I have a fifth level tiefling bard of the lore college named Harmony (my profile pic is a drawing I made of her) and awhile ago I was trying to figure out more ways to feel effective in combat. My dm worked with me and helped me start to use my rapier more, using my bardic inspiration and hellish rebuke to follow up opponents attacks. Multiclassing into hexblade warlock would allow me to use my charisma modifier, which is, thanks to a lucky roll and an ability score increase, a +5, instead of my dexterity on my attacks. It would also allow me to curse opponents and have a much better armor class thanks to the medium armor proficiency.
I also have a story worked out- Harmony was approached by a shadow spirit who claimed to be attracted to her music. The spirit offered her enhanced abilities for a reward for pleasing it… and it would only require a little pact. Harmony naively agreed. Now, her music has strains of shadow, her jokes have dark tones in them, and a streak of her hair has turned a darker purple.
However, I am concerned about missing out on bard features and being a level behind in my main class. Especially since the next lore feature involves spells from other classes, which would also increase her combat abilities.
A little background info- the party also includes an impulsive wizard character who has a wand of wonder and fireballs/lightning bolts all the time. I’ve been feeling a little like my subtle bard is less cool- but even with the college of lore feature, the wizard will be a step ahead. I think this multiclass might help me embrace the different side of my character- both roleplaying and mechanically, but I’m not sure.
I feel you. We have the same type wizard in our party with a wand of wonder. We also have a pally and marksman Ranger. I'll never out damage them or come close. I have posted before that I (at lvl. 11) have probably used my rapier a dozen times past the first few levels. I focus on support. Skills, skills, skills! I am a badass at this. I even get a bonus to Counterspell with this. Cutting words can save the day at the right time. Bardic inspiration to help with that save? Thank you. There are control spells, dispel and identify, and heal spells. At lvl 6 you get your first magical secrets. There are a lot of posts on peoples' favorites here. All that being said, it has taken some time for me to find my way. I have felt next to useless in a fight when I looked at damage rolls and spell casting in fights. But every level, I have felt more at home and gotten more powerful. I am the face of the party. If someone else wants that role, sorry. That's my specialty...you go slash some orcs. I missed a session around level7 or 8 and next week the group told me how much they ended up missing me. They didn't realize everything I did to help the party.
Now all that being said, that is more my playstyle. Some people want to be more aggressive. Not sure Lore Bard is the best subclass at that but it isn't far behind. You magical secrets can get you Fireball or Spirit Guardians or (insert spell here). Or pick some really cool spells with flavor. I picked Tiny Servant with secrets because it is fun. I would have taken Find Greater Steed at lvl 10 but our pally would have been so butt hurt so I didn't but Wall of Force. I'll have that. A dip in Hexblade might get you an extra bonus attack/damage but you'll never get the extra attacks and damage output of the Wizard. Roleplaying wise it might be fun but getting those extra spells and getting Cha to 20 to me is a must.
You will feel more powerful as you level. Better skill modifiers, bigger inspiration die and better spells. Learn what your saves for spells are and use the proper one at the time. Our DM throws a lot of high Wis enemies at us so I rarely use any charm type spell so I'll look at a Dex save or such spell. I, maybe foolishly ?, feel at lvl 11, I could take on any of my party members in a one on one fight and win most of the time. I have such a big bag of tricks. I enjoy playing support. I have played other characters and Bard is by far my favorite.
Hopefully someone who plays a more aggressive style Lore Bard will post. I would like to see how they do it.
