bards being down combat role

Druid

Classes Player’s Handbook

regions of unspoiled nature, but when a significant danger arises, Druids take a more active role as adventurers who combat the threat. Becoming a Druid... As a Level 1 Character Gain all the

House Tharashk Heir

Backgrounds Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

-reliance from an early age. What your young house lacks in resources, it makes up for in spirit and determination. Tharashk has a destiny to fulfill, and you have a part in it. Whether in combat or in social

interaction, you have learned to play the role of the hunter: study your enemies, exploit their weaknesses, and do whatever it takes to achieve victory.

Earwax

Equipment

Combat Utility Whimsy 0 0 0 An unpleasant truth is that the role of earwax in potion making is more important than people like to discuss. Though earwax is plentiful, it’s not all the same in potion mixing terms, and some varieties come at a steeper price than others.

Bronze Sable

Monsters Mythic Odysseys of Theros

sable's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated. Surprise Attack. If the sable surprises a creature and hits it with an attack during the first round of combat, the

few were created to emulate beauty found among the animals of the mortal world. Each exhibits abilities suited to its role, with some behaving like companionable creatures or stoic guardians. A few

Tashlyn Yafeera

Monsters Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

is Master of Arms and Mercenaries for the Waterdeep Zhentarim. In this role, she provides armor, weapons, and training to sellswords on the Black Network's payroll. Tashlyn has established a useful

, Tashlyn has an unfettered sense of superiority. Quick to anger, she hates to back down from a fight. She respects anyone who can best her in melee combat.

Viari

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

Drow Favored Consort

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

, including the powerful drow matron mother, takes an attractive drow as consort. Chosen as much for beauty as for magical might, a drow favored consort can hold their own in both conversation and combat

. Combining the roles of advisor, protector, and beloved, some favored consorts are content with a supporting role, while more ambitious consorts aspire to be the power behind the throne—or even to

Combat Robot

Monsters Quests from the Infinite Staircase

and are usually programmed to take intruders prisoner before resorting to lethal force. Combat robots signal their pursuit with built-in sirens and flashing lights, warning nearby creatures of their

imminent arrival with an intimidating display. Combat robots display a wide range of voices. Some units are clearly designed to intimidate, while others offer canned, upbeat platitudes in pleasant tones

Mellowort

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.

Skylla

Monsters The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

into allowing her to serve as the primary liaison between the League of Malevolence and the Hourglass Coven, claiming her pact with Baba Yaga made her better suited for the role than anyone else

feel beholden to stay on good terms with her vile spawn, the hags of the Hourglass Coven.” Flaw. “I don't have a single friend I can count on.” Combat Notes Skylla is not an

Bard Legacy

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

Soldier Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

or deck of cards, a set of common clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp Specialty During your time as a soldier, you had a specific role to play in your unit or army. Roll a d8 or choose

from the options in the table below to determine your role: d8 Specialty 1 Officer 2 Scout 3 Infantry 4 Cavalry 5 Healer 6 Quartermaster 7 Standard

Petrified Alligator

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

Clockwork Stone Defender

Monsters Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse

attacker.The thick plates of stone riveted onto a stone defender give it substantial protection. Its chief role is as a bodyguard. Clockworks Gnomes’ tinkering with magic and mechanical devices has

points or fewer at the start of its turn in combat, roll a d6. If you roll a 1, it retreats from combat if possible. It otherwise keeps fighting. 7 Overheats. Roll a d6 at the start of the

Soldier - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

clothes, and a pouch containing 10 gp Specialty During your time as a soldier, you had a specific role to play in your unit or army. Roll a d8 or choose from the options in the table below to

determine your role: d8 Specialty 1 Officer 2 Scout 3 Infantry 4 Cavalry 5 Healer 6 Quartermaster 7 Standard bearer 8 Support staff (cook

Bard

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

? Ah, then what manner of music they would bring to this world! — Fletcher Danairia, master bard Bards bring levity during grave times; they impart wisdom to offset ignorance; and they make the

ridiculous seem sublime. Bards are preservers of ancient history, their songs and tales perpetuating the memory of great events down through time — knowledge so important that it is memorized and passed

Barbarian Legacy

Classes Basic Rules (2014)

by walls and crowds. They thrive in the wilds of their homelands: the tundra, jungle, or grasslands where their tribes live and hunt. Barbarians come alive in the chaos of combat. They can enter a

sufficient to defeat whatever threats arise. A Life of Danger A barbarian plays an important role as a protector of their people and a leader in times of war. Life in the wild places of the world is

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

in both Persuasion and Intimidation prove helpful in this role. Bards, paladins, and sorcerers have both the requisite talents and the ability to supplement their interrogations with magic

dangerous, so it’s often important for their group to include someone who can physically intervene when situations devolve into combat. The Tough’s role might include fighting criminal thugs, kicking

