Yes. They are your allies.
Yes. As does scorching ray.
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And it would only work for the visual use of Inspire Courage, right?
If a bardic performance has audible components, the targets must be able to hear the bard for the performance to have any effect, and such performances are language dependent.
Inspire courage can use audible or visual components.
If you want to get technical about it, ja.
And it would only work for the visual use of Inspire Courage, right?
Unless the animal companion has an Int of 3+ and understands whatever language you're using.
If you want to get technical about it, ja.
Unless the performance doesn't use an actual language.
Drums/stringed instruments/singing wordless songs/etc. You can perform audible perfomances without actually using a language.
Unless the performance doesn't use an actual language.
Drums/stringed instruments/singing wordless songs/etc. You can perform audible perfomances without actually using a language.
We're talking about Bardic Performance, the Bard class ability, not a general Perform skill check.
A Bardic Performance with audible components is specifically called out as being language dependent.
Unless the performance doesn't use an actual language.
Drums/stringed instruments/singing wordless songs/etc. You can perform audible perfomances without actually using a language.We're talking about Bardic Performance, the Bard class ability, not a general Perform skill check.
A Bardic Performance with audible components is specifically called out as being language dependent.
Ok, then please tell me what language a drum or violin counts as?
Ok, then please tell me what language a drum or violin counts as?Unless the performance doesn't use an actual language.
Drums/stringed instruments/singing wordless songs/etc. You can perform audible perfomances without actually using a language.We're talking about Bardic Performance, the Bard class ability, not a general Perform skill check.
A Bardic Performance with audible components is specifically called out as being language dependent.
It's the language "Left over crap from 3.5".
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Ok, then please tell me what language a drum or violin counts as?
It speaks to your soul, man.
As long as we're on the subject of FAQing poorly worded Bard abilities, doesn't it look like the parenthesis at the end of the first line of Countersong rules out spells with verbal components?
"At 1st level, a bard learns to counter magic effects that depend on sound (but not spells that have verbal components)."
How many sonic or language-dependent magical attacks are there that don't use verbal components? Forced Quiet from a non-bard. And Harpies, I guess.
"At 1st level, a bard learns to counter magic effects that depend on sound (but not spells that have verbal components)."How many sonic or language-dependent magical attacks are there that don't use verbal components? Forced Quiet from a non-bard. And Harpies, I guess.
A player of mine tried, half heartedly (as he knew it wasn't going to fly), to suggest that countersong works against any spell that requires a verbal component (e.g. any spell cast by any one) as opposed to just language based stuff. I just stared at him and he looked sheepish and walked away.
Without the parenthetical modifier, one could argue that all spells with a verbal component "depend on sound" unless cast with Silent Spell.
As for the original question; I've got my druid's companion unable to benefit from the bard's songs because he's oratory and acting based, not singing or instrument. The druid accepts this. Once he hits 4th and boosts the companion's intelligence, it will change.
As long as there's something visual going on, inspire courage will work based off sight.
Inspire Courage does not use a Perform skill. You can use it with no ranks in any Perform skill. If they wish to flavor their performance with an instrument, they can go ahead.
But it's not necessary. The only BPs that need a Perform skill are countersong and distraction.
Without the parenthetical modifier, one could argue that all spells with a verbal component "depend on sound" unless cast with Silent Spell.
Yeah, but currently it rules out spells with verbal. I think it makes more sense that a sonic or language-dependent effect from a spell with a verbal component should still work with countersong.
As for the original question; I've got my druid's companion unable to benefit from the bard's songs because he's oratory and acting based, not singing or instrument.
Acting has a visual component, thus is not language dependent. Pets would benefit from Inspire Courage if you use acting (visual). Visual has the downside of requiring line of sight, though, so if there are lots of columns or stuff in the way, I might use audible so the rest of the party doesn't lose the song. Still, if you're in an open area, might as well act so the companions/familiars/summoned critters can benefit from it.
