Bards

Of all kinds of adventurers, bards are some of the most versatile thanks to their mastery of a wide variety of skills. Although they do not possess the martial expertise of the mightiest of warriors nor do they possess the absolute mastery of other spellcasters, they have the unique talent of utilizing knowledge from a plethora of sources to fuel their own magical abilities, giving them a unique edge in any situation

Bard Types

The following list below outlines many common roles that bards can take and the special abilities and tricks they have learned as part of their profession.

Mythic Bard

Medium Humanoid, varies

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• Armor Class 21 (Leather Armor)
• Hit Points 130 (20d8+40)
• Speed 30ft.

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	18 (+4)	16 (+3)	22 (+6)

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• Skills Deception +11, Perception +8, Persuasion +11, Performance +11
• Senses passive Perception 18
• Languages two languages of choice
• Proficiency Bonus +5
• Challenge 14 (11500 xp)

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Countercharm The bard and creatures of its choice within 30ft. of it has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened

Inspiring Flourish When the bard uses their Inspiration, they can make one additional attack with their Bardic Rapier as part of their next action.

Legendary Resistance(3/day) Upon failing a saving throw, the Master Bard can choose to succeed. Upon using this feature, the bard can cast a spell of 5th level or lower.

Mimicry The bard can mimic any sounds it has heard, including voices. A creature that hears the sounds can tell it is an imitation with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check against the bard's Charisma(Deception) check.

Panache While the bard is not incapacitated, it can add its Charisma modifier to its armor class. This is already included in the stat block.

Ventriloquism The bard can cause its voice to sound as if it originated from a spot within 30ft. of it. A creature that hears the sounds it makes can determine if this is a trick with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check opposed by your Charisma (Deception) check.

Actions

Bardic Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, 5ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8+2) piercing damage. If the Bard uses its Inspiration or Witty Counter on its previous turn, this attack deals an additional 18 (5d6) psychic or thunder (its choice) damage.

Spellcasting

The bard is a 20th level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 19, +11 to hit with spell attacks) and has the following spells prepared

• Cantrips Minor Illusion, Message, Prestidigitation, Thunderclap, Vicious Mockery
• 1st Level(4/slot) Charm Person, Dissonant Whispers, Disguise Self, Thunderwave
• 2nd Level(3 slot) Suggestion, Invisibility, Silence
• 3rd Level(2 slot) Counterspell, Dispel Magic, Fast Friends, Hypnotic Pattern
• 4th Level(2 slot) Dimension Door, Polymorph
• 5th Level(2 slot) Bigby's Hand, Dominate Person, Legend Lore, Modify Memory
• 6th Level(2 slot) Mass Suggestion
• 7th Level(2 slot) Prismatic Spray
• 8th Level(8 slot) Dominate Monster, Feeblemind
• 9th Level(1 slot) Wish

Bonus Actions

Inspiration The Bard can add 7(1d12) to an attack roll, ability check, saving throw, or damage roll of its choice to a creature that it can see in range.

Reaction

Witty Counter The Bard can subtract 7(1d12) when a creature within 30ft. of it makes an attack roll, ability check, saving throw, or damage roll.

Legendary Actions(3/turn)

Movement(1 action) The bard can move up to have its movement speed without provoking attacks of opportunity

Inspiring Boon(1 action) One creature the bard can see within 30ft. can add a 7 (1d12) to its next attack roll, ability check, saving throw, or damage roll before the end of its next turn. A creature can only benefit from one Inspiring Boon at a time.

Inspiring Bane(1 action) One creature the bard can see within 30ft. must subtract a 7 (1d12) to its next attack roll, ability check, saving throw, or damage roll before the end of its next turn. A creature can only benefit from one Inspiring Bane at a time.

Spell(2 actions) The bard can cast a spell of 5th level or lower.

Resilience(3 actions) The bard can end one spell or condition on itself

Investigator Bard

Thought Reader Creatures within 30ft. of the bard must succeed a Wisdom saving throw equal to the bard's spell save DC. On a failed saving throw, the bard can read the surface thoughts and emotions of creature's within range.

