How To Play A College Of Lore Bard in Dungeons and Dragons 5e

[@hella_lugosi]

My character in Icewind Dale is a Kenku Lore Bard. She's unable to write songs but is a walking jukebox with her Mimicry trait. Her life's goal is to learn as many songs as possible and combine them into the ultimate mash up.

[@Skip6235]

I’m also playing a kenku bard! She mimics the sounds of her fellow bard troop that died from plague and her life goal is to use her bard magic to learn to fly!

[@lozm4835]

Not a PC, but there's a college of mundane bards in my homebrew world made up of Kenku that make a living listening to individual aspects of great performances (for example, one focuses on lyrics, one on instruments) and then 'plays them around the country.

[@crimfan]

@@lozm4835 Cool idea!

[@shinybugg9156]

That's awesome

[@theomegapotato370]

But does she know "What's New Pussycat" by Tom Jones?

[@boppitude]

Monty saying he wants to be a dragon is so pure. Let's only be adults when we have to be, eh? The rest of the time, let's be whatever we can imagine.

[@aFoolsMartyr]

Except if you can be Batman, then always be Batman.

[@windmage0168]

@@aFoolsMartyr If you're okay with me killing your parents.

[@casbot71]

But does he want to be a good Dragon or a Bad Dragon™️?

[@Exterminator5k]

I read the War Caster typo (23:58 Warcester) as War Jester, and how fitting of a feat name that is for a Bard.

[@snazzyfeathers]

I created a college of swords bard whose background involved being a court jester. About as close to being a war jester as possible

[@mikeprado4381]

I read the War Caster typo and my mouth began watering for a steak.

[@snforde4603]

One idea I have had is a lore bard who uses spells like hunger of hadar and telekinesis. He would be a playwright with writer’s block who get’s visions from the far realm which is where he gets his inspiration for his plays from.

[@matthewo.3139]

That is such an awesome idea! Such a cool way to use the class abilities to fit your flavor

[@compella1]

Could definitely see that character taking a dip into warlock, cool concept :)

[@NerdEagle90]

@@compella1 Definitely. A level 2 or 3 level dip in Warlock is a good idea for Bards.

[@versatilebeatsdj]

My current character is a bard who is a poet minstrel who basically sings tales he has found from a book that is basically a collection of Cthulhu tales. The more he reads the further he goes insane ie dips further into the Warlock class. He will be a Lore bard and is a great Old One warlock.

[@firstnamelastname7298]

William Lovecraft is a great name

[@jacobsargent5367]

I love the new format of building a character through all the different tiers. Using the ranking system for how well a subclass can fulfill party roles is super helpful too. Normally I'm the DM, but the next time I get to play, lore bard is one of my top choices. Edit: I'm finally playing a lore bard, and in a high-level campaign, too!

[@bijnahonderdeuro]

I actually really like Counterspell + Fireball at 6. While blasting is rarely a focus, there are times where a minion-clearer is your best crowd control option. It definitely peaks when you get it, but remains a handy option to keep in your back pocket.

[@wexton1]

I always wanted to play a lore bard with the sage back ground. Really taking the lore part to heart. He loves to read and knows lots of stuff. Everywhere he travels he knows a little bit about, like this town has a great pub and these creatures are around this are.

[@laurencebernstein1233]

This was my lore bard. :) My expertise picks were in History and Arcana. His "instrument" was the spoken word. Quoting descriptions of epic battles of days gone by for inspiration.

[@Shrapucino]

You could also go anthropologist background with this, seems really cool

[@FallstarFL]

I made a Lore Bard whose Art is LARPing. His LARP character is a Druid, and he's always in character. All of his spells are Druid or druid flavor. And he uses his inspiration in a Druid flavored way. It was extremely hard until LV6, but then it became very easy. I used the reputation of neutrality and honesty of druids, and the charisma of bards for maximum social ability. And druid spells are brutal.

[@solar4planeta923]

The game within the game, I love it.

[@FallstarFL]

@@solar4planeta923 a LARP bard would work just as well with any class, I think.

[@antonlowe5370]

Criminal background every bard. Polymorph if you ever need to tank. Congratulations. You're good at everything.

[@Lrbearclaw]

It's time for the Build-A-Bard Workshop.

[@Snargglecraft]

The flavorability of Lore Bard is incredible; I love the intellectual feel of the class, it is almost a proto-wizard. My Lore Bard leaned into this, being a son an accomplished court wizard to the king. When he didn’t get into the most prestigious wizards academy because his father personally rejected his application, he opted to join the most well respected Bard’s College to avoid the shame of attending a lesser academy. He plays music with technical skill, but began with a lack of passion and often a sense of embarrassment. It’s been really fun to evolve the character from a sheltered, meek character into a more bold, charismatic one as the character gains life experience that gives him the inspiration to be creative both in music and his adventuring career.

[@BW022]

It's such a flexible class you can go so many different ways with backgrounds and the style of the character. I had a variant human with the Outlander background and magic initiate (druid). I played him like a National Geographic reporter -- writing books on nature, looking for natural secrets, etc. Used a staff and produce flame, plus goodberry. Combined with spells like healing word and faerie fire, everyone through she was a druid or odd nature cleric. Made a great support character and for magical secrets he took conjure animals and summon steed. I saw another gnome lore bard who had sage (astronomy) who played their character like a seer with lots of divination spells.

[@travisdonaldstanley6420]

Agreed. I Also pick up the vibe of a proto wizard.

[@jamiedorsey4167]

I'm working on a character concept of a Harper's faction agent. He was recruited as a teen while he was at a school studying lore (history, arcana, etc.). Now he acts as an undercover agent, moving to a new city and establishing himself as a storyteller to ingratiate himself with the nobles there so he can infiltrate and root out elite corruption. He specializes in investigation and knowledge gathering, as well as infiltration. I went with variant human and took observant at lvl 1 to give him a bit of a Columbo vibe. Adjusted scores are 8, 14, 13, 14, 14, 14. I don't know if not maxing CHA will be okay or not, but I had in mind a more well rounded character, I could reduce dex and con to 12 to boost cha.

[@Eshiay]

Take Find Steed + Melfs Minute Meteors and just go ham every turn with aoes as a bonus action while being able to cast spells as actions each turn.

[@danielscheumack772]

Sounds fun But what would you name this combo?

[@Eshiay]

@@danielscheumack772 I threw this build onto a headless horseman that threw pumpkin bombs as a encounter for my players so maybe the Dullahan, though its not an original idea. The idea is that you and the steed get the casting of Melf, so that you can use the bonus action twice and also have twice the bombs

[@michaelsinclair1343]

@@Eshiay could I flavor my steed to look like a glider while throwing these pumpkin bombs, all the while cackling like maniac? I'll also use my disguise kit to color myself green, first.

[@Hazel-xl8in]

@@michaelsinclair1343 maybe wait for find greater steed so you can fly while doing that

[@BobbyKnuckles21]

Also cool with crown of stars at higher levels

[@andrewdyjach7305]

I love picking up fey touched for my first feat as a lore bard. It feels like an extra early magical secrets before extra early magical secrets since you can get two spells not normally on your list. Bless is a great pick for the level 1 extra so you now have 2 ways to help party saving throws, the other being inspiration.

[@Yourbeautiful666]

The only thing I can imagine with an exotic dancer bard is the party’s Paladin slashing his glaive, the sorcerer shooting spells from their hands, the fighter shooting a volley of arrows, and the bard twerking in the back.

[@ГеоргийКириллов-э5ж]

Bard with Oath of Throwing It Back paladin dip

[@LordBrittish]

Now watch him whip! (Tasha’s) Now watch him nay nay! (Counterspell)

[@Flazius]

Ah yes, the infamous "Warcester" feat, coming with a free bottle of Worcestershire sauce!

[@Onthewayover]

My first D&D character was a half elf lore bard. I played him as a mercurial teenager fanatically devoted to truth and freedom, so much so that he never lied or imposed his will on another being. I played him up to level 7 as an amazing debuffer with hindering spells like Bane and Slow to complement Vicious Mockery and Cutting Words. Such a fun character.

[@kmoustakas]

I would never get find familiar as a spell secret: magic initiate and ritual caster are way better ways to grab it. But FLOCK OF FAMILIARS, now that's a secret tech!

[@jameshill6839]

I definitely try to pick up FoF ANYTIME I have the opportunity. It's so good.

[@MexicanoLive]

@@jameshill6839 fof?

[@mrbean3470]

@@MexicanoLive, flock of familiars

[@kmoustakas]

@@jameshill6839 It's even better on warlocks

[@fhuber7507]

Get the familiar by talking the DM into giving a ring of spell storing and have the wizard cast it into the ring. Pass the ring around Everyone gets a familiar.

[@chuckskilit9808]

I’m currently playing a tiefling urchin lore bard who was picked up off the streets by a con man and raised as a rapper con artist. All of his vicious mockeries and debug spells are 4-bar disses and for tasha’s hideous laughter, he disses other teammates of the one who starts laughing. Once he gets heat metal, you already know how those things are getting so hot.

[@FrankiePeanuts]

If he somehow winds up with a fire breath attack, you could say he spits hot fire. 😏

[@josephbrust8855]

This is such a fun idea... wtg

[@evilsquirrel0573]

@@FrankiePeanuts dragons breath is probably gonna be the go to for that one

[@BubblingBrooke]

If counterspell was on the bard list it would open so many options up once you hit 6th level as a lore bard XD My lore bard has paladin parents so she's *jacked* and at level 10 she *will* take Steel Wind Strike. Non negotiable XD

[@Matt_Matthews]

I took that with my lore bard. Sadly the campaign ended very shortly after and I only got to use it once, but I was really fun. The thing I found that was more limiting than I had anticipated, though, was that it has a 30 foot range. So my squishy Bard who always hung back really had to get uncomfortably close to use it. But it was worth it. It was really cool. It might not have worn well over time, though. Glad I got to do it for the final fight of the campaign. If your Bard is more of a tank then I think it'll be a really cool pick for you.

