View source for Bard (One)

{{ambiguous|term=Bard}}
{{Onepointer|UA 2023 Player's Handbook Playtest 6|ua=true|noncanon=true|playtest=true}}<br clear="right" />
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===Design Notes: Bard Updates===
<span style="display:block; float:left;">&nbsp;<ref name="ua23phpt6" />&nbsp;</span><span class="mw-customtoggle-myDivision-dnotes" style="display:inline; float:right;">&nbsp;<sup>+</sup>&nbsp;</span>Here are the main updates in this class since its last playtest version:
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* '''Bardic Inspiration''' has returned to its 2014 form, with the following changes: (1) a Bardic Inspiration die is used in response to failing a d20 Test—you no longer have to guess whether you failed—and (2) a creature has up to an hour, not just 10 minutes, to use the die. The healing option in the previous Bard playtest has been removed because, in playtesting, the healing option was encouraging too much usage hoarding, which easily resulted in the Bard not using Bardic Inspiration at all
* '''Spellcasting''' has two noteworthy changes: (1) each Bard gets to choose whether to use the Arcane, Divine, or Primal spell list, and (2) spell preparation is no longer tied to the level of your spell slots. The first change leans into the fact that a Bard might have learned their arts in an Arcane, a Divine, or a Primal context, and the second change was widely requested in the playtest feedback.
* '''Jack of All Trades''' has returned to 2nd level.
* '''Bard Subclass''' levels now match the level progression in the 2014 Bard, ensuring compatibility with subclasses already in print.
* '''Font of Inspiration''' has returned to 5th level, and it now also allows you to expend spell slots to use Bardic Inspiration if you’re out of uses.
* '''Countercharm''' returns and has been improved. It’s now 7th level and can be used as a Reaction rather than an action.
* '''Magical Secrets''' has returned to 10th level and now affects your spell choice for all your later Bard levels.
* '''Words of Creation''' is a new 20th-level feature, replacing Epic Boon (Epic Boon feats will return in a future UA, but they won’t be built into a class’s level progression).
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<span style="font-size:1.5em;">'''Bard'''</span> {{onelc|Class}} <ref name="ua23phpt6" /><br />
'''Class Group:''' {{One|Expert}}<br />
'''Primary Abiliy:''' {{One|Charisma}}

'''Unofficial Description:''' Bards invoke magic through music, dance, or poetry.<br clear="right" />

{{One Class Table
|classname=Bard
|refs=<ref name="ua23phpt6" />
|extraa=Bardic Die
|extrab=Cantrips
|extrac=Prepared<br />Spells
|spells=1st !! 2nd !! 3rd !! 4th !! 5th !! 6th !! 7th !! 8th !! 9th

|feature1={{iplink|Bardic Inspiration}}, {{iplink|Spellcasting}}
|extra1a=d6
|extra1b=2
|extra1c=4
{{Spell Row |9|2}}

|feature2={{iplink|Expertise}}, {{iplink|Jack of All Trades}}
|extra2a=d6
|extra2b=2
|extra2c=5
{{Spell Row|9|3}}

|feature3={{iplink|Bard Subclass}}
|extra3a=d6
|extra3b=2
|extra3c=6
{{Spell Row|9|4|2}}

|feature4={{iplink|Ability Score Improvement}}
|extra4a=d6
|extra4b=3
|extra4c=7
{{Spell Row|9|4|3}}

|feature5={{iplink|Font of Inspiration}}
|extra5a=d8
|extra5b=3
|extra5c=9
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|2}}

|feature6=Subclass Feature
|extra6a=d8
|extra6b=3
|extra6c=10
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3}}

|feature7={{iplink|Countercharm}}
|extra7a=d8
|extra7b=3
|extra7c=11
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|1}}

|feature8=Ability Score Improvement
|extra8a=d8
|extra8b=3
|extra8c=12
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|2}}

|feature9=Expertise
|extra9a=d8
|extra9b=3
|extra9c=14
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|3|1}}

|feature10={{iplink|Magical Secrets}}
|extra10a=d10
|extra10b=4
|extra10c=15
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|3|2}}

|feature11=&mdash;
|extra11a=d10
|extra11b=4
|extra11c=16
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|3|2|1}}

|feature12=Ability Score Improvement
|extra12a=d10
|extra12b=4
|extra12c=16
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|3|2|1}}

|feature13=&mdash;
|extra13a=d10
|extra13b=4
|extra13c=17
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|3|2|1|1}}

|feature14=Subclass Feature
|extra14a=d10
|extra14b=4
|extra14c=17
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|3|2|1|1}}

|feature15=&mdash;
|extra15a=d12
|extra15b=4
|extra15c=18
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|3|2|1|1|1}}

|feature16=Ability Score Improvement
|extra16a=d12
|extra16b=4
|extra16c=18
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|3|2|1|1|1}}

|feature17=&mdash;
|extra17a=d12
|extra17b=4
|extra17c=19
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|3|2|1|1|1|1}}

|feature18={{iplink|Superior Inspiration}}
|extra18a=d12
|extra18b=4
|extra18c=20
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|3|3|1|1|1|1}}

|feature19=Ability Score Increase
|extra19a=d12
|extra19b=4
|extra19c=21
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|3|3|2|1|1|1}}

|feature20={{iplink|Words of Creation}}
|extra20a=d12
|extra20b=4
|extra20c=22
{{Spell Row|9|4|3|3|3|3|2|2|1|1}}
}}

