Bard Song Query

Prad · Post by **Prad** » Mon Jun 18, 2001 3:30 am

Hmm, I've been looking around the Gamebanshee site after reading the manual, the in game description, and looking back at the BG1 manual, but none of these sources describe what the actual game effects of the (vanilla) bard song are. The game only tells you when the effects are different i.e. jester and skald kits.

Cheers

Agnocar · Post by **Agnocar** » Mon Jun 18, 2001 3:36 am

Yeah, I, too, would be interested in this info, myself. I have been unable to find this info, I even checked my 1st ed. AD&D Player's Handbook!

Dimensional · Post by **Dimensional** » Mon Jun 18, 2001 3:43 am

The 2nd ed complete bards handbook can be found here[url="http://tinuviel.mizi.com/~tolkien/ADD/"]D&D manuals[/url] it details the offical effect of bard song buti don't know how this differs from BG2

hope it helps

Prad · Post by **Prad** » Mon Jun 18, 2001 4:45 am

Cheers for the link. I didn't know all those manuals which myself and friends forked out about £15 each in my youth are now available for free on the net

Anyhow, how do those effects translate in to the BG2 game world/engine. I imagine any allies just get a combat modifier, but is it +1 or +2 to hit +/- damage etc?

Cheers

Prad · Post by **Prad** » Tue Jun 19, 2001 6:05 am

Sorry about bumping this back to the top. I think it must have gone unnoticed... surely someone out there must know what bard song does.

I did some checking and characters affected by the bard song don't appear to have any thaco modification. Does the bard song only affect morale???!!!

RA · Post by RA » Tue Jun 19, 2001 7:16 am

When we are talking about bard songs, blade bard songs don't improve.
But in Throne of Bhaal they say they get special bard song ability's, will these also count for blade's?

tlibro · Post by **tlibro** » Tue Jun 19, 2001 7:22 am

I found this on another site but, as you said, I don't see any difference in THACO when my Bard sings. "By singing, bards can grant a +1 bonus to attack rolls, a +1 bonus to saving throw rolls and a +2 bonus to morale."

koz-ivan · Post by **koz-ivan** » Tue Jun 19, 2001 7:37 am

bard song works as a luck spell, it wall also add 5% to all thieving abilities.

i have no idea if the song actuall improves w/ level or if only the range increases.

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Tue Jun 19, 2001 7:50 am

Originally posted by koz-ivan:
<STRONG>bard song works as a luck spell, it wall also add 5% to all thieving abilities.

i have no idea if the song actuall improves w/ level or if only the range increases.</STRONG>

And how exactly does this spell work? 5 % extra on thief skills is easy enough to understand, but what does 5 % mean for a Fighter with THAC0 3? Or a Mage with Save vs Spell at 6?

What makes you believe the range increases?

Astafas · Post by **Astafas** » Tue Jun 19, 2001 8:08 am

Originally posted by tlibro:
<STRONG>I found this on another site but, as you said, I don't see any difference in THACO when my Bard sings. "By singing, bards can grant a +1 bonus to attack rolls, a +1 bonus to saving throw rolls and a +2 bonus to morale."</STRONG>

I believe this to be the most accurate answer out there. However, it is strange that you can't see the THAC0 change as per the Skald Song (although less, of course). The only thing I know for certain is that you get "resistance" to fear. If this is a true resistance or not, I don't know. I guess it could be caused by the higher moral and lucky saving throws. Anyone sure how the morality check works? You get a save vs spell against Fear - does moral have any impact as well?

I have asked the question about the normal bard song more times than I can remember on many different board. What DnD or BG manuals say are absolutely without interest, since the rules are almost never implemented precisely as stated in these.

I even e-mailed to Dave at Black Isle Studios. He asked around and then came back with the very disappointing answer that NO ONE one at BIS knew this! I find it hard to believe but who am I to say...

So, if any of you know the answer, it would be very welcome. If you think you do, make sure to explain by which tests you came to that answer, too.

Finally there is always a chance that ToB will solve this for us by completely remaking the normal bard song.

Prad · Post by **Prad** » Tue Jun 19, 2001 11:21 am

Seems like a potentially cool ability gone to waste...like the druid shape change ability (who wants to change into a bear?)

Drakron Du´Dark · Post by **Drakron Du´Dark** » Tue Jun 19, 2001 11:50 am

I dont think that they will.
The closest thing I can think about the "bard song" is that it works like a "luck" spell.

There will be a Improved Bard Song as a high level skill in ToB.
That I know of.