[@BubblingBrooke]

@@Matt_Matthews Shes not built tank (but has a decent con mod of +3) since we have a barb and a cant die paladin build, but it is my favorite spell and it sucks its only for wizards and rangers normally so I'm taking it anyway. XD She'll end up with max 20 in dex and strength alongside her max 20 in charisma (I rolled like fire) mostly for the meme but it works from a backstory standpoint. Its very amusing that at this point she is the strongest party member but also the smallest at 5'2"

[@Matt_Matthews]

@@BubblingBrooke like I said, it's hella fun to use. It's just rough to have to have to actually be that close to the enemies after getting all the way to level ten trying to be 60 feet back all the time. At least it was for me with my bard. He was squishy and was uncomfortable being in that role. It was really not a spell that fit him well in combat, but it was showy, and that certainly did fit his personality, lol.

[@Eramiserasmus]

Lore Bard is something I'm using to really show a character who is knowledgeable and willing to risk things for their team. Cutting Words to set up teammates, Magical Secrets to challenge the other spellcasters, and Skills/Expertise to fill in the party skill list.

[@deadlich8103]

I just played a Lore Bard in Icewind Dale - Rime of the Frostmaiden and it's a contender for my favorite class I have ever played in D&D. They are so incredibly versatile and are a support character that actually shines as bright as you would hope (and more) in and out of combat. You'll definitely want to up your roleplaying if you are going to play a Bard as your party and DM will just kind of expect it and it makes things a blast if you lean into it hard. I got a lot of inspirations from well timed performances, puns, insults, rhymes, songs, and a lot more too ;)

[@chrismarshall7131]

Lore Bard is also the best counterspeller, since they can add half their Proficiency bonus to their check to counterspell 4th or higher level spells, thanks to Jack of All Trades.

[@itspabbs]

I love that you two made a video all about a Lore Bard. While it isn't the best class/subclass in 5e, it is absolutely my favorite! Role playing cutting words never gets old!

[@DieDieNacho]

So excited to watch this episode! College of Lore has such great potential when it comes to their Magical Secrets. You can fill any party role, and can add so much dynamic to the overall team.

[@jamricsloe]

I love concentrating on Spirit Guardians, while casting Eldritch Blast and casting Healing Words. With Counterspell as a Reaction or any number of other Reactions. Lore Bards are so versatile.

[@abedrahman4519]

My inspiration for my first Bard was Brook from One Piece. When it comes to Bards, he is weirdly overlooked. He's an undead musician with a pervy and quirky personality, can make people go to sleep and see illusions, and can astral project his soul out of his body. I have not seen a lot of fictional characters who fit the bard archetype that well. He is a good infiltrator, has average frontline capabilities, can mesmerize a population with his songs to the point they willingly fight the marines to save him. And he's a pirate!!! A Barlock or the human version would be a straight-up human lore/valor bard IMO

[@itslukalee]

Yeah, he's a perfect example of Bard ✨

[@izaac05]

Absolutely!! Brook is an amazing bard.

[@davelord72]

Could even use the Reborn race in Van Richten's now! Did you build brook as a swords bard due to his swordplay?

[@abedrahman4519]

@@davelord72 Van Richten's wasn't well known when I did. I made him a Revenant Barlock. His swords have ice damage which came from his DF powers. I re-flavored that as a Lore Bard with a dip in Hexblade to power build (Hexblade being the Patron that gave him his ice sword powers, rather than a fruit). But thematically Brook is more of a Swords Bard. Blade Flourishes seem like a fencer thing to do which Brook originally is. Nice thinking!!! Oh, I forgot one thing. Revenants have a thing that ties him to the mortal plane. Going back to his Whale at the end of his journey is what keeps him. He dies at the end of his journey but probably it doesn't have to end so badly anymore

[@Jw87563]

Brook as a bard in dnd? What a great idea! YOHOHO!

[@TheHorribleCreature]

Lightning arrow scales pretty well with high level slots. Thunderstep is a great escape tool. Spirit guardians can be devastating if you manage to keep concentration. Aura of vitality is great for keeping people alive. But I know you. You aldready screamed fireball and counterspell !!!

[@SpaceWhaIe]

I once played a wrestler bard in a one shot who used vicious mockery while grappling and pinning my foes to damage them. I of course ran them as Randy Savage. I used Thaumaturgy to introduce myself before fights, and I had the Gauntlets of Ogre Power (which are only uncommon), for the strength to actually do all this. It was a ton of fun.

[@egonhomes]

For my 10th level Magical Secrets, I often take Sickening Radiance. If you throw some ball bearings or have somebody make it hazardous terrain or use a Wall of Force, this spell is absolutely deadly. The spell lasts 10 minutes, and remember that after six failed saves (6 levels of exhaustion), you're dead. Even if you can make it out, it's hard to get rid of exhaustion levels (one every long rest or Greater Healing spell).

