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Writer's pictureArbitrary 20

Quick Builds for All Bard Subclasses in D&D 5e

Updated: Sep 25, 2023

Original Video:



*This article is an edited version of the script for this video


Creation:


Race:

Any Race that boosts Charisma, which if you’re using optional rules from Tashas that’s any race


Ability Score Priorities:

#1: Cha

#2: Con

#3: Dex


Equipment:

-Half Plate and Shield(once you have moderately armored)

-Musical Instrument

-d8 Weapon your proficient in(at lower levels this will likely be better than cantrips)


Feats:

4th: Moderately Armored

8th: Resilient Con

12th: Fey Touched: +1 Cha and Bless

16th and 19th: Boost Cha or Con to max if possible


Spells/Tactics:

Cantrips: Minor Illusion, Vicious Mockery, Mage Hand, Message

1st: Healing Word, Command, Silvery Barbs

2nd: Aid, Phantasmal Force, Locate Object

3rd: Hypnotic Pattern, Dispel Magic

4th: Polymorph, Dimension Door

5th: Rary’s Telepathic Bond, Synaptic Static

6th: Heroes’ Feast

7th: Forcecage

8th: Feeblemind

9th: True Polymorph


In general, you’ll want to start with a big concentration spell on your first turn and then on turns thereafter use other spells and class features as you see fit to buff, debuff, control, or deal damage.


Expertise:

3rd: Perception, Your Favorite Charisma Skill

10th: Investigation, Acrobatics


Magical Secrets:

10: Wall of Force, Find Greater Steed

14: Counterspell, Contingency

18: Wish, Maze


Eloquence:


Race:

Any Race that boosts Charisma, which if you’re using optional rules from Tashas that’s any race


Ability Score Priorities:

#1: Cha

#2: Con

#3: Dex


Equipment:

-Half Plate and Shield(once you have moderately armored)

-Musical Instrument

-d8 Weapon your proficient in(at lower levels this will likely be better than cantrips)


Feats:

4th: Moderately Armored

8th: Resilient Con

12th: Fey Touched: +1 Cha and Bless

16th and 19th: Boost Cha or Con to max if possible


Spells/Tactics:

Cantrips: Minor Illusion, Vicious Mockery, Mage Hand, Message

1st: Healing Word, Command, Silvery Barbs

2nd: Aid, Phantasmal Force, Locate Object

3rd: Hypnotic Pattern, Dispel Magic

4th: Polymorph, Dimension Door

5th: Rary’s Telepathic Bond, Synaptic Static

6th: Heroes’ Feast

7th: Forcecage

8th: Feeblemind

9th: True Polymorph


In general, you’ll want to start with a big concentration spell on your first turn and then on turns thereafter use other spells and class features as you see fit to buff, debuff, control, or deal damage.


Expertise:

3rd: Perception, Your Favorite Charisma Skill

10th: Investigation, Acrobatics


Magical Secrets:

10: Wall of Force, Find Greater Steed

14: Counterspell, Contingency

18: Wish, Maze


Glamour:


Race:

Any Race that boosts Charisma, which if you’re using optional rules from Tashas that’s any race


Ability Score Priorities:

#1: Cha

#2: Con

#3: Dex


Equipment:

-Half Plate and Shield(once you have moderately armored)

-Musical Instrument

-d8 Weapon your proficient in(at lower levels this will likely be better than cantrips)


Feats:

4th: Moderately Armored

8th: Resilient Con

12th: Fey Touched: +1 Cha and Bless

16th and 19th: Boost Cha or Con to max if possible


Spells/Tactics:

Cantrips: Minor Illusion, Vicious Mockery, Mage Hand, Message

1st: Healing Word, Command, Silvery Barbs

2nd: Aid, Phantasmal Force, Locate Object

3rd: Hypnotic Pattern, Dispel Magic

4th: Polymorph, Dimension Door

5th: Rary’s Telepathic Bond, Synaptic Static

6th: Heroes’ Feast

7th: Forcecage

8th: Feeblemind

9th: True Polymorph


In general, you’ll want to start with a big concentration spell on your first turn and then on turns thereafter use other spells and class features as you see fit to buff, debuff, control, or deal damage.