Unreadable Thought The bard can emit false thoughts by making a Charisma (Deception) check contested by the mind reader's Wisdom (Insight) check whenever the bard is targeted with an effect that reads their mind.

Spellcasting

The bard can add the following spells to its spell list if it has the spell slots to cast them

• 1st Level Spells Hunter's Mark
• 2nd Level Spells Detect Thoughts, Hold Person, Mind Spike, Zone of Truth
• 3rd Level Spells Non Detection
• 4th Level Spells Arcane Eye, Banishment, Otiluke's Resilient Sphere
• 5th Level Spells Legend Lore, Scrying
• 6th Level Spells Find the Path
• 7th Level Spells Forcecage
• 9th Level Spells Imprisonment

Bonus Action

Investigator's Mark The bard can mark one creature it can see within 120ft. of it. Upon using this feature, the bard always knows the location of that creature while it is on the same plane of existence.

The bard can only mark one creature at a time in this manner

Whispers Bard

• Challenge Rating Increases by 1

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Amplified Whispers The whisper's bard can target creatures with a spell effect even if it is behind full cover or not in the bard's line of sight. The spell must only target one creature and the target must still be within the spell's range.

Arcane Whispers Creatures under the effects of Arcane Whispers are considered to be deafened and have disadvantage on saving throws to maintain concentration

Spell Whisperer The bard only requires verbal components for its spellcasting abilities

Whispering Aura Creatures within 30ft. of the bard must succeed a Wisdom saving throw equal to the bard's spell save DC. On a failed saving throw, creatures are considered to be under the effect of their Arcane Whispers for 1 minute.

Creatures can repeat its saving throw at the end of each of its turns ending it on a success. On a successful saving throw, creatures are immune to this effect for the next 24 hours.

Whisper Blade Once on each of the bard's turns, if the bard makes an melee weapon attack against a creature under their Arcane Whispers, it takes additional psychic damage equal to a number of d6s equal to the bard's proficiency bonus.

Spellcasting

The bard can add the following spells to its spell list if it has the spell slots to cast them

• 1st Level Spells Silent Image
• 2nd Level Spells Magic Missile, Mind Spike, Phantasmal Force
• 3rd Level Spells Enemies Abound
• 4th Level Spells Compulsion, Phantasmal Killer
• 5th Level Spells Dream
• 6th Level Spells Find the Path, Programmed Illusion
• 7th Level Spells Divine Word
• 8th Level Spells Power Word Stun
• 9th Level Spells Psychic Scream, Power Word Kill

Actions

Multiattack The bard can cast a spell and make an attack with its Bardic Rapier

Reactions

Cacaphony When a creature under the effects of the bard's Arcane Whisper makes an attack against the bard, it must do so with disadvantage. If the attack still hits, the attacker takes psychic damage equal to a number of d6s equal to the bard's proficiency bonus.

Charlatan Bard

• Challenge Rating Increases by 1

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Confounding Tactics While within 10ft. of its duplicate, attacks against the charalatan have disadvantage

Spellcasting

The bard can add the following spells to its spell list if it has the spell slots to cast them

• Cantrips Minor Illusion
• 1st Level Spells Silent Image
• 2nd Level Spells BLur, Invisibility, Mirror Image
• 3rd Level Spells Enemies Abound, Major IMage
• 4th Level Spells Hallucinatory Terrain, Greater Invisibility
• 5th Level Spells Seeming, Mislead
• 6th Level Spells Programmed Image
• 7th Level Spell Mirage Arcane
• 8th Level Spells Animal Shapes
• 9th Level Spells Mass Polymorph, True Polymorph, Shapechanger

Bonus Action

Illusory Duplicate The charalatan can summon an illusory duplicate within 60ft. of it. The duplicate occupies its own space and is immune to all damage and conditions as long as the bard is not incapacitated.

While the duplicate is activated, it bard can cast its spells through the space of the duplicate.

Shapechanger As an action, the bard can change their appearance and their voice. The bard can determine the specifics of the changes, including its coloration, hair length, and sex.

The bard can also adjust your height and weight, but not so much that its size changes. The bard can make itself appear as a member of another race, though none of its game statistics change.

