Bard — page 31
Bard core traits, starting equipment, class progression, and spell slots.
Bards use words, music, and performance to inspire allies and cast spells. Charisma is their spellcasting ability.
Core traits
| Trait | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary ability | Charisma |
| Hit Point Die | d8 per Bard level |
| Saving throws | Dexterity and Charisma |
| Skills | Choose any three skills |
| Weapons | Simple weapons |
| Tools | Choose three Musical Instruments |
| Armor training | Light armor |
Starting equipment
Choose one of the following packages:
- Equipment: Leather Armor, two Daggers, one Musical Instrument of your choice, an Entertainer's Pack, and 19 GP.
- Money: 90 GP.
Starting and multiclassing
A level 1 Bard gains all core traits above and the level 1 features below. When multiclassing into Bard, gain the Hit Point Die, one skill proficiency of your choice, one Musical Instrument proficiency of your choice, Light armor training, and the level 1 Bard features. Use the multiclassing rules to determine your available spell slots.
Class progression
Follow a feature name to its complete rules. Subclass features depend on the subclass chosen. Prepared spells and cantrips are counted separately; a dash means none.
| Class level | Proficiency | Features | Bardic die | Cantrips | Prepared spells |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | +2 | Bardic Inspiration, Spellcasting | d6 | 2 | 4 |
| 2 | +2 | Expertise, Jack of All Trades | d6 | 2 | 5 |
| 3 | +2 | Bard Subclass | d6 | 2 | 6 |
| 4 | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | d6 | 3 | 7 |
| 5 | +3 | Font of Inspiration | d8 | 3 | 9 |
| 6 | +3 | Subclass feature | d8 | 3 | 10 |
| 7 | +3 | Countercharm | d8 | 3 | 11 |
| 8 | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | d8 | 3 | 12 |
| 9 | +4 | Expertise | d8 | 3 | 14 |
| 10 | +4 | Magical Secrets | d10 | 4 | 15 |
| 11 | +4 | — | d10 | 4 | 16 |
| 12 | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | d10 | 4 | 16 |
| 13 | +5 | — | d10 | 4 | 17 |
| 14 | +5 | Subclass feature | d10 | 4 | 17 |
| 15 | +5 | — | d12 | 4 | 18 |
| 16 | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | d12 | 4 | 18 |
| 17 | +6 | — | d12 | 4 | 19 |
| 18 | +6 | Superior Inspiration | d12 | 4 | 20 |
| 19 | +6 | Epic Boon | d12 | 4 | 21 |
| 20 | +6 | Words of Creation | d12 | 4 | 22 |
Spell slots
The following slots are available at each Bard level.
| Bard level | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 4 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 8 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 9 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 13 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| 14 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| 15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 17 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 18 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 19 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 20 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |