Hello something is bothering me about the bard spell list.

I am playing a circus clown kinda character who comes from... well the circus obviously. I took the entertainer background.
In order to personify my vision I started as a rogue so I could take expertise in both acrobatics and athletics.
The idea is that he is litterraly an acrobat. Also he is a knife thrower because that goes well with both the circus universe and the rogue class.

So far so good.

But then I've been multiclassing in the bard class because you know, he is a showman.

So when I had to pick spells I wanted spells that appeals to the circus universe.

So I thought "oh he's an acrobat" so he could know "jump"... 
But the bard doesn't have jump in is spell list... Damn it.

And then I thought "oh he could be spitting fire" so I looked for the spell "burning hand" that I would have just re-flavored.
It's fire, it's a cone, It's perfect.
But the bard doesn't get access to it... Damn it again.

So my question is "Why?"
I think that there is a missing opportunity here with the bard spell list.
Those are the 2 spells that I am thinking of but I am sure that there are many other spells that could fit the circus theme that are missing.

Wouldn't you agree?

The theme of the Bard as a whole is much more social/support oriented. Hypothetically I’m sure you could argue there’s at least a dozen spells that would “fit” some potential interpretation of what a Bard is, but at least at present their spell list is curated primarily towards support, control, and social spells, with some typically mind or sound based damage to round it out. 1D&D seems intent on killing that aspect, though, so we’ll see what that looks like once the dust has settled.

Oh, and just a passing thought: you don’t really need to dip into a Bard just to reflect a character’s sense of showmanship. Just taking the Perform skill and/or having high CHA can cover that, or you could even just make it entirely roleplay. Class fleshes out a character, but it’s not prerequisite to defining their personality.

Quote from The_Ace_of_Rogues >>

The theme of the Bard as a whole is much more social/support oriented. Hypothetically I’m sure you could argue there’s at least a dozen spells that would “fit” some potential interpretation of what a Bard is, but at least at present their spell list is curated primarily towards support, control, and social spells, with some typically mind or sound based damage to round it out. 1D&D seems intent on killing that aspect, though, so we’ll see what that looks like once the dust has settled.

Oh, and just a passing thought: you don’t really need to dip into a Bard just to reflect a character’s sense of showmanship. Just taking the Perform skill and/or having high CHA can cover that, or you could even just make it entirely roleplay. Class fleshes out a character, but it’s not prerequisite to defining their personality.

 To expand on this.

Focus your skill set on things that apply.

Acrobatics

Performance

Slight of hand

and possibly deception and persuasion. 

Featherfall

Heroism

Silent Image

Unseen Servant

All look like they might fit your theme. You'll get a chance at jump when you get magical secrets, and although that seems far off, that's the trade off to get the bard's other abilities. If that's not to your liking you'd probably be better served by arcane trickster rogue than by multiclassing to bard.

Still, I think the bard spell list should include this kind of spells. 

I think the "circus theme" is very on brand in addition to what it is already. 

I am just saying it feels like a missed opportunity in the way that it makes more sense to me to give "jump" to a bard then to a wizard or a sorcerer.

And yes I could go arcane trickster to get the spells I want but that is not the point. I was questioning the bard spell list.

BUT

To all of you who took the time to answer my question I'll also admit that this is only my point of view and your opinion is also valid.

Quote from Frankylemarmot >>

Still, I think the bard spell list should include this kind of spells. 

I think the "circus theme" is very on brand in addition to what it is already. 

I am just saying it feels like a missed opportunity in the way that it makes more sense to me to give "jump" to a bard then to a wizard or a sorcerer.

And yes I could go arcane trickster to get the spells I want but that is not the point. I was questioning the bard spell list.

BUT

To all of you who took the time to answer my question I'll also admit that this is only my point of view and your opinion is also valid.

 Circus theme is more role play than anything else. I could not see assigning spells to the circus class.  

You don't have to be a bard to be a clown. Just find a class that works with high charisma, like a Sorcerer, and just RP them as a clown.

Looking at the sorcerer spell list, it seems like this would be a pretty good class to give you the spell options you want for clowning around. 

https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/class/sorcerer

Good luck and have a great day!

Ah I get it... I rolled a 1 on reading comprehension today lol

However, you may have a point, and maybe "clown" should be an option as like a subclass or something. 

College of Creation
College of Eloquence
College of Glamour
College of Lore
College of Swords
College of Valor
College of Whispers

*New* Clown College? You can create new subclasses: https://www.dndbeyond.com/homebrew/creations/create-subclass

Work with your DM and maybe you two can come up with something pretty awesome! Honestly, as a DM I would do it lol sounds like a Clown College Bard would be pretty cool!

Edit: I'm gonna actually work on that now~ Thanks for the idea!

Just a minor reminder of mideveal job descriptions: 
Bard, the guy who sings songs and tells stories as well as advising his honor on history, ancient battles, etc
Jester, the clown who entertains with pratfalls, jokes, sarcasm and naughty stories.