Bard
Bards often serve as negotiators, messengers, scouts, and spies. They love to accompany heroes (and villains) to witness heroic (or villainous) deeds firsthand, since a bard who can tell a story from personal experience earns renown among his fellows. A bard casts arcane spells without any advance preparation, much like a sorcerer. His magic emphasizes charms and illusions, and the bard can also play an inspiring song that strengthens him and his allies. Bards also share some specialized skills with rogues, and their knowledge of item lore is nearly unmatched.
Some hold that if one had the eyes to see, the world would be revealed as a symphony of celestial music, each theme playing out its part on the stage of reality. For some bards, this intuition is true. When they let the scales slip from their eyes, they see the underlying overture of music that connects all levels of reality.
Hit Die: d6
Proficiencies: Armor (Light, Medium), Shields, Weapons (Simple)
Skill Points: 6 + INT
Class Skills: Appraise, Block, Bluff, Concentration, Craft (all), Decipher Script, Discipline, Disguise, Escape Artist, Forgery, Heal, Hide, Knowledge (all), Listen, Lore, Move Silently, Parry, Perform, Persuade, Profession (all), Sense Motive, Speak Language, Spellcraft, Taunt, Tumble, Use Magic Device
Spellcasting: Arcane (spell failure from armor is a factor), charisma-based (a base charisma score of 10 + the spell's level is required to cast a spell, bonus spells are based on modified charisma, and the charisma modifier affects spell difficulty class), and spontaneous cast (no spell preparation required). Bards begin the game knowing four cantrips.
Alignment: The restriction has been removed and Bard can now be chosen for any alignment.
Spells
| Cantrips | 1st level spells | 2nd level spells | 3rd level spells |
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| 4th level spells | 5th level spells | 6th level spells |
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Level progression
| Lvl | BAB | Saves | Feats | HP range | Base spells per day | Known spells | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | 0 | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 0 | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | ||||||
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +2 | +2 | Bardic Knowledge, Vicious Mockery | 3-6 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +3 | +3 | Weapon Finesse | 6-12 | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 3rd | +2 | +1 | +3 | +3 | 9-18 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 4th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +4 | Bard Song, First Verse | 12-24 | 3 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 5 | 3 | 2 | - | - | - | - | ||
| 5th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +4 | 15-30 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 5 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - | - | |||
| 6th | +4 | +2 | +5 | +5 | Second Verse | 18-36 | 3 | 3 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 5 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - | - | ||
| 7th | +5 | +2 | +5 | +5 | 21-42 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | - | - | - | |||
| 8th | +6/+1 | +2 | +6 | +6 | Third Verse | 24-48 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - | ||
| 9th | +6/+1 | +3 | +6 | +6 | 27-54 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | - | - | - | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - | |||
| 10th | +7/+2 | +3 | +7 | +7 | Fourth Verse | 30-60 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | - | - | ||
| 11th | +8/+3 | +3 | +7 | +7 | 33-66 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | - | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | - | - | |||
| 12th | +9/+4 | +4 | +8 | +8 | First Chorus | 36-72 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | - | - | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | - | - | ||
| 13th | +9/+4 | +4 | +8 | +8 | 39-78 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | - | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | - | |||
| 14th | +10/+5 | +4 | +9 | +9 | Second Chorus | 42-84 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | - | ||
| 15th | +11/+6/+1 | +5 | +9 | +9 | 45-90 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | - | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | - | |||
| 16th | +12/+7/+2 | +5 | +10 | +10 | Third Chorus | 48-96 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 17th | +12/+7/+2 | +5 | +10 | +10 | 51-102 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |||
| 18th | +13/+8/+3 | +6 | +11 | +11 | First Crescendo | 54-108 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | ||
| 19th | +14/+9/+4 | +6 | +11 | +11 | 57-114 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | |||
| 20th | +15/+10/+5 | +6 | +12 | +12 | Second Crescendo | 60-120 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | ||
Being able to cast 0 spells of a certain level per day means the bard cannot cast spells of that level unless bonus spell slots of the appropriate level are granted by a high charisma.