I will share with you my own bard multiclassing story:
Which brings me to my personal anecdote about my current character. I was a veteran roleplayer, but still pretty new to D&D. My DM had tried to run a game of 3.5, but it died after one session so when I recycled the character for his 5Ed game, I still thought of him as my first D&D character. I love bards and wanted to play a gish, someone who uses magic to enhance their swordplay rather than a spellcaster who occasionally swings a sword, so I chose to play a College of Swords Bard. I requested that we start at level 3 because I wanted everyone to have some sort of signature style inherent in their gameplay and I saw the subclasses as adding that, just my personal view. After half a dozen sessions and hitting level 4 I finally had gained enough knowledge about 5Ed to stop pulling out the books for basic stuff like attack rolls and spells and could think more critically about my gaming experience. I looked ahead and realized a bit glumly that Bards are full spellcasters and that I wasn't really going to be getting much better at swinging a sword than I already was, while my spells would far outstrip and outshine my martial skills. I could keep playing the same way I had been and start to look like a low level minion compared to my partymates, or I could switch my tactics and completely go against the playstyle that I wanted to play. Neither of these seemed fun for me, so I started looking around for options. My actually DM let me completely rebuild my character in another class for one session to try it out and I really enjoyed playing as a level 4 Swashbuckler Rogue, but I did miss all of the social utility that I had become accustomed to as a Bard, which was the other half of the playstyle I wanted, a charming gish. So after awhile I came up with a plan to have my cake and eat it, too.
I had always been a fan of Eilistraee and her sword dancers and wanted that grace to be a part of this character's gish style, so I reverted my character back to the 4th level Swords Bard and when I hit level 5 I took 1 level of Hexblade, reskinned as Eilistraee's Moonblade. Now my Dex and Cha were even at this time so there was no sudden disparity in sword skill to smooth over. We had also just escaped from a foray into the Underdark. The session was unavoidably cut short due to a scheduling issue and my DM was forced to handwave and teleport us back to Waterdeep and I asked him if it was okay to say that the sound of mysterious hunting horns led us back to the surface, which allowed me to write a dream sequence where my bard met Eilistraee and received her blessing. This allowed me to pick up Shield as well as proficiency with shields, which I reskinned as a cloak wrapped around an arm so I could be a spanish style rapier and cloak fencer. Booming Blade rounded out my magical melee skill set.
Then I started taking levels of Rogue, becoming a Swashbuckler at level 8, and getting my second ASI at level 9, which I put into Charisma. This means I'm using Charisma for melee, for spellcasting, and as an initiative boost, which allows me to grow as a swordsman and a spellslinger at the same time. Plotting out my levels ahead of time I intended to end roughly at Swords 6/ Hexblade 3/ Swashbuckler 11 because that maintains a character who is mainly a charming swordsman (I love Panache and the idea of just being that silver tongued that I can do that without a spell) but also has enough magic tricks up his sleeve to make that swordplay flashier. I wouldn't have any spells higher than 3rd level, which I viewed as a benefit since I mostly wanted spells that were utility and enhancement and not spells that were huge game changers in and of themselves, that didn't fit the character concept I wanted. At level 9 (Swords 4/Swashbuckler 4/Hexblade 1) any level I took would result in meaningful growth, which allowed me to still be responsive to the plot in how I progress in my plan. I just hit level 10 in my game, for example, and we're currently in a plot arc that has open terrain and military leanings so I took that level in Bard, allowing me to better support my Fighter partymate in his quest to take over as warlord of the local orc horde.
All that is to basically say that you need to find your own play style. What have you had fun doing with your character? If it's damage dealing, then yes you'll probably want to multiclass, because bards are not actually very good at that. It is a wonderful class and definitely contributes, but in other ways than pure damage numbers. Even as a character who is trying to be a swordsman mainly I still turn the tide with spells. I recently took out a whole contingent of enemies with Hypnotic Pattern and my rapier.
Do you like melee combat? If so, taking a level in Hexblade will give you some immediate benefits that will let you survive and contribute in the front line. Not just the Charisma bonus to your rapier, but also heavier armor, shields, and the Shield spell.
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Canto alla vita alla sua bellezza ad ogni sua ferita ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
I'd strongly consider Hexblade for medium armor proficiency and the Shield spell. However, you are level 5 already, so I would definitely not take it until at least level 8. At level 6, as you mentioned, you get your magical secrets, so if you're looking for combat efficacy your answer is right there. Consider taking something like Conjure Animals to tie up the enemy with 8 summons while dealing great damage as well. Your other choice should probably be Shield unless you took the moderately armored feat at level 4. At level 7, you get your level 4 spells, so you probably don't want to delay those, either.
Also if your wizard has a wand of fireballs AND a wand of lightning bolts you could maybe ask to "borrow" one of them? Are they really using enough charges a day to justify having both?
I'd strongly consider Hexblade for medium armor proficiency and the Shield spell. However, you are level 5 already, so I would definitely not take it until at least level 8. At level 6, as you mentioned, you get your magical secrets, so if you're looking for combat efficacy your answer is right there. Consider taking something like Conjure Animals to tie up the enemy with 8 summons while dealing great damage as well. Your other choice should probably be Shield unless you took the moderately armored feat at level 4. At level 7, you get your level 4 spells, so you probably don't want to delay those, either.
Also if your wizard has a wand of fireballs AND a wand of lightning bolts you could maybe ask to "borrow" one of them? Are they really using enough charges a day to justify having both?
She chose fireball and lightning bolt for her 3rd level spells, and she’s has a wand of wonder since 1st level. If she had a wand of fireballs or lightning bolts that would be way more consistent! :)
I'd strongly consider Hexblade for medium armor proficiency and the Shield spell. However, you are level 5 already, so I would definitely not take it until at least level 8. At level 6, as you mentioned, you get your magical secrets, so if you're looking for combat efficacy your answer is right there. Consider taking something like Conjure Animals to tie up the enemy with 8 summons while dealing great damage as well. Your other choice should probably be Shield unless you took the moderately armored feat at level 4. At level 7, you get your level 4 spells, so you probably don't want to delay those, either.
Also if your wizard has a wand of fireballs AND a wand of lightning bolts you could maybe ask to "borrow" one of them? Are they really using enough charges a day to justify having both?
She chose fireball and lightning bolt for her 3rd level spells, and she’s has a wand of wonder since 1st level. If she had a wand of fireballs or lightning bolts that would be way more consistent! :)
Oh okay, well fireball and lightning bolt are both amazing at level 5, but diminish in power pretty quickly as you level up. You might want to consider letting her feel super powerful for now and focus on support, and maybe start bringing out big guns like hypnotic pattern, slow, or conjure animals at level 6.
Consider the following: with just two levels in warlock, ANY warlock, you now have a really good source of damage with eldritch blast cantrip and agonizing blast invocation. With that alone, your bard will always have a reliable option to help in combat instead of using a single rapier attack or a weak vicious mockery.
The big question is "when"? I think after your first magical secrets, that might be a good thing, or if combat has been particularly difficult, then multiclass ASAP.
Thanks for all your advice! I will consider multiclassing again around seventh level. For my magical secrets, I was thinking Haste for one. I already have slow and leomund's tiny hut as 3rd level spells. Is it worth it to take a magical secrets for a lower level spell? For example, Shield or a level-up-able damage spell?
Thanks for all your advice! I will consider multiclassing again around seventh level. For my magical secrets, I was thinking Haste for one. I already have slow and leomund's tiny hut as 3rd level spells. Is it worth it to take a magical secrets for a lower level spell? For example, Shield or a level-up-able damage spell?
Magical Secrets choices are varied and complex, but if you are set on being more effective in melee combat, getting Shield and a blade cantrip like Booming Blade will definitely give you a boost in melee defense and offense.
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Canto alla vita alla sua bellezza ad ogni sua ferita ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
Is it worth it to take a magical secrets for a lower level spell? For example, Shield or a level-up-able damage spell?
Magical Secrets choices are varied and complex
This.
