D&D 5E Xanathar's Bard College of Swords

[pukunui]

[video=youtube_share;Xz2CA3FK6wA]https://youtu.be/Xz2CA3FK6wA[/video]

The Bard's College of Swords is up. The blade bard was my favorite back in the 2e days (and it sounds like I wasn't the only one). I really liked the initial UA version, and while the later one was an improvement, there were some iffy bits about it, like the fiddly movement thing. I was also disappointed to see they'd gotten rid of the Trick Shot flourish. I hope they brought it back for this version, as a knife-throwing blade bard could be a lot of fun.

 

[The-Magic-Sword]

I'm pretty happy with the full selection of Bard Subclasses we're getting in XGTE, we're getting the blade dancer in the form of the swords bard- which is going to be a really fun take on a swordmage type, while valor probably still has a niche, I can't imagine people choosing it over this anymore. Based off their response to feedback, it strongly seems like they fixed the issues with two weapon fighting style and the rest of the subclass which is good.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Finally. A bard worth playing again


But no, you weren't the only one. I played a blade bard back in the day (despite my general distaste for the class), and really enjoyed it.

 

[Chaosmancer]

I've never really been terribly enthusiastic about this subclass, I like swashbuckler type characters, but I've been lukewarm about the bard being implemented as one.

Hopefully this final version ends up sparking some interest in me, but there is so much in Xanathar's at this point that I have no idea what parts of it will spark my players imaginations.

 

[pukunui]

But no, you weren't the only one. I played a blade bard back in the day (despite my general distaste for the class), and really enjoyed it.

I recently got my old 2e PHB out to look at and found my old blade bard's character sheet tucked away inside. Brought back memories.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

So what would the party makeup be for a Swashbuckling party?

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Sadly I could only play the blade bard for a few sessions back then. I had a lot more time spent with my riddlemaster/magic user and my ministrel knight. I also spent more time with my tinker/illusionist and my sage.
I also played my first true bard for a while (my first character at all) and I also played a charlatan and for a few sessions I played a gypsie bard.
Yeah I played a lot of bards... and I was very sad that I could play the balde only for a few sessions and are really looking forward to playing him some time in the future.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I never really looked at the old blade bard as a swashbuckler. I looked at it more like Garet Jax from Shannara. Swashbucklers are all about rapiers and sabers and main gauche, etc. While blades are about flourishes with all weapons: swords, maces, polearms, etc. Swashbucklers are about technique and swordsmanship, while blades are all about the performance.

 

[gyor]

So what would the party makeup be for a Swashbuckling party?

Triton Bladebard, Tiefling Swashbuckler, Wild Elf Trickster Cleric, Lizardfolk Horizon Walker, Tabaxi Kenzai, Water Genasi Hexblade.

 

[DemoMonkey]

Up where?