They can just wear light armor. Bards get light armor proficiency for free.
They can just wear light armor. Bards get light armor proficiency for free.
I mean... it's not useless. The best mundane light armor is AC 12 + Dex. Mage Armor is 13 + Dex. In addition Bard's aren't usually high strength characters and being able to wear a robe instead of armor could free up some valuable encumbrance space. I agree that Mage Armor at-will for a character that can wear armor without penalty does seem like a bit of a letdown, but it is coupled with the ability to treat any roll of 9 or lower on Insight and Intimidation checks as a 10, which is considerably powerful in terms of its statistical effect.
it is coupled with the ability to treat any roll of 9 or lower on Insight and Intimidation checks as a 10, which is considerably powerful in terms of its statistical effect.
That's a non-combat effect. It helps you succeed at a handful of dialogue checks, some of which are just for flavor and make no difference in the outcome of the conversation. Usually it helps you avoid combat, which is kind of a letdown too because you don't get to kill them and take their stuff.
The bard usually isn't the one who makes the insight checks anyway, if there is someone with high wisdom in the party.
Their only ability that matters is at level 6, "Verbal Onslaught, allowing them to use their Bardic Inspiration as a reaction to deal psychic damage and potentially stun anyone who damages them." Even if the damage and stun DC turn out to be really great, that's no reason for the other two abilities to be so lame. That's not good game design.
Being a support class, a true Bard gives Mage Armor to their friends.
They can just wear light armor. Bards get light armor proficiency for free.
This is the same situation as Bladesingers in 5e. Early on, Mage Armor is better than light armor; it's the equivalent of Studded Leather +1. But at higher levels, if and when you can get more powerful magic leather or studded leather armor, Mage Armor is easy to drop from your list of Memorized Spells.
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Mage Armor is a pretty weak spell generally, including even in 3.5e. It loses its value very quickly as your character progresses in level, and in Solasta with a party of only four I never have another party member that needs it. Like with so many other low-level spells, it would make sense to have Mage Armor's benefit increase with character level advancement.