Alternate Bard

The Bard
An elderly man in an extravagant purple
coat stepped out of the shadows into the
middle of the giant lord's stronghold. With
the eyes of all his foes on him, he began to
play a masterful song ridiculing the frost
giant lord. As the multitude of foes closed
around on him, the elderly musician's heroic
companions jumped from the battlements,
and motivated by the wondrous song, they
made quick work of the giant and his horde.
The sprightly halfling let forth a mighty blast
on her war horn and led the charge toward the
hobgoblin legion. Not to be outdone, and inspired
by the bravery of the halfling in her shining armor,
the heroes drew their weapons and ran forward.
When the battle was won, the valiant halfling sat
down to write a ballad of the heroics of the day.
A man of otherworldly beauty and grace stood
before the townsfolk against the backdrop of a
dark and rainy night. For uncounted years, this
town had been living under the brutal rule of an evil
vampire lord. After many hopeless years, the tales told by
this strangely beautiful man had given the townsfolk hope
that together they could overthrow their undead overlord.
All three of the heroes described above are considered
Bards. The versatile performers wander the world collecting
tales, talents, knowledge, and unique magical abilities which
they use to motivate and inspire heroism in their comrades.
Creating
The Song of Creation Your Bard
The first tale every bardic mentor imparts to their protégé is When creating your Bard, the most important thing for you to
the Song of Creation. Though the myth has many variations, consider is your Bard's Muse, or inspiration. Do they seek out
they all tell of the multiverse being created by the song. All beauty in the world, writing ballads and songs inspired by the
Bards learn to draw upon the creative power of this song to sights they see? Maybe they find their inspiration in tales of
work their signature magic to inspire greatness in others. selfless heroism and travel the world seeking the next hero of
While not all Bards are wandering musicians, they each the realm? Or, maybe the lure of power and influence is what
learn to draw upon the song of creation in their own unique drives your Bard to travel the land gathering lore and magic.
way. Whether through their speech, songs, or art, all Bards Also, consider your Bard's preferred style of performance
recognize the magical power of spoken words. While their and how it makes them unique from other Bards. Are they a
magic may not be as powerful or wondrous as a Wizard or virtuoso, known throughout the land for their skill with their
Cleric, their subtle and versatile abilities allow Bards and signature musical instrument? Or, are they a rowdy teller of
their allies to overcome nearly any challenge they may face. tales who only performs in the cheapest tavern in each town?

Wondrous Wanderers
True practitioners of bardic magic aren't common. Not every Multiclassing and the Bard
minstrel or jester is a true Bard. Learning to channel the song If your group uses the optional multiclassing rule,
of creation requires natural talent and dedication. True Bards here is what you need to know should you choose
spend their lives wandering the land gathering local legends, to take your first level in the Bard class.
secret lore, and unique magic. No two Bards are ever alike. Ability Score Minimum. As a multiclass character,
you must have a minimum Charisma score of 13 in
Bards are marked by an unquenchable desire to learn new
order to take your first level in Bard, or to take a
things, master new skills, and gather strange tales. For these
level in another class if you are already a Bard.
travelers, the call of adventure is nearly impossible to resist. Proficiencies Gained. If Bard is not your initial
They often find themselves in the company of heroes delving class, you gain proficiency in light armor, one skill
into forgotten tombs, deciphering ancient scrolls, and on the from the Bard skill list, and one musical instrument
hunt for strange exotic creatures. Any Bard that can tell an when you take your first level in the Bard class.
awe-inspiring story from personal experience earns renown Spell Slots. Add half your levels (rounded down)
among other Bards. Indeed, after telling stories about heroes in the Bard class to the appropriate levels from
accomplishing mighty deeds, many Bards take these themes other classes to determine available spell slots.
to heart and assume heroic roles themselves.
The Bard
Cantrips Spells Bardic
Level PB Features Known Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Insp.
1st +2 Bardic Inspiration, Spellcasting 2 2 2 — — — — d6
2nd +2 Folklore, Song of Rest 2 3 2 — — — — d6
3rd +2 Bardic Tradition, Magical Secrets 2 3 3 ─ ─ — — d6
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 3 4 3 ─ ─ — — d6
5th +3 Tradition Feature 3 5 4 2 ─ — — d8
6th +3 Countersong, Magical Secrets 3 5 4 2 ─ — — d8
7th +3 Folklore, Font of Inspiration 3 6 4 3 ─ — — d8
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 3 6 4 3 ─ — — d8
9th +4 Musical Expertise 3 7 4 3 2 — — d8
10th +4 Folklore, Magical Secrets 4 7 4 3 2 — — d8
11th +4 Tradition Feature 4 8 4 3 3 — — d10
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 4 8 4 3 3 — — d10
13th +5 ─ 4 9 4 3 3 1 — d10
14th +5 Folklore, Magical Secrets 4 9 4 3 3 1 — d10
15th +5 Tradition Feature 4 10 4 3 3 2 — d10
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 4 10 4 3 3 2 — d10
17th +6 — 4 11 4 3 3 3 1 d12
18th +6 Magical Secrets 4 11 4 3 3 3 1 d12
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 4 12 4 3 3 3 2 d12
20th +6 Folklore, Mythic Secrets 4 12 4 3 3 3 2 d12

