Bard
“Their art turns every audience into an ally.”
Description
What the class is, and what it becomes as the levels pass.
The Bard is a traveling artist whose talent becomes a weapon: they inspire their allies, unsettle their enemies and hold crowds and courts under the spell of their voice. Their power takes many forms — pure human talent, the magic of sound, stories that come alive — but it always rests on the art of captivating.
- Hit die
- d8
- Primary ability
- CHA
- Saving throws
- DEX · CHA
Armor proficiencies
Light Armor
Weapon proficiencies
Simple WeaponsRapier
Progression tree
Build your character: the tree then shows only the chosen branches. Tap a level to read its details.
Origin
Archetype
Paths (2)
Levels
Custom ·
Caster tier Non-caster until an archetype is chosen. Some archetypes change the tier from their level: Resonant (Half caster), Mythographer (Half caster).
Summary of levels 1 to 20
Features13
Origin0
Archetype9
Techniques0
Spells0
Choices5
At level 20 — Technique Slots: 4·3·3·3·3·2·2·1·1 · Spell Slots: none
ClassOriginArchetypeTechniqueSpellChoice level
Hover an item to read its description; expand a level to see everything at once. TS / SS = Technique / Spell Slots, by degree.
LevelClassOriginArchetypePaths
InspirationInspirationAs a bonus action, give an ally within 18 meters an Inspiration die (a d6) that they can add to one d20 test made within the next hour. Uses per Long Rest: your Charisma modifier (minimum 1). The die becomes a d8 at level 5, a d10 at level 10 and a d12 at level 15.
Origin — choose 1 of 3Origin — choose 1 of 3Choose one of the origins: College of XXX, Taverns & Cobblestones, The Gift.
Paths — 2 of 4Paths — 2 of 4Choose 2 paths among: Path of the Musician, Path of Fencing, Path of the Vagabond, Path of the Courtier.
Select 1 to 2 paths to show their techniques and spells.
ExpertiseExpertiseChoose two of your skill proficiencies: you gain expertise in them (double proficiency bonus). Choose two more at level 9.
Archetype — choose 1 of 3Archetype — choose 1 of 3Choose one of the archetypes: Minstrel, Resonant, Mythographer.Minstrel · Versatile TalentMinstrel — Versatile TalentThe bard gains proficiency in two additional skills of their choice; when making a check with a skill they are not proficient in, they add half their proficiency bonus (rounded down) to the roll.Resonant · Sonic PulseResonant — Sonic PulseAs an action, the bard emits a burst of resonant sound in a 6-meter radius; each enemy of their choice within range has disadvantage on their next attack roll before the start of the bard's next turn. From level 3, the bard is a Half caster (see the Caster Tiers rules): their Spell Slots follow the Half Caster Slots rule.Mythographer · Living LegendMythographer — Living LegendAs an action, the bard grants an ally within 9 meters the aspect of a legendary figure of their choice for 1 minute: the Warrior grants a bonus to attack rolls, the Healer grants regeneration of a few hit points at the start of each of the ally's turns, or the Trickster grants advantage on Stealth tests. From level 3, the bard is a Half caster (see the Caster Tiers rules): their Spell Slots follow the Half Caster Slots rule.
Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score ImprovementIncrease one ability score by 2, or two ability scores by 1 each. Repeats at levels 8, 12, 16 and 19.
InspirationInspirationAs a bonus action, give an ally within 18 meters an Inspiration die (a d6) that they can add to one d20 test made within the next hour. Uses per Long Rest: your Charisma modifier (minimum 1). The die becomes a d8 at level 5, a d10 at level 10 and a d12 at level 15.Font of InspirationFont of InspirationYou regain all your expended uses of Inspiration when you finish a Short or Long Rest.
Minstrel · Cutting RemarkMinstrel — Cutting RemarkAs a Reaction when a creature within 18 meters succeeds on an attack roll, ability check, or damage roll, the bard can expend an Inspiration die and subtract the result from that roll.Resonant · Resonant StepResonant — Resonant StepAs a Bonus Action, the bard wreathes themselves in resonant sound, gaining +3 meters of speed and advantage on the next Dexterity saving throw they make before the end of their turn.Mythographer · Cautionary TaleMythographer — Cautionary TaleAs an action, the bard weaves a frightening tale around a target within 9 meters; unless it succeeds on a Wisdom saving throw, it has disadvantage on its next attack roll or ability check.
CountercharmCountercharmAs a reaction, allies within 9 meters who can hear you have advantage on saving throws against effects that charm or frighten them, until the start of your next turn.
Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score ImprovementIncrease one ability score by 2, or two ability scores by 1 each. Repeats at levels 8, 12, 16 and 19.
ExpertiseExpertiseChoose two of your skill proficiencies: you gain expertise in them (double proficiency bonus). Choose two more at level 9.
InspirationInspirationAs a bonus action, give an ally within 18 meters an Inspiration die (a d6) that they can add to one d20 test made within the next hour. Uses per Long Rest: your Charisma modifier (minimum 1). The die becomes a d8 at level 5, a d10 at level 10 and a d12 at level 15.
Minstrel · Renaissance TalentMinstrel — Renaissance TalentThe bard gains expertise (double proficiency bonus) in two skills of their choice, and once per rest can add an Inspiration die to any ability check without expending it.Resonant · Shattering WaveResonant — Shattering WaveAs an action, the bard unleashes a wave of sound at a target within 9 meters; unless it succeeds on a Constitution saving throw, it is deafened and Silenced until the end of its next turn.Mythographer · Storybound AllyMythographer — Storybound AllyOnce per rest, as an action, the bard conjures a minor creature or spirit drawn from one of their stories, which fights alongside them for 1 minute before fading.
Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score ImprovementIncrease one ability score by 2, or two ability scores by 1 each. Repeats at levels 8, 12, 16 and 19.
InspirationInspirationAs a bonus action, give an ally within 18 meters an Inspiration die (a d6) that they can add to one d20 test made within the next hour. Uses per Long Rest: your Charisma modifier (minimum 1). The die becomes a d8 at level 5, a d10 at level 10 and a d12 at level 15.
Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score ImprovementIncrease one ability score by 2, or two ability scores by 1 each. Repeats at levels 8, 12, 16 and 19.
Superior InspirationSuperior InspirationWhen you roll Initiative and have no uses of Inspiration left, you regain one use.
Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score ImprovementIncrease one ability score by 2, or two ability scores by 1 each. Repeats at levels 8, 12, 16 and 19.
MasterpieceMasterpieceOnce per Long Rest, as an action, every ally within 18 meters who can hear you receives an Inspiration die.