Orc Legacy

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

while learning to fight, to survive in the wild, and to fear the gods. The children that can’t endure the rigors of a life of combat are culled from the main body of the tribe, taken into the

Music and Magic

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player's Handbook (2014)

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 necessary, using their magic to bolster their

. 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 still resound throughout the cosmos. The music of

Music and Magic

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

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 necessary, using their magic to bolster their

. 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 still resound throughout the cosmos. The music of

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

give them a broad range of knowledge to support their schemes. Bards, rogues, and wizards are often drawn to this role. Safecracker. The “breaking” part of “breaking and entering” is the Safecracker’s

, and Persuasion. The charlatan background is perfect for Talkers, but criminals, urchins, and others can fill the role with the right skills. Bards are a natural fit for the job as well.

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

firsthand experience with the creatures, cultures, forces, and histories being investigated, and the best way to get that is in the field. This role is similar to the Scholar, but the Field Researcher is

armed with combat-oriented spells that supplement the knowledge-focused capabilities of the Scholar, preparing them to face those who guard the world’s greatest secrets. Morgrave University

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

common apes. Although some purebloods are able to reproduce with humans, most are disgusted by the idea and would do so only if seduction is necessary for a pureblood to preserve a role as a confidant or

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

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

can be a crucial skill, which many characters in this role combine with magical means of scrying to learn about their enemies and objectives. Bards and wizards make natural Investigators, especially

cloak or disguise one’s appearance), and proficiency with skills such as Deception, Performance, and Sleight of Hand all greatly benefit the Chameleon. Bards and rogues, as well as characters with

Player Assistance

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dragon Delves

Player Assistance As described in the Dungeon Master’s Guide, you can streamline your role as Dungeon Master by delegating certain tasks to the other players, especially if this is your first time

behind the DM’s screen. Before play begins, work with the other players to divide any or all of the following tasks among them: Initiative Tracker. In combat, one player tracks Initiative for the

Use of Magic

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Divine Contention

Use of Magic Magic plays a powerful role on a fantasy battlefield. A wizard armed with fireball or lightning bolt serves as a deadly artillery unit, while clerics can roam the battlefield, using cure

adjudicate such spells outside of combat is to grant an ad-hoc benefit to the party (see “Narrative Combat”). If a spell creates a powerful effect that sways the course of the battle, consider granting the caster’s side an additional victory.

Fighter

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

Fighter With the Last War in the recent past, the Purple Dragon Knight’s role as a combat leader can apply to any fighter who served in one of Khorvaire’s militaries as an officer. Soldiers from Karrnath, with its strong martial tradition, are especially likely to choose this option.

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

this role, as are paladins—as long as they aren’t asked to do things that violate the tenets of their oaths. Marshal. Combat is the specialty of the Marshal, who focuses on enforcing the law of the

Charisma to work in the service of the state. These characters often come from a noble background and bring proficiency in skills such as Intimidation and Persuasion to their work. Bards are natural fits in

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Persuasion (or sometimes Intimidation) and Religion can be useful for this character. Many clerics fill this role, but devout bards can also be effective Teachers. Some Teachers bring skills from the

demons they are hunting. Characters with access to divination magic (including clerics with the Knowledge domains as well as wizards) might excel at this role. Many Scholars come from the sage background

Character Creation Options

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->The Book of Many Things

Character Creation Options Next are four chapters of character-focused content: Chapter 6: Rogue. This chapter provides advice and new magic items suited to bards, rangers, rogues, and other

includes character creation advice and new magic items for barbarians, fighters, monks, and other combat specialists. Claudio Pozas Jared warns Basil of the deck’s many dangers

Zil Characters

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

appropriate, reflecting their love of intrigue. Classes that specialize in melee combat are rare among the Zil. The soldiers of Zilargo include rogues, bards, wizards, and artificers. The Trust. In

Large Groups

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide

Large Groups The biggest considerations with large groups are maintaining order at the table and keeping combat from becoming too slow. Structured Turns If you find yourself in a situation where

individual players are having trouble getting a chance to do things during exploration or social interaction, have the characters roll Initiative and act in Initiative order, just as you do in combat

House Tharashk Heir

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Forge of the Artificer

, and you have a part in it. Whether in combat or in social interaction, you have learned to play the role of the hunter: study your enemies, exploit their weaknesses, and do whatever it takes to achieve victory.

Redcloak Battalion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Battalion. This elite unit fought at the forefront of the Last War, and Brelish bards still sing of the exploits of Khandan the Hammer and Meira the Huntress. At the end of the war, the battalion was split

missions across Khorvaire to provide you with combat experience as well as to further Redcloak goals. Alternatively, your DM might decide to start the campaign with your characters at a higher level and

D&D Beyond

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