Class Features Bardic Inspiration

Hit Points Starting at 1st level, you can inspire heroism with both word
Hit Dice: 1d8 per Bard level
and music. When you or a creature that can hear you within
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier. 60 feet makes an ability check, attack roll, or saving throw,
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution you can use a reaction to expend a Bardic Inspiration die and
modifier per Bard level after 1st add it to the result of its roll. You can use this reaction after
Proficiencies the creature rolls, but before you know if it succeeds or fails.
Armor: Light armor, medium armor Your Bardic Inspiration die begins as a d6, and increases in
Weapons: Simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, size when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in
rapiers, shortswords. the Bardic Inspiration column of the Bard table above.
Tools: One musical instrument, and any two artisan's tools, You have a number of Bardic Inspiration dice equal to 1 +
gaming sets, or musical instruments of your choice. your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1), and you regain all of
your expended dice when you finish a short or long rest.
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma
Skills: Choose three from Acrobatics, Arcana, Deception, Spellcasting
History, Insight, Investigation, Perception, Performance,
Persuasion, Religion, Sleight of Hand, or Stealth. Also at 1st level, you learn to use your performative ability to
draw upon the song of creation and produce wondrous spells:
Equipment
As a Bard, you start with the following equipment: Cantrips
(a) a rapier, (b) a longsword, or (c) any simple weapon You learn two cantrips of your choice from the Bard spell list.
(a) leather armor or (b) a chain shirt You learn an additional Bard cantrip at 4th and 10th level, as
(a) a diplomat's pack or (b) an entertainer's pack shown in the Cantrips Known column of the Bard table.
One musical instrument of your choice and a dagger
Spell Slots
Quick Build The Bard table shows how many spell slots you have to cast
You can make a Bard quickly by following these suggestions. your Bard spells of 1st-level and higher. To cast Bard a spell,
First, make Charisma your highest ability score, followed by you must expend a slot of the spell's level or higher, and you
Dexterity. Second, choose the Entertainer background. regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.
Spells Known of 1st-Level and Higher Song of Rest
At 1st level, you learn two 1st-level spells of your choice from
the Bard spell list at the end of this class description. Beginning at 2nd level, you can use soothing music or oration
to help revitalize your wounded allies during a short rest. If
The Spells Known column of the Bard table shows when
you or any friendly creatures who can hear your performance
you learn more Bard spells of your choice. Each Bard spell
regains hit points at the end of the short rest by spending one
you learn must be of a level for which you have spell slots, as
or more Hit Dice, each of those creatures regains additional
shown on the Bard table. For instance, at 5th level in this
hit points equal to one roll of your Bardic Inspiration Die.
class, you learn one new Bard spell of 1st or 2nd-level.
In place of regaining these additional hit points, a creature
When you gain a Bard level, you can choose a Bard spell
can choose to reduce its current level of exhaustion by 1.
you know and replace it with one Bard spell of your choice
which must also be of a level for which you have spell slots.
Bardic Tradition
Spellcasting Ability At 3rd level, choose the Bardic Tradition that best represents
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your Bard spells, as the varied skills, talents, and knowledge you have gained in
your magic comes from the heart and soul you pour into the your many travels: Fool, Loremaster, or Skald.
performance of your music. You use Charisma whenever a Also included at the end of this class are Bardic Traditions
Bard spell refers to your spellcasting ability, when setting the inspired by the Bard options published in Xanathar's Guide
saving throw DC, and when making an attack roll with one. to Everything: the Conspirator, Mesmer, and Sword Dancer.
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus Your Bardic Tradition grants you features at 3rd level, and
+ your Charisma modifier again when you reach 5th, 11th, and 15th level in this class.
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus
+ your Charisma modifier
Magical Secrets
In your varied travels, you have plundered magical knowledge
Ritual Casting from an assortment of disciplines. At 3rd level, you learn two
You use your varied knowledge to cast the ritual version of 1st-level spells of your choice from any class spell list. These
any Bard spell you know so long as it has the ritual tag. Magical Secrets spells become Bard spells for you, but they
do not count against your total number of Spells Known.
Spellcasting Focus You can cast each of your Magical Secret spells once, at its
You can use a musical instrument that you are proficient lowest level, without expending a spell slot, and you regain all
with as a spellcasting focus for Bard spells you know.
expended uses when you finish a long rest. You can also cast
Magical Secrets spells with any spell slots you have.
Folklore You learn two additional Magical Secrets spells of
You have traveled far and wide and gleaned various your choice when you reach 6th level, and again at
bits of knowledge. At 2nd level, you gain proficiency 10th level, 14th level, and 18th level in this class. Any
with two skills, musical instruments, or tools. You additional Magical Secrets you learn must be of a level
can learn to speak, read, and write one language for which you have spell slots as per the Bard table.
of your choice in place of one or both of these Unlike your other Bard spells, any Bard spells that
skill, instrument, or tool proficiencies. you learn as a Magical Secret through this feature
At certain Bard levels, you learn more cannot be switched out for another Bard spell when
Folklore. You gain proficiency with one you gain a level in this class.
skill, musical instrument, tool, or you
learn another language of your choice
at 7th, 10th, 14th, and 20th level.
Ability Score Improvement
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th,
and 19th level, you can increase one ability score by 2,
or two ability scores by 1. As normal, you can't increase
one of your ability scores above 20 using this feature.

