Bard
PHB (2024)
Core Bard Traits
| Primary Ability | Charisma |
|---|---|
| Hit Point Die | 1d8 per Bard level |
| Saving Throw Proficiencies | Dexterity and Charisma |
| Skill Proficiencies | Choose any 3 skills |
| Weapon Proficiencies | Simple weapons |
| Tool Proficiencies | Choose 3 Musical Instruments |
| Armor Training | Light armor |
| Starting Equipment | Choose A or B: (A) Leather Armor, 2 Daggers, Musical Instrument of your choice, Entertainer’s Pack, and 19 GP; or (B) 90 GP |
Invoking magic through music, dance, and verse, Bards are expert at inspiring others, soothing hurts, disheartening foes, and creating illusions. Bards believe the multiverse was spoken into existence and that remnants of its Words of Creation still resound and glimmer on every plane of existence. Bardic magic attempts to harness those words, which transcend any language.
Anything can inspire a new song or tale, so Bards are fascinated by almost everything. They become masters of many things, including performing music, working magic, and making jests.
A Bard’s life is spent traveling, gathering lore, telling stories, and living on the gratitude of audiences, much like any other entertainer. But Bards’ depth of knowledge and mastery of magic sets them apart.
- Gain all the traits in the Core Bard Traits table.
- Gain the Bard’s level 1 features, which are listed in the Bard Features table.
- Gain the following traits from the Core Bard Traits table: Hit Point Die, proficiency in one skill of your choice, proficiency with one Musical Instrument of your choice, and training with Light armor.
- Gain the Bard’s level 1 features, which are listed in the Bard Features table.
——Spell Slots per Spell Level——
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Class Features | Bardic Die | Cantrips | Prepared Spells | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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: Bardic Inspiration
You can supernaturally inspire others through words, music, or dance. This inspiration is represented by your Bardic Inspiration die, which is a d6.
Using Bardic Inspiration
As a Bonus Action, you can inspire another creature within 60 feet of yourself who can see or hear you. That creature gains one of your Bardic Inspiration dice. A creature can have only one Bardic Inspiration die at a time.
Once within the next hour when the creature fails a d20 Test, the creature 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.
Number of Uses
You can confer a Bardic Inspiration die a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.
At Higher Levels
Your Bardic Inspiration die changes when you reach certain Bard levels, as shown in the Bardic Die column of the Bard Features table. The die becomes a d8 at level 5, a d10 at level 10, and a d12 at level 15.
Level 1: Spellcasting
You have learned to cast spells through your bardic arts. The information below details how you use those rules with Bard spells, which appear in the Bard spell list later in the class’s description.
Cantrips
You know two cantrips of your choice from the Bard spell list. Dancing Lights and Vicious Mockery are recommended.
Whenever you gain a Bard level, you can replace one of your cantrips with another cantrip of your choice from the Bard spell list.
When you reach Bard levels 4 and 10, you learn another cantrip of your choice from the Bard spell list, as shown in the Cantrips column of the Bard Features table.
Spell Slots
The Bard Features table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your level 1+ spells. You regain all expended slots when you finish a Long Rest.
Prepared Spells of Level 1+
You prepare the list of level 1+ spells that are available for you to cast with this feature. To start, choose four level 1 spells from the Bard spell list. Charm Person, Color Spray, Dissonant Whispers, and Healing Word are recommended.
The number of spells on your list increases as you gain Bard levels, as shown in the Prepared Spells column of the Bard Features table. Whenever that number increases, choose additional spells from the Bard spell list until the number of spells on your list matches the number on the table. The chosen spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
For example, if you’re a level 3 Bard, your list of prepared spells can include six spells of levels 1 and 2 in any combination. If another Bard feature gives you spells that you always have prepared, those spells don’t count against the number of spells you can prepare with this feature, but those spells otherwise count as Bard spells for you.
Changing Your Prepared Spells
Whenever you gain a Bard level, you can replace one spell on your list with another Bard spell for which you have spell slots.
Spellcasting Ability
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your Bard spells. Spellcasting Focus. You can use a Musical Instrument as a Spellcasting Focus for your Bard spells.
Level 2: 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.
Level 2: Jack of All Trades
You can add half your Proficiency Bonus (round down) to any ability check you make that uses a skill proficiency you lack and that doesn’t otherwise use your Proficiency Bonus.
For example, if you make a Strength (Athletics) check and lack Athletics proficiency, you can add half your Proficiency Bonus to the check.
