Back
Ruling on the effects of the bard song abilities

Recently, there has been some discussion and many questions
about who does and doesn't benefit from a bard's bard song
abilities as written in the PHB.

Here is the final ruling for the bard song question from
LC Rules. Consider this a clarification for the LC Campaign
from this point on.

Bards only receive benefits from their own counter songs and
NOT from their own inspirational songs.

Included is a copy of the email from LC Rules about the
interpretation of the bard song and who it does and does not
benefit.

---

Bard Abilities
***From the 2nd printing of the 3E PHB.

Inspire Courage: A Bard with 3 or more ranks in perform can
use song or poetics to inspire courage in his ALLIES,
bolstering THEM against fear and improving their combat
abilities.

Inspire Competence: A Bard with 6 or more ranks in perform can
use song or poetics to help an ALLY succeed at a task.

Inspire Greatness: A Bard with 12 or more ranks in perform can
use song or poetics to inspire greatness in ANOTHER creature.

Counter song: Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (Including
the bard himself)....

So a bard only gets the benefit of the counter song all the inspire
abilities affect other beings only. Of course if there are two bards
in the party both inspiring then they would get the others inspiring
benefits.
***
Back