Questions tagged [bard]
For questions about the bard, a charismatic class involving limited spontaneous casting, the use of songs to buff allies and average chance to hit with weapons. The bard class appears in D&D, Pathfinder and many other tabletop RPGs.
10
votes
2answers
123 views
What spells could a Bard identify from a Pact of the Tome Warlock's Book of Shadows?
A Bard in my group has expressed an interest in attempting to read a Warlock party member's Book of Shadows, and I'm trying to figure out what, if anything, they can get from it. I figure they can't ...
1
vote
1answer
76 views
What is the maximum number of bardic music uses a single-classed level 15 bard can have?
I am working on a (somewhat) functional version of the classic Bard/Barbarian hybrid. The lynchpin is using Rage Casting (Dragon #310), which requires casting to be a free action, citing Quicken Spell ...
3
votes
1answer
45 views
Can you reduce the metamagic cost before applying Metamagic Song?
The description of Metamagic Song states:
When applying a metamagic feat to a spell, you must either use Metamagic Song to completely offset the increase in the spell's effective level or apply the ...
3
votes
1answer
43 views
Can you use Metamagic Song and Quicken Spell together?
The description for the feat Metamagic Song in Races of Stone states (emphasis mine):
When you spontaneously cast an arcane spell that is enhanced by a metamagic feat, you can spend a number of ...
9
votes
2answers
215 views
Is a bard's use of Bardic Inspiration still expended if the target can't hear them?
What happens if a bard tries to give a target a Bardic Inspiration, but that target happens to be unable to hear the bard due to deafness or a Silence spell. Does the bard lose one of their bardic ...
10
votes
1answer
162 views
Is there any rule preventing me from starting multiple bardic performances in a single round?
Bardic Performance reads as follows:
Starting a bardic performance is a standard action, but it can be
maintained each round as a free action. Changing a bardic performance
from one effect to ...
5
votes
1answer
80 views
How do I calculate the Sound Striker bard's Weird Words attack?
Bard Sound Striker Archetype has 2 new bardic performances, one which is Weird Words and reads as:
Weird Words (Su): At 6th level the bard can start a performance that is always a standard action ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
Can you use a concentration spell while using Mantle of Majesty?
According to the text of Mantle of Majesty (a Bard College feature from the College of Glamour, Xanathar's Guide to Everything, page 14):
As a bonus action, you cast command, without expending a ...
4
votes
2answers
106 views
Is Inspire Greatness (Bard) the only way to gain explicit temporary Hit Dice?
The bard's Inspire Greatness ability adds 2d10 hit dice to a character for a short period of time.
The trait Magical Knack gives you bonus caster levels that cannot exceed your current hit dice.
...
9
votes
3answers
1k views
What spell do I need to be my own rock band?
In Pathfinder, I created a level 10 bard, and I want to be my own rock band outside battle. My bard already have a huge performance in singing and playing numerous instruments.
I took Ghost Sound to ...
13
votes
1answer
463 views
Can a bard grant bardic inspiration to an unconscious creature?
The recipient of bardic inspiration must be able to hear the bard.
...choose one creature other than yourself within 60 feet of you who
can hear you.
An unconscious creature is "unaware of its ...
1
vote
1answer
66 views
Can a Lute of the Battle Ready be used to perform when it is transformed?
I'm playing a Bard and was given a Lute of the Battle Ready at level 1. However, I haven't been really able to use it because I focus on Performing instead of fighting.
Is it possible to maintain a ...
4
votes
2answers
179 views
At which level does a Glamour bard cast the Command spell when they activate Mantle of Majesty? [duplicate]
At level 6, Glamour bards gain the Mantle of Majesty feature (XGtE, p. 14):
At 6th level, you gain the ability to cloak yourself in a fey magic that makes others want to serve you. As a bonus ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Can a bard use Captivating Melody to increase the DC of the Soothing Voice spell-like ability?
Soothing Voice is a spell-like ability for half-elf bards that give them the ability to expend a bardic music to cast Calm Emotions.
Captivating Melody allows for a bard to expend a bardic music as a ...
19
votes
3answers
1k views
Can a Valor bard Ready a bard spell, then use the Battle Magic feature to make a weapon attack before releasing the spell?
College of Valor bards (PHB, p. 55) get the Battle Magic feature at 14th level:
You have mastered the art of weaving spellcasting and weapon use into a single harmonious act. When you use your ...
9
votes
1answer
1k views
As a Bard multi-classing into Warlock, what spells do I get?
My character is a bard and I'm planning on taking a level in Warlock. Do I get the 2 cantrips and 2 spells from the Warlock spell list that a new Warlock character would get in addition to the Bard ...
