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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | 4 | 2 | - | |||||||
| 2nd | 2 | 5 | 3 | - | |||||||
| 3rd | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | - | ||||||
| 4th | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | - | ||||||
| 5th | 3 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 | - | |||||
| 6th | 3 | 9 | 4 | 3 | - | ||||||
| 7th | 3 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | - | |||||
| 8th | 3 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 2 | - | |||||
| 9th | 3 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 1 | - | |||||
| 10th | 4 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 2 | - | |||||
| 11th | 4 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | ||||
| 12th | 4 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | ||||
| 13th | 4 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | ||||
| 14th | 4 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | ||||
| 15th | 4 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | ||||
| 16th | 4 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | ||||
| 17th | 4 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| 18th | 4 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
| 19th | 4 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| 20th | 4 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Class Features
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.
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.
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 belowAbility 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bardic Inspiration Die Increase
Your words and music have a powerful influence on those around you. Your Bardic Inspiration increases to a D12.
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.
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.
Epic Boon
You gain an Epic Boon feat for which you qualify.
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.