As a bard, you'll find that "Charisma" is a useful stat for most of your spellcasting, and social interactions. Having that higher is always a plus.
There are a few races that provide considerable boosts to Charisma...
Aasimar are interesting...they are linked to celestials, or angelic creatures, devoted to law and goodness. They have celestial power in their bloodlines, and as such, are often destined for greatness. They tend to have very handsome or beautiful features, and be physically strong. People are naturally drawn to them, even if they don't know why. Many aasimar becomes heroes, or leaders...but with their plus 2 to Charisma, they can make fantastic bards. They also have minimal healing powers, and are resistant to both radiant and necrotic damage, a useful defensive trait. I particularly like "Fallen Aasimar"...they have been touched by evil, and can sprout skeletal wings that frighten and damage enemies around them...a good alternative to the classic benevolent aasimar.
Tieflings are the opposite...they have demonic power in their bloodlines, either due to their heritage, or by some curse from long ago. They are born with horns, tails, cloven feet, skin of various hues, such as reds, purples, pinks or more (take your pick!), and have eyes with no pupils. This makes them look like half-demons, so many distrust them or treat them with disdain. However, while they are victims of superstition, this does not make them evil...tieflings learn to be very social, as they must live among people despite their appearance. As such, they also get a plus 2 Charisma, and can be very outgoing...great for a bard. They also learn spells specific to their race, such as "Darkness", conjuring a veil of blackness for cover. Or "Hellish Rebuke", an amazing spell that let's you set an enemy on fire if they strike you.
Half Elves are a class that gets Charisma boosts, as well, though I don't typically play elves enough to lend an opinion...they tend to not fit in completely with humans or elves, making them outcasts somewhat. A wandering bard trying to find their place in the world, perhaps?
Changelings are a new race from Eberron, and they are amazing...they can assume the shape of any humanoid they see. They have a plus 2 Charisma, and typically have pale white skin, hair, and black eyes in their "natural form", making them look somewhat ghost-like. Shapechanging makes them good spies or assassins, sure...but as bards, they can be the perfect actors or performers. In addition, they can force an attacker to have disadvantage before making an attack with their "Unsettling Visage" ability...they make their face look ghastly and monstrous, causing their opponent to make a mistake, which is hilariously fun (think "Beetlejuice" when Keaton causes snakes to pop out from his face!).
Like Tony said, Tieflings are good because they increase your charisma. They are also typically characterized as evil by most in many campaigns so it’s fun being this super friendly thing with horns and a tail looking like a demon who runs around playing the flute being an all around wierd quirky character. Personally I really like Tieflings so slightly biased here but it’s the race I would go with.
Try Orc, i think it lends itself to any playstyle. Kobalt is good but, not really as good as Orc. I think youll find it not only fun to play an orc... but its also completely optimized for a Bard in my oppinion. Even better If you plan a valour bard (because of the strength bonus). The con is nice... I mean its always nice to have. You wont need to worry about intelligence, so dont worry.
My Barlock is a half-elf. Charisma boost is great, bumping 2 more state by one awesome, and darkvision is a must when you are sneaky.... but the best part is the 2 extra skills! Tailor made for bard and he's my favorite character to play. At lvl 14, he has a +18 to persuasion and deception so social encounters are a breeze!
I made a Aarakocra that resembles a parrot and is an entertainer. Light armor still allows flight which for gm sake, isn't a thing to abuse. Course what isn't to love about a parrot that uses maracas and a tambourine while shaking his tail feathers. Bonus to dexterity can help you keep alive and wisdom helps for feeling things out. Adult at age 3 means you don't gotta be smart so can take literal meanings in things. Like when you are renamed birdy, you call people by their species. Like call the honorable dragon born a lizard, or the small, yet fully grown gnome a human child. Prodigy human if you want.
In the end, get an idea of a character that makes you chuckle and ditch the racial bonuses. Since int he end it is all numbers and dice. And if your party is super powerful, the big bad will end up with more health or if really weak, maybe get stronger allies. Depends on what humanoid you like.
