I don't remember the issue offhand, maybe 319, but has anyone ever used the masterpiece performance rules for bards? They let bards create masterpieces using guidelines similar to creating magic items.
I've let one of my players use them for a while, and it really gives a huge boost to the party. Almost too much of a boost. She made a song that is a beefed up multi-target version of the bardic inspire courage ability. She paid through the nose in GP and XP for it, but it makes the party nearly unstoppable in short-duration combat encounters from the bonus temporary hit points and bonuses to attack and damage.
I don't think I'll allow them in the future because it really unbalances things in favor of the PC's. Any other DM's encounter this?
M@
I don't remember the issue offhand, maybe 319, but has anyone ever used the masterpiece performance rules for bards? They let bards create masterpieces using guidelines similar to creating magic items.
I /really/ liked the article, but I'm a fan of bards everywhere. =)
I've tried the various rules out in a few different settings, and I've found that it's much like any item creation feat: if you let the players go crazy with it, it'll destroy game balance. If you keep a tight rein on limits, it greatly enhances the bard's abilities.
Hey Gwydion, this has nothing to do with the masterpieces, but are you still interested in joining my AoW game? We just started the next-to last installment of the SCAP last weekend. I'm still aiming to finish the SCAP and start the AoW in March. Fire me an email sometime if you're still up for it.
M@
Hey Gwydion, this has nothing to do with the masterpieces, but are you still interested in joining my AoW game? We just started the next-to last installment of the SCAP last weekend. I'm still aiming to finish the SCAP and start the AoW in March. Fire me an email sometime if you're still up for it.
M@
Will do!
Contributor
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Hey Matt,
I actually wrote the article you're refering to with Matthew Sernett a few years ago, (Meter & Measure, Dragon #301). I still use the rules all the time. They are pretty similar to the rules for item creation, which can also be abused if a player is allowed to pay through the nose. The limiting factor here should be the Bard's daily uses of his special powers. If you're game only deals with a couple of encounters a day, you'll probably find the rules unbalanced in favor of the PCS. If this is the case, try further limiting the uses of the song by requiring the bard to warm up (as a wizard prepares spells) prior to a performance and once performed the bard cannot perform it again without a full night's rest. In this manner the PCs won't automatically wipe the floor with every short-duraton encounters, allowing them to wipe the floor with an occassional short-duration encounter instead.
Tim
Hey Matt,
The limiting factor here should be the Bard's daily uses of his special powers.
This is a good point, but when the bard in question has taken the Extra Music feat and has a large Charisma modifier, the daily uses can end up being 10 or above.
All things considered, our group really likes the masterpiece rules. I have one player who likes bards and has had two different characters use the masterpieces to enhance. Her masterpiece has kept me from having a TPK on a few occasions during the SCAP. She's got a song that give 5 extra hit dice, +5 to attack, +3 to damage, +1 vs. fear, and +1 to reflex saves. She did pay through the nose to create it, but I have begun thinking it's a little overboard. I think that in the future though, I will put a little more of a limit on the uses, maybe requiring a longer prep time like you suggest, or doubling the daily use requirement.