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Returning 35 results for 'bards before direct combat rather'.
Classes
Player’s Handbook
skills that help them in a dungeon environment, such as climbing, finding and disarming traps, and opening locks.
In combat, Rogues prioritize subtle strikes over brute strength. They would rather make
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
as the Spider Swamp in Calimshan, where they create beautiful objects that express their artistry and which are sometimes traded to other communities. Most araneas prefer to avoid combat, befuddling
Skilled at Crafting …
1
Exceptionally comfortable bedding.
2
Furniture made of wood and canvas.
3
Poisons that are soporific rather than lethal.
4
Poultices and unguents
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
, Wall of Force
1/Day Each: Befuddlement, Clone, Finger of Death, Mind Blank (cast before combat), SimulacrumProtective Magic. Manshoon casts Counterspell or Shield in response to the spell’s
. That Manshoon is dead, and the current Manshoon is one of the original’s many clones. Being a magical copy rather than an original doesn’t make Manshoon any less of a threat, as he’s
Monsters
Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn
a cunning mind. Biha Babir is politically savvy and prefers to outsmart her opponents rather than battle them, though she doesn’t shy from combat if necessary.
Biha Babir covets opulence, but
Magic Items
Mythic Odysseys of Theros
the creatures pulling them work like controlled mounts, as described in the mounted combat rules in the Player’s Handbook, but with the following differences:
Mounting or dismounting a chariot
costs you 5 feet of movement, rather than a number of feet equal to half your speed.
Being mounted on a chariot grants you half cover.
A chariot’s speed is equal to the speed of the slowest
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
natural leader and a protective caregiver. She has a direct manner that reassures and inspires those around her.
Mercion does not worship a deity, but rather an ideal: that truth gives life to artistry
coming for you.”
Flaw. “My friends would say I’m inflexible. The truth is, I like things done a certain way.”
Combat Notes
Mercion counts on her armor to protect her as she
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
begins shortly after the steeder hatches. As it grows, its rider works with it to direct its predatory instincts.
Rather than spinning webs, steeders excrete a viscous substance from their legs. This goo allows them to creep along walls and ceilings and to grapple prey.
Trickery Domain
Legacy
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Classes
Player’s Handbook (2014)
, stealing from the rich, freeing captives, and flouting hollow traditions. They prefer subterfuge, pranks, deception, and theft rather than direct confrontation.
Trickery Domain Spells
Cleric
Monsters
Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse
begins shortly after the steeder hatches. As it grows, its rider works with it to direct its predatory instincts.
Rather than spinning webs, steeders excrete a viscous substance from their legs. This goo allows them to creep along walls and ceilings and to grapple prey.
Equipment
Combat
Utility
Whimsy
13
14
13
For those potion makers who have a culinary flair, using dried flakes from the pok pok fish is a way to give a savory and sorcerous kick to
any brew. Pok pok fish are notoriously hard to catch, but there are a few fisherfolk on the island who know all the tricks of the trade. They usually sell their wares direct to potion makers or market shops that specialize in potion ingredients and spell components.
Monsters
Acquisitions Incorporated
and earnest debate, he demonstrates an equal flair for planning and forethought, mad combat moves (involving leaping off high places whenever possible), and dark vengeance.
Viari's career as an
adventurer was nearly cut short during a battle of which the bards still sing. Unleashing a devastating attack with the aptly named Apocalypse Dagger, the rogue destroyed a giant single-handedly — and lost
War Caster
Legacy
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Feats
Player’s Handbook (2014)
You have practiced casting spells in the midst of combat, learning techniques that grant you the following benefits:
You have advantage on Constitution saving throws that you make to maintain your
provokes an opportunity attack from you, you can use your reaction to cast a spell at the creature, rather than making an opportunity attack. The spell must have a casting time of 1 action and must target only that creature.
Young Deep Dragon
Legacy
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Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat. Deep dragons look down on any creature that isn’t useful to them, though they are willing to bargain for knowledge they lack
labyrinth of my thoughts.
3
I might disagree with other dragons, but we are superior beings and should not lower ourselves to direct conflict.
4
I have no interest in going to the surface world
College of Lore
Legacy
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Classes
Basic Rules (2014)
Bards of the College of Lore know something about most things, collecting bits of knowledge from sources as diverse as scholarly tomes and peasant tales. Whether singing folk ballads in taverns or
elaborate compositions in royal courts, these bards use their gifts to hold audiences spellbound. When the applause dies down, the audience members might find themselves questioning everything they held
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
False Appearance. If the doll is motionless at the start of combat, it has advantage on its initiative roll. Moreover, if a creature hasn’t observed the doll move or act, that creature must
or paranoia. Because it fears its own destruction, the doll rarely causes direct harm to others. When forced to defend itself, it debilitates opponents with its maniacal cackle and assaults the minds
Monsters
Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen
Draconic Devotion. While Red Ruin can see a Dragon that isn’t hostile to her, she has advantage on attack rolls.
Mounted Combat Master. When Red Ruin is mounted and a creature targets her
, leading to speculation about her actual identity. She also speaks little, relying on sharp hand gestures to direct dragonnel-riders in flight.Fire
Equipment
Combat
Utility
Whimsy
4
2
2
Scalefruit are fist-sized fruits that are covered by a thick, scaly rind. Although the outside of a scalefruit is rather unappetizing, the
Equipment
Combat
Utility
Whimsy
4
8
7
Go into any hot spring or spa and the scent of Mellowort is sure to be wafting around with its soothing aroma. There are many songs written by
bards about the benefits and relaxing properties of this flowering plant. Mellowort is a tall, slender plant that is found in the lowlands of Obojima.
Deep Dragon Wyrmling
Legacy
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Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
combat. Deep dragons look down on any creature that isn’t useful to them, though they are willing to bargain for knowledge they lack.
