Hey folks, I'm joining a game soon and am wanting to do a bard. I just wanted some help on spells or ideas, so I won't be a drag on the party. My concept is a Changeling Eloquence bard, with a background in faction agent. I had the idea of using different identities depending on the areas to accomplish differing social effects since I will not be a heavy hitter. maybe convincing mobs to fight for/ with us. Any help is appreciated.
It appears you created this character to begin on level 3. In a normal progression you would typically enter level 3 and have two level 3 spells on your spell list because you would reduce your level 1 spell list by one spell and used that with your "new spell" to put two spells on your list at second level. But that is just getting down in the weeds.
I am playing a College of Lore Bard at fifth level in one campaign. If you search for Cadenza you can read all about him on the Bard forum. Let me tell you what spells I have and even tell you something about how he interacts with the party. You will have a different approach but if you know why I chose the things I chose, you will be better able to decide if they might work for you.
Cadenza, College of Lore Bard @ lvl 3 - Carries a Wooden Flute as his spell casting focus, fights with a light crossbow, rapier, dagger & short sword as a backup weapon
Str 10, Dex 14, Wis 14, Int 12, Con 12, Chr 16 - Half Elf (Performer) - Prof in Acrobatics, Perception, Persuasion, Performance, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Deception, Intimidation, Animal Handling - Jack of All Trades - Song of Rest - Cutting Words** - Expertise - 3x Bardic Inspiration (d6)
In combat he often opens up with Bane, a concentration spell, to help with crowd control for his mates and then helps by casting Dissonant Whispers and Healing Word if very necessary, when he isn't using his rapier or crossbow. If he gets into real trouble he can pull back from combat and cast Vicious Mockery, but usually he is fighting alongside the rogue so the rogue gets the extra damage die for sneak attack. He often carries his crossbow ready to shoot, but only gets a shot off once in a while. Our Cleric would often open up by casting Bless and then diving into combat and letting me carry the ball for healing. Healing Word is a Bonus Action Spell, which matters quite a bit. Cutting Words, a College of Lore Bard ability, is very handy. It allows, as a reaction, my bard Cadenza to force one successful attack against a party member to roll a Bardic Inspiration die and deduct the total from the attack roll often causing the monster to miss his attack. That is a very big party benefit. Now that I am 5th level and I have Chr = 18, I have four Bardic Inspirations (d8) so it is much more powerful, and I have Font of Inspiration which allows me to recover my Bardic Inspiration Die on each short rest. My Song of Rest ability allows Cadenza (and all Bards) to give out an extra d6 (at 2nd level) of HP during each short rest. If we took many short rests that would be a huge benefit. For that matter, I recommend the party takes a short rest immediately before taking their long rest in case they attacked during the night. They will have recovered some of their "talents" before settling down for their long rest.
At fifth level, Cadenza still often opens combat with Bane, uses cutting words and tries to help the Rogue get his sneak attack. Invisibility and silence are used to help the Rogue in general do his Rogue-ish stuff. In a pinch Silence can act like Dispel Magic but shutting down magic. Dispel Magic is used to prevent one of our main fighters from being effectively taken out of action with magic, like heat metal or something like that. Dissonant Whispers is great for giving the party a chance to use Attacks of Opportunity against foes that are forced to flee combat. Cadenza is still able to "try and drop out of combat" and use Vicious Mockery and Cutting Words to help his party. Song of Rest and all that stuff are still helping the party too.
At 6th level Cadenza gets an additional spell, which will be used to add a 3rd level spell Sending for RP reasons, and two additional spells of Counterspell (3rd level) and either Fireball (3rd level) or Thunderstep (3rd Level). Counterspell allows Cadenza to be the ultimate spell blocker with his reaction. Fireball of course gives out massive damage if the target creatures don't make their save or have resistance or immunity to fire damage, and Thunderstep allows the Bard to rescue himself and the Rogue if they get in over their heads.
At present, I am leaning toward taking my ASI at level 8 to buff my Charisma to 20.