[@andreapregnolato5650]

I once played a lore bard who was a witch doctor who communed with spirits and was also inspired by the griot of Mali, a sacred keeper of the tribe's lore who sung and played percussions. Vicious mockery was a curse of the ancestor, and also had a snake familiar. Good memories 😊

[@titoluizpereira6281]

I love that you guys brought up drag as a bardish-artistry. I'm creating my first bard character: a burlesque nombinary tiefling heavily inspired by Bosco, a contestant from season 14 of RuPaul's Drag Race and i'm already loving they.

[@IMXLegedaryBard]

A good background for Bards is the Grinner from The wild mount book. I absolutely love it, it still gives you that bard/entertainer feel while also being mixed with like a spy/folk hero.

[@MajorHickE]

I've really enjoyed this series of videos on how to play X. Now that we've seen videos for all the subclasses ranked, could we see some videos on how to play the D/C/B tier subclasses that optimize them for what they're trying to do? Not fixing the subclasses, as others have suggested, but optimizing the build to get the most out of these low tier options for what they're trying to do.

[@csdn4483]

Scratch minor illusion, replace with prestidigitation. Prestidigitation is so useful in so many ways. Especially if you're role-playing performances, having 3 prestidigitations going can enhance the performance.

[@hylkema101]

I’m just getting started-about to finally play in my first campaign- and I’m going to be a lore bard. Thanks for the great content and help with everything!

[@Azalin4savioR]

I went with an oddball theme... I made a Necrodancer, I used all my magical secrets to grab all the necromancer style spells and then he danced a jig to get them to rise from the grave.. was a hell of a lot of fun.

[@diamondgeezer9832]

I played a College of Lore bard to level 20 that started in a Ghosts of Saltmarsh adventure. Party included Barbarian-20, Sorcerer 12/Fighter 1/Rogue 7, Cleric 5/Paladin 15 and lil ol' me. Overall, my character was support (primary healer) and battlefield control with a peppering of combat thrown in. My character play style like a nerdy book worm who cast spells from books (more lore knowledge than a spell book) and provided off the rails support solutions, such as: Tossing out Bardic Inspiration/Cutting Words like candy out of a Pez dispenser. Using the bag of flour trick to expose invisible opponents. Having an alchemy jug forall kinds of wacky fluid uses. An ever smoking bottle to cover and escape. Lantern of Revealing to expose hidden/invisible creatures. Use my familiar to use healing kits (1d6+24 point @ 20th level), touch spells, or just give an advantage. I VERY RARELY attacked and did damage. Only when I had nothing else to do. Race: half-elf Background: Sailor Abilities: Str:8, Dex: 14, Con: 16, Int: 10, Wis: 12, Cha: 20 2x Prof: Arcana, History, Persuasion, Performance Prof: Athletics, Deception, Investigation, Perception, Stealth, Thieves' Tools, Navigator's Tools, Water Vehicles Feats: Healer, Inspiring Leader, War Caster Magic Items: (attuned) Instrumet of the Bards-Ohlam Harp, Staff of Healing, Cloak of Protection Magic Items: (non-attuned) Helm of Comprehending Languages, Glamour Studded Leather, Heward's Handy Haversack (and most of DD's uncommon magic items) list, dagger +2, shortbow +1 Spells: (* = magical secret) I swapped out some magical secrets as I progressed in level Cantrips: Mage Hand, Message, Prestidigitation, Vicious Mockery 1: Find Familiar* , Dissonant Whispers, Faerie Fire, Feather Fall, Healing Word, Identify 2: Silence 3: Aura of Vitality*, Call Lightning*, Counterspell*, Revivify*, Dispel Magic, Hypnotic Pattern 4: Dimension Door, Polymorph 5: Wall of Force*, Animate Objects, Greater Restoration, Synaptic Static 6: Heal* 7: Forcecage 9: Wish*, Prismatic Wall Hope that helps those inspiring bards out there. Its not always about doing damage that motivates you. =)

[@RuiTsuki]

I think it speak very much to the versatility of the lore bard that I have one in both of the campaigns I DM and the further they grow in levels, the more they differ in spell selection and specialization. This video is actually well-timed, as the 2nd lore bard will soon get to pick her additional magical secrets

[@seraphvalkyrie170]

These guys always have good advice in my opinion. My favorite character to play is a bard. After watching this video now I want to go make a new character. Thanks always for the information Dungeon Dudes.

[@Drakwind]

Well this is nice to see. Literally about to play a Lore Bard this upcoming Monday

[@leandrochavez6480]

Go full Charisma, and remember someone with a bardic inspiration dice can roll it for initiative and use cutting words for an enemy's initiative.

[@itslukalee]

Not me three sesions into playing a Lore Bard in the Grim Hollow Campaing and you guys uploading this video

[@IMXLegedaryBard]

Story time: my first ever character in D&D was a dragonborn Lore Bard. During this time, I wasn't really familiar with house spells work in the game, and I never really got to play the character much because we didn't have that many sessions. Years later after being the forever DM, my new character is going to be my first old character that I never have to try out. So Drogan the Bard is back!

[@siph0r154]

Monty, you are my spirit animal. The *find greater steed* choice is amazing. My Bard only has the normal steed, but I thought I needed at least 1 spell to be Capital E EXTRA. So I thought.... If a campaign would go into stage 4 anyway, camping outside in a tent really is not the way of heroes. So the spell I plan on getting to flex on my party... Is magnificent mansion.