Countersong
Beginning at 6th level, you can use your bardic performance
to disrupt other spellcasters. When a creature you can hear
within 60 feet casts a spell that has a verbal component,
you can use your reaction to play a discordant melody and
expend one or more Bardic Inspiration dice.
If the number of Bardic Inspiration dice you expend
is equal to or higher than the level at which the spell
was cast, the spell instantly fails and has no effect.
If the spell is of a level higher than the number
of Bardic Inspiration dice you expended, roll the
Bardic Inspiration dice. If the total is equal to
or higher than 10 + the level of the spell, then
the spell instantly fails and has no effect.

Font of Inspiration
Beginning at 7th level, you can draw bardic power directly
from the Song of Creation itself. As a bonus action, you can
expend a spell slot to regain a number of expended Bardic
Inspiration dice equal to the level of the slot expended.

Musical Expertise
The song of creation propels your performative abilities to
supernatural heights. Starting at 9th level, you add double
your proficiency bonus to any ability check you make that
uses a musical instrument you are proficient with.
Moreover, whenever you expend a Bardic Inspiration
die, you can roll it twice and use the higher result.

Mythic Secrets
By 20th level, you have unlocked some of the most powerful
and secret magics of the multiverse. You learn one 6th-level Cutting Words
and one 7th-level spell of your choice from any spell list, and
3rd-level Fool Tradition feature
you can cast each spell once per long rest at its lowest level.
You know just the right thing to say to distract, confuse, and
sap the confidence of others. As a reaction when a creature
Bardic Tradition that can hear you within 60 feet makes a damage roll, ability
Choose the Bardic Tradition that best represents the various check, or attack roll you can expend a Bardic Inspiration die,
skills and abilities of your Bard: Fool, Loremaster, or Skald. roll it, and subtract the number rolled from the creature's roll.
You can use this reaction after the creature rolls, but before it
Fool is determined if its roll succeeds or fails, or it deals damage.
Bards who count themselves among this Tradition use crude Tumbling Fool
stories, daring acrobatics, and cutting jokes to entertain and 3rd-level Fool Tradition feature
cajole audiences. Where other Bards seek out forgotten lore You have learned to move about in a strange yet entertaining
or tales of bravery, Fools recount embarrassing and satirical manner. You can take the Dash action as a bonus action on
stories to undermine the plans of those in power. Their sharp your turn. Whenever you take the Dash action, you gain the
wit and acrobatics make them slippery opponents in battle. benefits listed below until the end of your current turn:
Satirical Theatrics Opportunity attacks against you have disadvantage.
3rd-level Fool Tradition feature You gain a climbing speed equal to your walking speed.
You gain the skills to pass as a bumbling nincompoop. You You can move through the space of any creature equal to
gain proficiency in Acrobatics and Sleight of Hand. Whenever you in size, or larger, without expending extra movement.
you make an ability check with either skill, you gain a bonus You reduce falling damage you take by an amount equal to