As a rule of thumb, bards can cast spell levels up to a third their class level, rounded up.
Vicious Mockery 30 second cooldown, 1 minute duration:
Taunt a target, reducing their attack bonus, damage, AC, saves, and skills based on your level. At higher levels deal damage based on your performance skill.
Bard Song Bonuses
Bards are able to sing a song that can bolster their allies. Deafened creatures are not affected by the bard's singing. Once toggled, the song continuously affects all allies within 30 feet, repeating every 5 minutes with chorus and crescendos automatically playing at their point in the song.
As bards level up they'll be able to add verses, choruses, and finally crescendos to their music. Each of these three pieces of song work behaves differently from the others.
Verses play for the entire duration of the song. In this way, a verse behaves similarly to the way a normal bard might play their music. Choruses play at the start of every song, for 3 rounds at the top of every minute for the duration of the song, and the final 3 rounds of the song. Crescendo play at the start of every song, for 1 round every 90 seconds for the duration of the song, and for the final round of the song.
Verses
Low Level Bards
While below 10th level, Bards and Evangelists have their Charisma modifier capped to their Bard/Evangelist level for verses that use Charisma Modifier. For verses that use charisma, charisma is capped at twice your bard/evangelist level plus eight.
This penalty goes away with ten or more bard levels.
Verse: Heroes for the Day
Those affected by your bard song gain attack damage equal to Cha Modifier / 5 + 1.
Verse: Men of Iron
Those affected by your bard song gain dodge AC equal to your charisma / 7 + 1.
Verse: Strength to Carry On
Those affected by your bard song gain bonuses to fortitude, will, and reflex equal to your charisma / 7 + 1
Verse: The Wise Man Once Told Me
Those affected by your bard song gain bonuses to all their skills equal to your Charisma modifier.
Verse: Anarchy in the Spellbooks
Those affected by your bard song gain spell resistance equal to your bard level + 10.
Verse: Sharpest Tool in the Shed
Those affected by your bard song gain attack bonus equal to your charisma / 7 + 1.
Verse: Like the Dark Side of the Moon
Those affected by your bard song gain 40% concealment.
Verse: Sensual Healing
Those affected by your bard song gain regeneration equal to your charisma / 8.
Verse: Feel So Weightless
Those affected by your bard song gain 30% move speed.
Verse: Nor Wind Nor Sleet No Snow Could Stop Them
Those affected by your bard song gain 5/- resistance to cold, acid, electrical, and fire damage until 10 * Cha Modifier has been absorbed.
Verse: Too Hard Living but Afraid to Die
Those affected by your bard song gain temporary health equal to your performance skill.
Choruses
Chorus: Heartbeats on a Knife
During a chorus, those hearing your song gain regeneration equal to your charisma modifier.
Chorus: Let it Be
During a chorus, those hearing your song gain an extra attack.
Chorus: The Bugle Sounds The Charge Begins
During a chorus, those hearing your song gain attack bonus equal to half your charisma modifier.
Chorus: Thunder In the Skies
During a chorus, those hearing your song gain sonic damage equal to Charisma Modifier / 5 + 3;
Chorus: Talk in Song from Tongues of Lilting Grace
During a chorus, those hearing your song gain slashing damage equal to Charisma Modifier / 5 + 3.
Chorus: In The Court of the Ruby King
During a chorus, those affected by your bard song gain 10/- resistance to cold, acid, electrical, and fire damage until 20 * Cha Modifier has been absorbed.
Chorus: Never Will Surrender You
When a chorus begins, you and your party heal for health equal to your perform modifier.
Chorus: Like Smoke on the Water
During a chorus, those who can heal your song gain 60% concealment.
Crescendos
Crescendo: Through Hellfire and Flames
Gain five bonus attacks during each crecendo.
Crescendo: Ysgardian Rapsody
Gain regeneration equal to your charisma modifier every second during a crecendo.
Crescendo: Don't Fear the Reaper
During a crescendo you gain undead immunities.