[@codyoneil9507]

As a forever DM I’m glad that when I get the chance to play a character there are videos like these I can reference. In that way this content is timeless. This Sunday I play my first ever bard of which I’m flavoring the lore bard as an oracles whose buffs are just him seeing into the future and telling the party .

[@snappingshrimp235]

Oooooh! Dungeon Dudes! You're lifesavers, i'm going to play a lore bard this saturday and i really needed this! Terrific work like always! I really agree with you two, My Bard is going to be a writer in search of inspiration and what beter place to find inspiration for interesting stories than with some Adventurers (that possibly are murder hobos)

[@crowsincoats]

I also have a Kenku lorebard entertainer. He's name is Plagio Thespy, he used to be a theatre prompter in Waterdeep. He also helped the actors with their make-up, wigs and costumes (in layman's terms: disguise kit :) )

[@RyanTreadaway]

My bard is the beat down, negotiator, infiltrator, and healer. Beat down: For magical secrets, I focused on summoning spells (conjure animals, find greater steed, spiritual weapon). I also took animate objects and have a bunch of silver crossbow bolts. Because of my expertise in perception and stealth, I routinely can get my summons up and running before combat begins. Infiltrator: Expertise in stealth, disguise kit, disguise self, invisibility, modify memory Negotiator: Expertise in deception and persuasion, suggestion, modify memory. Support/Healer: Healing word, healer feat, counter spell, dispell magic, raise dead, cutting words, and song of rest during short rests. Lore bard is my favorite subclass in the whole game. Plus having a griffon that I put armor on at 10th level is the most fun that can be had. Lol

[@BODELTOTE]

Thats one powerhouse of a bard!

[@RyanTreadaway]

@@BODELTOTE thanks! Beyond being powerful, it's just a blast to play. Our wizard keeps telepathic bond up so we can all communicate and I spend most of our exploration time up in the air scouting.

[@jurgenstoll2394]

With a group new to DnD we started a new campaign last month, ending on the second fight with a total party whipeout. So for todays restart I chose to play a variant human bard with inspiring leader on 1st level. Just to keep them up alive a little bit longer...

[@ProgramKiraTV]

I had to go Satyr for my bard, such an easy pick for the free performance persuasion proficiency and magic resistance. Thanks Mordenkainen!!

[@alexsanderognev]

Came here from Baldur's Gate 3, this is incredible how all things in d&d just works in BG3, thanks for video guys!

[@loljackpot101]

So he wasn't a bard but one of my friends was playing a spheres of power class that escentially made all his drawings become real, it was actually pretty cool he used it alot for area control by putting up walls and his characters end goal was hilarious, he wanted to draw his perfect spouse and our dm said ok as long as he could hit 100 in drawing (he came so close and then sadly his character died)

[@BlackShadow1991]

Thank you for making these videos, Dudes :D Good stuff!

[@seaperson5704]

I love the variety of spells in this comments section, and I feel it really illustrates how fun and flexible the Lore Bard can be. My personal favorite.

[@davidcowan9127]

Great information guys. One entertainer type I thought would be interesting is a Mime.

[@LawrenceDomkowski]

Outstanding video, gentlemen. The most important thing to remember with a College of Lore Bard is to determine, early on in the game the role in the party this character will play.

[@ellen2321]

I have been thinking about making my next character a half orc lore bard who was training to be the next storyteller/oral historian of the clan. I'm picturing a character reciting sections of Beowulf at the table.

[@benframbaugh9907]

The one eye man from 300 narrating the story...

[@alexesterly3448]

I had a lore bard who played a bass drum that was always strapped to him. I took thunder step as one of my first magical secrets for the effect of having one massive hit on the drum and then teleporting away with a huge sound explosion in my wake.

[@alphaxtitania5597]

I have a Lore Bard planned for a high level campaign we're going to play once we finish playing through Icewind Dale. I plan to take both Conjure Barrage and Conjure Volley to rain silver daggers on my enemies, and Animate Objects for a swarm of dancing silver daggers. Beyond that, she's gonna be a dedicated saboteur/support caster. She'll be known as "Astrid of the Dancing Blades!"

[@Riccardo_Magliano]

For the record. I'm playing my first campaing with a lore bard and I made him a comedian who entertain the tavern constumer with stand up comedy and the kids with epic stories. I'm having lot of fun roleplaying him

[@lord6617]

My Minotaur lore Skald took conjure animals and revivify as a combat support/healer. Started with 1 level of abberant mind sorcerer and later picked up Medium armor mastery for great concentration saves and a decent armor class, as well as great cantrip selection to do damage from melee and range.

[@owensmith2995]

I played a glamor bard illusionist/con artist with the arcane trickster multiclass and the telekinetic feat who would entrance people with his illusions and music whilst pickpocketing or using his charm to grift entire crowds of people (level 15 one shot) it was pretty damn fun. The race I chose was a changeling too so once they pickpocketed they would change appearance and would never be seen in the same guise again

[@shayneguidroz2122]

I did a custom lineage bard with the Warlock invocation feat to pick up mask of many faces at level one. He became the region's most famous drag queen, Sassy Woodswallow. It was insanely fun and created endless shinanigans.