It all depends. But there is absolutely nothing wrong inherently with spending a magical secret on a lower level spell. It's about filling in the gaps to the toolkit you're building from base bard. Already have two or three heavy hitting third level spells vying for spell slot attention? Then picking a ritual like Phantom Steed, or lower level spell where there is less competition is extremely valuable.
As for Shield specifically, I think you're better off getting that through the hexblade dip. Two levels (at character level 7 and 8) would fix you up perfectly when it comes to being more battle ready.
But frankly, you'r forcing a square peg through a round hole. Somehow hexblade makes it fit, just barely, but this isn't the Lore Bard's thing. You can easily build it to be a powerful spell slinger though and get just as much and even more out of your spells as the blast happy wizard. Magical Secrets can be used to pick up all sorts of flashy spells that will make you feel super powerful whenever you cast them.
Is it worth it to take a magical secrets for a lower level spell? For example, Shield or a level-up-able damage spell?
Magical Secrets choices are varied and complex
This.
It all depends. But there is absolutely nothing wrong inherently with spending a magical secret on a lower level spell. It's about filling in the gaps to the toolkit you're building from base bard. Already have two or three heavy hitting third level spells vying for spell slot attention? Then picking a ritual like Phantom Steed, or lower level spell where there is less competition is extremely valuable.
As for Shield specifically, I think you're better off getting that through the hexblade dip. Two levels (at character level 7 and 8) would fix you up perfectly when it comes to being more battle ready.
But frankly, you'r forcing a square peg through a round hole. Somehow hexblade makes it fit, just barely, but this isn't the Lore Bard's thing. You can easily build it to be a powerful spell slinger though and get just as much and even more out of your spells as the blast happy wizard. Magical Secrets can be used to pick up all sorts of flashy spells that will make you feel super powerful whenever you cast them.
I chose the subclass before realizing what I would want from the character (2nd character ever). But I've found Cutting Words to be super useful! Combine that with a tiefling's hellish rebuke, and I actually want to be hit so I can use my cool abilities. I wouldn't want to do a subclass switch because I feel like extra magical secrets and cutting words is worth it, and I would be switching just as I get my magical secrets, which feels like a bad idea.
I would definitely take Lore Bard to 6 to unlock those juicy magical secrets. After that I would multiclass into hexblade warlock. If rapier stabby stabby and hellish rebuke are the things you're enjoying the most then this pivot will help you be much better at it. Warlock Pact slots will provide fuel for hellish rebuking and booming blade can make those charisma based stabs much deadlier. Not to mention all of the defensive boons hexblade brings that make standing on the front lines so much more palatable. I'd probably stick to two levels and then go back to Bard, but the third level definitely has some enticing options.
As for magical secrets, I recommend Spiritual Weapon and Spirit Guardians. Just rip off the clerics. This duo of spells builds an excellent melee routine on its own. The addition of booming blade and hellish rebuke combine to quite a nice amount of damage output. Don't forget the dodge action. Sometimes just standing there with the Spirit Guardians blending away is all you need. Your concentration saves probably aren't great so I recommend taking Eldritch Mind as one of your invocations and picking up resilient (con) at the next ASI.
Other good choices for Magical Secrets could be Revivify or Counterspell (bards are the best counterspellers in the game because of Jack of All Trades). Also keep in mind that you get your 4th level spells at level 7 if you stick with bard.
I would definitely take Lore Bard to 6 to unlock those juicy magical secrets. After that I would multiclass into hexblade warlock. If rapier stabby stabby and hellish rebuke are the things you're enjoying the most then this pivot will help you be much better at it. Warlock Pact slots will provide fuel for hellish rebuking and booming blade can make those charisma based stabs much deadlier. Not to mention all of the defensive boons hexblade brings that make standing on the front lines so much more palatable. I'd probably stick to two levels and then go back to Bard, but the third level definitely has some enticing options.