to your roll equal to one roll of your Bardic Inspiration die. your level + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1).
Sharp Wit Loremaster
5th-level Fool Tradition feature
You can use sarcasm and wit to distract those who would do The Bards known as Loremasters travel the world collecting
you harm. When a creature you can see within 60 feet targets bits of knowledge about everything they can. From scholarly
tomes and religious texts to tavern tales and superstitions of
you with an attack, you can use your Cutting Words reaction
local peasants, these travelers value stories of all kinds. The
without expending a use of your Bardic Inspiration.
loyalty of these Bards lies above all in the pursuit of beauty
Also, whenever you use your Cutting Words reaction, and
and truth, not in fealty to a monarch or the tenets of a deity.
the target misses with its attack or fails its ability check, you
can choose for it to take psychic damage equal to one roll of Additional Magical Secrets
your Bardic Inspiration die + your Charisma modifier.
3rd-level Loremaster Tradition feature
Your knowledge of various magical traditions exceeds even
Wondrous Tumbler
that of your fellow Bards. You learn one additional 1st-level
11th-level Fool Tradition feature
Magical Secret spell of your choice.
You can embellish your natural acrobatic talents with bardic
Also, whenever you learn additional Magical Secrets you
magic. When you take the Dash action, you can expend one
learn three spells of your choice, instead of the normal two.
Bardic Inspiration die to gain one of the following benefits:
Disappearing Act. You turn invisible and can move about Jack of All Trades
without making a sound for 10 minutes. This invisibility ends
3rd-level Loremaster Tradition feature
if you damage a creature or force it to make a saving throw.
In your many wanderings you have learned much about many
Misdirection. You disappear, only to instantly reappear in things. You can add half your proficiency bonus to any ability
an unoccupied space that you can see within 30 feet. check you make that doesn't include your proficiency bonus.
In addition, you gain proficiency in two of the following
Fool's Luck
skills of your choice: Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion.
15th-level Fool Tradition feature
You can snatch defeat from victory to regain some of your Potent Performer
bardic magic. When the DM calls for you to make an ability
5th-level Loremaster Tradition feature
check or forces you to make a saving throw
Whenever you cast a Bard spell that deals thunder or psychic
and you succeed, you can instead choose
damage, or restores hit points to a creature, you gain a bonus
to fail in comical fashion, and regain one of
to the damage roll or the number of hit points restored by the
your expended Bardic Inspiration dice.
spell equal to one roll of your Bardic Inspiration die.
 Burst of Inspiration
15th-level Loremaster Tradition feature
Your speech and song are laced with powerful bardic
magic, inspiring all who hear you. When you use your
Bardic Inspiration reaction on a creature other than
yourself, creatures of your choice within 10 feet of
your target can add one roll of your Bardic Inspiration
die to the first ability check, attack roll, or
saving throw they make before the
beginning of your next turn.

Skald
Bards of this Tradition are no strangers to adventure. Unlike
other Bards that sing the tales of heroes from ages long past,
Skalds seek to inspire new legends. They seek out bands of
adventurers and potential heroes, hoping to use their magic
to inspire them to great feats worthy of song and legend.

Bardic Warrior
3rd-level Skald Tradition feature
In your desire to stand among the heroes of legend you have
learned to hold your own in battle. You gain proficiency with
martial weapons, shields, and heavy armor.
Also, when you are wielding a weapon or shield in both of
your hands, your voice counts as a musical instrument for the
purposes of casting Bard spells or using other Bard features.

Combat Inspiration
3rd-level Skald Tradition feature
You use your bardic magic to inspire feats of valor in battle.
When you or a creature that can hear you within 60 feet hits
a creature with a weapon attack, you can use your reaction to
expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration, roll your Bardic
Inspiration die, and add the result to the damage roll.

Extra Attack
5th-level Skald Tradition feature
You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the
Attack action on your turn. Moreover, you can cast one Bard
cantrip you know in place of one of these attacks.

Gallant Charge
5th-level Skald Tradition feature
Wondrous Success When you roll initiative, you can expend a use of your Bardic
11th-level Loremaster Tradition feature Inspiration to rally a heroic charge. You, and any creatures of
Your skills are beyond reproach. When you use your Bardic your choice within 15 feet that can hear you gain a bonus to
Inspiration reaction to add to an ability check, you can invoke their initiative rolls equal to a roll of your Bardic Inspiration.
a magical success and turn the creature's d20 roll into a 20. If You can't use this feature when incapacitated or surprised.
the target succeeds, it does so in an overtly magical way.
Once you use your Bardic Inspiration in this way you must Ringing Strikes
finish a short or long rest before you can do so again. 11th-level Skald Tradition feature
You empower your strikes with bardic magic. Whenever you
hit a creature with a weapon attack, you deal bonus thunder
damage equal to one roll of your Bardic Inspiration die.
Inspiration & Magical Success
Also, you can choose for your Combat Inspiration bonus
With their Wondrous Success feature a Loremaster damage to be thunder in place of the weapon's damage type.
Bard can allow a creature to almost automatically
succeed on one ability check once per rest. Heroic Ballad
Remember, characters should only make ability
15th-level Skald Tradition feature
checks when the DM calls for an ability check, and
Your words motivate others to ever greater feats of gallantry.
ability checks should not be called for unless there
is a chance, however small, of a successful result. When you use Combat Inspiration you can also grant the
target temporary hit points equal to one roll of your Bardic
Inspiration die + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1).
Bard Spell List 4th-Level 5th-Level
Below are the spells available to Bards. They are organized banishment animate object
by spell level, not character level. The spells below are found charm monster* awaken
in the Player's Handbook, Xanathar's Guide to Everything*, compulsion dominate person
and Tasha's Cauldron of Everything**. Any spell that can be confusion dream
cast as a ritual is marked with the (ritual) tag. dimension door geas
Spells marked with LL are found in the laserllama Spell dominate beast greater restoration
Compendium, which includes both new and alternate spells. elemental bane hold monster
fabricate legend lore
Cantrips (0-Level) 2nd-Level freedom of movement legendary ballad LL
blade ward aid greater invisibility mass cure wounds
booming blade LL animal messenger (ritual) hallucinatory terrain mislead
dancing lights blindness/deafness phantasmal killer modify memory
friends LL calm emotions polymorph LL planar binding
glitterbeam LL cloud of daggers resilient sphere raise dead
guidance crown of madness revitalizing hymn LL scrying
light detect thoughts seeming
mage hand enhance ability skill empowerment*
mending enlarge/reduce synaptic static*
message enthrall telepathic bond (ritual)
mind sliver LL heat metal teleportation circle
minor illusion hold person
prestidigitation invisibility
resistance knock
spare the dying lesser restoration
thunderclap* locate LL
toll the dead* magic mouth
true strike LL mirror image
vicious mockery LL phantasmal force
pyrotechnics*
1st-Level see invisibility
animal friendship shatter
bane silence (ritual)
beast bond* skywrite (ritual)
cause fear* song of confidence LL
ceremony* suggestion
charm person zone of truth
color spray
command 3rd-Level
comprehend languages bestow curse
cure wounds clairvoyance
detect magic (ritual) dire wail LL
disguise self dispel magic
dissonant whispers enemies abound
earth tremor* fear
faerie fire feign death (ritual)
feather fall glyph of warding
healing word haste
heroism heroic anthem LL
hideous laughter hypnotic pattern
identify (ritual) major image
illusory script (ritual) mass healing word
inspiring melody LL nondetection
longstrider sending
silent image slow
sleep sonic wave LL
speak with animals (ritual) speak with dead
thunderous smite LL stinking cloud
thunderwave thunderstep*
unseen servant (ritual) tiny hut (ritual)
tongues
 You
you c

Additional Traditions Seeds of Terror

3rd-level Conspirator feature
Also included here are Bardic Traditions based on options for
the Bard class published in Xanathar's Guide to Everything: You can lace innocent speech with insidious bardic magic to
inspire terror and paranoia. If you speak with a humanoid for
Official Bard College Bardic Tradition at least 1 minute, you can expend one Bardic Inspiration die
and force it to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save,
College of Whispers Conspirator
it is frightened of a creature of your choice that it can see for
College of Glamour Mesmer 1 hour. This effect ends early if the frightened creature or its
allies are attacked or damaged by you or your allies.
College of Swords Sword Dancer
Regardless of the outcome of the saving throw, the target is
unaware that you tried to magically influence its feelings.
Conspirator
The Bards known as Conspirators use their skills and talents Devious Strike
for their own benefit. They abuse the trust most folks have for 5th-level Conspirator Tradition feature
Bards and work their way into positions where they can find Once per turn, you can deal an additional 2d6 damage to one
incriminating secrets to use for blackmail. These narcissistic creature you hit with a weapon attack if another enemy of the
Bards often masquerade as practitioners of other Traditions, target, other then you is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t
operating in secret to accumulate wealth and influence, and incapacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage.
rarely, if ever, reveal their true motivations to others. This additional damage increases at certain levels in this
class: at 9th level (3d6), 13th level (4d6), and 17th level (5d6).
Cunning Influence
3rd-level Conspirator feature Visage of Shadows
You are an expert at manipulating creatures that make the 5th-level Conspirator Tradition feature
mistake of trusting you. You gain proficiency in Deception You can use sinister magic to trap the visage of other people
and with two of the following tools of your choice: disguise who fall victim to you. When a humanoid dies within 30 feet
kits, forgery kits, poisoner's kits, or thieves' tools. of you, you can use your reaction to capture its Shadow.
Whenever you make an ability check that uses any of the As an action, you can expend this Shadow and magically
skill or tool proficiencies listed above you gain a bonus to transform so that you resemble that humanoid as it looked in
your roll equal to one roll of your Bardic Inspiration die. life. The effect lasts for 1 hour or until you end it as an action.
While you are transformed by a Shadow, you have access
Psychic Assault to any information that humanoid would have shared with a
3rd-level Conspirator feature casual acquaintance, such as general details on its personal
Your strikes assault body and mind. When you hit a creature life and background, but not any secret information.
with a weapon attack, you can expend a Bardic Inspiration Creatures can attempt to see through this transformation
die to deal additional psychic damage to the creature equal by using their action to make an Intelligence (Investigation)
to two rolls of your Bardic Inspiration die. or Wisdom (Insight) check against your Bard Spell save DC.
Mental Anguish Greater Performance
11th-level Conspirator Tradition feature 5th-level Mesmer Tradition feature
You weave manipulative magic into every strike. When you The seductive power of your bardic magic has grown. When
use Psychic Assault, you can force the creature to make a you use Wondrous Performance it lasts for 1 minute, but it
Wisdom saving throw against your Bard Spell save DC, or ends early if you are incapacitated or you choose to end it.
it becomes frightened of you until the end of your next turn. While your Wondrous Performance lasts, you can use each
Also, when you hit a creature that is frightened of you with subsequent bonus action to either grant a creature the effects
a weapon attack, you can end the frightened condition for it of Wondrous Performance, or you can cast charm person or
and turn your weapon attack into an automatic critical hit. command without expending a spell slot. When cast in this
way these spells only last until the end of your Performance.
Sinister Manipulation
15th-level Conspirator Tradition feature Reflexive Charm
Your manipulative magic knows no bounds. As an action, you 5th-level Mesmer Tradition feature
can whisper into the ear of a creature that can both hear and You can attempt to distract your foes with whimsical magic.
understand you within 5 feet and force it to make a Wisdom As a reaction when a creature you can see targets you with a
saving throw against your Bard Spell save DC. melee attack, you can add one roll of your Bardic Inspiration
On a failed save, the creature believes that you know of its die to your Armor Class against that attack.
darkest secret, though you have no knowledge of it. It is then
charmed by you until you or your allies attack or damage it. Mantle of Protection
While charmed this way, a creature will secretly aid you 11th-level Mesmer Tradition feature
in any way it can, short of fighting or risking its life for you. Your performances exude a powerful aura of protective Fey
You can only have one creature charmed in this way at a magic. Creatures of your choice within 30 feet that can see
time, and attempting to charm another creature in this way or hear you have advantage on saving throws to resist the
ends this effect for the previous creature. You can also end charmed, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, and stunned
these effects on the charmed creature as an action. conditions while your Wondrous
Performance lasts.
Mesmer
Often hailing from the wondrous courts of the Feywild, these
glamorous Bards use their magic to beguile and captivate all
who look upon them. Never to be upstaged, Bards known as
Mesmers use their powerful personalities to manipulate
or motivate an audience to serve their goals.

