bards being defense can rather

Instrument of the Bards

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

An Instrument of the Bards is superior to an ordinary instrument in every way. Seven types of these instruments exist, each named after a bard college. The Instruments of the Bards table lists the

saving throw or take 2d4 Psychic damage. You can play the instrument to cast one of its spells. Once the instrument has been used to cast a spell, it can’t be used to cast that spell again until

Scarab of Protection

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

This beetle-shaped medallion provides three benefits while it is on your person. Defense. You gain a +1 bonus to Armor Class. Preservation. The scarab has 12 charges. If you fail a saving throw

against a Necromancy spell or a harmful effect originating from an Undead, you can take a Reaction to expend 1 charge and turn the failed save into a successful one. The scarab crumbles into powder and

College of Glamour

Classes Player’s Handbook

Weave Beguiling Fey Magic The College of Glamour traces its origins to the beguiling magic of the Feywild. Bards who study this magic weave threads of beauty and terror into their songs and stories

, and the mightiest among them can cloak themselves in otherworldly majesty. Their performances stir up wistful longing for forgotten innocence, evoke unconscious memories of long-held fears, and tug at the emotions of even the most hard-hearted listeners.

College of Dance

Classes Player’s Handbook

Move in Harmony with the Cosmos Bards of the College of Dance know that the Words of Creation can’t be contained within speech or song; the words are uttered by the movements of celestial

bodies and flow through the motions of the smallest creatures. These Bards practice a way of being in harmony with the whirling cosmos that emphasizes agility, speed, and grace.

Alter Self

Spells Player’s Handbook

You alter your physical form. Choose one of the following options. Its effects last for the duration, during which you can take a Magic action to replace the option you chose with a different one

. Aquatic Adaptation. You sprout gills and grow webs between your fingers. You can breathe underwater and gain a Swim Speed equal to your Speed. Change Appearance. You alter your appearance. You decide

Medium Armor Master

Feats Player’s Handbook

Wearer. While you're wearing Medium armor, you can add 3, rather than 2 to your AC if you have a Dexterity score of 16 or higher.

College of Lore

Classes Player’s Handbook

Plumb the Depths of Magical Knowledge Bards of the College of Lore collect spells and secrets from diverse sources, such as scholarly tomes, mystical rites, and peasant tales. The college’s

members gather in libraries and universities to share their lore with one another. They also meet at festivals or affairs of state, where they can expose corruption, unravel lies, and poke fun at self-important figures of authority.

Create Undead

Spells Player’s Handbook

You can cast this spell only at night. Choose up to three corpses of Medium or Small Humanoids within range. Each one becomes a Ghoul under your control (see the Monster Manual for its stat block

). As a Bonus Action on each of your turns, you can mentally command any creature you animated with this spell if the creature is within 120 feet of you (if you control multiple creatures, you can

Monk

Classes Player’s Handbook

manifestation of defense and speed, this power infuses all that a Monk does. Monks focus their internal power to create extraordinary, even supernatural, effects. They channel uncanny speed and

strength into their attacks, with or without the use of weapons. In a Monk’s hands, even the most basic weapons can become sophisticated implements of combat mastery. Many Monks find that a

Animate Dead

Spells Player’s Handbook

turns, you can take a Bonus Action to mentally command any creature you made with this spell if the creature is within 60 feet of you (if you control multiple creatures, you can command any of them

at the same time, issuing the same command to each one). You decide what action the creature will take and where it will move on its next turn, or you can issue a general command, such as to guard a

Bard

Classes Player’s Handbook

magic attempts to harness those words, which transcend any language. Anything can inspire a new song or tale, so Bards are fascinated by almost everything. They become masters of many things

;Daggers, Musical Instrument of your choice, Entertainer's Pack, and 19 GP; or (B) 90 GP Invoking magic through music, dance, and verse, Bards are expert at inspiring others, soothing hurts