[@elijahculper5522]

My first ever character was a lore bard who was basically Sid from Galavant. I followed the “cooler” members of the party around and sang about how cool they were and I handed out bonus dice like I was Oprah.

[@mikeashawasegai7530]

i have a lightfoot halfling bard with a hand crossbow. all my spells are strictly support and i hang back in the back lines, i found boots that up my stealth so when im not casting ill stealth in a battle and take my shots from stealth with advantage. ill be casting bardic inspiration, bane, true strike, and healing word. i also have thunderwave for pushing the melee characters away from me and minor illusion to trick higher level foes that we cant fight just yet to make a break for it

[@ShakeRogue]

Kelly built a Death Metal Bard, and I love it. Monty made a Broadway show tune bard, because it can Defy Gravity. I love them both.

[@jerrybeard8995]

Great time for this video, I'm playing my 1st ever Bard, and he's lore bard, only level 4 but as a UA Fairy, I hope to do at least ok for my party. plus I'm trying to keep Comprehend languages, with it being ritual, It frees up a lower slot to cast with since I'll always use it as a ritual, and I think Tongues is a necessity to help communicate thru out the campaign for the party and tiny hut. but I gotta wait another level for those

[@kaijukoopa1248]

My idea for my bard was a traveling adventurer of a sort. He grew up on stories of Candle Keep and so he writes down the adventures he goes on, creates maps of ruins he explores as well as copying spells he finds in order to donate them to CandleKeep

[@davidcardoso3525]

I played a half-elf College of Lore Bard through Out of the Abyss...Adventurer's League in a store campaign. Because the game was in a game store sometimes attendance was spotty. Abby had to stand in as the party's primary Thief, Cleric, or Wizard at various points. I played Abby as a world-weary, jaded person who was comically inept at Diplomacy checks. My primary instrument was the bodhran. Extra spells chosen were magic missile, counterspell, fireball, and greater restoration.

[@Salem-Arrak]

Funny you mentioned the subclasses you created for the sponsor. Finding a party has become difficult recently, so I'm creating a lot of subclasses to scratch the itch. I think it's a skill worth sharing on how to design a subclass for a specific class.

[@Spiceodog]

You can also tell stories through song and dance, and pump it up with some visually and auditorily stunning spells to make a incredible performance, like my character

[@8umber]

My Lore bard is Zephyr Stormsong a radiant soul Asaimar. He is the party's healer and is a priest of Tempus the god of war. He performs battle hymns on his Viola and has a Griffin named Horus as his personal mount. He also provides Lodgings for the party via Galdur's tower. He also serves as the group's back up arcanist. Our party consists of a spores druid, a ranged fighter, a lore bard, and a necromancer wizard.

[@Luosta_]

Omg just the video I've been looking for a while now!

[@Jordan-bm8lp]

The funnest Bard I ever played was a non-music bard. She was a standup comedian! It made for insanely fun role play.

[@AfroditeBell]

My lore bard I’m creating is a draco-changeling (one dip silver Draconic Sorcerer), named Mayumi Eido. She’s a con artist/intelligence gatherer, her main scheme is being a Geisha escort. I focused heavily on deception with her. And her combat focus is debuffing (cantrips and bardic inspiration all able to target saves, damage output, or attack). I call her Miss Fortune, the Painted Lady, the face stealer. So many names.

[@dereklebeau]

I love metamagic adept on a bard. Subtle spell mixed with buff spells before combat begins in tough situations can be huge. And of course social situations , a subtle spell can absolutely break an encounter. Dominate person/sugestion/even geas

[@commanderroddi7742]

This is such a strong bard class! What I like about bards is the creativity and out of the box thinking it takes in and out of Combat. My Lore bard was a healerwurh buff/debuffs, and battlefield control, and creative uses if true plokymorph, invisibility and fly help. Dimension door and u loved wall of force, mordenkainens sword, crown of stars, prismatic wall and I loved wall of Force. I do love out of the box Bard RP. Played a Whispers bard (spy background) who was interesting charming things in combat. And a Valor bard who was a sword and shield wannabe hero but not as as good (he thought he was) made for a fun campaign. I always picked wall of Force bc u love that spell. My whisper bard had a lot of Psychic and mind control, my lore had a lot if the rainbow or colorfully Spells, and the Valor had stuff like blade/sword and heroism type stuff (Luke tensers transformation, monderkainen sword, sword of Shadows, shield) very different experiences all!

[@jamricsloe]

My Lore Bard does this for combat. 1st round cast a concentration spell. Usually Bless because he has 1 level of Life Cleric. 2nd round, maintain concentration; cast Eldritch Blast (6th level Secret) using his 1 Action, cast Healing Word or Mass Healing Word using his Bonus Action, and then has a plethora of choices for his Reaction. He a very good support character. Also very fun to role-play because of all the Skills he has. So much fun. I’ve been tempted to take 2 levels of Warlock to maximize the Blast, but don’t wanna miss out on the spell levels. Background is Criminal.

