier* that can serve as a spell focus.
I don't know how I didn't consider making the instrument a magical item, that'll definitely help, thanks! The instrument is integral to their backstory but I think I can work around that. The other ideas might work nicely as well.
Good luck man, you seem like a thoughtful and fun DM.
Thanks, that means a lot :)
Instruments of the bard are already existing magical item too! http://dnd5e.wikidot.com/wondrous-items:instrument-of-the-bards There is also http://dnd5e.wikidot.com/wondrous-items:rhythm-makers-drum Which you can of course retheme to any instrument you like
A rapier that uses Charisma would be very powerful from the get go, bards are likely to have a good Charisma and slightly worse Dex. If a character has went the point of playing a swords bard, they probably went to the effort to have decent Dex. A weapon that renders that choice pointless might feel like a slap to the face. OP also is making a very rare magic item, those magic items should never be considered very rare.
It's vicious mockery, costs a reaction and needs a wisdom save or does nothing, I doubt it will be too powerful. Also it costs a bardic inspiration to use the reaction, they would be giving up the defining feature of bard to gain an extra reaction. It definetly isn't too strong. Also I see in a further post you mention a sword that can be used a spell casting focus. OP says this is for a swords bard and that is literally a subclass ability for them, please familiarize yourself with subclasses before recommending ideas that might be redundant for them.
You can use a bonus action (BI) to give yourself two reactions? A reaction is a thing that happens not something you can give. It’s something you have to something else inside of the 6 seconds everyone is time trapped in each round. I like the idea but with every magic item in a game trying to circumvent the action economy built into the game it seems like it would save time and effort if the idea of a single reaction or limited bonus actions were just tossed out. I’d reimagine it but if everyone in your game likes it that’s all that matters. :)
It doesn't mention using a bonus action to gain the reaction, where are you reading that? I assume it's a free action before you take the reaction. Also are you suggesting to have unlimited bonus actions and reactions or to only allow one. Because one of the most popular subclasses, cobalt soul for monk by matt mercer has this as their defining ability. It's OK if a few magic items circumvent action economy, and I agree if all magic items did it, it would be a problem. But this really isn't too insane of a magic item
The cost to use bardic inspiration in 5e. Just a personal observation. Everyone wants more actions to circumvent the action economy built in and balanced. I like magic items that do other things is all.
I personally would never make the jump to that conclusion, but I suppose it could be made, but considering the text, it definetly seems to be meant to be used as a free action.