Book of Exalted Deeds

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

The definitive treatise on all that is good in the multiverse, the Book of Exalted Deeds figures prominently in many religions. Rather than being a scripture devoted to a particular faith, the book

vanishes to some other corner of the multiverse where its moral guidance can bring hope to an endangered world. Although attempts have been made to copy the work, efforts to do so fail to capture its

Sword of Kas

Magic Items Dungeon Master’s Guide

Initiative rolls. Blade of Defense. When you take an action to attack with the sword, you can transfer some or all of its attack bonus to your Armor Class instead. The adjusted bonuses remain in

detrimental property Spells. While the sword is on your person, you can cast the following spells (save DC 18) from it: Call Lightning Divine Word Finger of Death Once you use the sword to

War Caster

Feats Player’s Handbook

leaving your reach, you can take a Reaction to cast a spell at the creature rather than making an Opportunity Attack. The spell must have a casting time of one action and must target only that creature

. Somatic Components. You can perform the Somatic components of spells even when you have weapons or a Shield in one or both hands.

Ritual Caster

Feats Player’s Handbook

Ritual tag to the spells always prepared with this feature. Quick Ritual. With this benefit, you can cast a Ritual spell that you have prepared using its regular casting time rather than the extended

a maximum of 20. Ritual Spells. Choose a number of level 1 spells equal to your Proficiency Bonus that have the Ritual tag. You always have those spells prepared, and you can cast them with any spell

Rogue

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

to the law, no common criminal or officer of the law can match the subtle brilliance of the greatest Rogues. Becoming a Rogue... As a Level 1 Character Gain all the traits in the Core Rogue

Harper Agent

Feats Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn

Melody. When you take the Help action to assist an ally’s attack roll, the enemy you’re distracting can be within 30 feet of you, rather than within 5 feet of you, provided the enemy can see or hear you.

Zhentilar Soldier

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

Multiattack. The Zhentilar makes two attacks, using Shortsword or Pistol in any combination. It can replace one attack with a use of Knock Down. Shortsword. Melee Attack Roll: +4;{"diceNotation

. Strength Saving Throw: DC 12, one creature within 5 feet that the Zhentilar can see. Failure: 4 (1d4 + 2);{"diceNotation":"1d4+2", "rollType":"damage", "rollAction":"Knock Down", "rollDamageType

Cultist of Bhaal

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

Blood-Soaked Resolve. While Bloodied, the cultist has Advantage on saving throws.Multiattack. The cultist makes three Cursed Blade attacks. It can replace one of these attacks with a use of

: Mind Spike 1/Day Each: Dimension Door, MisleadCultists of Bhaal revel in bloodshed. They enjoy the act of murder, particularly when they can use inventive methods that instill fear among witnesses

Aranea

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

Spider Climb (Hybrid or Spider Form Only). The aranea can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check. Web Walker. The aranea ignores movement

a bulky, humpbacked spider with two short arms beneath its head. An aranea can shape-shift into a humanoid form or into a multiarmed humanoid-spider hybrid. Araneas live in insular communities, such

Kalashtar

Species Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

them in a variety of ways. They have symmetrical, slightly angular features, and their eyes often glow when they are concentrating or expressing strong emotions. Kalashtar can’t communicate

directly with their quori spirits. Rather, kalashtar might experience them as a source of instinct and inspiration, drawing on the spirits’ memories when the kalashtar sleep. This connection grants

Manshoon

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

Magic Resistance. Manshoon has Advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.Multiattack. Manshoon makes three Arcane Burst attacks. He can replace two attacks with a use of

. 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

Sammaster (Dracolich Form)

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

efficiently as he can. Sammaster personally checks in on the cult’s most important plots, often surprising his minions with his presence. Rather than keep a soul jar as liches do, Sammaster keeps

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Sammaster fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead. Life Suppression. Creatures within 60 feet of Sammaster can’t regain Hit Points. Magic