Our Cleric has taken Enhance Ability (a level 2 spell) and Spiritual Weapon, which has been very helpful. Our Sorcerer has taken Counterspell already at the fifth level, but I think two PCs with Counterspell will be a wise investment. I am going to encourage our Cleric to pick up Guidance, which is a great cantrip.
I encourage you to get your primary weapon silvered in case you come up against monsters with that sort of resistance to mundane weapons. I also encourage you to try to find and acquire Elven Chain, which is a +1 chain shirt that allows you to wear it as if you were proficient with medium armors. My Bard has found a set of Pipes of Haunting which has helped in two combats. It is very good against low level monsters where you can be swarmed from many sides, because it can make them run away in fear. Now that my spell save DC is 15, I am pretty effective using spells, and most low level 'minion' types don't have a high wisdom. And using the Pipes of Haunting doesn't cost me a spell slot.
I hope this give you some ideas for developing your own Bard. Good luck!
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Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
Get that con up, you will need it for hp and concentration checks.
At level 3 sleep is still a good spell. Dissonant whisper is a must. Some other spells i would keep at top priority (depending on what the rest of the party has to offer)
1. Fairy fire, healing word, detect magic and comprehend languages (ritual casting is great)
Keep in mind you have stuff to cast that doesnt require concentration, and you'll be fine. Also avoid overlapp, i would certainly not go for both charm person and suggestion, for instance (the latter is so much stronger) You've picked a great subclass and race.
ooh im playing a bard in a campaign and he uses invisibility a lot because its a very useful spell. we faced a chull and I basically tf2 backstabbed it after I uncloaked. it was great bard is super fun to play.
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Hey folks, I'm joining a game soon and am wanting to do a bard. I just wanted some help on spells or ideas, so I won't be a drag on the party. My concept is a Changeling Eloquence bard, with a background in faction agent. I had the idea of using different identities depending on the areas to accomplish differing social effects since I will not be a heavy hitter. maybe convincing mobs to fight for/ with us. Any help is appreciated.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/RevMonty/characters/37409867
It appears you created this character to begin on level 3. In a normal progression you would typically enter level 3 and have two level 3 spells on your spell list because you would reduce your level 1 spell list by one spell and used that with your "new spell" to put two spells on your list at second level. But that is just getting down in the weeds.
I am playing a College of Lore Bard at fifth level in one campaign. If you search for Cadenza you can read all about him on the Bard forum. Let me tell you what spells I have and even tell you something about how he interacts with the party. You will have a different approach but if you know why I chose the things I chose, you will be better able to decide if they might work for you.
Cadenza, College of Lore Bard @ lvl 3 - Carries a Wooden Flute as his spell casting focus, fights with a light crossbow, rapier, dagger & short sword as a backup weapon
Str 10, Dex 14, Wis 14, Int 12, Con 12, Chr 16 - Half Elf (Performer) - Prof in Acrobatics, Perception, Persuasion, Performance, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Deception, Intimidation, Animal Handling - Jack of All Trades - Song of Rest - Cutting Words** - Expertise - 3x Bardic Inspiration (d6)
Cantrips: Prestidigitation, Vicious Mockery - 1st lvl spells: Bane, Charm Person, Dissonant Whispers, Healing Word - 2nd lvl spells: Invisibility, Phantasmal Force
In combat he often opens up with Bane, a concentration spell, to help with crowd control for his mates and then helps by casting Dissonant Whispers and Healing Word if very necessary, when he isn't using his rapier or crossbow. If he gets into real trouble he can pull back from combat and cast Vicious Mockery, but usually he is fighting alongside the rogue so the rogue gets the extra damage die for sneak attack. He often carries his crossbow ready to shoot, but only gets a shot off once in a while. Our Cleric would often open up by casting Bless and then diving into combat and letting me carry the ball for healing. Healing Word is a Bonus Action Spell, which matters quite a bit. Cutting Words, a College of Lore Bard ability, is very handy. It allows, as a reaction, my bard Cadenza to force one successful attack against a party member to roll a Bardic Inspiration die and deduct the total from the attack roll often causing the monster to miss his attack. That is a very big party benefit. Now that I am 5th level and I have Chr = 18, I have four Bardic Inspirations (d8) so it is much more powerful, and I have Font of Inspiration which allows me to recover my Bardic Inspiration Die on each short rest. My Song of Rest ability allows Cadenza (and all Bards) to give out an extra d6 (at 2nd level) of HP during each short rest. If we took many short rests that would be a huge benefit. For that matter, I recommend the party takes a short rest immediately before taking their long rest in case they attacked during the night. They will have recovered some of their "talents" before settling down for their long rest.
