College of Metal

The souls of the bards of metal are said to be escaped denizens of the outer rings of hell. No one knows for sure where these badass slayers come from. Some say they are trained under the watch of a malevolent elder red dragon, the bards chained by the hundreds to pyres of red hot steel, the only thing satiating the beast's hunger the epic sounds emanating from their magically enhanced instruments. One thing is certain though, to cross these apostles of death is to invite your doom.

Tortured Rage

Starting at 3rd level, you can choose to spend an inspiration die to send a willing target into a rage. The target uses their level for the bonus rage damage from the barbarian table. Using a bardic inspiration to send the target into a rage allows them to still gain the benefits even if they are wearing heavy armor. The rage lasts until the start of your next turn.

If your target is already raging, then your spell instead sends them into a frenzy until the start of your next turn. They gain these benefits even if they are wearing heavy armor and do not suffer a level of exhaustion once the frenzy finishes.

Headbang of Doom

Starting at 6th level, your hours of practice of headbanging and looking metal af allow you to channel the power of the Gods of Metal. You automatically have advantage at any intimidation checks and can cast fear once per long rest.

Your nightmarish intensity has also attracted the attention of other metalheads. You will now occasionally run across fans of your epic metal prowess who will do minor favors for you and you have the respect of any other metal heroes you run into who will get you and your groupies free admission to their next show.

Level 3: Bonus Proficiencies

You gain proficiency with three skills of your choice.

Level 3: Cutting Words

You learn to use your wit to supernaturally distract, confuse, and otherwise sap the confidence and competence of others. When a creature that you can see within 60 feet of yourself makes a damage roll or succeeds on an ability check or attack roll, you can take a Reaction to expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration; roll your Bardic Inspiration die, and subtract the number rolled from the creature’s roll, reducing the damage or potentially turning the success into a failure.

Level 6: Magical Discoveries

You learn two spells of your choice. These spells can come from the Cleric, Druid, or Wizard spell list or any combination thereof. A spell you choose must be a cantrip or a spell for which you have spell slots, as shown in the Bard Features table.

You always have the chosen spells prepared, and whenever you gain a Bard level, you can replace one of the spells with another spell that meets these requirements.

Level 14: Peerless Skill

When you make an ability check or attack roll and fail, you can expend one use of Bardic Inspiration; roll the Bardic Inspiration die, and add the number rolled to the d20, potentially turning a failure into a success. On a failure, the Bardic Inspiration isn’t expended.