As for magical secrets, I recommend Spiritual Weapon and Spirit Guardians. Just rip off the clerics. This duo of spells builds an excellent melee routine on its own. The addition of booming blade and hellish rebuke combine to quite a nice amount of damage output. Don't forget the dodge action. Sometimes just standing there with the Spirit Guardians blending away is all you need. Your concentration saves probably aren't great so I recommend taking Eldritch Mind as one of your invocations and picking up resilient (con) at the next ASI.
We have a cleric as well with both those spells. Party is: Monk, Cleric, Ranger, Wizard, Bard, Assorted Animals.
Define "effective in combat" if you want, because to me a bard has plenty of effective combat spells, but I seem to think to you that just means big damage numbers? That's fine, but it will decide how you build the character quite a lot. Also taking both fireball and Lightning bolt, while very blasty, sounds a bit redundant, no? I'm sure there's a second spell out there that allows you to do something better than just a big damage number that has a big effect on combat.
I have a fifth level tiefling bard of the lore college named Harmony (my profile pic is a drawing I made of her) and awhile ago I was trying to figure out more ways to feel effective in combat. My dm worked with me and helped me start to use my rapier more, using my bardic inspiration and hellish rebuke to follow up opponents attacks. Multiclassing into hexblade warlock would allow me to use my charisma modifier, which is, thanks to a lucky roll and an ability score increase, a +5, instead of my dexterity on my attacks. It would also allow me to curse opponents and have a much better armor class thanks to the medium armor proficiency.
I also have a story worked out- Harmony was approached by a shadow spirit who claimed to be attracted to her music. The spirit offered her enhanced abilities for a reward for pleasing it… and it would only require a little pact. Harmony naively agreed. Now, her music has strains of shadow, her jokes have dark tones in them, and a streak of her hair has turned a darker purple.
However, I am concerned about missing out on bard features and being a level behind in my main class. Especially since the next lore feature involves spells from other classes, which would also increase her combat abilities.
A little background info- the party also includes an impulsive wizard character who has a wand of wonder and fireballs/lightning bolts all the time. I’ve been feeling a little like my subtle bard is less cool- but even with the college of lore feature, the wizard will be a step ahead. I think this multiclass might help me embrace the different side of my character- both roleplaying and mechanically, but I’m not sure.
What do you think?
Only spilt the party if you see something shiny.
Ariendela Sneakerson, Half-elf Rogue (8); Harmony Wolfsbane, Tiefling Bard (10); Agnomally, Gnomish Sorcerer (3); Breeze, Tabaxi Monk (8); Grace, Dragonborn Barbarian (7); DM, Homebrew- The Sequestered Lands/Underwater Explorers; Candlekeep
I feel you. We have the same type wizard in our party with a wand of wonder. We also have a pally and marksman Ranger. I'll never out damage them or come close. I have posted before that I (at lvl. 11) have probably used my rapier a dozen times past the first few levels. I focus on support. Skills, skills, skills! I am a badass at this. I even get a bonus to Counterspell with this. Cutting words can save the day at the right time. Bardic inspiration to help with that save? Thank you. There are control spells, dispel and identify, and heal spells. At lvl 6 you get your first magical secrets. There are a lot of posts on peoples' favorites here. All that being said, it has taken some time for me to find my way. I have felt next to useless in a fight when I looked at damage rolls and spell casting in fights. But every level, I have felt more at home and gotten more powerful. I am the face of the party. If someone else wants that role, sorry. That's my specialty...you go slash some orcs. I missed a session around level7 or 8 and next week the group told me how much they ended up missing me. They didn't realize everything I did to help the party.
Now all that being said, that is more my playstyle. Some people want to be more aggressive. Not sure Lore Bard is the best subclass at that but it isn't far behind. You magical secrets can get you Fireball or Spirit Guardians or (insert spell here). Or pick some really cool spells with flavor. I picked Tiny Servant with secrets because it is fun. I would have taken Find Greater Steed at lvl 10 but our pally would have been so butt hurt so I didn't but Wall of Force. I'll have that. A dip in Hexblade might get you an extra bonus attack/damage but you'll never get the extra attacks and damage output of the Wizard. Roleplaying wise it might be fun but getting those extra spells and getting Cha to 20 to me is a must.
You will feel more powerful as you level. Better skill modifiers, bigger inspiration die and better spells. Learn what your saves for spells are and use the proper one at the time. Our DM throws a lot of high Wis enemies at us so I rarely use any charm type spell so I'll look at a Dex save or such spell. I, maybe foolishly ?, feel at lvl 11, I could take on any of my party members in a one on one fight and win most of the time. I have such a big bag of tricks. I enjoy playing support. I have played other characters and Bard is by far my favorite.
Hopefully someone who plays a more aggressive style Lore Bard will post. I would like to see how they do it.
I will share with you my own bard multiclassing story:
All that is to basically say that you need to find your own play style. What have you had fun doing with your character? If it's damage dealing, then yes you'll probably want to multiclass, because bards are not actually very good at that. It is a wonderful class and definitely contributes, but in other ways than pure damage numbers. Even as a character who is trying to be a swordsman mainly I still turn the tide with spells. I recently took out a whole contingent of enemies with Hypnotic Pattern and my rapier.
Do you like melee combat? If so, taking a level in Hexblade will give you some immediate benefits that will let you survive and contribute in the front line. Not just the Charisma bonus to your rapier, but also heavier armor, shields, and the Shield spell.
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
I'd strongly consider Hexblade for medium armor proficiency and the Shield spell. However, you are level 5 already, so I would definitely not take it until at least level 8. At level 6, as you mentioned, you get your magical secrets, so if you're looking for combat efficacy your answer is right there. Consider taking something like Conjure Animals to tie up the enemy with 8 summons while dealing great damage as well. Your other choice should probably be Shield unless you took the moderately armored feat at level 4. At level 7, you get your level 4 spells, so you probably don't want to delay those, either.
Also if your wizard has a wand of fireballs AND a wand of lightning bolts you could maybe ask to "borrow" one of them? Are they really using enough charges a day to justify having both?
She chose fireball and lightning bolt for her 3rd level spells, and she’s has a wand of wonder since 1st level. If she had a wand of fireballs or lightning bolts that would be way more consistent! :)
Only spilt the party if you see something shiny.
Ariendela Sneakerson, Half-elf Rogue (8); Harmony Wolfsbane, Tiefling Bard (10); Agnomally, Gnomish Sorcerer (3); Breeze, Tabaxi Monk (8); Grace, Dragonborn Barbarian (7); DM, Homebrew- The Sequestered Lands/Underwater Explorers; Candlekeep
Oh okay, well fireball and lightning bolt are both amazing at level 5, but diminish in power pretty quickly as you level up. You might want to consider letting her feel super powerful for now and focus on support, and maybe start bringing out big guns like hypnotic pattern, slow, or conjure animals at level 6.
Yeah, you should multiclass.
Consider the following: with just two levels in warlock, ANY warlock, you now have a really good source of damage with eldritch blast cantrip and agonizing blast invocation. With that alone, your bard will always have a reliable option to help in combat instead of using a single rapier attack or a weak vicious mockery.
The big question is "when"? I think after your first magical secrets, that might be a good thing, or if combat has been particularly difficult, then multiclass ASAP.
Thanks for all your advice! I will consider multiclassing again around seventh level. For my magical secrets, I was thinking Haste for one. I already have slow and leomund's tiny hut as 3rd level spells. Is it worth it to take a magical secrets for a lower level spell? For example, Shield or a level-up-able damage spell?
Only spilt the party if you see something shiny.
Ariendela Sneakerson, Half-elf Rogue (8); Harmony Wolfsbane, Tiefling Bard (10); Agnomally, Gnomish Sorcerer (3); Breeze, Tabaxi Monk (8); Grace, Dragonborn Barbarian (7); DM, Homebrew- The Sequestered Lands/Underwater Explorers; Candlekeep
Magical Secrets choices are varied and complex, but if you are set on being more effective in melee combat, getting Shield and a blade cantrip like Booming Blade will definitely give you a boost in melee defense and offense.