{{One Class
|name=Bard
|sorttext=
|refs=<ref name="ua23phpt6">{{Cite Pub|UA 2023 Player's Handbook Playtest 6}} Licensed: &copy; Wizards of the Coast {{fairuc}}.</ref>
|class_group=Experts
|ability=Charisma
|hd=8 <!--type of hit die 4, 6, 8, 10, 12-->
|hdNum=1 <!--number of hit dice per level-->
|saves=Dexterity, Charisma
|skills=Any three {{Onelc|Skill}}s of your choice
|skillnum=3 <!--number of skills-->
|weapons={{One|Simple Weapon}}s
|tools=Three {{One|Musical Instrument}}s of your choice
|armor=Light Armor
|equipmentcost=100
|equipment=Dagger (2), {{One|Entertainer's Pack}}, {{one|Leather Armor}}, {{One|Musical Instrument}} (one of your choice), 26 gp
|mc_ability=13+ Charisma.
|mc_profs=One Skill of your choice and one Musical Instrument of your choice.
|mc_armor=Light Armor Training
|mc_spellslots=Add all your Bard levels.

You prepare Spells for each of your Classes individually, referring to the Spell Slots of an individual Class to determine the number and levels of the Spells you prepare for it.
|summary=This class uses music, words, and/or dance to invoke magic.
|subclass_title=
|sidekick=
|features=Bardic Inspiration, Spellcasting, Expertise, Jack of All Trades, Bard Subclass, Ability Score Improvement, Font of Inspiration, Countercharm, Expertise, Magical Secrets, Superior Inspiration, Words of Creation
}}

==Bard Class Features==
As a Bard, you gain the following Class Features when you reach the specified levels in this Class. These features are listed on the Bard table.

===Bardic Inspiration===
'''1st level'''<br />
'''Unofficial Summary:''' Gain a number of Bardic Inspiration Dice equal to your {{One|Charisma}} modifier. As a {{One|Bonus Action}} you can give one to a nearby creature. For a period of time that creature, when it fails a {{Onelc|D20 Test}}, it can expend the Bardic Inspiration Die by rolling it and add the result to the result of the d20 test (hopefully resulting in a success). As you gain bard levels, the type of die increases (from a d6 to d8 and eventually to a d12).

===Spellcasting===
{{alsosee-sect|Bard (One)/Spell}}'''1st level'''<br />
'''Unofficial Summary:''' You gain the ability to cast spells. {{One|Charisma}} is your {{onelc|Spellcasting Ability}} for your bard spells. You may use a {{onelc|Musical Instrument}} as a {{onelc|Spellcasting Focus}}.

You choose either {{One|Arcane}}, {{One|Divine}}, or {{One|Primal}} spells for your magical tradition. Until you gain the {{iplink|Magical Secrets}} feature (at 10th level), all the spells you cast are from your magical tradition. You also add {{Onespell|Vicious Mockery}} to your magical tradition. 

The Bard table shows the number of {{onelc|Cantrip}}s you know, the number of spells you may have prepared, and the number of {{onelc|Spell Slot}}s you have to cast spells of 1st level or higher from your prepared spells.

===Expertise===
'''2nd and 9th Level'''<br />
'''Unofficial Summary:''' You gain {{One|Expertise}} in 2 {{One|Skill}}s with which you have {{Onelc|Proficiency}} at 2nd level bard. You gain two more at 9th level bard.

===Jack of All Trades===
'''2nd Level'''<br />
'''Unofficial Summary:''' If you lack proficiency in a skill, you may add half (round down) your {{Onelc|Proficiency Bonus}} to the {{onelc|Check}}.

===Bard Subclass===
'''3rd Level''' (features at 3rd, 6th, 14th)<br />
'''Unofficial Summary:''' You choose a Bard Subclass.

====List of Bard Subclasses====
{{One Subclass List|Bard}}

===Ability Score Improvement===
'''4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th Levels'''<br />
You gain the {{One|Ability Score Improvement}} {{onelc|Feat}} or another feat of your choice for which you qualify.<ref name="ua23phpt6" />

===Font of Inspiration===
'''5th Level'''<br />
'''Unofficial Summary:''' You can regain expended uses of {{iplink|Bardic Inspiration}} in two ways:
* {{One|Short Rest|Short}} or {{One|Long Rest}}
* Expending a {{onelc|Spell Slot}} restores one Bardic Inspriation Die.

===Countercharm===
'''7th Level'''<br />
'''Unofficial Summary:''' You may use a {{One|Reaction}} to reroll, with {{One|Advantage}}, a failed {{onelc|Saving Throw}} against an effect that causes the {{one|Charmed}} or {{one|Frightened}} condition.

===Magical Secrets===
'''10th Level'''<br />
'''Unofficial Summary:''' Your magical tradition now includes {{One|Arcane}}, {{One|Divine}}, and {{One|Primal}} spell lists.

===Superior Inspiration===
'''18th Level'''<br />
'''Unofficial Summary:''' If you have no unexpended {{iplink|Bardic Inspiration}} dice, you regain 2 when you roll {{onelc|Initiative}}.

===Words of Creation===
'''20th Level'''<br />
'''Unofficial Summary:''' You always have {{Onespell|Power Word Heal}} and {{Onespell|Power Word Kill}} prepared. Both can target a nearby second target when cast.

==Sources and Notes==
<references />
:* A [[deprecated]] version of this class was published in {{pub|UA 2022 Expert Classes}}.
{{One Footer|Class}}
{{OneDnD Playtest}}
[[Category:One Classes]]
[[Category:DnD Bards]]