TOPIC: Bard Instruments that +DMG Ranged Attacks & Spells

My understanding is that all offensive spells on the player cards are ranged attacks.

If this is true, wouldn't Bard instruments that add +DMG to ranged attacks, like:

tokendb.com/token/magnificent-bards-instrument/

and

tokendb.com/token/widseths-mystical-lute/

automatically boost Ranged spell damage?

I'm asking because the Blessed Wind Gloves and their transmute make it explicitly clear that their bonus to ranged includes spells; tokendb.com/token/blessed-wind-gloves/

But I'm not sure if that is a rules reminder (Hey dummy, spells are ranged too!) or a special power of these gloves only.

First one does not being specific about ranges and melee while the later just says damage which applies to everything from my understanding.

James J Krot wrote: First one does not being specific about ranges and melee while the later just says damage which applies to everything from my understanding.

My question is more whether or not all damage spells on player cards are "ranged attacks".

I believe they are.

But it's not clear.


There are lots of tokens that clarify they effect "physical ranged attacks" - explicitly disallowing spells,.and there is stuff in the DMG that if read one way suggests all spells are ranged attacks.

I am just curious because I believe any bard instrument that boosts ranged damage and doesn't specifically say "physical ranged attacks" or something should be boosting spells.

Here are my thoughts, for whatever they’re worth. My reading of the DM’s guide (page 7) is that (1) spells are range attacks, (2) range hit bonuses automatically apply to spells, and (3) range damage bonuses do NOT apply to spells unless specifically mentioned. That’s why the parenthetical “including spells” on the Blessed Tempest Gloves token is so important. So until there is an instrument that specifically mentions giving spells the damage bonus, casters (including bards) don’t get the damage bonus from bardsong - that is unless they equip the Earcuff of Inspiration, right?

Now that said, I wish it were otherwise. I would LOVE to see an instrument that expressly boosts spell damage without requiring casters to equip the Earcuff of Inspiration, especially given how crowded ears have become (Icecrag, Orbits, Inspiration, etc.).

tokendb.com/token/earcuff-of-inspiration/

Based on my read of this, bardsong already affects sliding spells, and does not affect non-sliding spells without the above Earcuff.

I agree with my colleagues unless specifically stated or the earcuff is used, non-slide spells aren’t affected