Level 3: Bard Subclass
You gain a Bard subclass of your choice. A subclass is a specialization that grants you features at certain Bard levels. For the rest of your career, you gain each of your subclass’s features that are of your Bard level or lower.
Level 4: Ability Score Improvement
You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat or another feat of your choice for which you qualify. You gain this feature again at Bard levels 8, 12, and 16.
Level 5: Font of Inspiration
You now regain all your expended uses of Bardic Inspiration when you finish a Short or Long Rest. In addition, you can expend a spell slot (no action required) to regain one expended use of Bardic Inspiration.
Level 7: 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.
Level 10: Magical Secrets
You’ve learned secrets from various magical traditions. Whenever you reach a Bard level (including this level) and the Prepared Spells number in the Bard Features table 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 (see a class’s section for its spell list). In addition, whenever you replace a spell prepared for this class, you can replace it with a spell from those lists.
Level 18: Superior Inspiration
When you roll Initiative, you regain expended uses of Bardic Inspiration until you have two if you have fewer than that.
Level 19: Epic Boon
You gain an Epic Boon feat or another feat of your choice for which you qualify. Boon of Spell Recall is recommended.
Level 20: Words of Creation
You have mastered two of the Words of Creation: the words of life and death. You therefore always have the Power Word Heal and Power Word Kill spells prepared. When you cast either spell, you can target a second creature with it if that creature is within 10 feet of the first target.
This section presents the Bard spell list. The spells are organized by spell level and then alphabetized, and each spell’s school of magic is listed. In the Special column, C means the spell requires Concentration, R means it’s a Ritual, and M means it requires a specific Material component.
Spells in red are homebrew spells exclusive to this setting, clicking on the link will lead you to the statblock.
Cantrips (Level 0 Bard Spells)
| Spell | School | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Blade Ward | Abjuration | C |
| Dancing Lights | Illusion | C |
| Friends | Enchantment | C |
| Light | Evocation | — |
| Mage Hand | Conjuration | — |
| Mending | Transmutation | — |
| Message | Transmutation | — |
| Minor Illusion | Illusion | — |
| Mysterious Presence | Illusion | C |
| Prestidigitation | Transmutation | — |
| Starry Wisp | Evocation | — |
| Thunderclap | Evocation | — |
| True Strike | Divination | — |
| Vicious Mockery | Enchantment | — |
Level 1 Bard Spells
| Spell | School | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Friendship | Enchantment | — |
| Bane | Enchantment | C |
| Charm Person | Enchantment | — |
| Color Spray | Illusion | — |
| Command | Enchantment | — |
| Command Undead | Necromancy | C, M |
| Comprehend Languages | Divination | R |
| Cure Wounds | Abjuration | — |
| Detect Magic | Divination | C, R |
| Disguise Self | Illusion | — |
| Dissonant Whispers | Enchantment | — |
| Faerie Fire | Evocation | C |
| Feather Fall | Transmutation | — |
| Healing Word | Abjuration | — |
| Heroism | Enchantment | C |
| Identify | Divination | R, M |
| Illusory Script | Illusion | R, M |
| Longstrider | Transmutation | — |
| Silent Image | Illusion | C |
| Sleep | Enchantment | C |
| Speak with Animals | Divination | R |
| Tasha’s Hideous Laughter | Enchantment | C |
| Thunderwave | Evocation | — |
| Unseen Servant | Conjuration | R |
Level 2 Bard Spells
| Spell | School | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Aid | Abjuration | — |
| Animal Messenger | Enchantment | R |
| Blindness/Deafness | Transmutation | — |
| Calm Emotions | Enchantment | C |
| Chorus of the Lost | Necromancy | M |
| Cloud of Daggers | Conjuration | C |
| Crown of Madness | Enchantment | C |
| Detect Thoughts | Divination | C |
| Enhance Ability | Transmutation | C |
| Enlarge/Reduce | Transmutation | C |
| Enthrall | Enchantment | C |
| Harrowing Ballad | Enchantment | c |
| Heat Metal | Transmutation | C |
