The Best Feats for Bards: D&D 5e 🎸 Drop the Beat, Use a Feat🎤🎵

[@kenscott1082]

I like how you did this for each subclass. Makes me think I could use one or the other kit.

[@LiveDefiant]

I am playing an eloquence Bard. He's a half elf confidence artist. Blends into high society in a city to steal from the rich

[@FlutesLoot]

Oooo, a confidence artist. That's a new one! I like it.

[@LiveDefiant]

@@FlutesLoot I thought of the Matt Bomer character from White Collar to create him.

[@TheMemo659]

I'm a 5e perma bard and flavor them with various dips into other classes. They are usually a melee of some sort; college of valor or swords with a 2 level dip, or college of lore as a 5+ level martial multi class. War Caster and Lucky are gimmies. Skill expert is a fantastic way to bump those awkward 15, 17 and 19 stats while adding yet MORE expertise to a build. Magic Initiate is a trick I've used to get a decent ranged cantrip if whatever I dipped in doesnt have a good choice. Tough or Alert are usually my typical "final" picks.

[@FlutesLoot]

Sounds fun! Good on you for liking a class so much to perma-play it :P

[@marcusblacknell-andrews1783]

The “Mentalist” concept sounds like a good fit for my character. I plan to build a Dhampir bard from the College of Tragedy as a Dimir Operative.

[@FlutesLoot]

I hope you have a campaign that makes the character shine! Sounds so fun.

[@bronzedragon18]

My bard is a variant human homebrew College of Satire,a Jester whose subclass is about empowering Vicious Mockery and being tough.Alas due to roll20's Character Mancer I had to go through the College of Lore and sort of combine the two.?

[@FlutesLoot]

Is that the subclass by Icarus Games?

[@PatRiot-le7rd]

Great idea to do recommendations based on subclass concepts instead of a one size fits all list for the class.

[@FlutesLoot]

Thank you, I'm glad you like it!

[@lexmtaylor]

I’m thinking about a Strength Bard for grappling and shoving who would have Expertise in Athletics. Looking at Shield Master to use bonus action to shove. Might dip 3 for Armorer Artificer or Cavalier for soft taunts and access to heavy armor and shields. Thinking college of swords for good use of all three Flourishes. Mobile Flourish is good at range to add movement. Defensive Flourish can drastically up AC while you are grappling someone so they can’t hit you. Slashing Flourish actually works with Thunder Guantlets to soft taunt an additional creature. Mobile feat is also helpful to soft taunt multiple enemies.

[@FlutesLoot]

Sounds like a pro wrestler!

[@harold2003]

My name is Doof and you'll do what I say...woot woot

[@FlutesLoot]

Woot woot Doof

[@bronzedragon18]

Daria's style is dance, juggling and storytelling rather than music and singing while doing the usual Jester thing. Her favorite weapons are her twin war fans and daggers. Daria's combat style is a bladesinger esque dance and she seeks to be a well rounded and effective spellcaster. Given the above and that Daria already has the Magic Initiate and War Caster feats, what feats would you recommend? Thanks!

[@FlutesLoot]

Solid choices could include Resilient (Con), Lucky, Fey Touched, and Telekinetic!

[@bronzedragon18]

@@FlutesLoot Good suggestions thanks!

[@bronzedragon18]

The problem with crafting a Jester Bard is that none of the canonical subclasses can adequately recreate it, although the College of Lore comes closest. Even so,it quickly became obvious that Daria Romanov would be a feat and item heavy build.

[@bronzedragon18]

I rolled for stats and got lucky, getting, after racial increases, 19, 18 and a 16 in Cha,Dex and Con respectively. Her items were a bag of Holding,a Hat of Disguise,Glamoured Studded Leather armor and a Rhythm-Maker's Drum +1,. The Hat and the armor enable Daria to disguise herself without using a valuable spell slot , even multiple times a day, while the Drum raises her spell attack and save DC,.

[@bronzedragon18]

I planned to take Fey Touched for the Cha boost as well as Misty Step and Silvery Barbs, Resilient Con and Lucky. The issue is that either Resilient or Lucky wouldn't come online until 16th level,. My solution is to equip Daria with a Amulet of Health ; between the Amulet,Warcaster and Lucky I should be good on Con saves. Then Lucky at 12th and the Extra Attunement feat at 16th so Daria can get a Instrument of the Bards n!

[@TheRobversion1]

I tend to go pure class in bard the longest over other classes in my builds as well due to magical secrets being so good that i always beeline for it and really just consider multiclassing after that. i'll share my top 5 feats on my bards: 1. feytouched- best way to round out an odd cha since bards dont have misty step which is one of the best spells in the game for its level. 2. metamagic adept- this is of particular use to the bard that picks up conjure animals. distant spell turns conjure animals into the best blast spell in the game. 3. magic initiate- one of the biggest weaknesses on the bard's spell list is the lack of a good offensive cantrip. this fixes that problem while picking up a 1st level spell to help shore up their weak defenses like mage armor. 4. alert- going 1st is always good. 5. resilient: con/warcaster- concen spells are the bard's bread and butter. getting at least 1 of these 2 helps protect those.

[@FlutesLoot]

Strong choices!

[@Hari-Harmonies]

I know this video is a while ago, but I really like to play a bard inspired by where the namesake came from, the Celtic minstrels. I feel like a good feat for this would be Keen Mind and maybe a boost to history, arcana, religion, or nature. I'm really torn though and not too sure how to level, I know I want to take Valour Bard and be a longbow archer for the flavour and aesthetic but I could do with some advice.

[@FlutesLoot]

Jeremy Crawford definitely likes the Celtic minstrels for Bard inspiration. If you're playing a bowman Bard, and you want to use a longbow instead of a hand crossbow, Sharpshooter seems important. Taking a level or two of Fighter for the Archery Fighting Style and Action Surge would do wonders, too. You could also get Archery FS as a feat.

[@thewickedturtle7307]

The bard I was telling you about yesterday is the chef feat. He is a hospitality halfling. So keeping everyone eating is sorta his thing. And since we don’t have a dedicated healer in the group I can heal everyone with short rest healing instead. And then our dm let’s us train into feats. So I’ve got observant and linguist to help play into the bard innkeeper spy.

[@FlutesLoot]

Those are fun feats to pick up through training :)

[@zacharyzurawski5516]

I'm working on a similar concept right now but with a satyr. Gonna probably go lore bard chainlock multiclass (slept with a succubus on accident and she stole my mojo in my backstory to plan for the bardlock). Thinking about picking up chef so I can sing while I cook with my pseudodragon buddy and get max hit healing on every thing for myself while providing song of rest and food for my companions to conserve hit die for all. Use combat spells in warlock slots and support/healing spells in bard slots so I can always have a couple big booms after a short rest.

[@mikececconi2677]

I enjoy the bard feat usage where you boost your casting versatility because you're a spells known caster and even at level 20, you'd only have so many options to work from. Fey Touched and Shadow Touched back to back give you four more spells known, four extra castings a rest and between them a +2 for Charisma... unless you're really trying to lean into weapon combat, it's hard to not take those. Ditto for Warcaster, the concentration aid plus the extra versatility in opportunity attack, it almost seems like a tax on Bard where you kind of have to take it if you're a casting-heavy bard... hard to not take that with the level 1 feat for a variant human or custom lineage. It just makes sense to me that a bard would dabble to both to diversify and to shore up weaknesses like that. (One of the armor boost feats make a lot of sense depending on if you multiclass for more armor or not... and if you rolled for good enough stats to not need too many ASIs, Magic Initiate is another fun way to diversify, if definitely less optimal than the Touched feats.)

[@FlutesLoot]

Though I tried to give alternative ideas in the video/article, I'd almost certainly play a Bard and select feats as you described. I'd want to bolster my spellcasting while protecting myself. It makes the most sense for how I'd want to play a Bard. :)

[@junsonofjack3740]

About to play a valor bard and considering shield master. We will get to level 20 so I’ll be up against some nasty magic! There aren’t many classes that have proficiency in dex saves and shields. I may look to take advantage!

[@RIVERSRPGChannel]

Some good thoughts My halfling bard like the rest of the party has its attributes hamstrung by our DM. I may try feats at 9-10 levels

[@FlutesLoot]

Sometimes the stats are too tempting to pass up!

