New Ability for Bards: Countersong - Opinions Wanted

[Demiurge]

I already know serl's thoughts on this , but I'd like to add this ability for bards. I don't think it goes too far afield from the skald archetype. I could imagine it happening like this: "Ya damned harpy, you call that singin'? Bah! Here's an old dwarven war ballad me pappy taught me."

I've thought up two different ways of implementing it and wanted opinions as to whether or not it is unbalancing to the class.

As a new ability:

1. Countersong
   
   At 5th level a bard can use his music or poetics to counter magical effects that depend on sound (but not spells that simply have verbal components). Each round of the countersong, he makes a Charisma check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use the bard’s Charisma check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Charisma check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the countersong is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the bard’s Charisma check result for the save. Countersong has no effect against effects that don’t allow saves. The bard may keep up the countersong for 1 round per level. This abilty is useable 1 time per day for every 5 levels the bard has.

Or as an addendum to Fascinate:

• A bard may also use the Fascinate ability to counter magical effects that depend on sound (but not spells that simply have verbal components). Each round of the countersong, he makes a Charisma check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use the bard’s Charisma check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Charisma check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the countersong is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the bard’s Charisma check result for the save. Countersong has no effect against effects that don’t allow saves.

[Treebore]

I think it will work fine.

[gideon_thorne]

I thought up an idea akin to a counter-spell ability for spell casters. Basically, the caster can sacrifice a spell slot to counter an attack from a spell casting opponent. This requires an attribute check vs the level of the incoming spell. A successful check means that the defender has somehow reached into the magical energy headed their way and either dispersed it or grounded it in some fashion. A failure of the check simply means the spell effect goes off as normal.

No reason a bard couldn't have a similar ability which uses their musical skill at harmonics to disrupt a spell. I'd limit it to spells with verbal components for the bard though. Although a case could be made for the complex gestures of a spell being countered by the complex gestures required to play a given musical instrument.

[CKDad]

Like Tree, I think this will be fine.

I'm not hugely concerned with "class balance" myself - I'm more interested in "can every class contribute something to the party" - but if it worries you, then go with the addition to Fascinate.

That said, I think the fighter could use a little love.

[Mark Hall]

I already know serl's thoughts on this , but I'd like to add this ability for bards. I don't think it goes too far afield from the skald archetype. I could imagine it happening like this: "Ya damned harpy, you call that singin'? Bah! Here's an old dwarven war ballad me pappy taught me."

I've thought up two different ways of implementing it and wanted opinions as to whether or not it is unbalancing to the class.

As a new ability:

1. Countersong
   
   At 5th level a bard can use his music or poetics to counter magical effects that depend on sound (but not spells that simply have verbal components). Each round of the countersong, he makes a Charisma check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use the bard’s Charisma check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Charisma check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the countersong is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the bard’s Wisdom check result for the save. Countersong has no effect against effects that don’t allow saves. The bard may keep up the countersong for 1 round per level. This abilty is useable 1 time per day for every 5 levels the bard has.

Or as an addendum to Fascinate:

• A bard may also use the Fascinate ability to counter magical effects that depend on sound (but not spells that simply have verbal components). Each round of the countersong, he makes a Charisma check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by a sonic or language-dependent magical attack may use the bard’s Charisma check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Charisma check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the countersong is already under the effect of a noninstantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the countersong, but it must use the bard’s Wisdom check result for the save. Countersong has no effect against effects that don’t allow saves.

Do you mean for the second mention to be Wisdom checks, instead of Charisma?

[Demiurge]

Yeah, should have been Charisma. Darned cut & paste.