Class Reference All Classes
Hit Die D8 Charisma Save Dexterity Save

Hit Points

Hit Dice
1D8 per Bard level

Proficiencies

Armor: Light armor
Weapons: Simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords
Tools: Three musical instruments of your choice
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma
Skills: Choose any three

Starting Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
* (a) a rapier, (b) a longsword, or (c) any simple weapon
* (a) a diplomat’s pack or (b) an entertainer’s pack
* (a) a lute or (b) any other musical instrument
* Leather armor and a dagger

Description

The Bard is a distinctive character class in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition.

With a D8 Hit Die, the Bard balances combat effectiveness with survivability.

Key features include: Ability Score Improvement, Bard College, Bardic Inspiration.

The Bard offers 8 subclass options for customization and specialization.

Class Progression

Level Cantrips Known Proficiency Bonus 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th Spells Known
1 2 +2 2 4
2 2 +2 3 5
3 2 +2 4 6
4 3 +2 4 3 7
5 3 +3 4 3 2 8
6 3 +3 4 3 3 9
7 3 +3 4 3 3 1 10
8 3 +3 4 3 3 2 11
9 3 +4 4 3 3 3 1 12
10 4 +4 4 3 3 3 2 14
11 4 +4 4 3 3 3 2 1 15
12 4 +4 4 3 3 3 2 1 15
13 4 +5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 16
14 4 +5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 18
15 4 +5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 19
16 4 +5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 19
17 4 +6 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 20
18 4 +6 4 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 22
19 4 +6 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 22
20 4 +6 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 22

Subclasses

Class Features

Bardic Inspiration Level 1 Level 5 Level 10 Level 15

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 feet 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 ability check, attack roll, or saving throw 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 GM 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 Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). You regain any expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Your Bardic Inspiration die changes when you reach certain levels in this class. The die becomes a d8 at 5th level, a d10 at 10th level, and a d12 at 15th level.

Spellcasting Level 1

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

You know two cantrips of your choice from the bard spell list. You learn additional bard cantrips of your choice at higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips Known column of the Bard table.

Spell Slots

The Bard table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell's level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.

For example, if you know the 1st-level spell cure wounds and have a 1st-level and a 2nd-level spell slot available, you can cast cure wounds using either slot.

Spells Known of 1st Level and Higher

You know four 1st-level spells of your choice from the bard spell list.

The Spells Known column of the Bard table shows when you learn more bard spells of your choice. Each of these spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots, as shown on the table. For instance, when you reach 3rd level in this class, you can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level.

Additionally, 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.

Spellcasting Ability

Charisma 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 Charisma whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Charisma 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 Charisma modifier

Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier

Ritual Casting

You can cast any bard spell you know as a ritual if that spell has the ritual tag.

Spellcasting Focus

You can use a musical instrument (see chapter 5, “Equipment”) as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.

Jack of All Trades Level 2

Starting at 2nd level, you can add half your proficiency bonus, rounded down, to any ability check you make that doesn't already include your proficiency bonus.

Song of Rest Level 2 Level 9 Level 13 Level 17

Beginning at 2nd level, you can use soothing music or oration to help revitalize your wounded allies during a short rest. If you or any friendly creatures who can hear your performance regain hit points at the end of the short rest by spending one or more Hit Dice, each of those creatures regains an extra 1d6 hit points.

The extra hit points increase when you reach certain levels in this class: to 1d8 at 9th level, to 1d10 at 13th level, and to 1d12 at 17th level.

Bard College Level 3

At 3rd level, you delve into the advanced techniques of a bard college of your choice: the College of Lore or the College of Valor, both detailed at the end of the class description. Your choice grants you features at 3rd level and again at 6th and 14th level.

Expertise Level 3 Level 10

At 3rd level, choose two of your skill proficiencies. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.

At 10th level, you can choose another two skill proficiencies to gain this benefit.

Ability Score Improvement Level 4 Level 8 Level 12 Level 16 Level 19

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, 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 Level 5

Beginning when you reach 5th level, you regain all of your expended uses of Bardic Inspiration when you finish a short or long rest.

Countercharm Level 6

At 6th level, you gain the ability to use musical notes or words of power to disrupt mind-influencing effects. As an action, you can start a performance that lasts until the end of your next turn. During that time, you and any friendly creatures within 30 feet of you have advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed. A creature must be able to hear you to gain this benefit. The performance ends early if you are incapacitated or silenced or if you voluntarily end it (no action required).

Magical Secrets Level 10 Level 14 Level 18

By 10th level, you have plundered magical knowledge from a wide spectrum of disciplines. Choose two spells from any class, including this one. A spell you choose must be of a level you can cast, as shown on the Bard table, or a cantrip.

The chosen spells count as bard spells for you and are included in the number in the Spells Known column of the Bard table.

You learn two additional spells from any class at 14th level and again at 18th level.

Superior Inspiration Level 20

At 20th level, when you roll initiative and have no uses of Bardic Inspiration left, you regain one use.

About Bard

The Bard is a D8 hit die class .

This class provides proficiencies with **Armor:** Light armor **Weapons:** Simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortsword....

Subclasses & Specializations

Explore paths

Bard has 8 subclasses for customization.

{Build Tips & Playing Guide

{Role in Party

The Bard excels at leveraging their unique strengths.

Key Saving Throws

Charisma Dexterity

You are proficient in these saving throws

{Subclass Selection

{Choose a subclass at the appropriate level based on your desired playstyle. Each subclass offers unique features and abilities that define your character's specialization.

Quick Build Tips

  • Focus on your primary ability score during character creation
  • Choose feats that complement your class features
  • Consider your subclass features when selecting multiclass options
  • Review your class features at each level-up for optimal choices

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