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Full Caster 1D8

Bard

Words and music are not just vibrations of air, but vocalizations with power all their own. The Bard is a master of song, speech, and the magic they contain. Bards say that the multiverse was spoken into existence, that the words of the gods gave it shape, and that echoes of these primordial Words of Creation still resound throughout the cosmos. The music of Bards is an attempt to snatch and harness those echoes, subtly woven into their spells and powers.

The greatest strength of Bards is their sheer versatility. Many Bards prefer to stick to the sidelines in combat, using their magic to inspire their allies and hinder their foes from a distance. But Bards are capable of defending themselves in melee if necessary, using their magic to bolster their swords and armor. Their spells lean toward charms and illusions rather than blatantly destructive spells. They have a wide-ranging knowledge of many subjects and a natural aptitude that lets them do almost anything well. Bards become masters of the talents they set their minds to perfecting, from musical performance to esoteric knowledge.

Only rarely do Bards settle in one place for long, and their natural desire to travel—to find new tales to tell, new skills to learn, and new discoveries beyond the horizon—makes an adventuring career a natural calling. Every adventure is an opportunity to learn, practice a variety of skills, enter long-forgotten tombs, discover lost works of magic, decipher old tomes, travel to strange places, or encounter exotic creatures. Bards love to accompany heroes to witness their deeds firsthand. A Bard who can tell an awe-inspiring story from personal experience earns renown among other Bards. Indeed, after telling so many stories about heroes accomplishing mighty deeds, many Bards take these themes to heart and assume heroic roles themselves.

Quick Build

You can make a Bard quickly by following these suggestions. First, CHA should be your highest ability score, followed by DEX. Second, choose the Entertainer Background.

Class Features

Hit Points

Hit Dice: 1D8 per Bard level

At 1st level: 8 + Your CON Modifier

At higher levels: 1D8 or 5 if lower than 5, + CON Modifier

Proficiencies

Armor
Light Armor
Weapons
Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, Shortswords
Tools
Three Musical Instruments of your Choice
Saving Throws
DEX, CHA
Skills
Choose any three
Spellcasting
CHA

Starting Equipment

  • 1. (a) a rapier, (b) a longsword, or (c) any simple weapon
  • 2. (a) a diplomat’s pack or (b) an entertainer’s pack
  • 3. (a) a lute or (b) any other musical instrument
  • 4. Leather armor and a dagger

Bard Table

Level Cantrips Known Spells Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
1st242-
2nd253-
3rd2642-
4th3743-
5th38432-
6th3943-
7th310431-
8th311432-
9th312431-
10th414432-
11th4154321-
12th4154321-
13th4164321-
14th4184321-
15th4194321-
16th4194321-
17th4204321
18th422431
19th4224321
20th4224321

Class Features

Lv 1

Spellcasting

CHA is your spellcasting ability for your Bard spells. Your magic comes from the heart and soul you pour into the performance of your music or oration. You use your CHA whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your CHA modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a Bard spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.

Spell save DC = 8 + your Proficiency Bonus + your CHA modifier

Spell attack modifier = your Proficiency Bonus + your CHA modifier

When you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the Bard spells you know and replace it with another spell from the Bard spell list, which also must be of a level for which you have spell slots.

Ritual Casting

You can cast a Bard spell as a ritual if that spell has the ritual tag and you have the spell prepared.

Spellcasting Focus

Any beloved instrument you are proficient with can be a Spellcasting Focus for your Bard Spell.

Bardic Inspiration

You can inspire others through stirring words or music. To do so, you use a bonus action on your turn to choose one creature other than yourself within 60 ft of you who can hear you. That creature gains one Bardic Inspiration die, a D6.

Once within the next 10 minutes, the creature can roll the die and add the number rolled to one D20 test it makes. The creature can wait until after it rolls the D20 before deciding to use the Bardic Inspiration die, but must decide before the DM says whether the roll succeeds or fails. Once the Bardic Inspiration die is rolled, it is lost. A creature can have only one Bardic Inspiration die at a time.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your CHA modifier (Minimum 1) per long rest.

Lv 2

Jack of All Trades

You are versed in many skills from your varied travels. You can add half your Proficiency Bonus, rounded down, to any ability check you make that doesn't already include your Proficiency Bonus.

Expertise

You are highly talented in a few specific areas. Choose two of your skill proficiencies. Your Proficiency Bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.

Lv 3

Bard College

You delve into the advanced techniques of a bard college of your choice. Your choice grants you features at levels 3, 6, and 14.