1
vote
2answers
216 views
What is unbalanced about this homebrew College of the Storm bard subclass?
What, if anything, is unbalanced about this homebrew College of the Storm bard subclass?
I think the subclass I made is unbalanced because of the number of abilities gained at third level, and the ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
How do Bards prepare spells?
My newest character is a lvl 1 Bard with some spellcasting and ritual ability. I would like to know how to prepare spells, as it does not say how to do this in the PHB. Thanks!
Edit: Thank you to all ...
9
votes
1answer
158 views
Can a Bard use the Spell Glyph option of the Glyph of Warding spell and cast a known spell into the glyph?
If you read the description of the "Spell Glyph" option of the Glyph of Warding spell, it says you cast a spell that you have prepared into the glyph. Bards can learn this spell, but they don't ...
9
votes
2answers
181 views
Can a bard perform underwater?
We were underwater this past session and ran into an issue with the bard, who is a vocalist, and despite being able to breath underwater via the water breathing spell ran into an issue when we ...
13
votes
1answer
1k views
If a character can use a +X magic weapon as a spellcasting focus, does it add the bonus to spell attacks or spell save DCs?
My 5e College of Swords bard can use a weapon as a spell focus for their spell casting.
If they have a +1 rapier and cast a spell requiring a spell attack roll, do they get the +1 added to their ...
-1
votes
1answer
293 views
Can a bard 10/sorcerer 1 take 6th-level spells for Magical Secrets because of the way multiclassed spellcasters' slots work? [duplicate]
I have a Lore bard who multi-classed into sorcerer after level 4 and went back to leveling as a bard. When he reaches 10th level bard (11th level spellcaster), he will have 6th level slots. Can he ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
Can a Bard use an arcane focus?
The description of the Weave of Magic in the Spellcasting chapter says Bards are users of Arcane magic, but they seem to only be offered the use of an instrument as a focus. Can they use a standard ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Can a College of Swords bard use a Blade Flourish option on an opportunity attack provoked by their own Dissonant Whispers spell?
Consider this scenario: a College of Swords bard uses dissonant whispers on a creature within 5 feet of him while he is holding a melee weapon. The creature fails the save and has to immediately use ...
22
votes
4answers
905 views
Can Sentinel at Death's Door and Cutting Words combine to make a critical hit miss?
We already know from Sage Advice and other answers to other questions that by RAI, (and I guess RAW too), Cutting Words (and Bane) don't work on critical hits, though in the case of Cutting Words they ...
7
votes
1answer
111 views
Finding a College of Lore “local group” as an outsider in the city
I am playing a newly Level3-Bard with the College of Lore. In her backstory she encountered the criminal group The Nine Swords in Westgate, who are protected from high up and her goal is to bring them ...
6
votes
1answer
344 views
What can a Bard access to grant teammates Temp HP?
I am playing a supportive Bard character whose schtick is that she projects barriers onto other Characters.
I am aware that they don't stack.
So far I've got Inspiring Leader (Lv4 + Cha4 to 6 allies)...
-2
votes
2answers
333 views
Is the dulcimer listed under 5e's tools intended to be the hammered variety or the strummed variety?
The Dulcimer is listed in official sources as a tool available for use and purchase [SRD p.70]. However, I cannot seem to find official clarification on whether this refers to a hammered dulcimer or a ...
3
votes
1answer
116 views
Does looking at a gaze attack indirectly still trigger the effect?
This question is similar to this one, but with Pathfinder rules in mind.
More specifically, my group is up against a creature that does damage when it looks at you. Our bard ran away, but can still ...
3
votes
1answer
114 views
Is using Doomspeak a standard action?
Doomspeak is a [bardic] feat from Champions of Ruin with the following benefit:
You can spend one of your bardic music uses to utter a string of crass and appalling epithets and curses at one enemy ...
2
votes
3answers
352 views
Does the bard's Inspire Courage feature increase damage for swarms?
The Bard's Inspire Courage feature references weapon damage rolls:
A 1st level bard can use his performance to inspire courage in his allies (including himself), bolstering them against fear and ...
6
votes
1answer
552 views
How does a bard become aware that their music has magical properties? Or must they actively choose it? And how would they learn?
I have a (human) bard in D&D 5E, and wrote a backstory of how his mother was a singer and he enjoyed this when he was young. Later in life he had some Gnome illusionist friends and he became ...
14
votes
2answers
3k views
Does a kenku bard need an instrument, or can they use Mimicry for one?
I'd like to play a Kenku Bard in Adventurer's League, one raised by bards since a young age to hopefully become a master of the Bardic arts through copying many other skilled bards.