The bard can't duplicate the appearance of a creature it has never seen, and you must adopt a form that has the same basic arrangement of limbs that it has.

Reactions

Misdirection When a creature targets the bard with an attack or a saving throw that affects only the bard, the bard can use its reaction to swap places within its duplicate causing the duplicate to take the effects instead.

Upon using this effect, the duplicate immediately fades.

Oracle Bard

• Darkvision 120ft.
• Challenge Rating Increases by 1

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Foresight The bard and creatures of its choice within 30ft. of it have advantage on initiative checks

Oracle's Awareness The bard cannot be surprised and has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks as long as the bard is not incapacitated

Oracle's Sight The bard can see creatures hidden by an illusion or invisibility. Additionally, the bard's vision is not obscured by magical darkness.

Persistent Boon When the bard uses its Witty Retort or Inspiration on a creature, that creature can keep that die until the start of the bard's next turn.

Spellcasting

The bard can add the following spells to its spell list if it has the spell slots to cast them

• Cantrips Guidance
• 1st Level Spells Bless, Bane, Magic Missile, Silvery barbs
• 2nd Level Spells Aid, Augury, Darkvision, See Invisibility, Locate Object
• 3rd Level Spells Clairvoyance, Enemies Abound, Major IMage
• 4th Level Spells Divination, Locate Creature
• 5th Level Spells Scrying, Temporal Shunt
• 6th Level Spells Find the Path, True Seeing
• 8th Level Spells Animal Shapes
• 9th Level Spells Foresight, Time Stop

Bonus Actions

Prophetic Order When the bard uses its Inspiration or Witty Retort, creatures of its choice within 10ft. of it gain advantage or disadvantage on its next attack roll, ability check, or saving throw before the end of its next turn.

Reactions

Prophesy Upon using its Witty Retort, the bard can force a creature to reroll the entire taking the new result instead

Bard Skald

• Armor Class Increases by 2 (includes a shield)
• Challenge Rating Increases by 1

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Battle Casting When the skald makes an attack of opportunity, it can cast a spell instead. It can only cast spells that targets one creature in this manner

Commander When the skald uses its Inspiration or Witty Retort, it can target one additional creature in range

Tactical Advantage The skald and allies of its choice within 30ft. of it has advantage on initiative checks while the skald is not incapacitated

War Caster The skald has advantage on saving throws to maintain concentration on spell effects

Spellcasting

The bard can add the following spells to its spell list if it has the spell slots to cast them

• Cantrips Booming Blade
• 1st Level Spells Zephyr Strike, Shield
• 2nd Level Spells Spiritual Weapon
• 3rd Level Spells Elemental Weapon, Haste
• 5th Level Spells Conjure Volley, Swift Quiver, Steel Wind Strike
• 6th Level Spells Blade Barrier
• 7th Level Spell Mordenkainen's Sword
• 9th Level Spells Blade of Disaster

Actions

Multiattack The skald can casts spell and can make one additional weapon

Bonus Actions

Battle Commander When a creature uses the skald's Inspiration on an weapon attack or weapon damage roll, the target can deal additional damage on its next weapon damage roll equal to a number of d6s equal to the skald's proficiency bonus on its next damage roll before the end of its next turn

Reactions

Retaliate When the skald uses its Witty Retort, the target of the attack can use its reaction to make a melee weapon attack. On a hit, the target takes additional damage equal to a number of d6s equal to a the skald's proficiency bonus.

Blade Dancer Bard

• Armor Class Increases by 1 (Dual Wielding)
• Challenge Rating Increases by 1

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Battle Casting When the bard makes an attack of opportunity, it can cast a spell instead. It can only cast spells that targets one creature in this manner

Slashing Flourish When the bard makes a weapon attack against a creature, it can can make a weapon attack one additional creature within 5ft. of the target.