Kobolds can also be fun as you inspire in draconic and can clamber onto the head to surf helmets in combat. Play into the cute and charming, but the crafty to affix spoons to your tail and a tiny drum. Shake tail and thaumaturgy to make it far louder than it should be.
Your a bard. Music bonds all, and you will be loved by all.
I know it's been a few days but Variant Humans are great as Bards. Just put your two stat increases in Cha and something like Dex then choose your feat which is very handy to have.
The new Eladrin sub race from Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes gives a fantastic option for Sword Bards if you would like a elf race...it also helps that their race features are very interesting.
They can assume one of four different personalities based on the four seasons, and switch between them on a long rest (if you wish). For instance, their Winter personality is likely calm, stoic, sad or creepy...but the Summer personality would be tough, intimidating, powerful or quick-tempered.
In addition, their free "Misty Step" feature gives them a short-rest teleport feature...with additional bonuses depending on the personality!
Frighten an enemy, or charm them, or teleport an ally to safety...or just set everyone on fire.
This has actually become a favorite bard race for me.
My Bard is Hal Elf for all the aforementioned CHA reasons. But to go into more detail about the benefit of Variant Human is the feats. You can really get into the grapple, Commando style Bards or a Crossbow Expert with Sharpshooter and start doing some of the best damage of your party. Obviously you'll still needs abilities, especially if you find yourself taking hits or just barely missing your hits, but feats can be a real game changer and change the dynamics of your play!
Hi, I'm new to being a Bard, and I'd like to know if there's any Races that would give me an advantage, or make it a bit more fun, thanks!
Certainly!
As a bard, you'll find that "Charisma" is a useful stat for most of your spellcasting, and social interactions. Having that higher is always a plus.
There are a few races that provide considerable boosts to Charisma...
Aasimar are interesting...they are linked to celestials, or angelic creatures, devoted to law and goodness. They have celestial power in their bloodlines, and as such, are often destined for greatness. They tend to have very handsome or beautiful features, and be physically strong. People are naturally drawn to them, even if they don't know why. Many aasimar becomes heroes, or leaders...but with their plus 2 to Charisma, they can make fantastic bards. They also have minimal healing powers, and are resistant to both radiant and necrotic damage, a useful defensive trait. I particularly like "Fallen Aasimar"...they have been touched by evil, and can sprout skeletal wings that frighten and damage enemies around them...a good alternative to the classic benevolent aasimar.
Tieflings are the opposite...they have demonic power in their bloodlines, either due to their heritage, or by some curse from long ago. They are born with horns, tails, cloven feet, skin of various hues, such as reds, purples, pinks or more (take your pick!), and have eyes with no pupils. This makes them look like half-demons, so many distrust them or treat them with disdain. However, while they are victims of superstition, this does not make them evil...tieflings learn to be very social, as they must live among people despite their appearance. As such, they also get a plus 2 Charisma, and can be very outgoing...great for a bard. They also learn spells specific to their race, such as "Darkness", conjuring a veil of blackness for cover. Or "Hellish Rebuke", an amazing spell that let's you set an enemy on fire if they strike you.
Half Elves are a class that gets Charisma boosts, as well, though I don't typically play elves enough to lend an opinion...they tend to not fit in completely with humans or elves, making them outcasts somewhat. A wandering bard trying to find their place in the world, perhaps?
Changelings are a new race from Eberron, and they are amazing...they can assume the shape of any humanoid they see. They have a plus 2 Charisma, and typically have pale white skin, hair, and black eyes in their "natural form", making them look somewhat ghost-like. Shapechanging makes them good spies or assassins, sure...but as bards, they can be the perfect actors or performers. In addition, they can force an attacker to have disadvantage before making an attack with their "Unsettling Visage" ability...they make their face look ghastly and monstrous, causing their opponent to make a mistake, which is hilariously fun (think "Beetlejuice" when Keaton causes snakes to pop out from his face!).
