Class Bard
Your Subclass is chosen at Level 3 and defines how your Bardic Inspiration works and what secondary role you fill.
- College of Dance — Dazzling Footwork, Extra Attack, Inspiring Movement, Tandem Footwork
- College of Glamour — Beguiling Magic, Mantle of Inspiration, Mantle of Majesty
- College of Lore — Cutting Words, Bonus Proficiencies, Magical Discoveries
- College of Moon — Moon's Inspiration, Primal Lore, Blessings of Moonlight
- College of Swords — Blade Flourish, Fighting Style, Extra Attack
- College of Valor — Combat Inspiration, Martial Training, Extra Attack, War Magic
| TRAIT | DETAIL |
|---|---|
| Primary Ability | Charisma |
| Hit Point Die | D8 per Bard level |
| Saving Throw Proficiencies | Dexterity and Charisma |
| Skill Proficiencies | Choose 3: Any skill |
| Weapon Proficiencies | Simple weapons |
| Armor Training | Light armor |
| LEVEL | FEATURE |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bardic Inspiration (d6), Spellcasting |
| 2 | Expertise, Jack of All Trades |
| 3 | Subclass |
| 4 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 5 | Font of Inspiration, Bardic Inspiration (d8) |
| 7 | Countercharm |
| 9 | Expertise (2 more) |
| 10 | Magical Secrets, Bardic Inspiration (d10) |
Bardic Inspiration You can supernaturally inspire others through words, music, or dance. As a Bonus Action, you can inspire one creature within 60 feet of yourself (not yourself). That creature gains one Bardic Inspiration die, a d6.
A creature can have only one Bardic Inspiration die at a time. 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. A Bardic Inspiration die is expended when it's rolled.
You can confer a Bardic Inspiration die a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum once), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.
Spellcasting You have learned to untangle and reshape the fabric of reality in harmony with your wishes and music. Your spells are part of your vast repertoire, magic that you can tune to different situations.
- Cantrips: 2 cantrips known at Level 1
- Spell List: Bard spell list (Charisma-based)
- Prepared Spells: Number increases with Bard level
Expertise You gain Expertise in two of your skill proficiencies of your choice. Performance and Persuasion are recommended if you have proficiency in them.
At Bard level 9, you gain Expertise in two more of your skill proficiencies of your choice.
Jack of All Trades You can add half your Proficiency Bonus (rounded down) to any ability check you make that doesn't already use your Proficiency Bonus.
Subclass At Level 3, you choose a Subclass, which defines your secondary identity and how your Bardic Inspiration interacts with combat. See Subclasses below.
Font of Inspiration You now regain all expended Bardic Inspiration uses when you finish a Short or Long Rest.
Bardic Inspiration (d8) Your Bardic Inspiration die increases to a d8.
Countercharm 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 You've learned secrets from various magical traditions. Whenever you reach a Bard level and the number of prepared spells increases, you can choose any of your new prepared spells from the Bard, Cleric, Druid, and Wizard spell lists, and the chosen spells count as Bard spells for you. In addition, whenever you replace a prepared spell for this class, you can replace it with a spell from those lists.
Bardic Inspiration (d10) Your Bardic Inspiration die increases to a d10.
The Bard's core resource is Bardic Inspiration — a die that compounds in value based on how your Subclass applies it. Short Rest recovery at Level 5 removes conservation pressure — allocate freely and restock between encounters rather than hoarding for guaranteed moments.
Magical Secrets at Level 10 is the Bard's most powerful long-term tool. By opening the prepared spell list to Cleric, Druid, and Wizard spells, you can fill any gap in your build — healing, utility, damage types, or concentration tools — without multiclassing.
College selection defines the secondary identity:
- Dance — unarmored caster who hits with Bardic die rolls and moves allies for free
- Glamour — enchantment and illusion specialist with a Temp HP distribution engine
- Lore — the knowledge Bard; Cutting Words as Reaction debuff, Magical Discoveries brings Secrets early
- Moon — primal-themed; Moon's Inspiration pairs inspiration use with teleportation and healing
- Swords — melee Bard with Blade Flourish maneuvers; Extra Attack at Level 6
- Valor — martial Bard with full weapon and armor access; War Magic swaps attacks for cantrips
Classes, Artificer, Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Gunslinger, Illrigger, Monk, Monster Hunter, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard