The Bard

 

Parts of a Class

Primary Ability – While noted in the Classes Summary of the PHB, this is more pronounced. It is noted that multiclassing now requires a 13 in each classes primary ability. This is a change from the prior prerequisites where Monk, Paladin and Ranger had two prerequisites.

Class Group – New-ish. Really an older concept of Magic User, Cleric, Thief, and Fighter for the modern game. I like the reference each party should have 1 person from each class group.

Bard

Bard Table – Proficiency Bonus is the same, Removed Spells Known, and instead of Spell Slots its Prepared Spells per Level.

Where did abilities go?

Level	Old	New
1	Bardic Inspiration, Spellcasting	Bardic Inspiration, Spellcasting
2	Jack of All Trades, Song of Rest	Expertise, Songs of Restoration
3	Bard College, Expertise	Bard Subclass
4	Ability Score Improvement	Feat
5	Bardic Inspiration, Font of Inspiration	Jack of All Trades – Bard die improves to d8
6	Countercharm, Bard College Feature	Subclass Feature
7	-	Font of Bardic Inspiration
8	Ability Score Improvement	Feat
9	Song of Rest	Expertise
10	Bardic Inspiration (d10), Expertise, Magical Secrets	Subclass Feature – Bardic Die d10
11	-	Magical Secrets
12	Ability Score Improvement	Feat
13	Song of Rest (d10)	-
14	Magical Secrets, Bard College Feature	Subclass Feature
15	Bardic Inspiration (d12)	Further Magical Secrets – Bardic Die d12
16	Ability Score Improvement	Feat
17	Song of Rest (d12)	-
18	Magical Secrets	Superior Bardic Inspiration
19	Ability Score Improvement	Feat
20	Superior Inspiration	Epic Boon

 

·         Ability Score Improvement is now a Feat. Makes sense since an ability increase is a feat.

·         Bardic Inspiration is now encompassed in the bardic die. It was a bonus action to give someone a Bardic Inspiration die that they can use in the next 10 minutes on an ability, attack or saving throw. Now it is  a reaction to give the creature a Bardic Inspiration die. The usage was Charisma modifier. It is now proficiency bonus.

o   Bardic Inspiration also now has a Heal component where a bard can use its reaction to restore a number of hit points equal to the number rolled. Love this.

·         Spellcasting. Some changes. Instead of a set of known spells. Instead Bards can select any from Divination, Enchantment, Illusion or Transmutation.

·         Songs of Restoration is new. It is basically a free spell with a limited number of spells based on a list. Love it.

·         Bard Subclass replaces Bard Schools.

·         Jack of All Trades goes from 2 to 5. It was add half proficiency bonus, rounded down to an ability check. It is the same but with reworked language.

·         Font of Inspiration is now Font of Bardic Inspiration two levels higher at level 7. It was the bard regained all expended uses of Bardic Inspiration after a short or long rest. Now if the target or the bard rolls a 1 – that use of Bardic Inspiration is not used. This is big.

·         Magical Secrets is moved from level 10 to 11. Instead of selecting a class – the bard chooses Arcane, Divine or Primal as a spell list. This includes all schools of magic.

·         Further Magical Secrets was at 14 and is now 15 and the 18^th level version in the old rules is removed. This is another instance of magical secrets.

·         Superior Inspiration is now Superior Bardic Inspiration at 18^th level instead of 20^th. It was that the bard gained one inspiration if none were left when initiative is rolled. Now it simply is that the bard gains two expended uses. Big.

Hit Points – same

Saves – Same

Skills – was any three – still is with Deception, Performance, Persuasion suggested

Weapons – Simple Weapons – removes hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords

Tools – same three musical instruments

College of Lore

·         Bonus Proficiencies - Was gain three proficiencies. Now it is Arcana, History, and Nature unless the bard already has one of these.

·         Cutting Words – No longer allows the usage on damage. Otherwise is the same but notes a Reaction is used.

·         Additional Magical Secrets – is now Cunning Inspiration. It is now a permanent semi-inspiration (roll twice and take the higher albeit not on a d20) on the usage of Bardic Inspiration.

·         Improved Cutting Words – new. Can deal Psychic Damage equal to the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die plus Charisma modifier on the target. NOICE.

·         Peerless Skill – Similar but reworded. Allows bard to keep the Bardic Inspiration if it fails.