How does a changeling's Divergent Persona affect bard spells cast using musical instruments?

Question

My character is a level 1 Changeling Bard. In my character's story, his Bard personality is what I'm using for his Divergent Persona racial feature. So it says under the description for divergent persona that I can select "one tool of your choice" for which "the related proficiency bonus is doubled" which I chose as his instrument he uses for his spells.

Does this mean he gets the double proficiency bonus when he casts spells using that instrument? Or is it more in regards to performance checks and such?

It does finish off saying "the related proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses that proficiency". However I think the proficiency bonus I gain from spells doesn't come from my instrument and is instead just my natural proficiency bonus. But theoretically I am still using the instrument to make that spell ability check, so how does this work?

Either way I'm stumped, if anyone is able to logically state an answer for me, I'd be ever grateful!

Welcome to the site! Take the [tour]. This is a great first question! Note that I've edited the question with some minor grammar fixes and links to the source material. — MikeQ, Sep 08 '19 at 05:42
Also see this related question: 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? — MikeQ, Sep 08 '19 at 05:45

score 7 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 16 '20 at 10:23

7

Divergent Persona doesn't affect spellcasting

The changeling's Divergent Persona trait says (WGtE, p. 61; emphasis mine):

You gain proficiency with one tool of your choice. Define a unique identity associated with that proficiency; establish the name, race, gender, age, and other details. While you are in the form of this persona, the related proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses that proficiency.

Note the term "ability check" at the end? Spellcasting does not generally involve ability checks. If you are casting an attack spell like Fire Bolt, it is an attack roll, not an ability check. The save DC for your spells is also unrelated to any kind of ability check.

My reading of the ability is that it would not work even with spells that can use ability checks such as dispel magic or counterspell. While both of these do allow for an ability check, if you are trying to counter or dispel a spell cast from a higher spell slot, neither allow you to add your proficiency bonus to the roll. You can add half your proficiency from the Jack of All Trades feature from the bard class, but that is not related to the instrument selected in the Divergent Persona trait.

edited Jun 16 '20 at 10:23

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answered Sep 08 '19 at 05:41

Allan Mills

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@L0neGamer none of Bard spellcasting use any kind of tool. Bard does use an instrument, but only as a focus, proficiency in it is irrelevant. – Revolver_Ocelot Sep 08 '19 at 08:57
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@L0neGamer: See this related question: 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? As I mention there in my answer: "an ability check that a spell requires you to make is not an ability check made to play the instrument itself." – V2Blast Sep 08 '19 at 08:57
Thank you, i didnt consider the difference between ability checks and attacks rolls. This answer is very appreciated :) – Riddleman Sep 08 '19 at 12:54
@ Revolver_Ocelot However Bard instruments are allowed within the context of it being a 'tool', based off DnD Beyond (Even with 'homebrew' and all other 'extra content' unselected). – Riddleman Sep 08 '19 at 13:16

How does a changeling's Divergent Persona affect bard spells cast using musical instruments?

1 Answers1

Divergent Persona doesn't affect spellcasting