Additional Blade Flourishes

The following Blade Flourishes have been developed to expand the versatility of the Bard: College of Swords. All other rules associated with the Blade Flourish feature as outlined in Xanathar’s Guide To Everything (pg.15) apply to these options. The co-author of these flourishes is currently playing a character that is attempting to learn some of these flourish options. While the player has access to the other flourishes associated with the College of Swords, his character has had to learn and develop the following features during the campaign.

For example, his character is currently working on the Interposing Flourish (description below). In order to successfully use the flourish, he must make a Dexterity (Acrobatics) or Strength (Athletics) ability check (depending on the situation), with a DC 15 in order to use the flourish. Once he has successfully completed this flourish 5 times in combat by making the required ability check, he will permanently have access to the flourish without an ability check required. This does not necessarily need to be a requirement to use them, but it can be a fun role playing element that enriches the player experience.

Blade Flourishes

Crippling Flourish. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target you hit. The damage equals the number you roll on the Bardic Inspiration die. Additionally, you strike the creature in a way that limits its movement during its next turn. The movement reduction for the creature is equal to 5 feet plus the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die.

Exposing Flourish. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target you hit. The damage equals the number you roll on the Bardic Inspiration die. Additionally, you strike the creature in a way that makes it more vulnerable. The creature’s AC is reduced by the number equal to your Bardic Inspiration die until it is hit by an attack, or until the start of your next turn.

Inspiring Flourish You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target you hit. The damage equals the number you roll on the Bardic Inspiration die. Additionally, all allied creatures within 10 feet of you are inspired by your attack. A creature inspired in this way adds the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die to their next attack roll. This inspiration last until the start of your next turn.

Interposing Flourish. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target you hit. The damage equals the number you roll on the Bardic Inspiration die. When you use this feature, choose an allied creature that is within 10 feet of you. Until the start of your next turn, you are ready to jump into action to protect your chosen ally from the foe you just attacked. When your ally is targeted by an attack from the creature you attacked, and as long as the chosen ally is still within 10 feet of you, you become the target of that attack. That creature is also unable to target your chosen ally with any subsequent attacks during that turn. Additionally, the damage that creature deals on each of its attacks during that turn is reduced by the number equal to your roll on the Bardic Inspiration die.

Mesmerizing Flourish. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target you hit. The damage equals the number you roll on the Bardic Inspiration die. Additionally, you move your blade in such a way that mesmerizes your foe. When you use this feature, the target creature must make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or is stunned until the end of its next turn. When the creature makes the saving throw, subtract the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die from the total.