| Hold Person | Enchantment | C |
| Invisibility | Illusion | C |
| Knock | Transmutation | — |
| Lesser Restoration | Abjuration | — |
| Locate Animals or Plants | Divination | R |
| Locate Object | Divination | C |
| Magic Mouth | Illusion | R, M |
| Mirror Image | Illusion | — |
| Phantasmal Force | Illusion | C |
| See Invisibility | Divination | — |
| Shatter | Evocation | — |
| Silence | Illusion | C, R |
| Suggestion | Enchantment | C |
| Unraveling Whisper | Enchantment | — |
| Zone of Truth | Enchantment | — |
Level 3 Bard Spells
| Spell | School | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Bestow Curse | Necromancy | C |
| Clairvoyance | Divination | C, M |
| Cursed Cacophony | Enchantment | C, M, R |
| Dispel Magic | Abjuration | — |
| Fear | Illusion | C |
| Feign Death | Necromancy | R |
| Glyph of Warding | Abjuration | M |
| Hypnotic Pattern | Illusion | C |
| Leomund’s Tiny Hut | Evocation | R |
| Major Image | Illusion | C |
| Mass Healing Word | Abjuration | — |
| Nondetection | Abjuration | M |
| Plant Growth | Transmutation | — |
| Sanctum of the Flock | Transmutation | M |
| Sending | Divination | — |
| Slow | Transmutation | C |
| Speak with Dead | Necromancy | — |
| Speak with Plants | Transmutation | — |
| Stinking Cloud | Conjuration | C |
| Tongues | Divination | — |
Level 4 Bard Spells
| Spell | School | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Call of the Wild | Enchantment | M |
| Charm Monster | Enchantment | — |
| Compulsion | Enchantment | C |
| Confusion | Enchantment | C |
| Dimension Door | Conjuration | — |
| Fount of Moonlight | Evocation | C |
| Freedom of Movement | Abjuration | — |
| Greater Invisibility | Illusion | C |
| Hallucinatory Terrain | Illusion | — |
| Intrusive Despair | Enchantment | C, M |
| Locate Creature | Divination | C |
| Phantasmal Killer | Illusion | C |
| Polymorph | Transmutation | C |
| Puppet Master | Enchantment | C, M |
Level 5 Bard Spells
| Spell | School | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Animate Objects | Transmutation | C |
| Awaken | Transmutation | M |
| Dominate Person | Enchantment | C |
| Dream | Illusion | — |
| Geas | Enchantment | — |
| Greater Restoration | Abjuration | M |
| Hold Monster | Enchantment | C |
| Legend Lore | Divination | M |
| Lucky Charm | Transmutation | C, M |
| Mass Cure Wounds | Abjuration | — |
| Mirrored Agony | Abjuration | M |
| Mislead | Illusion | C |
| Modify Memory | Enchantment | C |
| Planar Binding | Abjuration | M |
| Raise Dead | Necromancy | M |
| Rary’s Telepathic Bond | Divination | R |
| Scrying | Divination | C, M |
| Seeming | Illusion | — |
| Synaptic Static | Enchantment | — |
| Teleportation Circle | Conjuration | M |
| Yolande’s Regal Presence | Enchantment | C |
Level 6 Bard Spells
| Spell | School | Special |
|---|---|---|
| True Seeing | Divination | M |
| Programmed Illusion | Illusion | M |
| Otto’s Irresistible Dance | Enchantment | C |
| Mass Suggestion | Enchantment | — |
| Heroes’ Feast | Conjuration | M |
| Guards and Wards | Abjuration | M |
| Find the Path | Divination | C, M |
| Eyebite | Necromancy | C |
Level 7 Bard Spells
| Spell | School | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Teleport | Conjuration | — |
| Symbol | Abjuration | M |
| Resurrection | Necromancy | M |
| Regenerate | Transmutation | — |
| Project Image | Illusion | C, M |
| Prismatic Spray | Evocation | — |
| Power Word Fortify | Enchantment | — |
| Mordenkainen’s Sword | Evocation | C, M |
| Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mansion | Conjuration | M |
| Mirage Arcane | Illusion | — |
| Forcecage | Evocation | C, M |
| Etherealness | Conjuration | — |
Level 8 Bard Spells
| Spell | School | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Antipathy/Sympathy | Enchantment | — |
| Befuddlement | Enchantment | — |
| Dominate Monster | Enchantment | C |
| Glibness | Enchantment | — |
| Mind Blank | Abjuration | — |
| Power Word Stun | Enchantment | — |
Level 9 Bard Spells
| Spell | School | Special |
|---|---|---|
| Foresight | Divination | — |
| Power Word Heal | Enchantment | — |
| Power Word Kill | Enchantment | — |
| Prismatic Wall | Abjuration | — |
| True Polymorph | Transmutation | C |
