Brilliant Gameologists Forum

The Thinktank => Min/Max It! => : Andion Isurand March 16, 2011, 04:56:44 AM

: Bardic Knack & Lore
: Andion Isurand March 16, 2011, 04:56:44 AM
I've heard from a few people that they would allow this in their game.

I'm just wondering what kind of consensus exists on this particular facet.


Previous Poll: Embrace/Shun The Dark Chaos (from Fiendish Codex I) (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=11323.0)
: Re: Bardic Knack & Lore
: X-Codes March 16, 2011, 05:44:23 AM
Generally speaking, no.  Not because of balance, but because of thematics.  Loremasters aren't jacks-of-all-trades.  I could be swayed to allow it for at least some of the Harper PrC's, however.
: Re: Bardic Knack & Lore
: CantripN March 16, 2011, 06:06:13 AM
On the other hand, fluff is mutable, and crunch-wise the 2 are equivalent. I'd allow it, no questions asked.

Maybe that "Loremaster" is really Batman - Wizard Style. Then it does make sense, right?
: Re: Bardic Knack & Lore
: Dictum Mortuum March 16, 2011, 06:23:10 AM
Besides, even if you get Bardic Knack, you don't get everything. You need to spent some real ranks in order to make checks.
: Re: Bardic Knack & Lore
: X-Codes March 16, 2011, 07:24:31 AM
On the other hand, fluff is mutable, and crunch-wise the 2 are equivalent. I'd allow it, no questions asked.

Maybe that "Loremaster" is really Batman - Wizard Style. Then it does make sense, right?
Batman Wizards aren't ninjas, they just have the wonderful toys.

Besides, Bards are skillful characters in the mundane sense, and Wizards just aren't.  No amount of re-fluffing is going to change that 2+int skills per level with a mediocre skill list.  That's why I'm not sure about just giving it to anyone.  Sublime Chord?  Easily.  Loremaster?  No.  Harper Paragon?  Makes sense.

Besides, even if you get Bardic Knack, you don't get everything. You need to spent some real ranks in order to make checks.
There aren't a lot of skills that are trained only, and fewer that are of any significant importance.
: Re: Bardic Knack & Lore
: Andion Isurand March 16, 2011, 07:36:57 AM
Ninja Wizards! (http://www.surelyyourenotserious.com/share/Blog/mortor.gif)

Although...  the loremaster does have some Secrets with Ninja-applicable names like Weapon Trick, Dodge Trick and the Secret Knowledge of Avoidance... etc... so its not all about keeping the nose in a book.

But yeah, the system really should feature a mundane non-caster class and a few similar PrCs with Bardic Knowledge/Bardic Knack.
: Re: Bardic Knack & Lore
: Kajhera March 16, 2011, 08:35:41 AM
As a Cloistered Cleric I've been able to trade my Lore for Bardic Knack.  :)

So ofcourse I would allow it, if only to keep my own toys.  :p
: Re: Bardic Knack & Lore
: PlzBreakMyCampaign March 16, 2011, 11:37:25 AM
Honestly I've never found those 'I know things' useful in game except from pitying DMs who give you information that you didn't get mechanically. The exception is of course the brokenzors knowledge affiliation.
: Re: Bardic Knack & Lore
: bkdubs123 March 16, 2011, 12:35:48 PM
Yeah, I'm confused, what's being discussed here? The title and content of the original post are vague, and all I see are comments along the lines of "I'd allow it," "no way!" and "well, sure some PrCs could be fluffed as Batman/Ninjas, but not all." In the context of discussing Bard class features... I'm totally lost.
: Re: Bardic Knack & Lore
: CantripN March 16, 2011, 01:07:19 PM
From the Poll - If asked by a player in your game, would you extend the Bardic Knack ACF (PH2 35) as an option to classes that grant the Lore ability? (or other ability normally stacking with Bardic Knowledge)
: Re: Bardic Knack & Lore
: bkdubs123 March 17, 2011, 03:38:05 AM
From the Poll - If asked by a player in your game, would you extend the Bardic Knack ACF (PH2 35) as an option to classes that grant the Lore ability? (or other ability normally stacking with Bardic Knowledge)

Ah, yes, well. That wasn't there when I posted. :P

And my answer, by the way, is yes.