Bard
Classic fifth-edition (2014) SRD 5.1 rules. The complete rules for this entry are reproduced below for use at the table.
- Hit Die: d8
- Saving Throws: DEX, CHA
- Proficiencies: Light Armor, Simple Weapons, Longswords, Rapiers, Shortswords, Hand crossbows, Saving Throw: DEX, Saving Throw: CHA
- Skill choices: Choose any three Three musical instruments of your choice
Starting Equipment
- 1 × Leather Armor
- 1 × Dagger
- Choose: (a) a rapier, (b) a longsword, or (c) any simple weapon
- Choose: (a) a diplomat’s pack or (b) an entertainer’s pack
- Choose: (a) a lute or (b) any other musical instrument
Class Progression
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Features | Bardic Inspiration Die | Song Of Rest Die |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | +2 | Spellcasting: Bard, Bardic Inspiration (d6) | 6 | 0 |
| 2 | +2 | Jack of All Trades, Song of Rest (d6) | 6 | 6 |
| 3 | +2 | Expertise, Bard College | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | 6 | 6 |
| 5 | +3 | Bardic Inspiration (d8), Font of Inspiration | 8 | 6 |
| 6 | +3 | Countercharm, Bard College feature | 8 | 6 |
| 7 | +3 | None | 8 | 6 |
| 8 | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | 8 | 6 |
| 9 | +4 | Song of Rest (d8) | 8 | 8 |
| 10 | +4 | Expertise, Bardic Inspiration (d10), Magical Secrets | 10 | 8 |
| 11 | +4 | None | 10 | 8 |
| 12 | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | 10 | 8 |
| 13 | +5 | Song of Rest (d10) | 10 | 10 |
| 14 | +5 | Magical Secrets, Bard College feature | 10 | 10 |
| 15 | +5 | Bardic Inspiration (d12) | 12 | 10 |
| 16 | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | 12 | 10 |
| 17 | +6 | Song of Rest (d12) | 12 | 12 |
| 18 | +6 | Magical Secrets | 12 | 12 |
| 19 | +6 | Ability Score Improvement | 12 | 12 |
| 20 | +6 | Superior Inspiration | 12 | 12 |
Spellcasting Progression
| Level | Cantrips Known | Spells Known | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | 4 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | 4 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 16 | 4 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | 4 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 18 | 4 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 19 | 4 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 20 | 4 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Spellcasting
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 Equipment) as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.
Class Features
Spellcasting: Bard
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.
Bardic Inspiration (d6)
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.
Jack of All Trades
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 (d6)
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.
Expertise
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.
Bard College
At 3rd level, you delve into the advanced techniques of a bard college of your choice, such as the College of Lore. Your choice grants you features at 3rd level and again at 6th and 14th level.
Ability Score Improvement
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
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
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
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
At 20th level, when you roll initiative and have no uses of Bardic Inspiration left, you regain one use.
Subclasses
- Creation — College of Creation (TCE)
- Eloquence — College of Eloquence (TCE)
- Glamour — College of Glamour (XGE)
- Lore — College of Lore (PHB)
- Spirits — College of Spirits (VRGR)
- Swords — College of Swords (XGE)
- Valor — College of Valor (PHB)
- Whispers — College of Whispers (XGE)
Epic Levels 21-40
The following epic progression is fully summarized here for play on Tazzurath. All epic rules in this section use the purple epic-text style.
The character editor presents levels 1-40 as one Bard class. When synchronized to Avrae, levels above 20 are automatically stored under EBard while retaining the same subclass.
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Inspiration | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21st | +7 | D14 | Extra Attack, Improved Bardic Inspiration, Second Cast |
| 22nd | +7 | D14 | Jack of all Trades Improvement, Magical Secrets, Song of Rest |
| 23rd | +7 | D14 | Expertise, Second Bardic College |
| 24th | +7 | D14 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 25th | +8 | D16 | Cantrip Improvement |
| 26th | +8 | D16 | Inspiring Craft, Magical Secrets, Second Bardic College Feature |
| 27th | +8 | D16 | -- |
| 28th | +8 | D16 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 29th | +9 | D18 | -- |
| 30th | +9 | D18 | Cantrip Improvement, Expertise |
| 31st | +9 | D18 | Extra Attack, Soothing Vows |
| 32nd | +9 | D18 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 33rd | +10 | D20 | -- |
| 34th | +10 | D20 | Magical Secrets, Second Bardic College Feature |
| 35th | +10 | D20 | Cantrip Improvement |
| 36th | +10 | D20 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 37th | +11 | D22 | -- |
| 38th | +11 | D22 | Magical Secrets |
| 39th | +11 | D22 | -- |
| 40th | +12 | D22 | Ability Score Improvement, Cantrip Improvement |
Epic spell progression
| Level | Cantrips Known | Spells Known | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21st | 5 | 23 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 22nd | 5 | 25 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 23rd | 5 | 26 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 24th | 5 | 27 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 25th | 5 | 28 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - |
| 26th | 5 | 30 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - |
| 27th | 6 | 31 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - |
| 28th | 6 | 32 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - |
| 29th | 6 | 33 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - |
| 30th | 6 | 34 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - |
| 31st | 6 | 35 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - |
| 32nd | 7 | 36 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - |
| 33rd | 7 | 37 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | - |
| 34th | 7 | 39 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 35th | 7 | 40 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 36th | 7 | 41 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 37th | 7 | 42 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 38th | 8 | 44 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 39th | 8 | 45 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 40th | 8 | 46 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Epic feature rules
Extra Attack
Attack twice at level 21 and three times at level 31 whenever you take the Attack action.
Improved Bardic Inspiration
Your inspiration die becomes d14 at 21, d16 at 25, d18 at 29, d20 at 33, and d22 at 37. Your number of dice equals proficiency bonus + Charisma modifier.
Second Cast
After casting a leveled spell, cast a cantrip or another spell as part of the same action: 1st level at 21, 2nd at 25, 3rd at 29, 4th at 32, and 5th at 37.
Jack of All Trades Improvement
Gain proficiency in one saving throw of your choice.
Magical Secrets
Learn two qualifying spells from any class at levels 22, 26, 34, and 38. They count as bard spells and against your spells known.
Song of Rest Improvement
Your Song of Rest die becomes d14 at level 29, d16 at 33, and d18 at 37.
Second Bardic College
Choose another Bardic College at level 23 and gain its corresponding features at levels 23, 26, and 34.
Expertise
Choose two proficient skills or tools at level 23 and two more at level 30; double your proficiency bonus for checks using them.
Ability Score Improvement
Gain 3 ability-score points. No score can exceed the character's total level. Instead, take a feat and increase one ability score by 1.
Cantrip Improvement
Cantrip damage gains one additional die or attack at levels 25, 30, 35, and 40, for four additional dice or attacks at level 40.
Inspiring Craft
You may grant a d6 Bardic Inspiration without spending a die. When a spell or subclass feature spends an inspiration die, you may also grant Bardic Inspiration as part of that action without another die for a bard feature.
Soothing Vows
As a bonus action, spend one inspiration die to heal a creature by the die + Charisma modifier. As an action, spend up to half your proficiency bonus in inspiration dice and add Charisma once.
Epic progression credited to Adalwolf's Epic Level Handbook: Players.