Bard Class Overview
Core Bard Traits
Primary Ability: Charisma
Hit Dice: d8 per Bard level
Saving Throw Proficiencies:
- Dexterity
- Charisma
Skill Proficiencies (choose 3):
- Any skills (see Playing the Game)
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple weapons
Tool Proficiencies: 3 Musical Instruments of your choice
Armor Training: Light armor
Starting Equipment — Choose A or B
A: Leather Armor, 2 Daggers, Musical Instrument of your choice, Entertainer’s Pack, 19 gp
B: 90 gp
Becoming a Bard
Level 1: As a Character
- Gain all Core Bard Traits
- Gain the Bard level 1 class features listed in the Bard Features table
Level 1: As a Multiclass Character
Gain:
- Bard Hit Dice (d8)
- Proficiency in 1 skill of your choice
- Proficiency in 1 Musical Instrument of your choice
- Light armor proficiency
You also gain Bard level 1 class features.
Spell slots determined by multiclassing rules.
Bard Class Features
As you level up, you gain the following features, listed in the Bard Features table below.
Level 1: Bardic Inspiration
Through music, speech, or movement, you can inspire others.
You start with a Bardic Inspiration die: d6
Using Bardic Inspiration:
- Bonus Action
- Choose a creature within 60 feet that can see or hear you
- That creature gains one Bardic Inspiration die
A creature can only have 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 result to the roll. The die is expended when rolled.
Number of Uses:
You can use Bardic Inspiration a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.
At Higher Levels:
- Level 5: d8
- Level 10: d10
- Level 15: d12
Bard Features Table
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Class Features | Bardic Die | Cantrips Prepared | Spells Prepared | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | +2 | Bardic Inspiration, Spellcasting | d6 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | +2 | Expertise, Jack of All Trades | d6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | +2 | Bard Subclass | d6 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 4 | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | d6 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | +3 | Font of Inspiration | d8 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | +3 | Subclass Feature | d8 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | +3 | Countercharm | d8 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 8 | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | d8 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 9 | +4 | Expertise | d8 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| 10 | +4 | Magical Secrets | d10 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | +4 | — | d10 | 4 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 12 | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | d10 | 4 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 13 | +5 | — | d10 | 4 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| 14 | +5 | Subclass Feature | d10 | 4 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| 15 | +5 | — | d12 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 16 | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | d12 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 17 | +6 | — | d12 | 4 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 18 | +6 | Superior Inspiration | d12 | 4 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 19 | +6 | Epic Boon | d12 | 4 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 20 | +6 | Words of Creation | d12 | 4 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Level 1: Spellcasting
You have learned to cast spells through your bardic arts.
Cantrips:
You know two Bard cantrips of your choice. Whenever you gain a Bard level, you may replace one of your cantrips with another Bard cantrip.
You learn an additional cantrip at levels 4 and 10.
Spell Slots:
Your available spell slots are shown in the Bard Features table. You regain all expended spell slots after a Long Rest.
Prepared Spells:
You prepare a number of Bard spells equal to the number shown in the Bard Features table. Prepared spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
Whenever you gain a Bard level, you may replace one prepared spell with another Bard spell of appropriate level.
Spells granted by other Bard features don’t count against your prepared total.
Spellcasting Ability: Charisma
Spellcasting Focus: A musical instrument
Level 3: Expertise
Choose two skills you’re proficient in — you gain Expertise in them.
At 9th level, you gain Expertise in two additional skills.
Level 2: Jack of All Trades
You can add half your Proficiency Bonus (rounded down) to any ability check that:
- uses a skill you are not proficient in, and
- does not already include your Proficiency Bonus
Level 3: Bard Subclass
You choose a Bard subclass and gain its 3rd-level feature.
You gain additional subclass features at later levels.
Level 4: Ability Score Improvement
You gain an Ability Score Improvement or another feat you qualify for.
You gain this feature again at levels 8, 12, and 16.
Level 5: Font of Inspiration
You now regain all expended uses of Bardic Inspiration after a Short or Long Rest.
Additionally, you can expend a spell slot (no action required) to regain one use of Bardic Inspiration.
Level 7: Countercharm
When you or a creature within 30 feet fails a saving throw against being Charmed or Frightened, you may use your Reaction to reroll the save with Advantage.
Level 10: Magical Secrets
Whenever your number of prepared spells increases (including at 10th level), you may choose new spells from the Bard, Cleric, Druid, or Wizard spell lists. These spells count as Bard spells for you.
You may also replace Bard-prepared spells with spells from those lists when allowed.
Level 18: Superior Inspiration
When you roll Initiative and have fewer than two uses of Bardic Inspiration remaining, you regain uses until you have two.
Level 19: Epic Boon
You gain an Epic Boon feat or any other feat you qualify for.
Level 20: Words of Creation
You always have Power Word Heal and Power Word Kill prepared.
When casting either spell, you may target a second creature within 10 feet of the first.