At 4th level he took the +2 Charisma ASI.
At level 5 Cadenza has the following spells:
Cantrips: Mending, Prestidigitation, Vicious Mockery - 1st lvl spells: Bane, Charm Person, Dissonant Whispers, Healing Word - 2nd lvl spells: Heat Metal, Invisibility, Silence - 3rd lvl spells: Dispel Magic
At fifth level, Cadenza still often opens combat with Bane, uses cutting words and tries to help the Rogue get his sneak attack. Invisibility and silence are used to help the Rogue in general do his Rogue-ish stuff. In a pinch Silence can act like Dispel Magic but shutting down magic. Dispel Magic is used to prevent one of our main fighters from being effectively taken out of action with magic, like heat metal or something like that. Dissonant Whispers is great for giving the party a chance to use Attacks of Opportunity against foes that are forced to flee combat. Cadenza is still able to "try and drop out of combat" and use Vicious Mockery and Cutting Words to help his party. Song of Rest and all that stuff are still helping the party too.
At 6th level Cadenza gets an additional spell, which will be used to add a 3rd level spell Sending for RP reasons, and two additional spells of Counterspell (3rd level) and either Fireball (3rd level) or Thunderstep (3rd Level). Counterspell allows Cadenza to be the ultimate spell blocker with his reaction. Fireball of course gives out massive damage if the target creatures don't make their save or have resistance or immunity to fire damage, and Thunderstep allows the Bard to rescue himself and the Rogue if they get in over their heads.
At present, I am leaning toward taking my ASI at level 8 to buff my Charisma to 20.
Our Cleric has taken Enhance Ability (a level 2 spell) and Spiritual Weapon, which has been very helpful. Our Sorcerer has taken Counterspell already at the fifth level, but I think two PCs with Counterspell will be a wise investment. I am going to encourage our Cleric to pick up Guidance, which is a great cantrip.
I encourage you to get your primary weapon silvered in case you come up against monsters with that sort of resistance to mundane weapons. I also encourage you to try to find and acquire Elven Chain, which is a +1 chain shirt that allows you to wear it as if you were proficient with medium armors. My Bard has found a set of Pipes of Haunting which has helped in two combats. It is very good against low level monsters where you can be swarmed from many sides, because it can make them run away in fear. Now that my spell save DC is 15, I am pretty effective using spells, and most low level 'minion' types don't have a high wisdom. And using the Pipes of Haunting doesn't cost me a spell slot.
I hope this give you some ideas for developing your own Bard. Good luck!
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
Get that con up, you will need it for hp and concentration checks.
At level 3 sleep is still a good spell. Dissonant whisper is a must. Some other spells i would keep at top priority (depending on what the rest of the party has to offer)
1. Fairy fire, healing word, detect magic and comprehend languages (ritual casting is great)
2nd. Invisibility, heat metal, suggestion, shatter.
Keep in mind you have stuff to cast that doesnt require concentration, and you'll be fine. Also avoid overlapp, i would certainly not go for both charm person and suggestion, for instance (the latter is so much stronger) You've picked a great subclass and race.
ooh im playing a bard in a campaign and he uses invisibility a lot because its a very useful spell. we faced a chull and I basically tf2 backstabbed it after I uncloaked. it was great bard is super fun to play.