Creating a Deep Dragon
Use the Deep Dragon Personality
other dragons, but we are superior beings and should not lower ourselves to direct conflict.
4
I have no interest in going to the surface world. It’s where one sends one’s servants
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
easily pick out the dens of criminal activity in a community, although you’re more likely to be welcome in the former locations rather than the latter.
Variant: Investigator
Rarer
Investigation rather than Athletics.
Suggested Characteristics
Use the tables for the soldier background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to
Backgrounds
Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus
regular shift patrolling either the Lower City or the Outer City. In return, you have access to the Flaming Fist’s fortresses and a direct line of communication with Flaming Fist officers and
regular patrol in the Upper City or take a regular shift at its gates, and must report for training in the Watch Citadel once every ten days. In return, you have access to the Citadel and a direct line of
Bard
Legacy
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Classes
Basic Rules (2014)
versatility. Many bards prefer to stick to the sidelines in combat, using their magic to inspire their allies and hinder their foes from a distance. But bards are capable of defending themselves in melee if
of song, speech, and the magic they contain. Bards say that the multiverse was spoken into existence, that the words of the gods gave it shape, and that echoes of these primordial Words of Creation
Monsters
The Wild Beyond the Witchlight
dead.”
Combat Notes
Elkhorn’s challenge rating is based on him using Feint to improve his rather weak sword attack. Having been trained in his youth to fight ogres and trolls, he&rsquo
destruction of evil in all its forms. He’s not especially bright, so he fights with his heart rather than his wits.
Age has drained much of the strength from Elkhorn’s body. Strongheart
Monsters
Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse
but also to combat individuals who disrupt the city’s operations or violate the Lady’s edicts, hurling bricks at troublemakers and subduing them by causing the streets to sprout grasping
cobblestone hands.
When dabus communicate, rather than speaking or signing words, they create esoteric illusory images and symbols in front of themselves. Scholars have yet to determine the origin of
Soldier
Legacy
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Backgrounds
Basic Rules (2014)
’ve lost too many friends, and I’m slow to make new ones.
4
I’m full of inspiring and cautionary tales from my military experience relevant to almost every combat situation.
5
I can stare down a hell hound without flinching.
6
I enjoy being strong and like breaking things.
7
I have a crude sense of humor.
8
I face problems head-on. A simple, direct
Equipment
Combat
Utility
Whimsy
13
12
16
Every now and then, a ramen chef finds a gorged noodle eel sleepily coiled in an empty bowl of theirs. All ramen chefs see them as pests as
apparently noodle eels have a rather refined palate and don’t come to just any bowl of broth, seeking only to slurp down the finest ramen—a major irritant to serious chefs. This makes
Equipment
Combat
Utility
Whimsy
15
16
13
Bards speak of the mad druid Fennistrix, who had a penchant for petrification along with a bizarre alligator obsession that resulted in almost
Species
Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica
with ideas than with people. They form close friendships based on mutual interests or compelling disagreements, and their interactions dwell on their thoughts about those issues rather than their
goal of perfection is paved with bricks of education, careful deliberation, and controlled experimentation. Some vedalken direct their energy toward perfecting themselves, whether by means of Simic
Yuan-ti Pureblood
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
yuan-ti know they can’t resort to direct attacks in order to reclaim their rightful place in the world. Operating out of the subterranean ruins of their buildings in foreign lands, yuan-ti
others can be exploited through bribes, favors, or threats.
As creatures devoid of emotion, yuan-ti exhibit behavior and use tactics that exemplify that outlook (or lack of one). Whether in combat
Backgrounds
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
tales from my military experience relevant to almost every combat situation.
5
I can stare down a hell hound without flinching.
6
I enjoy being strong and like breaking things.
7
I have
a crude sense of humor.
8
I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success.
d6
Ideal
1
Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in
Urchin
Legacy
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Backgrounds
Player’s Handbook (2014)
are not in combat, you (and companions you lead) can travel between any two locations in the city twice as fast as your speed would normally allow.
Suggested Characteristics
Urchins are
;d rather kill someone in their sleep than fight fair.
5
It’s not stealing if I need it more than someone else.
6
People who can’t take care of themselves get what they deserve.
Adult Deep Dragon
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Monsters
Fizban's Treasury of Dragons
of far-off lands. Many seek out new insights and tricks that they can use against other denizens of the Underdark, preferring social manipulation and crafty dealmaking to exerting themselves in combat
dragons, but we are superior beings and should not lower ourselves to direct conflict.
4
I have no interest in going to the surface world. It’s where one sends one’s servants.
5
Monsters
Vecna: Eve of Ruin
Weave favors those who act with mercy and compassion, seeks to deliver lives of security for all, and bolsters people’s efforts when they seek to right wrongs and combat evil.
Nowhere are
in her true form. She helped create Silverymoon’s famous Moonbridge and cofounded the Lady’s College, the first school in Faerûn for mages as students rather than as apprentices in
Orc
Legacy
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
scythe. Only a skilled and determined hero can hope to survive single combat with an orc.
Savage and fearless, orc tribes are ever in search of elves, dwarves, and humans to destroy. Motivated by their
created the orcs and continues to direct their destiny. He is aided and abetted by the other warrior deities, Bahgtru and Ilneval, who bring strength and cunning to the battlefield. The followers of all
Firbolg
Legacy
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Species
Volo's Guide to Monsters
the group’s needs, but the effect each action will have on the forest and the rest of the natural world. Firbolg tribes would rather go hungry than strain the land during a famine.
Hidden
Shepherds
As caretakers of the land, firbolgs prefer to remain out of sight and out of mind. They don’t try to dominate nature, but rather seek to ensure that it prospers and survives according to its






