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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?
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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 made with that instrument.
- Using an musical instrument in place of a material component means you are using the instrument to cast the spell.
If a spell has you make an ability check as part of casting the spell and your instrumental focus can be used, does your proficiency bonus from instrument apply to the check?
This is a purely theoretical / fringe theorycrafting situation as I have not found a spell that requires a material component that has the caster make an ability check.
The three spells that I know of that call for ability checks (dispel magic, counterspell, and telekinesis), do not require material components, so as far as I understand it, the instrument focus cannot be used. The spell fabricate specifically targets proficiency with artisan's tools as being used (which is a different question if Jack of All Trades applies, and thus anything can be created...)
But considering the Magical Secrets feature that every bard gets and the College of Lore's Additional Magical Secrets feature, there might be a spell out there that that fits this description.
Could the bard use their instrument focus to apply a proficiency bonus to the ability check?
Alternatively, if a magical instrument is used to cast a spell that calls for an ability check, would the proficiency bonus for being proficient in that instrument apply to the spell's ability check?
dnd-5e bard spell-components proficiency arcane-focus
asked 1 hour ago
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up vote
2
down vote
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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 made with that instrument.
- Using an musical instrument in place of a material component means you are using the instrument to cast the spell.
If a spell has you make an ability check as part of casting the spell and your instrumental focus can be used, does your proficiency bonus from instrument apply to the check?
This is a purely theoretical / fringe theorycrafting situation as I have not found a spell that requires a material component that has the caster make an ability check.
The three spells that I know of that call for ability checks (dispel magic, counterspell, and telekinesis), do not require material components, so as far as I understand it, the instrument focus cannot be used. The spell fabricate specifically targets proficiency with artisan's tools as being used (which is a different question if Jack of All Trades applies, and thus anything can be created...)
But considering the Magical Secrets feature that every bard gets and the College of Lore's Additional Magical Secrets feature, there might be a spell out there that that fits this description.
Could the bard use their instrument focus to apply a proficiency bonus to the ability check?
Alternatively, if a magical instrument is used to cast a spell that calls for an ability check, would the proficiency bonus for being proficient in that instrument apply to the spell's ability check?
dnd-5e bard spell-components proficiency arcane-focus
asked 1 hour ago
Play Patrice
732112
New contributor
Play Patrice is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Related: Does a bard have to play a musical instrument when using it as a spellcasting focus?, Can a bard use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus if they aren't proficient with it?
– V2Blast
40 mins ago
Regarding the last part of your question, by "magical instrument", do you mean something like an Instrument of the Bards?
– V2Blast
23 mins ago
Yes, or any future iteration that may come out. I did not find ability spells in in the existing instruments during my research.
– Play Patrice
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
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 made with that instrument.
- Using an musical instrument in place of a material component means you are using the instrument to cast the spell.
If a spell has you make an ability check as part of casting the spell and your instrumental focus can be used, does your proficiency bonus from instrument apply to the check?
This is a purely theoretical / fringe theorycrafting situation as I have not found a spell that requires a material component that has the caster make an ability check.
The three spells that I know of that call for ability checks (dispel magic, counterspell, and telekinesis), do not require material components, so as far as I understand it, the instrument focus cannot be used. The spell fabricate specifically targets proficiency with artisan's tools as being used (which is a different question if Jack of All Trades applies, and thus anything can be created...)
But considering the Magical Secrets feature that every bard gets and the College of Lore's Additional Magical Secrets feature, there might be a spell out there that that fits this description.
Could the bard use their instrument focus to apply a proficiency bonus to the ability check?
Alternatively, if a magical instrument is used to cast a spell that calls for an ability check, would the proficiency bonus for being proficient in that instrument apply to the spell's ability check?
dnd-5e bard spell-components proficiency arcane-focus
asked 1 hour ago
Play Patrice
732112
New contributor
Play Patrice is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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 made with that instrument.
- Using an musical instrument in place of a material component means you are using the instrument to cast the spell.
If a spell has you make an ability check as part of casting the spell and your instrumental focus can be used, does your proficiency bonus from instrument apply to the check?
This is a purely theoretical / fringe theorycrafting situation as I have not found a spell that requires a material component that has the caster make an ability check.
The three spells that I know of that call for ability checks (dispel magic, counterspell, and telekinesis), do not require material components, so as far as I understand it, the instrument focus cannot be used. The spell fabricate specifically targets proficiency with artisan's tools as being used (which is a different question if Jack of All Trades applies, and thus anything can be created...)
But considering the Magical Secrets feature that every bard gets and the College of Lore's Additional Magical Secrets feature, there might be a spell out there that that fits this description.
Could the bard use their instrument focus to apply a proficiency bonus to the ability check?
Alternatively, if a magical instrument is used to cast a spell that calls for an ability check, would the proficiency bonus for being proficient in that instrument apply to the spell's ability check?
dnd-5e bard spell-components proficiency arcane-focus
dnd-5e bard spell-components proficiency arcane-focus
asked 1 hour ago
Play Patrice
732112
New contributor
Play Patrice is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 1 hour ago
Play Patrice
732112
New contributor
Play Patrice is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 21 mins ago
asked 1 hour ago
Play Patrice
732112
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Play Patrice is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 1 hour ago
Play Patrice
732112
asked 1 hour ago
Play Patrice
732112
732112
New contributor
Play Patrice is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Play Patrice is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
Related: Does a bard have to play a musical instrument when using it as a spellcasting focus?, Can a bard use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus if they aren't proficient with it?
– V2Blast
40 mins ago
Regarding the last part of your question, by "magical instrument", do you mean something like an Instrument of the Bards?
– V2Blast
23 mins ago
Yes, or any future iteration that may come out. I did not find ability spells in in the existing instruments during my research.
– Play Patrice
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
1
Related: Does a bard have to play a musical instrument when using it as a spellcasting focus?, Can a bard use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus if they aren't proficient with it?
– V2Blast
40 mins ago
Regarding the last part of your question, by "magical instrument", do you mean something like an Instrument of the Bards?
– V2Blast
23 mins ago
Yes, or any future iteration that may come out. I did not find ability spells in in the existing instruments during my research.
– Play Patrice
20 mins ago
1
1
Related: Does a bard have to play a musical instrument when using it as a spellcasting focus?, Can a bard use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus if they aren't proficient with it?
– V2Blast
40 mins ago
Related: Does a bard have to play a musical instrument when using it as a spellcasting focus?, Can a bard use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus if they aren't proficient with it?
– V2Blast
40 mins ago
Regarding the last part of your question, by "magical instrument", do you mean something like an Instrument of the Bards?
– V2Blast
23 mins ago
Regarding the last part of your question, by "magical instrument", do you mean something like an Instrument of the Bards?
– V2Blast
23 mins ago
Yes, or any future iteration that may come out. I did not find ability spells in in the existing instruments during my research.
– Play Patrice
20 mins ago
Yes, or any future iteration that may come out. I did not find ability spells in in the existing instruments during my research.
– Play Patrice
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
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oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
This usually wouldn't work
An ability check made from a spell is not "using" the instrument. The instrument is used to cast the spell, but the ability check is a separate part of the casting (or part of the spell effect). Only if the hypothetical spell specifically calls out an ability check with the material component or focus would you be able to add your proficiency bonus.
answered 56 mins ago
David Coffron
25.8k289180
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
No, this wouldn't work
The Tools section of the basic rules tells you what proficiency with a musical instrument does:
Musical Instrument. Several of the most common types of musical instruments are shown on the table as examples. If you have proficiency with a given musical instrument, you can add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks you make to play music with the instrument. A bard can use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus. Each type of musical instrument requires a separate proficiency.
And as you quoted from the description of musical instrument proficiencies, they're only relevant to whether you can add your proficiency bonus to checks made to play the instrument.
As discussed in the linked questions here and here, bards don't technically have to play an instrument to use it as a spellcasting focus - but more importantly, an ability check that a spell requires you to make is not an ability check made to play the instrument itself. As such, your proficiency bonus would not be applied to the check unless the spell description states that it is.
answered 27 mins ago
V2Blast
15k23597
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
This usually wouldn't work
An ability check made from a spell is not "using" the instrument. The instrument is used to cast the spell, but the ability check is a separate part of the casting (or part of the spell effect). Only if the hypothetical spell specifically calls out an ability check with the material component or focus would you be able to add your proficiency bonus.
answered 56 mins ago
David Coffron
25.8k289180
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
This usually wouldn't work
An ability check made from a spell is not "using" the instrument. The instrument is used to cast the spell, but the ability check is a separate part of the casting (or part of the spell effect). Only if the hypothetical spell specifically calls out an ability check with the material component or focus would you be able to add your proficiency bonus.
answered 56 mins ago
David Coffron
25.8k289180
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
This usually wouldn't work
An ability check made from a spell is not "using" the instrument. The instrument is used to cast the spell, but the ability check is a separate part of the casting (or part of the spell effect). Only if the hypothetical spell specifically calls out an ability check with the material component or focus would you be able to add your proficiency bonus.
