Bard 5e: Class Guide for the 2024 Rules

What does a bard do in D&D 5e?

The bard is the party's fixer. In a fight you hand out dice that turn misses into hits and failed saves into successes, cast crowd control like Hypnotic Pattern, and pick up the cleric's slack with Healing Word. Out of a fight you are the face, the lore expert and often the best lockpick in the room. You get full spellcasting to 9th level, Charisma as your main ability, a d8 hit die and proficiency in Dexterity and Charisma saves.

At level 1 you have 8 + your Constitution modifier in hit points (10 with Constitution 14), and 38 at level 5 with the fixed 5 per level. Run your own numbers on the HP calculator. You have light armor and simple weapons only in the 2024 rules; the 2014 bard also had rapiers, longswords and hand crossbows.

How does Bardic Inspiration work?

As a bonus action, you give one creature within 60 feet a Bardic Inspiration die. Within the next hour, when that creature fails a d20 test (an attack roll, ability check or saving throw), it can roll the die and add it, possibly turning the failure into a success. A creature can hold only one die at a time.

• Die size: d6 (3.5 average), d8 at level 5 (4.5), d10 at level 10 (5.5), d12 at level 15 (6.5).
• Uses: equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum 1). With Charisma 16 that is 3 per long rest.
• Font of Inspiration (level 5): uses come back on a short rest too, and you can burn a spell slot to get one back.

The 2024 version is better than it looks. In 2014 the ally had to decide before knowing whether the roll worked, so dice were often wasted on rolls that would have succeeded anyway. Now they only spend it on a known failure. Example: your fighter misses a hobgoblin (AC 18) by 2. A d6 gives a 5-in-6 chance (83%) of turning that into a hit.

The most common mistake is hoarding. Inspiration you never hand out is wasted at the next rest, so give a die before every fight starts, ideally to whoever makes the most attack rolls or is most likely to face a nasty saving throw. You can't inspire yourself, so your own rolls get no help from it.

What are the bard's features by level?

Jack of All Trades adds half your proficiency bonus (rounded down) to any ability check you aren't proficient in, which includes initiative. Expertise doubles your bonus on two chosen skills at level 2 and two more at 9. See how skill checks work for the math.

What are the best bard spells?

Charisma is your spellcasting ability. Your spell save DC is 8 + proficiency bonus + Charisma modifier, so 13 at level 1 with Charisma 16. The full list is on the bard spell list; these are the picks that pull their weight:

• Cantrips: Vicious Mockery (psychic damage and disadvantage on the target's next attack) and Starry Wisp for a ranged attack cantrip.
• 1st level: Healing Word (bonus action, 60 feet, picks up downed allies), Faerie Fire and Dissonant Whispers.
• 3rd level: Hypnotic Pattern, which can take half an encounter out of the fight with one failed Wisdom save each.
• Level 10 onward: Magical Secrets. Every new prepared spell can come from the bard, cleric, druid or wizard list. Grab Fireball or Spirit Guardians if your party lacks them.

What changed for the bard in 2024?

What are the bard subclasses?

You join a College at level 3. The 2024 Player's Handbook has four:

• College of Lore: in the free SRD. Three extra skills, and Cutting Words spends Bardic Inspiration to subtract from an enemy's roll. Gets two bonus spells from other lists at level 6.
• College of Glamour: hands out temporary HP and movement with Bardic Inspiration, and can charm crowds. Strong support.
• College of Valor: martial weapons, medium armor and shields, then Extra Attack at level 6. For a bard who wants to fight up front.
• College of Dance: unarmored defense and unarmed strikes powered by Bardic Inspiration. A nimble skirmisher.

How do you build a bard? (Quick build)

1. Abilities: Charisma 15, Dexterity 14, Constitution 13 from the standard array, then raise Charisma to 17 with your background. Dexterity covers AC in light armor; studded leather gives AC 14 with Dex +2.
2. Skills: pick any three. Persuasion, Deception and Perception, with Expertise in Persuasion and Perception at level 2.
3. Spells at level 1: Vicious Mockery, Starry Wisp, Healing Word, Dissonant Whispers, Faerie Fire, Charm Person.
4. Feats: War Caster or a Charisma increase at level 4. Resilient (Constitution) helps hold concentration on Hypnotic Pattern.
5. In combat: bonus action inspiration on the ally about to make the big roll, then a cantrip or control spell.

The D&D character generator can roll a complete bard if you want a starting point, and the D&D character sheet has room for spell slots and inspiration uses.

Is the bard good for beginners?

It is a good second character. The bard has a lot to track: prepared spells, slots, inspiration uses and a dozen skills. A new player who enjoys roleplay will still have fun, because the class rewards talking to NPCs more than any other. If you want spells but fewer moving parts, start with a cleric; if you want Charisma magic with more raw damage, look at the sorcerer.

FAQ

Is the bard a good class in 5e?

Yes. Bards cast spells up to 9th level, boost allies with Bardic Inspiration and are the best skill users in the game thanks to Expertise and Jack of All Trades. In the 2024 rules, Magical Secrets lets them prepare spells from the cleric, druid and wizard lists too.

Can a bard heal in 5e?

Yes. Cure Wounds and Healing Word are on the bard spell list from level 1, and Mass Healing Word and Power Word Heal come later. A bard can be a party's main healer, though a cleric has more healing options.

Do bards need a musical instrument?

In the 2024 rules a bard is proficient with three musical instruments and can use one as a spellcasting focus, but it is not required: a component pouch also works. Playing music is flavor; Bardic Inspiration only needs the ally to see or hear you.

What is the best bard subclass?

College of Lore (free in the SRD) gives extra skills and Cutting Words to lower enemy rolls. College of Glamour is a strong support option, and College of Valor or Dance suits bards who want to fight in melee.

Related

• DnD Character Generator
• Bard Spell List 5e
• Sorcerer 5e: Class Guide for the 2024 Rules
• Skill Checks in 5e: Full Guide