Linked Questions
12 questions linked to/from Does a bard have to play a musical instrument when using it as a spellcasting focus?
21
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What counts as a spellcasting focus for bards?
Inspired by this question: Can a multi-class spellcaster have one thing be two different focuses?
The PHB, on p54 says:
Spellcasting focus
You can use a musical instrument (found in chapter 5) ...
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16
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2
answers
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Does a kenku bard need an instrument, or can they use Mimicry for one?
I'd like to play a Kenku Bard in Adventurer's League, one raised by bards since a young age to hopefully become a master of the Bardic arts through copying many other skilled bards.
One thought that ...
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20
votes
4
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Can a Bard cast spells with both hands full?
I was looking at Valor bards and saw they get shield proficiency later. It seems to cater to the person wanting to play a more melee-oriented bard, but I see one major problem and want to see if ...
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2
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If a bard uses a musical instrument as their spellcasting focus, can they add their proficiency bonus to an ability check made as part of a spell?
The following things are true:
Bards are allowed to use their musical instruments as spell focuses.
Proficiency with a musical instrument allows you to add your proficiency bonus to ability checks ...
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2
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Is the dulcimer listed under 5e's tools intended to be the hammered variety or the strummed variety?
The Dulcimer is listed in official sources as a tool available for use and purchase [SRD p.70]. However, I cannot seem to find official clarification on whether this refers to a hammered dulcimer or a ...
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2
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3
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3k
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Can a pan flute or horn be played one-handed?
I've been through the PHB and DMG and not been able to find any specific rules for this. Clearly the string instruments must be played two-handed, but I don't see why my bard couldn't be playing the ...
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8
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1
answer
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Are spells for Bards only able to be used with instruments, or are there a different set of spells for instruments?
I was wondering since the Bard has a lot of spells that don't seem to have him using his instrument to perform, are there 2 different types of spells for the Bard, Normal magic spells and Instrument ...
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7
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1
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Can a bard use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus if they aren't proficient with it?
The bard's spellcasting class features (PHB, pg. 53) includes the following:
Spellcasting Focus
You can use a musical instrument (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.
In ...
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8
votes
2
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If a bard has two instruments can they cast regularly still?
If a bard, say has War Caster, and has two magical instruments, like say the Rhythm Maker's Drum, and a Reveler's Concertina, can they cast spells that have somatic parts?
I had a player ask, and ...
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4
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1
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Do you have to be attuned to an Instrument of the Bards in order to cast the spells granted by the item?
Do you have to be attuned to an Instrument of the Bards in order to cast the spells granted by the item?
It is a bit unclear from the item's description if you need to be attuned in order to cast ...
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2
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Are there rules for switching between held items?
I'm playing a bard that uses a viol but it takes 2 hands to play it so how would I be able to quickly switch between spellcasting focus and my weapons? Does it take extra time or does it not matter?
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Can Bard spellcasting go unnoticed by their audience?
I've noticed that it explicitly states in some spells, such as Dissonant whispers which has a verbal component only, that it can only be heard by the target
The caster would whisper a cacophonous ...
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