Nimble Escape The bard can move outside a creature's reach without provoking attack of opportunity

Tactical Advantage The bard has advantage on initiative checks

War Caster The bard has advantage on saving throws to maintain concentration on spell effects

Spellcasting

The bard can add the following spells to its spell list if it has the spell slots to cast them

• Cantrips Booming Blade
• 1st Level Spells Zephyr Strike, Shield
• 2nd Level Spells Spiritual Weapon
• 3rd Level Spells Elemental Weapon, Haste
• 5th Level Spells Conjure Volley, Swift Quiver, Steel Wind Strike
• 6th Level Spells Blade Barrier
• 7th Level Spell Mordenkainen's Sword
• 9th Level Spells Blade of Disaster

Actions

Multiattack The skald can cast a spell and make two weapon attack on its turn

Reactions

Riposte When the bard uses its Witty Retort against a creature that attacks it, the bard can use its reaction to make a melee weapon attack. Upon using this feature, the bard can make two attacks with its Bardic Rapier.

Thaumaturgy

Special Effects

When the bard uses its Bardic Inspiration and Witty Retort, it can roll a d6 to cause one of the following effects

• 1. Dazzling Flair Creatures of the bard's choice within 10ft. of it must succeed a Constitution saving throw against the bard's spell save DC or become blinded until the end of its next turn.
• 2. Attractive Aroma Creatures of the bard's choice within 10ft. of it must succeed a Wisdom saving throw against the bard's spell save DC or become charmed until the end of its next turn.
• 3. Terrifying Visage Creatures of the bard's choice within 10ft. of it must succeed a Wisdom saving throw against the bard's spell save DC or become frightened until the end of its next turn.
• 4. Deafening Boom Creatures of the bard's choice within 10ft. of it must succeed a Constitution saving throw against the bard's spell save DC or become deafened until the end of its next turn.
• 5. Starstruck Creatures of the bard's choice within 10ft. of it must succeed a Wisdom saving throw against the bard's spell save DC or it is unable to speak until the end of its next turn.
• 6. Enthrall Creatures of the bard's choice within 10ft. of it must succeed a Wisdom saving throw against the bard's spell save DC or it cannot take reactions until the end of its next turn.

Actions

Thaumaturgist's Strike When the bard rolls a critical hit on its Rapier, the bard can roll a d6 on its Special Effect table forcing the target to make the appropriate saving throw against its effects.

Elementist Bard

Special Effects

When the bard uses its Bardic Inspiration and Witty Retort, it can roll a d10 to cause one of the following effects

• 1-2. Flame Burst Creatures of the bard's choice within 10ft. of it must succeed a Dexterity saving throw against the bard's spell save DC or be set aflame for one minute. Creatures set ablaze takes fire damage equal to the Bard's Inspiration die at the start of each of its turns. It can use an action to put out the flames.
• 3-4. Frost Snap Creatures of the bard's choice within 10ft. of it must succeed a Constitution saving throw against the bard's spell save DC or become restrained until the end of its next turn.
• 5-6. Storm Burst Creatures of the bard's choice within 10ft. of it must succeed a Constitution saving throw against the bard's spell save DC or become paralyzed until the end of its next turn.
• 7-8. Thunderous Burst Creatures of the bard's choice within 10ft. of it must succeed a Strength saving throw against the bard's spell save DC or be pushed back 10ft.
• 9-10.Tremors Creatures of the bard's choice within 10ft. of it must succeed a Strength saving throw against the bard's spell save DC or be knocked prone.

Spellcasting

The bard can add the following spells to its spell list if it has the spell slots to cast them

• Cantrips Firebolt, Ray of Frost
• 1st Level Spells Burning Hands
• 2nd Level Spells Binding Frost
• 3rd Level Spells Fireball, Lightning Bolt, Tidal Wave
• 4th Level Spells Web of Fire, Ice Storm
• 5th Level Spells Cone of Cold
• 6th Level Spells Lightning Bolt
• 7th Level Spell Firestorm
• 8th level Spells Earthquake, Tsunami
• 9th Level Spells Meteor Swarm

Actions

Elementist's Strike When the bard deals a critical hit using its Rapier, the bard can roll a d6 on its Special Effect table forcing the target to make the appropriate saving throw against its effects.

The additional damage it deals from use its Inspiration can be the Bard's choice of cold, fire, lightning, or thunder damage.