[@bronzedragon18]

My bard is a variant human ( as well as 1/4 changeling!) Jester. I had to go through the College of Lore due to roll20's Character Mancer not allowing homebrew or UA subclasses. I was able to successfully create Daria Romanov as a Jester, but it is a feat and item rich build...She seeks funny and embarrassing stories about the rich,rude, evil and arrogant people as well as spells and items to help her infiltrate,mess with her targets and defend herself and her companions. Daria also seeks a Instrument of the Bards, preferably the Anstruth Harp, though her preferred medium is dance, juggling and storytelling. In fact her favorite style of combat is a Bladesinger esque dance with her twin war fans...

[@Mary_Studios]

My first character I played was a College of lore bard who just wanted to learn as much magic as she can and music was how she copped with dealing with her dead friend and also a way to make money. However I did have to play a bit of grabbing healer spells but since we didn't have much of a wizard or sorcerer I went a bit more for damage dealing spells and I also went with a few find a way to infiltrate places because she was a spy at one point. I had such fun playing with her and hardly got hit and even had her end up with the fighter/barbarian of the party. Defiantly a great first character to play as and I'm sure I'll visit bard again.

[@mikecarson7769]

very much appreciate how you share your two builds of the character, moving through all of your choices along the way . . . and extra bonus = now i can refer to a stereotypical horny bard as a "one-note character"

[@Amaya_Okami]

How did I miss this one?! I had a lore bard who was a thespian (read stage hand). All her spells were mainly utility that would have been used as effects for plays (minor illusion, dancing lights, that sort of thing) her bardic inspirations were limericks. Very over the top diva. Her "weapons" were just stage props (she had a knack of ALWAYS missing melee attacks)

[@kmoustakas]

I'm playing two bards right now and I can totally see what you guys are thinking. One was a half-elf of drow descent for the extra spells. I don't think as a bard you need every single skill seeing as how you get jack of all trades. What you do need is arcana for certain so you can scribe scrolls on your downtime! The other was a mountain dwarf for the sweet, sweet armor proficiency and ton of hit points making him the unlikely tank of our group. I went the other route though on spells: I doubled down on low level spells so I could spam them in combat! Thunderwave enemies off stairs/bridges/parapets, commanding boss enemies to 'grovel' while concentrating on important things or randomly hitting invisible enemies with dissonant whispers meant I literally never had a chance or even would use vicious mockery. My light crossbow is WAY better than anything that cantrip might do yet I never really used the crossbow either.

[@raysadofficial]

The fact that I'm starting a new campaign this Saturday as a bard and this video was released today has to be a sign.

[@simondiamond9628]

Good video overall. Great starting info and ideas to work with. 👍 For my Lore Bard in Ghosts of Saltmarsh, I went with the Custom Lineage race (Actor feat, FTW), and went with the Guild Merchant variant of the Guild Artisan background, with a tie-in to the Weavers & Dyes guild. I sculpted the PC as a Guild Merchant by day for Weavers/Dyes, and a Poet/Playwright/Satirist by night. I felt like that could put him into prime position to step into a Diplomat role if he needs to, later on down the line. For my musical instruments, I actually swapped those out for 3 tool proficiencies instead (based on TCoE variant rules, with DM approval): Disguise Kit, Forgery Kit, and Thieves' Tools. And to supplement that strat, I went and bought an Arcane Focus for spellcasting. I may at some point take bagpipes for Pipes of Haunting, etc., but I don't really plan on leaning in that direction. As for Magical Secrets: 1. At 6th Level, I'm grabbing Find Familiar and Counterspell, since Jack of All Trades works well with any spell based ability check. In case I really need to say "No!", I'm using that in tandem with Silvery Barbs from Strixhaven, to shut an enemy caster down. 2. At 10th level, I'm yoinking Druidcraft and Fabricate. These two, along with Plant Growth at 3rd level, can let you "go-go-gadget-dupe-glitch" with planting seeds (flax, hemp, cotton, herbs, vegetables, wheat, etc.) in order to make nigh-infinite $$ as an industry enterprise juggernaut, if you know what you're doing. 3. Other Magical Secrets I'm considering for Tier 3/4 play: Wish, Simulacrum, Wall of Force, Sickening Radiance, Demiplane, Spiritual Weapon, Spirit Guardians, and maybe Shield. In any event, good vid guys. 👍

[@hello-timbo]

Late to this, but good stuff. To throw out my atypical bard character I created a Gnome Bard. Playing on the background of Gnomes often being tutors and seekers of knowledge, I thought it worked well with a Lore Bard. My angle is he is a business guy. He brokers in knowledge and information, which plays up the Lore Bard. So while nominally plays an instrument, he isn't so much a musician as a story teller and writer of stories. In-game I set up a massive business where every time we go to a notable town, I set up an import/export contact (ran in the background as downtime). This means in-game if we go somewhere I can be like, "I'm going to talk to my local guy to see if he knows something." I also have his own letters of introduction as well as one with a House of Waterdeep in which he does business, so it works the angle of a bard going into towns and just seemingly being able to connect with others. I created a custom background I called "Adventure Capitalist" to emphasize his quest for business and knowledge - knowledge is a business. So the import/export while legit are really also to set up a network of contacts and resources all around Faerun.