Celestial Conductor

Circus

Creation

→ Choose your subclass below
Lv 4

Ability Score Increase

You can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Lv 5

Font of Inspiration

You can gain inspiration from many sources even as you rest and think back on the grand stories and beautiful music you've listened to. You regain all of your expended uses of Bardic Inspiration when you finish a short or long rest.

You can expend a spell slot (No action required) to regain an expended use of Bardic Inspiration.

Bardic Inspiration Die Increase

Your skill and creativity have markedly increased. Your Bardic Inspiration increases to a D8.

Lv 6
Lv 7

Countercharm

You gain the ability to use musical notes or words of power to disrupt mind-influencing effects. If you or a creature within 30 ft of you fails a saving throw against an effect that applies the Charmed or Frightened condition, you can use your reaction to cause the save to be rerolled, the new roll has advantage.

Lv 8

Ability Score Increase

You can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Lv 9

Expertise

Your natural ability to get things done well helps you further specialize. Choose two of your skill proficiencies. Your Proficiency Bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.

Lv 10

Magical Secrets

You’ve learned secrets from various magical traditions. Whenever you would be able to change your prepared spell list you can use spells from the Bard, Cleric, Druid, or Wizard spell lists and the chosen spells count as Bard spells for you.

Bardic Inspiration Die Increase

Your ability and wit have greater impact. Your Bardic Inspiration increases to a D10.

Lv 11
Lv 12

Ability Score Increase

You can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Lv 13
Lv 14
Lv 15

Bardic Inspiration Die Increase

Your words and music have a powerful influence on those around you. Your Bardic Inspiration increases to a D12.

Lv 16

Ability Score Increase

You can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Lv 17
Lv 18

Superior Inspiration

The rush of battle can inspire a performer such as yourself. When you roll initiative you regain expended uses of Bardic Inspiration until you have two uses if you have fewer than that.

Lv 19

Epic Boon

You gain an Epic Boon feat for which you qualify.

Lv 20

Words of Creation

You’ve mastered two of the Words of Creation. You always have the spells Power Word Heal and Power Word Kill prepared. Whenever you cast either spell you can cast it on an additional target if there is another viable target within 10 ft of the original target.

Bard Colleges

Bard Subclasses (13)

Choose your subclass at the level indicated in the class table above.

Celestial Conductor Deep within each Celestial Conductor is the desire to sing hymns to the heavens and make songs that reach the gods of the heavens themselves. They weave magic much like a conductor guides an orchestra, making arcane… Circus A Circus Bard is well versed in performing acts to inspire awe and demonstrate rare skills and feats of danger. While they normally perform with a group, they can put on a grand show all on their own. They strive to be… Cruelty Cruelty Bards are of the same ilk as the College of Whispers Bard. Whereas Whisper Bards seek information through means of espionage and blackmail, Cruelty Bards are more direct. Their sweet songs and performances are… Dance Danse Bards are trained to express the Song of Creation through graceful and precise bodily movements the same way the movement of celestial bodies expresses the Song. They master the Styles of Creation to convey their… Dragonfriend A Bard’s time with Metallic dragons has granted them the title of Dragonfriend. Whether they mastered the art of hosting from a Copper dragon or an abiding love of justice from a Bronze Dragon, their teachings have… Eloquence Eloquence Bards are but humble students on the long journey towards true eloquence. Well versed in traditions and manners in all cultures to make all around them feel at ease. Some may say they are long winded and… Glamour Blessed by the Fey themselves Glamour Bards beauty and influence abound. They are gifted with the very charm and wonder that permeates the Feywild. They tend to be mischievous and fun loving as they use their good looks… Lore A studious soul that seeks to inform others of grand truths and humble facts to help and entertain others as they perfect their art of storytelling. Lore Bards are often traveling to hear a certain tale from a certain… Prosecutor Trained in the strict and lordly performance of the courthouse, Prosecutor Bards weave tales of law and influence to sway judges the same way other more willful bards entertain the masses with cute tricks. Revelry Revelry Bards have many titles: charlatan, swindler, life of the party, greatest f*** of my life. Wherever they go, fun times roll. They embody the pursuit of freedom and the pleasures of life. Revelry Bards and… Sorrow Sorrow Bards are the chronicler, the eulogist, the witness of ages. They are there to quietly remember the whole story, not just the epic ending. They do not shy from the hard lessons life has to teach. Swords Some perform with words or songs, their entertainment is drawn by the skill of their blade. Whether it be through grand fights in a coliseum or a public duel, their skills are impeccable and honor unquestionable.… Whispers Whisper Bards are the force of the back alley. Songs, dances, ect are all a front as they gather information. Bards perform for cash, true Bards deal in information. It is said Whisperers give Bards a bad name, but they…