Bard Guide
How to Play a Bard in DnD 5E
During a typical day, are you finding yourself singing about your daily tasks, the people you hate, and just about everything else? Are you the type of person who makes up absurdly vulgar lyrics on the spot, simply because they just keep coming to you? Are you so naturally charismatic that people compare you to Jack Black both in your musical talents and your ability to leave an audience unsure whether they should be offended or impressed? Whether they should take off their pants, or call the police? If any of that resonates, then congratulations: the Bard class in Dungeons & Dragons 5E was made for you!
The Bard is an incredibly versatile class. Whether you want to support your party with buffs and heals, lay down some impressive spell damage, or simply win every roleplay and skill challenge thrown your way with ease, the Bard has something for everyone. You’ll have your pick of spells and abilities to charm NPCs, boost your allies’ morale, or even shred your enemies’ egos to pieces with a well-placed insult. Let’s dive into how to play this magical, musical chaos engine and make the most of your inner diva.
Very inspiring drum work.
Bard Class Features:
Bards in DnD 5E are full spellcasters who rely on Charisma for both their spellcasting and social abilities. But they’re not limited to just casting spells. Thanks to features like Bardic Inspiration and a wide range of proficiencies, Bards excel in support roles, skill checks, and creative problem-solving.
Below are some of the key features that make the Bard so unique:
1. Spellcasting: Bards learn and prepare spells from the Bard spell list, which focuses heavily on enchantment, illusion, and utility spells. You’ll have plenty of options for crowd control, healing, and making life tough on the DM..
2. Bardic Inspiration: One of the Bard’s signature abilities. As a bonus action, you can inspire your allies by giving them a Bardic Inspiration die (starting as a d6) to add to an ability check, attack roll, or saving throw.
3. Jack of All Trades: At level 2, you get to add half your proficiency bonus to any ability check you aren’t proficient in, making you an unparalleled generalist.
4. Expertise: At level 3, you can double your proficiency bonus on two skill checks. If you want to be the party face, take Persuasion and Deception to charm the pants off anyone you meet.
5. Magical Secrets: Starting at level 10, you can learn spells from any class. This makes the Bard incredibly flexible—you can snag powerful spells like Counterspell, Fireball, or even Heal
Best Bard Subclass (College) in DnD 5E
While there are several great Bard subclasses (called Colleges) to choose from, my personal favorite is the College of Lore for its sheer versatility and roleplay potential. Here’s why:
• Cutting Words: Starting at level 3, you can use your Bardic Inspiration dice to subtract from an enemy’s attack roll, damage roll, or ability check. Imagine stopping a troll mid-swing with a perfectly timed insult.
• Additional Magical Secrets: You gain two extra spells from any class at level 6, making you even more adaptable.
• Skill Monkey Supreme: You gain proficiency in three additional skills at level 3, making you the go-to character for any skill check.
If you prefer a more combat-focused Bard, the College of Valor or College of Swords might be more your style, giving you better armor, weapons, and abilities for melee combat. But for sheer creativity, Lore takes the cake.
Wrote those notes on 8 Mile Rd
Top Bard Spells
Whether you’re supporting your allies or wreaking havoc on your enemies, these are my favorite Bard spells to have in your repertoire:
1. Healing Word (1st Level): A bonus action heal that can bring your allies back from the brink. Keep your party alive and singing your praises.
2. Dissonant Whispers (1st Level): Damage your enemy’s psyche and force them to run away, provoking opportunity attacks as they flee.
3. Suggestion (2nd Level): A powerful mind-control spell that lets you command someone to follow a reasonable suggestion.
4. Hypnotic Pattern (3rd Level): One of the best crowd-control spells in the game. Put a group of enemies into a magical stupor.
5. Greater Invisibility (4th Level): Turn yourself or an ally invisible for concentration-free chaos.
6. Mass Cure Wounds (5th Level): Heal your entire party at once. Close your eyes and find the greatest song in the world, even if its just a tribute.
Tips for Building a Bard
1. Maximize Charisma: Your spells, Bardic Inspiration, and social interactions all depend on your Charisma score, so make this your highest stat.
2. Choose Versatile Skills: Focus on social and utility skills like Persuasion, Deception, and Perception.
3. Be Creative: The Bard’s strength lies in thinking outside the box. Lean into roleplaying, improvisation, and using your spells in unconventional ways.
4. Support Your Party: While Bards can deal damage, they shine as support characters. Use your Bardic Inspiration and crowd-control spells to make your team unstoppable.
5. Know When to Shine: Don’t hog the spotlight. While the Bard often has the charisma to lead the conversation, remember to share the stage with your fellow adventurers.
Think of the Mockery - how Vicious!
If you love entertaining your friends, thinking on your feet, and having solutions for every problem, the Bard is the class for you. Whether you’re singing a power ballad to inspire your allies or roasting a goblin so hard they rethink their life choices, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with both on and off the battlefield.
So, grab your lute, warm up your vocal cords, and get ready to rock your next DnD campaign as the ultimate jack-of-all-trades: the Bard.
What’s your favorite Bard subclass or spell? Let us know in the comments below! 🎵