V9: Bard

This page is part of the Official Amtgard V9 Alpha-Playtest Rulebook.

• The Amtwiki is the official home and primary source for Amtgard V9 Rules as of February 25, 2023.
• These rules are currently in Open Alpha Playtest. See the Playtest Disclaimer for more details.
• To learn more about Amtgard V9 Development, please visit Amtgard.com.
• To view the current Amtgard V8 ruleset, please see the Amtgard V8 Rulebook.

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Bard
Description		Bards are dashing hybrid spellcasters that use martial bravado and verbal magic to inspire allies and hinder foes.
Playstyle		Crowd Control, Hybrid, Melee, Shield User, Support, Versatile
Class Identifier		Blue Sash
Weapons		Dagger, Short, Long Cannot dual wield weapons except alongside Daggers.
Shields		Buckler
Armor		Choose one: Up to 2pts Physical Armor Up to 1pt Physical Armor + 1 Point at Novice Level
Garb Bonus		Choice of Garb Bonus Curio. +1 use if Superior Garb Bonus.

Level 1		Innate 2/Refresh ♻10 May spend customization points to purchase additional abilities from the list below. Points available are based on level.

	Archetype			Ability Name	Cost	Max	Frequency	Range	Type
EXPERT Points Available = Your Level Unspent points may be used at a lower tier.
			🎺	Berserk	1	4	1/Refresh ♻30	5ft (Other)	Enchantment
	💃	🏴‍☠️		Cowardice	1	4	1/Refresh ♻20	20ft (Other)	Verbal
	💃		🎺	Discordia	1	4	1/Life ♻30	Self	Verbal
	💃		🎺	Inspired Soul	1	4	1/Refresh ♻60	5ft (Other)	Enchantment
	💃		🎺	Revitalize	1	-	1/Refresh ♻60	5ft (Other)	Verbal
		🏴‍☠️		⬗ Song of Battle	2	1	Unlimited	Self	Verbal
		🏴‍☠️	🎺	⬗ Song of Survival	1	2	1/Life ♻60	Self	Verbal
		🏴‍☠️		⬗ Suppressing Strike	1	4	1/Refresh ♻10	Strike	Power Strike
ADEPT Points Available = Your Level+1 Unspent points may be used at a lower tier.
		🏴‍☠️	🎺	Small Shield	1	1	-	-	Equipment
	💃	🏴‍☠️		Fear	1	2	1/Life ♻20	20ft (Other)	Verbal
	💃			Hold Person	1	2	1/Life ♻20	20ft	Verbal
	💃	🏴‍☠️	🎺	Innate	1	4	2/Refresh ♻10	Self	Verbal
	💃	🏴‍☠️	🎺	Mend	1	2	1/Life ♻10	5ft (Any)	Verbal
	💃	🏴‍☠️		Suppress Aura	1	4	1/Refresh ♻10	20ft	Verbal
			🎺	Silver Tongue	1	2	1/Life ♻30	5ft (Other)	Enchantment
		🏴‍☠️	🎺	⬗ Song of Determination	2	1	Unlimited	Self	Verbal
		🏴‍☠️	🎺	⬗ Song of Freedom	2	1	Unlimited	Self	Verbal
	💃	🏴‍☠️	🎺	Song of Power	1	1	Unlimited	Self	Verbal
NOVICE Points Available = Your Level+2 Unspent points at this tier are wasted.
	✅	🏴‍☠️		Ambulant	1	-	1/Refresh ♻10	-	Meta-Magic
			🎺	Amplify	1	2	1/Life ♻30	5ft (Other)	Enchantment
	💃		🎺	Break Concentration	1	4	1/Life ♻10	20ft	Verbal
	💃		🎺	Choreograph	1	2	1/Life ♻30	5ft (Other)	Enchantment
	💃	🏴‍☠️	🎺	Confidence	1	-	1/Refresh ♻10	5ft (Other)	Verbal
		🏴‍☠️	🎺	Extension	1	-	1/Refresh ♻10	-	Meta-Magic
	💃	🏴‍☠️		Release	1	-	1/Life ♻10	5ft (Any)	Verbal
	💃		🎺	Renew	1	-	1/Life ♻10	5ft (Other)	Verbal
	💃	🏴‍☠️	🎺	Shove	1	4	1/Life ♻10	20ft (Other)	Verbal
	💃	🏴‍☠️	🎺	Swift	1	-	1/Refresh ♻10	-	Meta-Magic
	💃	🏴‍☠️		Taunt	1	4	1/Life ♻10	20ft	Verbal
		🏴‍☠️		⬗ Taunting Strike	1	4	2/Life ♻10	Strike	Power Strike

Archetypes If you are level 3 or above, you MAY choose to take an archetype. If you do, you can only purchase abilities listed with as part of that archetype.	Coryphée 💃 Gain Ambulant (Unlimited). Can only purchase abilities with the 💃 tag..	Swashbuckler 🏴‍☠️ May cast spells without a free hand. May dual-wield weapons. Can only purchase abilities with the 🏴‍☠️ tag.	Troubadour 🎺 Purchased uses of Renew are not expended when used on allies bearing your enchantments. Can only purchase abilities with the 🎺 tag.

