College of Taiko (5e Subclass)

College of Taiko

Bards of the College of Taiko, who call themselves Bachi, create music from dual wielded weapons and the sounds of the battle itself as their instruments. In feudal lands, the Taiko Bachi were often used to motivate troops, call out orders or announcements, and set a marching pace. A bard of Taiko hears and manipulates the rhythm and sound of combat using it to control and influence the combatants.

Bonus Proficiencies

At level 3, the bard gains proficiency with medium armor and the Two-weapon Taiko fighting style, granting you access to the two-weapon fighting option.

Two-Weapon Fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack. You may use two-weapon fighting even with one-handed melee weapons that are not light, so long as both weapons are the same type of weapon. (i.e. two maces)

The Beat of Battle

Also at 3rd level, bardic inspiration may affect one target (as normal) or may “control the beat of battle” for all friendly targets within 30 feet, negatively affect all enemy targets within 30 feet, or both, with an inspiration die to their NEXT roll for ability check, attack roll, or saving throw (no choosing, no holding, always effects next roll).

Kata Form

At 6th level, if you perform a two weapon attack this turn, you may use bardic inspiration or cast a cantrip with a cast time of 1 action or 1 bonus action as an extra bonus action. This bonus spell casting uses the Two-weapon Taiko style attacks in the place of any required semantic components.

Kumi-daiko Form

Starting at 15th level, as a bardic inspiration action, you may put a Haste effect over everyone in a 30 foot range for concentration, up to 1 minute. Until the inspiration ends, the target's speed is doubled, it gains a +2 bonus to AC, it has advantage on Dexterity saving throws, and it gains an additional action on each of its turns. That action can be used only to take the Attack (one weapon attack only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object action.

When the inspiration ends, the target(s) can't move or take actions until after its next turn, as a wave of lethargy sweeps over it.

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