Mesmerizing Presence
3rd-level Mesmer Tradition feature
Your words are laced with seductive Fey magic. You
learn the friends, charm person, and command spells,
but they do not count against your total number of
Cantrips Known or Spells Known.
Also, if you perform for, or speak with a creature
for at least 1 minute, you can expend one Bardic
Inspiration die to cast charm person targeting
that creature. When you cast the spell in
this way, the target is unaware that you
attempted to influence it with magic.

Wondrous Performance
3rd-level Mesmer Tradition feature
You can momentarily enhance your
appearance with bardic magic. As a bonus
action, you can expend a Bardic Inspiration
die to empower yourself with Fey magic
and choose any number of creatures,
up to your Charisma modifier, that
can see you within 60 feet.
Creatures gain temporary hit
points equal to one roll of your
Bardic Inspiration die and can
instantly move up to their speed.
This special movement does
not provoke opportunity attacks.
Fey Presence
15th-level Mesmer Tradition feature
Classical Swordplay
While wielding a finesse weapon and no other weapons, you
The bardic magic you draw from the Feywild has changed
you, giving you a lovely yet fierce appearance. When you force gain a +2 bonus to your attack rolls and a +1 to your Armor
Class so long as you are not using heavy armor or a shield.
a creature that can see you to make a saving throw to resist
the charmed or frightened condition while your Wondrous Dueling
Performance is active, it has disadvantage on its roll.
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no
other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with it.
Sword Dancer
Known simply as Blades, the Bards that follow this Tradition Dual Wielding
are famous for their wondrous, yet deadly performances that While two-weapon fighting, you make your off-hand weapon
incorporate bladed weapons. Far from mundane performers, attack as part of your Attack action instead of a bonus action,
these Bards use their skill with blades to find employment as and you add your ability modifier to the damage of this attack.
duelists, vigilantes, and sometimes even turn to adventuring. When you do, you cannot also make a bonus action attack.