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
This.
It all depends. But there is absolutely nothing wrong inherently with spending a magical secret on a lower level spell. It's about filling in the gaps to the toolkit you're building from base bard. Already have two or three heavy hitting third level spells vying for spell slot attention? Then picking a ritual like Phantom Steed, or lower level spell where there is less competition is extremely valuable.
As for Shield specifically, I think you're better off getting that through the hexblade dip. Two levels (at character level 7 and 8) would fix you up perfectly when it comes to being more battle ready.
But frankly, you'r forcing a square peg through a round hole. Somehow hexblade makes it fit, just barely, but this isn't the Lore Bard's thing. You can easily build it to be a powerful spell slinger though and get just as much and even more out of your spells as the blast happy wizard. Magical Secrets can be used to pick up all sorts of flashy spells that will make you feel super powerful whenever you cast them.
I chose the subclass before realizing what I would want from the character (2nd character ever). But I've found Cutting Words to be super useful! Combine that with a tiefling's hellish rebuke, and I actually want to be hit so I can use my cool abilities. I wouldn't want to do a subclass switch because I feel like extra magical secrets and cutting words is worth it, and I would be switching just as I get my magical secrets, which feels like a bad idea.
Only spilt the party if you see something shiny.
Ariendela Sneakerson, Half-elf Rogue (8); Harmony Wolfsbane, Tiefling Bard (10); Agnomally, Gnomish Sorcerer (3); Breeze, Tabaxi Monk (8); Grace, Dragonborn Barbarian (7); DM, Homebrew- The Sequestered Lands/Underwater Explorers; Candlekeep
I would definitely take Lore Bard to 6 to unlock those juicy magical secrets. After that I would multiclass into hexblade warlock. If rapier stabby stabby and hellish rebuke are the things you're enjoying the most then this pivot will help you be much better at it. Warlock Pact slots will provide fuel for hellish rebuking and booming blade can make those charisma based stabs much deadlier. Not to mention all of the defensive boons hexblade brings that make standing on the front lines so much more palatable. I'd probably stick to two levels and then go back to Bard, but the third level definitely has some enticing options.
As for magical secrets, I recommend Spiritual Weapon and Spirit Guardians. Just rip off the clerics. This duo of spells builds an excellent melee routine on its own. The addition of booming blade and hellish rebuke combine to quite a nice amount of damage output. Don't forget the dodge action. Sometimes just standing there with the Spirit Guardians blending away is all you need. Your concentration saves probably aren't great so I recommend taking Eldritch Mind as one of your invocations and picking up resilient (con) at the next ASI.
Other good choices for Magical Secrets could be Revivify or Counterspell (bards are the best counterspellers in the game because of Jack of All Trades). Also keep in mind that you get your 4th level spells at level 7 if you stick with bard.
We have a cleric as well with both those spells. Party is: Monk, Cleric, Ranger, Wizard, Bard, Assorted Animals.
Only spilt the party if you see something shiny.
Ariendela Sneakerson, Half-elf Rogue (8); Harmony Wolfsbane, Tiefling Bard (10); Agnomally, Gnomish Sorcerer (3); Breeze, Tabaxi Monk (8); Grace, Dragonborn Barbarian (7); DM, Homebrew- The Sequestered Lands/Underwater Explorers; Candlekeep
Define "effective in combat" if you want, because to me a bard has plenty of effective combat spells, but I seem to think to you that just means big damage numbers? That's fine, but it will decide how you build the character quite a lot. Also taking both fireball and Lightning bolt, while very blasty, sounds a bit redundant, no? I'm sure there's a second spell out there that allows you to do something better than just a big damage number that has a big effect on combat.