One thought that ...
4
votes
2answers
546 views
Is there a way for a Bard to learn one more known spell?
Looking at the Bard progression table, Bards begin at level 1 with 4 spells known, and then gain (on average) 1 new known spell per level, until they cap at level 18. I'd like to know if there is a ...
6
votes
2answers
157 views
Can a sandman bard steal prepared spells that have already been cast?
Can a sandman bard use the bardic performance stealspell to steal a spell from an allied druid if the druid has already cast the spell?
4
votes
3answers
822 views
Is this homebrew feat for bards balanced (or even useful)?
I've been toying with the idea of a feat for a bard to allow for more sneaky play with things like mass suggestion. I think it could be fun and I was thinking of suggesting it to my DM for the bard I ...
16
votes
3answers
1k views
Can Bardic Inspiration be used on a roll replaced by Portent?
A creature with a Bardic Inspiration die can roll it to add the result to an ability check, saving throw, or attack roll, while the Divination wizard's Portent feature overrides the roll before the ...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
Would an Aarakocra be able to play a flute? [closed]
I am playing an Aarakocra bard character that looks like a crow/raven in a D&D campaign.
What kind of instruments would he be proficient in and play? Would an Aarakocra be able to play a flute, ...
13
votes
1answer
763 views
As a Swords bard, how do I determine my AC bonus from Defensive Flourish on a critical hit?
Let's say I'm playing a College of Swords bard, and happen to critically strike an enemy with a natural 20. I choose to use my Defensive Flourish at this time, so the dice look like this:
2d6 (...
6
votes
1answer
330 views
What issues could occur if I allow a Bard to use their instrument to fulfill verbal components? [closed]
One of my players messaged me about a new character they were creating, and they proposed the concept of a mute bard. Long story short, they wanted to RP a cursed character, and I was really intrigued ...
4
votes
0answers
144 views
Should bards have to pay for their colleges? [closed]
I think that since a college is really just a 'club' or grouping of sorts of bards, it doesn't count as a 'college' in the modern sense of the term. My DM is telling me I have to pay for my College of ...
19
votes
3answers
3k views
Possible issues of a player switching Bard archetypes randomly with long rests?
One of my players want to play a Bard with multiple-personalities. At every long-rest, the idea is that he randomly wakes up with one of his personalities. Each personality is very different from the ...
1
vote
0answers
265 views
What does the Additional Magical Secrets feature's “of a level you can cast, as shown on the Bard table” mean for multiclassed bards? [duplicate]
For instance, if you're a sorc 12 / bard 6, and you get the College of Lore's Additional Magical Secrets feature:
At 6th level, you learn two spells of your choice from any class. A spell you ...
36
votes
4answers
7k views
Can a bard cast Vicious Mockery without passersby thinking it's an attack?
So vicious mockery is, to my understanding, the bard insulting a target, and the target taking psychic damage, and gaining disadvantage.
The flavor, as I understand it, is that they're so insulted ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
Is this homebrew Bard College of Midnight balanced, compared to officially published subclasses?
I wanted to play a necromancer, but I wasn't all that thrilled by my options. Wizards obviously make great necromancer, but I was drawn in another direction. A charismatic puppet master, that was my ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
If a bard uses a musical instrument as their spellcasting focus, can they add their proficiency bonus to an ability check made as part of a spell?
The following things are true:
Bards are allowed to use their musical instruments as spell focuses.
Proficiency with a musical instrument allows you to add your proficiency bonus to ability checks ...
6
votes
1answer
503 views
Can a bard use a musical instrument as a spellcasting focus if they aren't proficient with it?
The bard's spellcasting class features (PHB, pg. 53) includes the following:
Spellcasting Focus
You can use a musical instrument (found in chapter 5) as a spellcasting focus for your bard ...
7
votes
1answer
559 views
How do I validate the Spell Selections in a Bard Spell List?
This is a direct follow-up to this question for Sorcerers, which contains more context and examples of this problem.
For pregenerated high-level Bards, it's important to make sure that their spell ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Does someone realize they were charmed after the effect of the Glamour bard's Enthralling Performance wears off?
I have been playing a College of Glamour bard in the Tomb of Annihilation module. They get the Enthralling Performance feature at 3rd level when they choose the subclass (Xanathar's Guide to ...
18
votes
1answer
2k views
WotC Pre-rolled Level 1 Bard Character - Can't get it right in D&D Beyond
I'm trying to build the nifty 5E Half-elf Bard in D&D Beyond as shared on WotC's set of pregen character sheets.
However, I just can't seem to get the ability score values and the skill values to ...
