Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Bards have reached new levels of vastness in the current edition ofDungeons & Dragonsand they have more versatility than ever before . A role player who creates a first - level Bard needs to consider their spell choices cautiously , as they will greatly vary the character ’s playstyle .
In the oldeditions ofD&D , Bards were jack - of - all - trades characters with some singular abilities . This often put them behind the power bender , as the most powerfulD&Dparties are the ones where the members specialize in specific roles , rather than being fine in several dissimilar fields . In the current edition ofD&D , Bards are main spellcasters with a number of special abilities . ThePlayer ’s Handbookalone feature a number of astonishing form options for bard , ranging from hefty buffers / healers , spellcasting warrior who can fight on the front railway line , and mages with admission to a spacious diverseness of spells .
Related : Seldom - Used D&D Subclasses Perfect For Throwing DMs
A first - levelBard inDungeons & Dragonschooses two Cantrips and four first - level spells , with two spell slot available to use them . The Bard while list has many expectant options for the player and they should choose magic that will fit their chosen landing field .
D&D - The Best Bard Cantrips
bard only have two Cantrip slot inD&D , but one of them should definitely go tovicious travesty . The spell forces the target to pass a wiseness saving throw or take 1d4 damage and have disadvantage on their next attack . Vicious mockerycan be put in the same routine ashealing wordand the chance of insulting an foeman to dying is too gravid of an opportunity to waste . sword wardis also a great choice of Cantrip , as it tender opposition to all three weapon damage type until the end of the next turn .
deplorable mockeryandblade wardfit multiple play styles , as they pop the question both offensive and defensive options . Minor illusionis also a slap-up choicefor Bards inDungeons & Dragonsas it has a short ton of different possible manipulation within a single spell , all of which are great for lead foeman into a trap or make a beguilement .
D&D Bard Buffing & Mind Magicians
bard make great healers andhealing wordshould be a priorityspell alternative forD&Dhealer bard . Bards mostly have a gamy Dexterity score than Clerics , and their Jack of All Trades ability grants a incentive to Initiative checks . Healing wordis usually used for exigency and Bards have a better chance of going first in the spell ordering , so they ’re more potential to burn off ahealing wordwhen needed .
tie in : Dungeons & Dragons Rules Only Sadistic Dungeon Masters apply
Bards also get the Song of Rest power at degree two , which makes brusk rests far more in force for healing , so there ’s less need forcure lesion . bard have some of the good buffing spells inDungeons & Dragonsandheroismis a with child alternative for a buffer / healer . Heroismgrants impermanent hit compass point equal to the Bard ’s Charisma modifier and the recipient becomes resistant to being affright . Heroismcoupled with a Bardic inspiration dice is a great way to prep a scrimmage attack aircraft before depart into a boss battle . Faerie firegives advantage against foes light up by magical illumination , andbanecan be used to throw debuffs on enemies .
bard who focus on using their spells to take down enemies should go fordissonant whispers , as a fail Wisdom save event in 3d6 Psychic damage and the animate being burning its reaction to move away from the caster , which can peradventure give some destitute opportunity flack from nearby allies . Sleepis well the best bunch control spell at level one and it should be taken if none of theotherD&Darcane spellcastershave it .
Thunderwaveis a enceinte spell for bankrupt free when surrounded by enemy , whileTasha’shideous laughteris one of the best incapacitating spells for individual foes in the biz . One matter Bard players need to be mistrustful of is selectingcharm personor thefriendsCantrip , as the target will know they have been brain - see to it after the turn has worn off , giving the DM all kind of opportunitiesto great deal with the party . Charm personis best used for office where little is at stake or if theDungeons & Dragonsparty is about to get out of stratagem , but it ’s often better to go for thought checks , as these are less likely to backfire .
Next : Why D&D ’s College Of spirit Is Huge For Bards ( & Their DMs )