Biha Babir

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

Amphibious. Biha Babir can breathe air and water. Elemental Restoration. If Biha Babir dies outside the Elemental Plane of Water, her body dissolves into brine, and she gains a new body in 1d4

saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead. Wishes. Biha Babir knows the Wish spell but can cast it only on behalf of a non-genie creature who communicates a wish in a way Biha Babir can

Sammaster (Lich Form)

Monsters Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn

can. Sammaster personally checks in on the cult’s most important plots, often surprising his minions with his presence. Rather than keep a soul jar as liches do, Sammaster keeps a magical soul

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Sammaster fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead. Life Suppression. Creatures within 60 feet of Sammaster can’t regain Hit Points. Magic

Dabus

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

Physical Restraint. The dabus doesn’t make melee attacks or opportunity attack;opportunity attacks, even in self-defense. Symbol Speech. A dabus communicates by creating illusory symbols and

pictures that float in the air in front of itself and disappear a few seconds later. A creature that can see such a message can decipher it with a successful DC 10 Intelligence (Investigation) check

College of Lore Legacy

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

College of Glamour Legacy

Classes Xanathar's Guide to Everything

beasts can also bend minds. Villainous bards of this college can leech off a community for weeks, misusing their magic to turn their hosts into thralls. Heroic bards of this college instead use this

The College of Glamour is the home of bards who mastered their craft in the vibrant realm of the Feywild or under the tutelage of someone who dwelled there. Tutored by satyrs, eladrin, and other fey

Githzerai Uniter

Monsters Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse

Psychic Defense. While the githzerai is wearing no armor and wielding no shield, its AC includes its Wisdom modifier.Multiattack. The githzerai makes three Unarmed Strike or Psychic Bolt attacks. It

can replace any of these attacks with one use of its Pacifying Touch. Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +6;{"diceNotation":"1d20+6", "rollType":"to hit", "rollAction":"Unarmed Strike"} to hit

Leonin Iconoclast

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

damage if it fails. It can't use this trait if it's incapacitated. Innate Spellcasting. The leonin's spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 14). It can innately cast the following spells

, requiring no material components: 1/day each: banishment, detect evil and good Unarmored Defense. While the leonin is wearing no armor and wielding no shield, its AC includes its Wisdom

Githzerai Monk Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The githzerai’s innate spellcasting ability is Wisdom. It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components: At will: mage hand (the hand is

invisible) 3/day each: feather fall, jump, see invisibility, shield Psychic Defense. While the githzerai is wearing no armor and wielding no shield, its AC includes its Wisdom modifier.Multiattack. The

City Watch / Investigator

Backgrounds Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide

You have served the community where you grew up, standing as its first line of defense against crime. You aren’t a soldier, directing your gaze outward at possible enemies. Instead, your

City of Skilled Hands. Even if you’re not city-born or city-bred, this background can describe your early years as a member of law enforcement. Most settlements of any size have their own

Githzerai Zerth Legacy

Monsters Monster Manual (2014)

spell attacks). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components: At will: mage hand (the hand is invisible) 3/day each: feather fall, jump, see invisibility, shield 1/day each

: phantasmal killer, plane shift Psychic Defense. While the githzerai is wearing no armor and wielding no shield, its AC includes its Wisdom modifier.Multiattack. The githzerai makes two unarmed

Sword of Wounding Legacy

Magic Items Basic Rules (2014)

Hit points lost to this weapon's damage can be regained only through a short or long rest, rather than by regeneration, magic, or any other means. Once per turn, when you hit a creature with an

attack using this magic weapon, you can wound the target. At the start of each of the wounded creature's turns, it takes 1d4 necrotic damage for each time you've wounded it, and it can then make a DC 15

Bard Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

and some measure of natural talent that most troubadours and jongleurs lack. It can be hard to spot the difference between these performers and true bards, though. A bard’s life is spent

, decipher old tomes, travel to strange places, or encounter exotic creatures. Bards love to accompany heroes to witness their deeds firsthand. A bard who can tell an awe-inspiring story from personal

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