Without the parenthetical modifier, one could argue that all spells with a verbal component "depend on sound" unless cast with Silent Spell.Yeah, but currently it rules out spells with verbal. I think it makes more sense that a sonic or language-dependent effect from a spell with a verbal component should still work with countersong.
The intent is that the verbal component is not enough to qualify it for countersong; that it must cause an effect that is language dependent. So I've let my bard know he can use it on spells like dominate and command (makes him happy, I don't mind, and no one likes being dominated anyway), but that's my personal ruling.
As for the original question; I've got my druid's companion unable to benefit from the bard's songs because he's oratory and acting based, not singing or instrument.Acting has a visual component, thus is not language dependent. Pets would benefit from Inspire Courage if you use acting (visual). Visual has the downside of requiring line of sight, though, so if there are lots of columns or stuff in the way, I might use audible so the rest of the party doesn't lose the song. Still, if you're in an open area, might as well act so the companions/familiars/summoned critters can benefit from it.
The druid's mountain lion does not understand interpretive dance. I don't even understand interpretive dance. Miming isn't an art.
If they aren't immune to mind-affecting effects, they are an ally, and they can either see (if using visual components) or understand/hear (if using audible components) then they are affected by Inspire Courage.
If you would like to houserule it so that they aren't affected, that's cool.
By the way, my favorite perform skill is Perform(Smash in Enemy Faces). My allies always want encores.
If they aren't immune to mind-affecting effects, they are an ally, and they can either see (if using visual components) or understand/hear (if using audible components) then they are affected by Inspire Courage.
If you would like to houserule it so that they aren't affected, that's cool.
By the way, my favorite perform skill is Perform(Smash in Enemy Faces). My allies always want encores.
Well yes, I didn't mean to infer that I believe that the RAW states unequivocally that animals don't benefit from bard song. As I said, it is how I have it in my game. There are pros and cons to not being affected by such things.
The rules do specifically indicate that allies get the bonus and the companion is an ally. Ergo the companion gets the bonus.
Ok, then please tell me what language a drum or violin counts as?Unless the performance doesn't use an actual language.
Drums/stringed instruments/singing wordless songs/etc. You can perform audible perfomances without actually using a language.We're talking about Bardic Performance, the Bard class ability, not a general Perform skill check.
A Bardic Performance with audible components is specifically called out as being language dependent.
Whatever language the Bard wants, of course, from the languages he can speak. Just like every other language-dependent spell or effect.
The intent is that the verbal component is not enough to qualify it for countersong; that it must cause an effect that is language dependent. So I've let my bard know he can use it on spells like dominate and command (makes him happy, I don't mind, and no one likes being dominated anyway), but that's my personal ruling.Without the parenthetical modifier, one could argue that all spells with a verbal component "depend on sound" unless cast with Silent Spell.Yeah, but currently it rules out spells with verbal. I think it makes more sense that a sonic or language-dependent effect from a spell with a verbal component should still work with countersong.
Not only is that likely the intent, it's also a valid interpretation of the grammar. Grick's interpretation is also valid.
bumping old thread:
If an Oracle is cursed with tongues and only understands Celestial during an encounter can the Oracle be affected by his ally's Inspire Courage ability?
The Bard uses his voice for Inspire Courage and sings in common.
An Oracle with the tongues curse still understands every language he knows (and at high enough level, understands EVERY language.) The combat restriction is only on his own speech.
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An Oracle with the tongues curse still understands every language he knows (and at high enough level, understands EVERY language.) The combat restriction is only on his own speech.bumping old thread:
If an Oracle is cursed with tongues and only understands Celestial during an encounter can the Oracle be affected by his ally's Inspire Courage ability?
The Bard uses his voice for Inspire Courage and sings in common.
In times of stress or unease, you speak in tongues. Pick one of the following languages: Abyssal, Aklo, Aquan, Auran, Celestial, Ignan, Infernal, or Terran. Whenever you are in combat, you can only speak and understand the selected language.
Its says you can only understand that language as well. That's where my question came from.
Huh. Never noticed that. Well, he definitely benefits from it by 10th level, when he understands any spoken language whatsoever.