Expertise:

3rd: Perception, Your Favorite Charisma Skill

10th: Investigation, Acrobatics


Magical Secrets:

10: Wall of Force, Find Greater Steed

14: Counterspell, Contingency

18: Wish, Maze


Lore:


Race:

Any Race that boosts Charisma, which if you’re using optional rules from Tashas that’s any race


Ability Score Priorities:

#1: Cha

#2: Con

#3: Dex


Equipment:

-Half Plate and Shield(once you have moderately armored)

-Musical Instrument

-d8 Weapon your proficient in(at lower levels this will likely be better than cantrips)


Feats:

4th: Moderately Armored

8th: Resilient Con

12th: Fey Touched: +1 Cha and Bless

16th and 19th: Boost Cha or Con to max if possible


Spells/Tactics:

Cantrips: Minor Illusion, Vicious Mockery, Mage Hand, Message

1st: Healing Word, Command, Silvery Barbs

2nd: Aid, Phantasmal Force, Locate Object

3rd: Hypnotic Pattern, Dispel Magic

4th: Polymorph, Dimension Door

5th: Rary’s Telepathic Bond, Synaptic Static

6th: Heroes’ Feast

7th: Forcecage

8th: Feeblemind

9th: True Polymorph


In general, you’ll want to start with a big concentration spell on your first turn and then on turns thereafter use other spells and class features as you see fit to buff, debuff, control, or deal damage.


Expertise:

3rd: Perception, Your Favorite Charisma Skill

10th: Investigation, Acrobatics


Magical Secrets:

6: Counterspell, Pass Without Trace

10: Wall of Force, Find Greater Steed

14: Contingency, Conjure Celestial

18: Wish, Maze


Spirits:


Race:

Any Race that boosts Charisma, which if you’re using optional rules from Tashas that’s any race


Ability Score Priorities:

#1: Cha

#2: Con

#3: Dex


Equipment:

-Half Plate and Shield(once you have moderately armored)

-Musical Instrument

-d8 Weapon your proficient in(at lower levels this will likely be better than cantrips)


Feats:

4th: Moderately Armored

8th: Resilient Con

12th: Fey Touched: +1 Cha and Bless

16th and 19th: Boost Cha or Con to max if possible


Spells/Tactics:

Cantrips: Minor Illusion, Vicious Mockery, Mage Hand, Message

1st: Healing Word, Command, Silvery Barbs

2nd: Aid, Phantasmal Force, Locate Object

3rd: Hypnotic Pattern, Dispel Magic

4th: Polymorph, Dimension Door

5th: Rary’s Telepathic Bond, Synaptic Static

6th: Heroes’ Feast

7th: Forcecage

8th: Feeblemind

9th: True Polymorph


In general, you’ll want to start with a big concentration spell on your first turn and then on turns thereafter use other spells and class features as you see fit to buff, debuff, control, or deal damage.


Expertise:

3rd: Perception, Your Favorite Charisma Skill

10th: Investigation, Acrobatics


Magical Secrets:

10: Wall of Force, Find Greater Steed

14: Counterspell, Contingency

18: Wish, Maze


Swords:


Race:

Any Race that boosts Charisma, which if you’re using optional rules from Tashas that’s any race


Ability Score Priorities:

#1: Cha

#2: Con

#3: Dex


Equipment:

-Half Plate and Shield(once you have moderately armored)

-Musical Instrument

-d8 Weapon your proficient in(at lower levels this will likely be better than cantrips)


Feats:

4th: Moderately Armored

8th: Resilient Con

12th: Fey Touched: +1 Cha and Bless

16th and 19th: Boost Cha or Con to max if possible


Spells/Tactics:

Cantrips: Minor Illusion, Vicious Mockery, Mage Hand, Message

1st: Healing Word, Command, Silvery Barbs

2nd: Aid, Phantasmal Force, Locate Object

3rd: Hypnotic Pattern, Mass Healing Word

4th: Polymorph, Dimension Door

5th: Rary’s Telepathic Bond, Synaptic Static

6th: Heroes’ Feast

7th: Forcecage

8th: Feeblemind

9th: True Polymorph


In general, you’ll probably want to be attacking most of the time but don’t be afraid to use your spells, on the first turn you’ll definitely want to start with a big concentration spell before you run into the fray.


Expertise:

3rd: Perception, Acrobatics

10th: Investigation, Your Favorite Charisma Skill


Magical Secrets:

10: Wall of Force, Find Greater Steed

14: Counterspell, Contingency

18: Wish, Maze


Valor:


Race:

Any Race that boosts Charisma, which if you’re using optional rules from Tashas that’s any race


Ability Score Priorities:

#1: Cha

#2: Con

#3: Dex


Equipment:

-Half Plate and Shield(once you have moderately armored)

-Musical Instrument

-d8 Weapon your proficient in(at lower levels this will likely be better than cantrips)


Feats:

4th: Moderately Armored

8th: Resilient Con

12th: Fey Touched: +1 Cha and Bless

16th and 19th: Boost Cha or Con to max if possible


Spells/Tactics:

Cantrips: Minor Illusion, Vicious Mockery, Mage Hand, Message

1st: Healing Word, Command, Silvery Barbs

2nd: Aid, Phantasmal Force, Locate Object

3rd: Hypnotic Pattern, Mass Healing Word

4th: Polymorph, Dimension Door

5th: Rary’s Telepathic Bond, Synaptic Static

6th: Heroes’ Feast

7th: Forcecage

8th: Feeblemind

9th: True Polymorph


In general, you’ll probably want to be attacking most of the time but don’t be afraid to use your spells, on the first turn you’ll definitely want to start with a big concentration spell before you run into the fray.


Expertise:

3rd: Perception, Acrobatics

10th: Investigation, Your Favorite Charisma Skill


Magical Secrets:

10: Wall of Force, Find Greater Steed

14: Counterspell, Contingency

18: Wish, Maze


Whispers:


Race:

Any Race that boosts Charisma, which if you’re using optional rules from Tashas that’s any race


Ability Score Priorities:

#1: Cha

#2: Con

#3: Dex


Equipment:

-Half Plate and Shield(once you have moderately armored)

-Musical Instrument

-d8 Weapon your proficient in(at lower levels this will likely be better than cantrips)


Feats:

4th: Moderately Armored

8th: Resilient Con

12th: Fey Touched: +1 Cha and Bless

16th and 19th: Boost Cha or Con to max if possible


Spells/Tactics:

Cantrips: Minor Illusion, Vicious Mockery, Mage Hand, Message

1st: Healing Word, Command, Silvery Barbs

2nd: Aid, Phantasmal Force, Locate Object

3rd: Hypnotic Pattern, Dispel Magic

4th: Polymorph, Dimension Door

5th: Rary’s Telepathic Bond, Synaptic Static

6th: Heroes’ Feast

7th: Forcecage

8th: Feeblemind

9th: True Polymorph


In general, you’ll want to start with a big concentration spell on your first turn and then on turns thereafter use other spells and class features as you see fit to buff, debuff, control, or deal damage.


Expertise:

3rd: Perception, Your Favorite Charisma Skill

10th: Investigation, Acrobatics


Magical Secrets:

10: Wall of Force, Find Greater Steed

14: Counterspell, Contingency

18: Wish, Maze


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-A subclass

-A magic item, 2 different kinds of printable cards are provided

-A feat

-A spell, a printable handout is provided

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