⬗ = Does not require Free Hand

♻ = Rest Time

✅ = Included with Archetype

🎺👻🛡️etc. = Archetype-relevant

🌶️ = Experimental Rule

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Extra Clarifications

Any additional clarifications about this class will be listed below. To request a clarification, please visit the Amtgard V9 Discord server.

• The extra Innates from level 1 are in addition to maximum of 8 that can be purchased through point-buy, allowing for a true maximum of 10 uses total.

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Pre-Constructed Builds

Below are a few -pre-constructed builds for this class. Use these to quickly get into the game or to help new players ease their way into the intricacies of class customization.

My First Crowd Control Bard			{{{ABILITY SUMMARIES}}}
Level	1
Identifier	Blue sash
Weapons	Dagger, Short, Long Cannot dual wield weapons except alongside Daggers
Shields	Buckler
Armor	Up to 2pts Physical Armor
Archetype	None
Abilities	Fear 2/Life ♻20 Break Concentration 4/Life ♻10 Innate 2/Refresh ♻10

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List of Class-Specific Abilities

Ambulant
Simple Summary	Ambulant: Incant "Ambulant" before casting another spell, and you can use it while moving.
Available to	Bard, Druid, Healer, Scout, Wizard
Type	Meta-Magic
Incantation	"Ambulant"
Effects	Meta-Magic Effect: The modified ability can be cast while moving.
Other Details	A spell that is intended to be ambulant may identify the target while moving. 🏃 This ability can be cast while moving.

Amplify
Simple Summary	Amplify: Incant "My power amplifies thy voice" x3 to grant the bearer Extension 2/Refresh (♻10)
Available to	Bard, Monster (Unicorn)
Type	Enchantment
Range	5ft (Other)
Incantation	"My power amplifies thy voice" x3
Effects	Enchantment Effect: Bearer gains Extension 2/Refresh ♻10.

Berserk
Simple Summary	Berserk: Incant "Anger builds within thy veins" x3. Target’s weapons become armor breaking and shield crushing. While within 20ft of an enemy, they can’t move more than 20ft away unless forced by magic or unable to strike or reach that enemy. Bearer does not have to pursue enemies who run away.
Available to	Bard, Barbarian, Druid, Monster (Shroomkin, Werewolf)
Type	Enchantment
Range	5ft (Other) - Bard, Druid, Shroomkin 5ft (Any) - Barbarian 5ft (Self) - Werewolf As Trait - Berserker Barbarian
Incantation	"Anger builds within thy veins" x3
Effects	Enchantment Effect: Bearer’s wielded melee weapons are Armor Breaking and Shield Crushing. While within 20ft of a living enemy, the bearer cannot knowingly move more than 20ft away from them. If any of the following are true, then this limitation can be ignored: the bearer is moving to engage another living enemy within 20ft; the bearer is forced by another effect (Fear, Shove, etc.); there is no path the bearer could take to move to the enemy without leaving 20ft or crossing impassable/hazardous terrain (real or in-game); the enemy becomes unable to be affected by melee attacks (Flying, Frozen, Insubstantial, etc.);
Other Details	The bearer does not need to follow if the target moves away from the them.

Break Concentration
Simple Summary	Break Concentration: Incant "I command thee suppressed" to make the target Suppressed for 10 seconds.
Available to	Bard, Monk, Wizard, Curios, Monster (Fairy)
Type	Verbal (Offensive)
Range	20ft
Incantation	"I command thee suppressed."
Effects	Status Effect: Target is Suppressed for 10s.

Choreograph
Simple Summary	Choreograph: Incant "My power guides thy feet" x3 to grant the bearer Ambulant 2/Refresh (♻10)
Available to	Bard
Type	Enchantment
Range	5ft (Other)
Incantation	"My power guides thy feet" x3
Effects	Enchantment Effect: Bearer gains Ambulant 2/Refresh ♻10.

Confidence
Simple Summary	Confidence: Incant "My power grants thee confidence" to restore a target's ability with a rest timer no greater than ♻20. (If they are resting, add 20 seconds to their rest time.) This cannot restore Confidence.
Available to	Bard, Curios, Monster (Unicorn)
Type	Verbal (Non-Offensive)
Range	5ft (Other)
Incantation	"My power grants thee confidence"
Effects	Immediate Effect: Target declares and restores one use of a single ability with ♻ up to ♻20. If they are Resting, they instead add 20 seconds towards the rest timer of a single ability. This cannot be used to restore or contribute rest time towards recovering other instances of Confidence.
Other Details	Confidence can only restore or contribute time towards restoring abilities. It cannot affect resistances or other non-ability effects such as the Rest At Base options.

Cowardice
Simple Summary	Cowardice: Incant "Cower and be afraid of all" x3 to make the target Afraid of all players for 30s.
Available to	Anti-Paladin, Barbarian, Bard
Type	Verbal (Offensive)
Range	20ft (Other)
Incantation	"Cower and be afraid of all" x3
Effects	Status Effect: Target becomes Afraid of all living players for 30s.

Discordia
Simple Summary	Discordia: Incant "My discordant melodies shall stymie my foes" x3 and chant "Discordia" to gain Suppress Aura (unlimited), which you can cast without interrupting the chant. If you take damage or aggress in any way other than casting the granted spell, this effect ends.
Available to	Bard
Type	Verbal (Non-Offensive)
Range	Self
Incantation	"My discordant melodies shall stymie my foes" x3
Chant	"Discordia"
Effects	Chant Effect: Caster gains Suppress Aura (Unlimited) and may cast it without interrupting this chant. This chant ends if the caster aggresses (other than casting Suppress Aura), takes damage, or stops chanting.
Other Details	Spells cast this way cannot be affected by meta-magic. Casting this way counts towards maintaining the chant, however a proper chant of "Discordia" must be made between each cast or attempted cast.

Extension
Simple Summary	Extension: Incant "Extension" before casting a spell with 20ft range, and the range of that spell becomes 50ft.
Available to	Bard, Druid, Healer, Scout, Wizard, Monster (Siren)
Type	Meta-Magic
Incantation	"Extension"
Prerequisites	Can only be used to modify abilities with a range of 20ft.
Effects	Meta-Magic Effect: The modified ability can affect targets up to 50ft away.

Fear
Simple Summary	Fear: Incant "Witness me and be afraid" x3 to make the target Afraid of you for 30s.
Available to	Anti-Paladin, Bard, Monster (Gargoyle, Werewolf)
Type	Verbal (Offensive)
Range	20ft (Other)
Incantation	"Witness me and be afraid" x3
Effects	Status Effect: Target becomes Afraid of the caster for 30s or until the caster dies.

Hold Person
Simple Summary	Hold Person: Incant "I command thee to stop" x3 to make the target Stopped for 30s.
Available to	Assassin, Bard, Druid, Healer, Scout, Wizard, Monster (Siren)
Type	Verbal (Offensive)
Range	20ft
Incantation	"I command thee to stop" x3
Effects	Status Effect: Target becomes Stopped for 30s.

Innate
Simple Summary	Innate: Incant “Innate” to instantly recover an ability with ♻10. You can use this while Resting or Insubstantial, unlike most incants. If you do it while Resting, you can add 10s towards longer Rest timers.
Available to	Bard, Druid, Healer, Wizard, Monster (Shroomkin)
Type	Verbal (Non-Offensive)
Range	Self
Incantation	"Innate"
Effects	Immediate Effect: Caster restores one use of a single ability with ♻ up to ♻10. If the caster is Resting, they instead add 10 seconds towards the rest timer of a single ability. This cannot be used to restore or contribute rest time towards recovering Confidence.
Other Details	Innate can be used while Resting without ending it. Innate can be used while Insubstantial. Innate can only restore or contribute time towards restoring abilities. It cannot affect resistances or other non-ability effects such as the Rest at Base options.
V8 Transition Note:	Innate is a verbal, not a meta-magic.

Inspired Soul
Simple Summary	Inspired Soul: Incant "A distant magic has no hold upon thy now inspired soul" x3 to grant the target a resistance against Verbals. (♻10)
Available to	Bard, Healer, Monk
Type	Enchantment
Range	5ft Other
Incantation	"A distant magic has no hold upon thy now inspired soul" x3
Effects	Enchantment Effect: Bearer gains resistance to verbal abilities (♻10).
Other Details	When declaring this enchantment, the bearer must declare what they are resistant to and whether the resistance is active or not.
Reminder	Resistances are optional. The bearer does not need to expend them on the first applicable attack.
V8 Transition Note:	This enchantment is not removed once the resistance is expended. The resistance can be restored by resting for the indicated time.

