Summary
One of the most popular and powerful classes inDungeons and Dragonsis the Bard, and they get a massive update in the 2024 edition of thePlayer’s Handbook. With anoverhaul of the mechanics of Bardic Inspirationand double the number of subclasses that came with the 2014Player’s Handbook, including a brand-new subclass, the Bard has a fresh coat of paint and is looking better than ever.
Like the other dedicated spellcasting classes inDungeons and Dragons, Bards now have their own Spell List. The Bard Spell List includes new spells, as well as other established spells that were added to the Bard Spell List. And, like the other spellcasters, Bards can also choose to change one of their cantrips every time they level up.
Changes to All Bards in the 2024 Player’s Handbook
One of the biggest functional changes to the Bard is how Bardic Inspiration works. With the 2024 edition of thePlayer’s Handbook, Bardic Inspiration lasts for one hour, rather than ten minutes. Bards can also restore their Bardic Inspiration points by expending spell slots, essentially choosing to sacrifice spells for Bardic Inspiration. Another bonus is that Bardic Dice are only used if rolls fail and Bardic Inspiration points need to be expended, encouraging players to actually use their Bardic Inspiration rather than hoarding them.
Countercharm has received a much-needed upgrade. Now a Reaction, Countercharm can be used when a target close to the Bard is already Charmed or Frightened. Countercharm gives the target a new roll against the check with Advantage.
Bards now gain Expertise at Level 2 instead of Level 3. At Level 10, all Bards gain Magical Secrets, which gives themaccess to spells from the Wizard, Druid, and Cleric Spell Lists, and can prepare spells from these Spell Lists. Unfortunately, Song of Rest which used to be granted at Level 2, has been completely removed.
Moving from the 20th to the 18th Level is Superior Inspiration, and ensures the Bard will always have at least two uses of Bardic Inspiration when rolling for initiative. When entering combat, if the Bard has anything less than two uses of Bardic Inspiration, Superior Inspiration will bump that number up to two. Finally, Bards gain mastery over the spoken word at Level 20, and withWords of Creation get Power Word: Heal, and Power Word: Kill, which can be used on two targets at a time.
New Bard Subclasses in Dungeons and Dragons
All classes have been standardized so that every class in the 2024Player’s Handbookgets four subclasses. While this means that some classes have their subclasses removed, the Bard benefits from this and gets two more classes than the 2014Player’s Handbook.
The College of Dance
The College of Dance is an entirely new subclass inDungeons and Dragons, and hasn’t been brought in from any of the other sourcebooks for the 2024Player’s Handbook. The reason for developing this subclass is that performance and Bard magic isn’t necessarily verbal and is instead rooted in communication, which can be accomplished in many ways. Upon gaining the subclass, College of Dance Bards gain the Dazzling Footwork feature. This gives themUnarmored AC bonuses similar to Monks. It also allows them to deal an Unarmed Strike whenever they use a point of Bardic Inspiration. Their Unarmed Strike deals bludgeoning damage equal to their roll of Bardic Inspiration dice, plus their dexterity modifier. This roll does not expend a use of Bardic Inspiration.
At Level 6, College of Dance Bards can use a Reaction to move away from an enemy that ends their turn within 5ft of them. To do so, they need to expend a use of Bardic Inspiration and move up to half their movement speed, allowing allies to do the same. Because it uses Bardic Inspiration, this also allows the Bard to attack the enemy with Unarmed Strike as a part of the Reaction. This move does not provoke an Opportunity Attack from the enemy.
College of Dance Bards also get the Tandem Footwork feature, which allows the Bard to expend Bardic Inspiration and add the roll’s number to their and their ally’s initiative. At Level 14, Bards from the College of Dance getEvasion just like Monks and Roguesbut, unlike their peers, they can share the effects with their allies.
College of Glamor
The College of Glamour Bard subclass first appeared inXanathar’s Guide to Everything, and has now been moved to thePlayer’s Handbook. With the move comes some quality of life changes for the Glamour Bard. The first change comes with Beguiling Magic at Level 3, which replaces Enthralling Performance. This means that the Bard always has Charm Person and Mirror Image prepared. Additionally, whenever theGlamour Bard casts an Enchantment or Illusion spell, they can choose a target and try to Charm or Frighten them.
Mantle of Inspiration grants a temporary increase in HP, while Mantle of Majesty allows the Bard to always have the Command spell prepared. As with the College of Dance’s restoration of Bardic Inspiration, Glamour Bards can restore their Mantles by expending Level 3 or higher spell slots. Unbreakable Majesty is a new feature, where on a creature’s first attack against the Glamour Bard, it must succeed on a Charisma saving throw or it will miss the attack.
Returning Bard Subclasses in Dungeons and Dragons
College of Lore
The College of Lore Bard was one of thetwo original Bard classes in the 2014Player’s Handbook, and it makes a return with some refinements. Like the changes to Magical Secrets, the Magical Discoveries feature allows the Lore Bard to swap out spells as they level up.
The biggest change to the College of Lore Bard is therefinement of Cutting Words, which now works even on creatures who are immune to being Charmed, and isn’t affected if the creature can hear. Peerless Skill now uses Bardic Inspiration and, if it is unsuccessful, the use of Bardic Inspiration is not expended. This is to encourage players to use their features and resources, rather than hoard them.
College of Valor
Another established Bard subclass, the College of Valor has only a few changes. Valor Bards can now cast a cantrip for their extra attack, and they can now use their weapon as their spellcasting focus, removing any worry about having theirhands free to cast spellsor hold their focus.
