Bard
Hit Die: d8 · Primary Ability: Charisma · Bard College at Level 3
Hit Died8
Primary AbilityCharisma
Saving ThrowsDexterity, Charisma
SpellcastingCHA
Subclasses4
Subclass AtLevel 3
Invoking magic through music, dance, and verse, Bards are expert at inspiring others, soothing hurts, disheartening foes, and creating illusions. Bards believe the multiverse was spoken into existence and that remnants of its Words of Creation still resound and glimmer on every plane of existence.
Proficiencies
Armor: Light armor
Weapons: Simple weapons
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma
Skills: [object Object]
Weapons: Simple weapons
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma
Skills: [object Object]
Class Progression (Levels 1–20)
| Lvl | Prof | Bardic Die | Cantrips | Spells Prep. | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | +2 | d6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Bardic Inspiration, Spellcasting |
| 2 | +2 | d6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Expertise, Jack of All Trades |
| 3 | +2 | d6 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Bard Subclass |
| 4 | +2 | d6 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Ability Score Improvement |
| 5 | +3 | d8 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Font of Inspiration |
| 6 | +3 | d8 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Subclass feature |
| 7 | +3 | d8 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | Countercharm |
| 8 | +3 | d8 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | Ability Score Improvement |
| 9 | +4 | d8 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | Expertise |
| 10 | +4 | d10 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | Magical Secrets |
| 11 | +4 | d10 | 4 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| 12 | +4 | d10 | 4 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | Ability Score Improvement |
| 13 | +5 | d10 | 4 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 14 | +5 | d10 | 4 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | Subclass feature |
| 15 | +5 | d12 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| 16 | +5 | d12 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | Ability Score Improvement |
| 17 | +6 | d12 | 4 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 18 | +6 | d12 | 4 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Superior Inspiration |
| 19 | +6 | d12 | 4 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Epic Boon |
| 20 | +6 | d12 | 4 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Words of Creation |
Bard College
College of Dance
Bards of the College of Dance know that the Words of Creation can't be contained within speech or song; the words are uttered by the movements of celestial bodies and flow through the movements of the…
Lv 3: Dazzling FootworkLv 6: Inspiring MovementLv 6: Tandem FootworkLv 14: Leading Evasion
College of Glamour
The College of Glamour traces its origins to the beguiling magic of the Feywild. Bards who study this magic weave threads of beauty and terror into their songs and stories.
Lv 3: Beguiling MagicLv 3: Mantle of InspirationLv 6: Mantle of MajestyLv 14: Unbreakable Majesty
College of Lore
Bards of the College of Lore collect spells and secrets from diverse sources, such as scholarly tomes, mystical rites, and peasant tales. They gather in libraries and universities to share their lore …
Lv 3: Bonus ProficienciesLv 3: Cutting WordsLv 6: Magical DiscoveriesLv 14: Peerless Skill
College of Valor
Bards of the College of Valor are daring storytellers whose tales preserve the memory of the great heroes of the past. They sing the deeds of the mighty and inspire new generations to reach the same h…
Lv 3: Combat InspirationLv 3: Martial TrainingLv 6: Extra AttackLv 14: Battle Magic
Class Features
Bardic Inspiration Level 1
You can supernaturally inspire others through words, music, or dance. As a Bonus Action, you can inspire another creature within 60 feet of you who can see or hear you. That creature gains one of your Bardic Inspiration dice (a d6, improving as you level). Once within the next hour when the creature fails a D20 Test, it can roll the Bardic Inspiration die and add the number rolled to the d20, potentially turning the failure into a success.
Spellcasting Level 1
You have learned to cast spells through your bardic arts. Charisma is your spellcasting ability. You can use a Musical Instrument as a Spellcasting Focus. You know two cantrips from the Bard spell list. You prepare a list of level 1+ spells from the Bard spell list (number shown in the Prepared Spells column). Spells can be swapped when you gain a Bard level.
Expertise Level 2
You gain Expertise in two of your skill proficiencies of your choice. Performance and Persuasion are recommended. At Bard level 9, you gain Expertise in two more of your skill proficiencies.
Jack of All Trades Level 2
You can add half your Proficiency Bonus (round down) to any ability check you make that uses a skill proficiency you lack and that doesn't otherwise use your Proficiency Bonus.
Font of Inspiration Level 5
You now regain all your expended uses of Bardic Inspiration when you finish a Short or Long Rest. In addition, you can expend a spell slot (no action required) to regain one expended use of Bardic Inspiration.
Countercharm Level 7
You can use musical notes or words of power to disrupt mind-influencing effects. If you or a creature within 30 feet of you fails a saving throw against an effect that applies the Charmed or Frightened condition, you can take a Reaction to cause the save to be rerolled, and the new roll has Advantage.
Magical Secrets Level 10
You've learned secrets from various magical traditions. Whenever you reach a Bard level (including this level) and the Prepared Spells number in the Bard Features table increases, you can choose any of your new prepared spells from the Bard, Cleric, Druid, and Wizard spell lists. In addition, whenever you replace a spell prepared for this class, you can replace it with a spell from those lists.
Superior Inspiration Level 18
When you roll Initiative, you regain expended uses of Bardic Inspiration until you have two if you have fewer than that.
Epic Boon Level 19
You gain an Epic Boon feat or another feat of your choice for which you qualify. Boon of Spell Recall is recommended.
Words of Creation Level 20
You have mastered two of the Words of Creation: the words of life and death. You therefore always have the Power Word Heal and Power Word Kill spells prepared. When you cast either spell, you can target a second creature with it if that creature is within 10 feet of the first target.