Initially I thought that the AD got the Arcane Bond as a means to cast spells with their sword. That allowed a kind of Sword and Board kind of Bard.
Then I looked around here and I found an Arcane Duelist thread that said Arcane Bond was used as the Wizard's Arcane Bond and that was once per day.
As someone had ask (more or less) how useful is this? The bard can cast a single spell once a day via the sword and if using a heavy shield would then have to put that shield away to cast more. spells (depending on the GM). I think the post was about two years old.
I haven't seen any posts newer than that on the same subject and I haven't seen any FAQs.
So, have I missed anything? Do people just fudge this? It seems easier to just say that the AD can cast spells by waving the tip of his sword around.
I believe the 1/day part refers to the ability to cast a single extra spell known. The bonded weapon doesn't go away, so you can cast with it in your hand without restriction.
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You can use the Arcane Bond once per day to cast any known bard spell known following all the usual restrictions of casting that spell. You still need to provide material components, spend the right amount of casting time and so forth.
As a completely different part of their ability, Arcane Duelists may use the hand holding his bonded weapon for somatic components. In fact they'll want it that way because they'd need to succeed at a concentration check to cast spells without it.
I just to make sure (I am slow on the uptake sorry). My Arcane Duelist has Eschew Materials at third level. From here through 4th he will use a buckler.
When he gets to 5th level the sword will act as the Somatic/gesture component. As the Arcane Bond is the same as the Wizard bond he gets an extra spell once per day.
As far as the extra spell per day being unimportant, I would think that you could have it as a backup "when all is lost" kind of thing. Though I don't think Bard characters are known for those kinds of spells
Anyway, do I have the general idea correct?
You also (effectively) get all crafting feats for said item. Essentially half off when improving it.