[@frenchi12]

Any tips on feats for my Changeling bard who is going to subclass in the college of eloquence. He (well nobody knows his gender really) is going be a manipulator and get cozy with people just to take advantage of them specifically nobles and politicians. I'm pretty new to dnd I only have ever played monk and am currently playing a fighter in another campaign. Also I want to try my best to be a support and focus more on buffing/helping my party.

[@FlutesLoot]

Hi! That sounds like a fun character. Might be challenging for a new player, so ask your DM quickly if you have questions about how something will resolve mechanically. I recommend the feats from my video at 4:15 for the soothsayer concept. Actor, Shadow Touched, and Fey Touched. You won't need Eldritch Adept since you're a Changeling. If you have room for another feat, consider Alert, Lucky, Moderately Armored, War Caster, Resilient, or anything that sounds fun.

[@hopeforescape884]

My picks are: moderately armored, lucky, War caster, alert, Res Con (Maybe Res Wis if you started sorcerer), Inspiring leader, and fey touched. And of course if you are playing a "martial" bard CBE + SS goes without saying.

[@FlutesLoot]

Wise choices! If I were to build a Bard right this second and plan out feats, I'd probably want Fey Touched, Moderately Armored (if not a Valor Bard), War Caster, and Resilient. I might multiclass for armor instead of getting Moderately Armored.

[@Ragingraf27]

Thanks for the content and Ideas

[@FlutesLoot]

Happy to share ideas!

[@GoblinLord]

soothsayer really sounds fun because you could feasibly become a god if your cult does well enough, maybe even becoming a setting specific form of The Traveler

[@FlutesLoot]

Lol I hadn't thought about literally using the believers to achieve godhood. "They called me a cultist until I became a god." :P

[@GoblinLord]

@@FlutesLoot "It's tough to be a God, tread where mortals have not trod, be deified, when really, you're a shaaam" Gotta love some Road to El Dorado

[@scottburns4458]

Some good builds here 👍🏻

[@FlutesLoot]

Thanks, Scott! I hope they're helpful for aspiring Bards.

[@nicholaslandolt8912]

Got any ideas for a necromancer bard? Bringing back undead minions with your music? Thinking of an Orc Bard playing Awaken from Dethklok lol

[@FlutesLoot]

Yeah! Use Magical Secrets to grab Animate Dead and Crusader's Mantle to make an army of skeletal archers that each receive 1d4 extra radiant damage. :) The Orc concepts sounds perfect.

[@nicholaslandolt8912]

@@FlutesLoot Neat! I will look that up! Thanks!

[@itaylorm]

Some great ideas

[@The482075]

For each Bard Subclass, which real life people would you say fit well? I changed up the question since most singers, song writers and bands would just be College of Glamour.

[@FlutesLoot]

Haha that's a fun question. I think each college could be roleplayed very differently, so I'd have a hard time picking one best match. I'm tempted to say Enya would be one of them :P

[@The482075]

Right real-life performers for each of the sub-classes. I am expanding my definition of a Bard beyond singers, songwriters musicians, and bands. I am picking real life people for each sub-class. Whilst there are many great people or groups of people that can fit, I shall stick with one per subclass. College of Creation: In real life, this type of Bard is someone who creates whole worlds for people to immerse themselves in. However more than this, they become a safe haven for others. My pick would be Mr. Rogers. He created whole worlds, sings and was able to use his charming persona to teach children important life lessons. College of Eloquence: This is the diplomat, activist, agitator, spearhead of a social movement and force to be reckoned with. I am going with Mahatma Gandhi. Whilst Martin Luther King comes in a close second, I am giving this one to Gandhi because he is able to combine cunning, and wisdom with his already incredible Charisma whilst also appearing weak and frail. He is softly spoken and goes against what we expect from a charismatic speaker. College of Glamour: This is the hardest one. Artists such as Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey and countless other divas are all strong contenders. However, my pick is the legendary Nina Simone. She combined glamour with activism and a willingness to shake up the status quo. College of Lore: There is only one person who in my mind perfectly fits this subclass. William Shakespeare. His writing is sublime, combining references to mythology in order to bring new life to classic stories. He was also a master of insults and cutting words as well as a broad and diverse understanding of different subjects. College of Spirits: This is your medium. Whether or not these abilities are real is a matter of debate. I honestly don't know. I know nothing about this sort of thing, though after a quick Google Search Michelle Whitedove came up. Apparently, she is popular in America. College of Swords: I see this as more of a stage/film actor with a love of swords. Someone who is skilled with stunt work and has a great presence. Theo Kypri was Johnny Depp's stunt double in Pirates of the Caribbean. Given how he emulates the awkward drunken physicality of Jack Sparrow whilst also performing some complex stunts, I'd say he fits this subclass to a tee. College of Valour: I am thinking of more of an inspirational warrior who led armies. Whilst Alexander The Great is a strong contender, my pick is Genghis Khan. Brutal, savage, commanding and exceptionally charismatic. College of Whispers: This would be a spy. Sneaky, subtle and less flashy than the other Bards on this List. Emphasis on the Whispers. Any World War 2 spy from any faction would work. That said Peggy Taylor is my pick. Incredibly cunning, stealthy and versatile.