[@GBArkais]

I hit 4th level last week and picked Magic initiate with my 4th level feat, which not only gave me Hex and Eldritch blast before my first magical secrets, but I also gained Toll of the Dead.

[@RobKinneySouthpaw]

You can take basically just mind-affecting spells, buffing spells, exploration spells, and plane shift/teleport, and make sure you eventually grab Wish. You essentially made Dr. Who. No damage or healing spells taken. Also take tongues

[@shawngallagher8764]

I’m playing a 7’ tall, 333lb Loxodon Eloquence bard who transforms into a slender, handsome, luxurious elf to perform and no one knows his identity except the party and innkeeper confidant. My cantrips were Mending and Vicious Mockery, 1st lvl spells were Disguise Self (his gimmick), Sleep (which I replaced with Cloud of Daggers), Thunderwave and Healing Word. His second lvl spells were Heat Metal, Invisibility and Cloud of Daggers. I just turned 4th lvl yesterday and picked up Suggestion and replaced Cloud of Daggers with Enlarge Reduce, as well as took up the Mage Hand cantrip. It was a tough call between that and Prestidigitation.

[@samuelbroad11]

Cutting Words will also help reduce damage to an Area of Effect spell, that's a die less damage for many in your group.

[@erikraisanen6954]

Starting a campaign playing a college of lore bard tonight. Good timing guys. ;-)

[@franklinirons7393]

My college of lore bard is an interrogator/spy. Not so much good at combat but great for role play. Being able to use cutting words to make someone lose most if not all of their bonus to a save is so good.

[@Jordan-bm8lp]

I also played a high elf lore bard who had INCREDIBLE stats that eventually multiclassed into rogue. By the end, with magical items and the bard/rogue combo being a skill/expertise monkey, I’m pretty sure I had a +18 to stealth, perception, performance, and persuasion. Also, Bc high elf, proficiency in long bows, so good at range. She had incredible dex and got the Sun Sword from Curse of Strahd and kept it the whole campaign, so damn good in melee. And she was a spellcaster, and the party’s main healer until like 10th level (until the paladin showed up). I remember casting tiny hut a lot (our campaign definitely called for that), along with counterspell, polymorph, and healing word. God, she was incredible. She’s still out there, somewhere, in my sister’s homebrew world, fucking shit up. You go, Idriel.

[@theonlymatthew.l]

I would take 2-3 levels of Hexblade. Two levels if you will actually play lvl 16-20, 3 levels otherwise. U get so much, med armor and shield proficiency, eldritch blast, hex ability, hex spell. If u take a 3rd level pick up an invisible Imp to help with social and information gathering. The Shield spell. Not to mention 2 invocations (I would take Devil's Sight and Agonizing Blast)

[@alexanderfeoktistov6826]

My lore bard is a Dan Carlin/Mike Duncan/Patrick Wyman history podcaster type. I have a pretty high intelligence, picked up Arcana proficiency and expertise in history. I reflavored my hypnotic pattern to be an audio phenomenon, where those that fail the save hear an entire 100+ hour-long series on the history of a fallen empire from my DM's setting (and it begins with me playing a guitar lick identical to the History of Rome podcast's opening riff.) We started at level 6, and our DM gave us one uncommon item, so I picked up the Folcuchan Bandore (a balalaika for my Russian inspired bard). I play a gloom stalker ranger/rogue in another campaign, and I really love the contrasting roles between these two characters, especially since there's a lot of overlap between the two groups. Some of my favorite moments with my bard are when my inspiration lets the rogue land his sneak attack, or when my dissonant whispers make a baddie flee the monk, barbarian, and rogue at the same time, provoking opportunity attacks from all of the above.

[@natashasurvivallady8021]

Imagine taking find steed and conjure animals as your 6th level Magical Secrets. You could ride a great stallion at the head of a herd of horses. XD

[@daddm1315]

One of my favorite characters was a Halfling Lore Bard inspired by Tyrion Lannister, named Corrin Half-Man, another (play from the GoT universe). He didn't play music, dance, or paint pictures; he was an orator that went 18 levels in Lore Bard and 2 levels in Divination Wizard. Between the Lucky racial feature, the Lucky feat, Bountiful Luck, Cutting Words, and Portent etc., he basically wrote the lore for the campaign as we played it by changing the dice to tell the story he wanted them to tell.

[@M_M_ODonnell]

A bard specializing in oration would stereotypically be College of Eloquence, but one who really emphasized breadth and depth of knowledge to back up the skills in oration would definitely make sense as College of Lore; especially if based on Tyrion "A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone" Lannister.

[@IkaikaArnado]

I went with the infiltrator / interrogator. I actually took a 3 dip in a hex blade with a chain master boon for an imp, Eldritch Blast, and the mask of many faces.

[@diablorose]

Dungeon Dudes and RPDR!!!!! My worlds are colliding!!!!