Mend
Simple Summary	Mend: Incant "I make this item whole again" x5 to mend a broken or damaged weapon or shield, or restore one point of armor to a hit location.
Available to	Archer, Bard, Druid, Healer, Scout, Wizard, Curios, Monster (Shroomkin)
Type	Verbal (Non-Offensive)
Range	5ft (Any)
Incantation	"I make this item whole again" x5
Effects	Immediate Effect: Choose one at the time of cast: Restore a weapon, shield, or other item carried by the target. Restore 1 point of armor to a single hit location. Must declare which hit location.
Other Details	Caster may hold the item to be affected without taking up a free hand.
V8 Transition Note:	Mend targets the player, not the item being restored.

Release
Simple Summary	Release: Incant "From thy bindings thou art released" x5 to remove any number of status effects from the target other than Severed.
Available to	Bard, Druid, Healer, Paladin, Scout, Wizard, Curios, Monster (Unicorn)
Type	Verbal (Non-Offensive)
Range	5ft (Any) - Bard, Druid, Healer, Scout, Wizard, Curio 5ft (Other) - Paladin, Unicorn
Incantation	"From thy bindings thou art released" x5
Effects	Immediate Effect: The target's status is restored; any number of status effects are removed.
Reminder	This cannot remove Severed and does not affect players who are Cursed.

Renew
Simple Summary	Renew: Incant "Thy boon and blessing shall be renewed" to restore someone's enchantment-granted Resistance or Ability with ♻20 or less.
Available to	Bard, Druid, Healer, Paladin, Curios, Monster (Unicorn)
Type	Verbal (Non-Offensive)
Range	5ft (Other) - Bard, Druid, Healer, Paladin, Unicorn 5ft (Any) - Curios
Incantation	"Thy boon and blessing shall be renewed"
Prerequisites	Cannot be used while there are living enemies within 10ft.
Effects	Immediate Effect: Target declares and restores an effect or ability granted by an enchantment. That ability or effect must have a ♻ value that is no greater than ♻20.

Revitalize
Simple Summary	Revitalize: Incant "I restore thee to thy full potency" to restore all of the target's per-life abilities except Innate, Confidence, Phoenix Tears, and other instances of Revitalize.
Available to	Bard
Type	Verbal (Non-Offensive)
Range	5ft (Other)
Incantation	"I restore thee to thy full potency"
Effects	Immediate Effect: Target restores all uses of their per-life abilities except for the following: Innate, Confidence, Phoenix Tears, and other instances of Revitalize.

Shove
Simple Summary	Shove: Cast with "My power shoves thee" x3. Target must move 20ft further away from you.
Available to	Bard, Druid, Healer, Monk, Wizard
Type	Verbal (Offensive)
Range	20ft (Other)
Incantation	"My power shoves thee" x3
Effects	Status Effect: Target is Shoved 20ft directly away from the caster.
Reminder	If the target becomes Stopped or otherwise unable to move while in transit, they must still complete the forced movement from Shove.
V8 Transition Note:	Shove cannot be cast on oneself.

Silver Tongue
Simple Summary	Silver Tongue: Incant "My power quickens thy tongue" x3 to grant the bearer Swift 2/Refresh (♻10)
Available to	Bard
Type	Enchantment
Range	5ft (Other)
Incantation	"My power quickens thy tongue" x3
Effects	Enchantment Effect: Bearer gains Swift 2/Refresh ♻10.

Song of Battle
Simple Summary	Song of Battle: Incant "I sing a song of battle" and chant "Song of Battle". While you do, your melee weapons are armor breaking.
Available to	Bard
Type	Verbal (Non-Offensive)
Range	Self
Incantation	"I sing a song of battle"
Chant	"Song of Battle"
Effects	Chant Effect: Caster's wielded melee weapons are Armor Breaking.

Song of Determination
Simple Summary	Song of Determination: Incant "I sing a song of determination" and chant "Song of Determination". While you do, you're immune to Afraid and Taunted.
Available to	Bard
Type	Verbal (Non-Offensive)
Range	Self
Incantation	"I sing a song of determination"
Chant	"Song of Determination"
Effects	Chant Effect: Caster is immune to Afraid and Taunted.