answered 56 mins ago
David Coffron
25.8k289180
This usually wouldn't work
An ability check made from a spell is not "using" the instrument. The instrument is used to cast the spell, but the ability check is a separate part of the casting (or part of the spell effect). Only if the hypothetical spell specifically calls out an ability check with the material component or focus would you be able to add your proficiency bonus.
answered 56 mins ago
David Coffron
25.8k289180
answered 56 mins ago
David Coffron
25.8k289180
answered 56 mins ago
David Coffron
25.8k289180
answered 56 mins ago
David Coffron
25.8k289180
25.8k289180
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
No, this wouldn't work
The Tools section of the basic rules tells you what proficiency with a musical instrument does:
Musical Instrument. Several of the most common types of musical instruments are shown on the table as examples. If you have proficiency with a given musical instrument, you can add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks you make to play music with the instrument. A bard can use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus. Each type of musical instrument requires a separate proficiency.
And as you quoted from the description of musical instrument proficiencies, they're only relevant to whether you can add your proficiency bonus to checks made to play the instrument.
As discussed in the linked questions here and here, bards don't technically have to play an instrument to use it as a spellcasting focus - but more importantly, an ability check that a spell requires you to make is not an ability check made to play the instrument itself. As such, your proficiency bonus would not be applied to the check unless the spell description states that it is.
answered 27 mins ago
V2Blast
15k23597
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
No, this wouldn't work
The Tools section of the basic rules tells you what proficiency with a musical instrument does:
Musical Instrument. Several of the most common types of musical instruments are shown on the table as examples. If you have proficiency with a given musical instrument, you can add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks you make to play music with the instrument. A bard can use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus. Each type of musical instrument requires a separate proficiency.
And as you quoted from the description of musical instrument proficiencies, they're only relevant to whether you can add your proficiency bonus to checks made to play the instrument.
As discussed in the linked questions here and here, bards don't technically have to play an instrument to use it as a spellcasting focus - but more importantly, an ability check that a spell requires you to make is not an ability check made to play the instrument itself. As such, your proficiency bonus would not be applied to the check unless the spell description states that it is.
answered 27 mins ago
V2Blast
15k23597
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
No, this wouldn't work
The Tools section of the basic rules tells you what proficiency with a musical instrument does:
Musical Instrument. Several of the most common types of musical instruments are shown on the table as examples. If you have proficiency with a given musical instrument, you can add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks you make to play music with the instrument. A bard can use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus. Each type of musical instrument requires a separate proficiency.
And as you quoted from the description of musical instrument proficiencies, they're only relevant to whether you can add your proficiency bonus to checks made to play the instrument.
As discussed in the linked questions here and here, bards don't technically have to play an instrument to use it as a spellcasting focus - but more importantly, an ability check that a spell requires you to make is not an ability check made to play the instrument itself. As such, your proficiency bonus would not be applied to the check unless the spell description states that it is.
answered 27 mins ago
V2Blast
15k23597
No, this wouldn't work
The Tools section of the basic rules tells you what proficiency with a musical instrument does:
Musical Instrument. Several of the most common types of musical instruments are shown on the table as examples. If you have proficiency with a given musical instrument, you can add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks you make to play music with the instrument. A bard can use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus. Each type of musical instrument requires a separate proficiency.
And as you quoted from the description of musical instrument proficiencies, they're only relevant to whether you can add your proficiency bonus to checks made to play the instrument.
As discussed in the linked questions here and here, bards don't technically have to play an instrument to use it as a spellcasting focus - but more importantly, an ability check that a spell requires you to make is not an ability check made to play the instrument itself. As such, your proficiency bonus would not be applied to the check unless the spell description states that it is.
answered 27 mins ago
V2Blast
15k23597
answered 27 mins ago
V2Blast
15k23597
answered 27 mins ago
V2Blast
15k23597
answered 27 mins ago
V2Blast
15k23597
15k23597
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
Play Patrice is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Play Patrice is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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1
Related: Does a bard have to play a musical instrument when using it as a spellcasting focus?, Can a bard use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus if they aren't proficient with it?
– V2Blast
40 mins ago
Regarding the last part of your question, by "magical instrument", do you mean something like an Instrument of the Bards?
– V2Blast
23 mins ago
Yes, or any future iteration that may come out. I did not find ability spells in in the existing instruments during my research.
– Play Patrice
20 mins ago