[@fakepsychicdetective]

David Bowie and Prince are both Glamour bards. I like to think of Billy Idol as a swords bard and Ozzy Osbourne and Alice Cooper as Spirits bards

[@The482075]

Song lyrics you say?: Never gonna give you up! Never gonna let you down. Never gonna run around and desert you Never gonna make you cry Never gonna say goodbye Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you.

[@FlutesLoot]

This could be the creed of a Bard College haha

[@kwaksea]

Generally interesting in concept wise. However, I wonder if going melee with Bard is such a good idea since Bard only have d8 hit dice, not to mention Moderately Armored feat is quite an investment. I think Ritual Caster feat would be interesting feat for Scholarly Bard since as far as I know Bards are not Ritual Caster

[@FlutesLoot]

I'd be hesitant to go melee with a Bard, too. I know some people go for it, though. And Bards can ritual cast without taking the Ritual Caster feat. :)

[@Typical7]

bards got the ritual caster feature but you are right that the feat will let you add rituals from scrolls you find, like the opitimizer's favorite find familiar

[@FlutesLoot]

@@Typical7 that's right! Then you won't have to invest Magical Secrets to get it.

[@taelok]

on a steel horse I ride!!!!

[@FlutesLoot]

I'm wanted! Dead or alive

[@basegrid461]

Wait people don't love chef feat I think it's great, so why?

[@FlutesLoot]

Depends who you ask :P Some think its effects are suboptimal choices compared to other options. Others dislike it because they think anyone who is a good cook should get the benefits. I really don't mind it.

[@basegrid461]

@@FlutesLoot wow neat when the creator of the video replies. So first thanks, second thinking more about it I think I personally liked the chef feat do to the flavor it gives. With myself leaning more on the roleplay side of d&d, while still loving combat. So for me I like the choice as it lets this rp thing you do while resting, then give your party a hand afterwards. Even if it's not optimal.

[@FlutesLoot]

@@basegrid461 I like that it comes with a +1 to Con and doesn't have a Charisma requirement like Inspiring Leader does. Having said that, I'd probably do the math based on my party size to see if either one is better or worse than the other.

[@basegrid461]

@@FlutesLoot @Flutes Loot Fair enough I just like sharing why I enjoy this weird feat though agreed if the effectiveness can depend alot on the party size. But still I think it's cool even if not perfect, also the +1 con is great, another reason I like it, plus it allows my low charisma characters new ways to shine. Not all supporters need to make speeches even a nice cooked meal can help.

[@michaelmuirhead910]

I’d like to give a shout out to Resilient: Wisdom. Since you can’t inspire yourself, it may come in very handy.

[@FlutesLoot]

Resilient is great, and so are Wisdom saves

[@davidstratton696]

Don’t remind of that bs. One of the reasons I hate Bards. Like y can’t they inspire themselves? So apparently self-motivation isn’t a thing smh.

[@FlutesLoot]

@@davidstratton696 cursed to inspire but never feel inspired :P I guess some subclasses use BI in different ways for themselves, but they're hardly inspirationaly.