Like Tony said, Tieflings are good because they increase your charisma. They are also typically characterized as evil by most in many campaigns so it’s fun being this super friendly thing with horns and a tail looking like a demon who runs around playing the flute being an all around wierd quirky character. Personally I really like Tieflings so slightly biased here but it’s the race I would go with.
Try Orc, i think it lends itself to any playstyle. Kobalt is good but, not really as good as Orc. I think youll find it not only fun to play an orc... but its also completely optimized for a Bard in my oppinion. Even better If you plan a valour bard (because of the strength bonus). The con is nice... I mean its always nice to have. You wont need to worry about intelligence, so dont worry.
Thanks, guys. All these races sound great for a new bard character.
No problem, really think orc is great
My Barlock is a half-elf. Charisma boost is great, bumping 2 more state by one awesome, and darkvision is a must when you are sneaky.... but the best part is the 2 extra skills! Tailor made for bard and he's my favorite character to play. At lvl 14, he has a +18 to persuasion and deception so social encounters are a breeze!
Also, don't forget a quick glance at https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/226-bard-101-a-beginners-guide-to-guile-and-panache for the basics.
Variable Humans are fantastic, Lightfoot Halflings are very solid, Yuanti pure bloods are top tier... others have mentioned other great races too.
I made a Aarakocra that resembles a parrot and is an entertainer. Light armor still allows flight which for gm sake, isn't a thing to abuse. Course what isn't to love about a parrot that uses maracas and a tambourine while shaking his tail feathers. Bonus to dexterity can help you keep alive and wisdom helps for feeling things out. Adult at age 3 means you don't gotta be smart so can take literal meanings in things. Like when you are renamed birdy, you call people by their species. Like call the honorable dragon born a lizard, or the small, yet fully grown gnome a human child. Prodigy human if you want.
In the end, get an idea of a character that makes you chuckle and ditch the racial bonuses. Since int he end it is all numbers and dice. And if your party is super powerful, the big bad will end up with more health or if really weak, maybe get stronger allies. Depends on what humanoid you like.
Kobolds can also be fun as you inspire in draconic and can clamber onto the head to surf helmets in combat. Play into the cute and charming, but the crafty to affix spoons to your tail and a tiny drum. Shake tail and thaumaturgy to make it far louder than it should be.
Your a bard. Music bonds all, and you will be loved by all.
I know it's been a few days but Variant Humans are great as Bards. Just put your two stat increases in Cha and something like Dex then choose your feat which is very handy to have.
A gnome
Dragon born is great. +2strength and +1charisma
Especially if you are warrior bard
The new Eladrin sub race from Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes gives a fantastic option for Sword Bards if you would like a elf race...it also helps that their race features are very interesting.
They can assume one of four different personalities based on the four seasons, and switch between them on a long rest (if you wish). For instance, their Winter personality is likely calm, stoic, sad or creepy...but the Summer personality would be tough, intimidating, powerful or quick-tempered.
In addition, their free "Misty Step" feature gives them a short-rest teleport feature...with additional bonuses depending on the personality!
Frighten an enemy, or charm them, or teleport an ally to safety...or just set everyone on fire.
This has actually become a favorite bard race for me.
Pick a race based on personal preference, not stats.
"The Epic Level Handbook wasn't that bad, guys.
Guys, pls."
Surprised Tabaxi wasn't mentioned. +2 Dex, +1 Cha, and the lore practically begs you to play a wandering minstrel.
My Bard is Hal Elf for all the aforementioned CHA reasons. But to go into more detail about the benefit of Variant Human is the feats. You can really get into the grapple, Commando style Bards or a Crossbow Expert with Sharpshooter and start doing some of the best damage of your party. Obviously you'll still needs abilities, especially if you find yourself taking hits or just barely missing your hits, but feats can be a real game changer and change the dynamics of your play!
Use the giant garden gnome (found on DnD Beyond only). It gives you +5 Charisma but has other things to make it more balanced.
Any race is good for it. Play what you like.