Crescendo: Roundabout
During a crescendo you move extremely quickly and have uncapped movement speed.
Crescendo: Violet Haze
During a crescendo you gain 90% concealment.
Crescendo: Grant Me Shelter
During crescendo gain 100% immunity to fire, cold, electricity, and acid.
Vicious Mockery Effects
Bards are able to taunt their enemies. Deafened creatures are not affected by the bard's taunts. This effect applies to a single enemy, however the cooldown is 30 seconds and the duration is 60. The higher the bard's final perform skill and class level, the more powerful the mocking becomes. This ability is a free action.
- Players can roll will against a DC of 14 + 1/2 Bard Levels + Charisma Modifier to resist the effects and take half the damage of Vicious Mockery.
| Level | Attack | Damage | Will | Fort | Ref | Sonic Dmg | AC | Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | -1 | -2 | -1 | -1 | -1 | 0 | 0 | -1 |
| 4th | -2 | -2 | -1 | -1 | -1 | 0 | -1 | -1 |
| 6th | -2 | -2 | -1 | -1 | -1 | 0 | -2 | -2 |
| 8th | -2 | -3 | -1 | -1 | -1 | Perform/3 | -3 | -2 |
| 10th | -2 | -3 | -2 | -2 | -2 | Perform/3 | -4 | -3 |
| 12th | -2 | -3 | -3 | -2 | -2 | Perform/3 | -5 | -4 |
| 14th | -2 | -3 | -3 | -2 | -2 | Perform/2 | -5 | -5 |
| 16th | -2 | -3 | -3 | -2 | -2 | Perform/2 | -5 | -6 |
| 18th | -2 | -3 | -3 | -2 | -2 | Perform | -5 | -7 |
| 20th | -3 | -4 | -4 | -3 | -3 | Perform | -6 | -8 |
Epic bard
The epic bard's music is beyond inspiring, beyond heartrending, beyond perfection. With just a song, the bard can weaken the cruelest creature or inspire allies to the heights of power and bravery.
Hit die: d6
Skill points: 4 + int modifier
Bonus feats: The epic bard gains a bonus feat every three levels after 20th. In other words, at levels 23, 26, 29, 32, 35, and 38.
Epic bonus feats: arcane defense, curse song, epic skill focus (all but animal empathy), epic spell focus, epic will, extra music, great charisma, great dexterity, greater spell focus, greater spell penetration, improved combat casting, lasting inspiration, lingering song
Unavailable epic feats:
bane of enemies,
construct shape, dragon shape,
epic spell: dragon knight, epic spell: epic mage armor, epic spell: epic warding, epic spell: greater ruin, epic spell: hellball, epic spell: mummy dust,
epic weapon specialization, great smiting,
improved ki strike 4, improved ki strike 5, improved sneak attack,
improved spell resistance, improved stunning fist,
mighty rage, outsider shape,
planar turning, terrifying rage, thundering rage, undead shape
These general epic feats cannot be selected when taking a level of bard.
Epic Vicious Mockery
| Level | Attack | Damage | Will | Fort | Ref | Temp HP | AC | Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22nd | -4 | -5 | -5 | -4 | -4 | Perform x 2 | -7 | -9 |
| 24th | -4 | -5 | -5 | -4 | -4 | Perform x 2 | -7 | -11 |
| 26th | -5 | -6 | -6 | -5 | -5 | Perform x 2 | -8 | -13 |
| 28th | -5 | -6 | -6 | -5 | -5 | Perform x 2 | -8 | -14 |
| 30th | -6 | -7 | -7 | -6 | -6 | Perform x 2 | -9 | -19 |
Epic bard level progression
| Lvl | Feats | HP range |
|---|---|---|
| 21st | 63-126 | |
| 22nd | 66-132 | |
| 23rd | bonus feat | 69-138 |
| 24th | 72-144 | |
| 25th | 75-150 | |
| 26th | bonus feat | 78-156 |
| 27th | 81-162 | |
| 28th | 84-168 | |
| 29th | bonus feat | 87-174 |
| 30th | 90-180 |