Song of Freedom
Simple Summary	Song of Freedom: Incant "I sing a song of freedom" and chant "Song of Freedom". While you do, you're immune to Stopped and Frozen.
Available to	Bard
Type	Verbal (Non-Offensive)
Range	Self
Incantation	"I sing a song of freedom"
Chant	"Song of Freedom"
Effects	Chant Effect: Caster is immune to Stopped and Frozen.

Song of Power
Simple Summary	Song of Power: Incant "I sing a song of power" and either chant "Song of Power" or perform. While you do, you Rest at double time, and players Resting near you also count at double-time. (Does not affect Confidence or Rest at Base). Ends if your Rest or chant are interrupted.
Available to	Bard, Monster (Fairy, Siren)
Type	Verbal (Non-Offensive)
Range	Self
Incantation	"I sing a song of power"
Chant	"Song of Power" OR the caster may perform.
Effects	Chant Effect: Caster is affected as per Rest. They may chant without breaking the Rest and may use Innate without breaking this chant. The caster and other players that are resting within 20ft of the caster may count their rest at double-time. Confidence and the 'Rest at Base' options cannot benefit from this increased rate. Players wishing to Rest for either of these options must still wait for the full, unmodified time. If the caster's Rest or chant is interrupted, the effects of Song of Power immediately end.
Other Details	If the caster chooses to perform, their performance is the chant and must meet all the requirements for chants. The caster must also do their best to avoid confusion on the battlefield by declaring that they are using Song of Power to potential aggressors or anyone who might be confused. It should be clear whether someone is performing for Song of Power or just for the fun of it. The effects of multiple Songs of Power do not stack.

Song of Survival
Simple Summary	Song of Survival: Incant "I sing a song of survival" and chant "Song of Survival" to become resistant to any single strike or ability inflicted by an enemy. When you use this resistance, become invulnerable and return to base, where you incant "I return to the physical world" x2 to end the effect.
Available to	Bard
Type	Verbal (Non-Offensive)
Range	Self
Incantation	"I sing a song of survival"
Chant	"Song of Survival"
Effects	Chant Effect: Caster is resistant to all effects from a single strike or ability inflicted by an enemy. Secondary Effect (Status): When the resistance is used, the caster becomes Invulnerable and forced to move directly to their base. They may end this effect anytime they are at least 100ft away from living enemies by declaring "I return to the physical world" x2. This effect also ends immediately if they reach their base.
Other Details	The use of this ability is only expended when the resistance is used.

Suppress Aura
Simple Summary	Suppress Aura: Incant "My power suppresses thine" x3 to make the target Suppressed for 30s
Available to	Bard, Barbarian, Wizard
Type	Verbal (Offensive)
Range	20ft
Incantation	"My power suppresses thine" x3
Effects	Status Effect: Target is Suppressed for 30s.

Suppressing Strike
Simple Summary	Suppressing Strike: Incant "Power strike suppress" and hit an enemy within 2s to Suppress them for 30s. Engulfing.
Available to	Assassin, Barbarian, Bard, Monk, Scout, Warrior, Monster (Entangling Mass)
Type	Power Strike
Range	Strike
Material Components	Melee Weapon
Incantation	"Power Strike Suppress"
Effects	Status Effect: Target struck is Suppressed for 30s. Engulfing.
Other Details	🏃 This ability can be cast while moving.

Swift
Simple Summary	Swift: Incant "Swift" before casting a spell to cast it with only one repetition of the incant.
Available to	Bard, Druid, Healer, Paladin, Wizard
Type	Meta-Magic
Incantation	"Swift"
Prerequisites	Cannot be used to modify abilities with a range of 20ft.
Effects	Meta-Magic Effect: The modified ability can be cast with only a single iteration of the incantation. For multi-line Incantations with no repetition, use the last line only.

Taunt
Simple Summary	Taunt: Incant "I command thy attention" x3 to Taunt the target for 30s.
Available to	Bard, Barbarian, Monk, Paladin, Warrior, Monster (Fairy, Siren)
Type	Verbal (Offensive)
Range	20ft
Incantation	"I command thy attention" x3
Effects	Status Effect: Target is Taunted by the caster for 30s, or until the caster dies.

Taunting Strike
Simple Summary	Taunting Strike: Incant "Power strike taunt" and hit an enemy within 2s to Taunt them for 30s. Engulfing.
Available to	Bard, Monk, Warrior
Type	Power Strike
Range	Strike
Material Components	Melee Weapon
Incantation	"Power Strike Taunt"
Effects	Status Effect: Target struck is Taunted by the caster for 30s or until the caster dies. Engulfing.
Other Details	🏃 This ability can be cast while moving.

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Trivia

• The Bard class was introduced in Amtgard V4 (1986).

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