Elegant Duelist Featherweight Fighting

3rd-level Sword Dancer Tradition feature While you are unarmed or wielding only light weapons, and
You incorporate deadly blades and combat techniques into are not wearing medium or heavy armor, your walking speed
your performances. You gain proficiency with scimitars, and increases by 10 feet, and you gain a +1 bonus to your damage
if you are proficient with a melee weapon, you can use it as rolls with light melee weapons and unarmed strikes.
a spellcasting focus for any Bard spell you know.
You also gain proficiency in Performance, and whenever
Thrown Weapon Fighting
you would make a Charisma (Performance) check, you can You can draw a weapon that has the thrown property as part
make a Dexterity (Performance) check that incorporates a of the attack you make with the weapon. Moreover, when you
deadly bladed weapon you are proficient with instead. hit with a ranged weapon attack using a thrown weapon, you
gain a +2 bonus to the damage roll of that attack.
Fighting Style
3rd-level Sword Dancer Tradition feature
Versatile Fighting
You gain one of the Fighting Styles listed below. You cannot While wielding a single versatile weapon and no shield, you
learn the same Fighting Style more than once, even if you gain a +1 bonus to your attack rolls with that weapon. While
are able to learn another Fighting Style. doing so, you can also use your bonus action to make a
Whenever you gain a Bard level, single grapple or shove attack, or to take the
you can replace this Fighting Use an Object action.
Style with another
option from the
same list.
Elegant Exploits
3rd-level Sword Dancer Tradition feature
You have studied various exploits to improve your deadly
bardic performances. You gain the following features:
Exploits. You learn two Martial Exploits of your choice
from those available to the Alternate Fighter. The Exploits
Known column of the Blade Dancer Exploits table shows
when you learn more Martial Exploits of your choice.
To use an Exploit, you expend a Bardic Inspiration die.
You can only use one Exploit per ability check, attack, or
saving throw. When a Martial Exploit refers to an
Exploit Die, you use your Bardic Inspiration die.
When you gain a Bard level, you can replace
one Exploit you know with another Martial
Exploit of your choice of that degree.
High Degree. Your Bard level
limits the Exploits you are able
to perform. This limit is reflected in the High Degree
column of the Blade Dancer Exploits table. In order to
learn a Martial Exploit it must be equal to your High
Degree on the Blade Dancer Exploits table, or lower.
Saving Throws. If an Exploit requires a creature to
make a saving throw, the DC is calculated as follows:

Exploit save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus

+ your Dexterity modifier.

Blade Dancer Exploits

Bard Level Exploits Known High Degree
3rd 2 1st
4th 2 1st
5th 3 1st
6th 3 1st
Deadly Flourish
7th 4 2nd 11th-level Sword Dancer Tradition feature
8th 4 2nd You wield your chosen weapons with deadly precision. When
you deal damage with a melee weapon that you are proficient
9th 4 2nd with, you can roll your Bardic Inspiration die in place of the
10th 4 2nd weapon's normal damage die, unless its damage die is higher.
In addition, when you use an Exploit as part of your action,
11th 5 2nd you can take the Dash or Disengage action as a bonus action.
12th 5 2nd
Master of Blades
13th 5 2nd 15th-level Sword Dancer Tradition feature
14th 5 2nd You are a master of your deadly yet beautiful craft. Once per
turn, you can use an Exploit you know without expending a
15th 6 3rd Bardic Inspiration die, rolling a d6 in its place.
16th 6 3rd Finally, at the end of each long rest, you can spend time
practicing your techniques and replace one Martial Exploit
17th 6 3rd
you know with another Martial Exploit of your choice.
18th 6 3rd
19th 7 3rd
Multiclassing & Exploits
20th 7 3rd
Your martial skill depends partly on your combined
levels in classes that learn Exploits, and partly on
Extra Attack your individual levels in each class. If your group
5th-level Sword Dancer Tradition feature uses the optional rule for multiclassing and you
You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take learn Exploits from more than one class, you use
the Attack action on your turn. Moreover, you can cast one the following rules: Alternate Martial Multiclassing.
Bard cantrip you know in place of one of these attacks.
 Alternate Bard
Become the wandering master of musical magic
you were meant to be with this alternate take on
the Bard class! Channel the Song of Creation
through six different Bardic Traditions:
Fool - Loremaster - Skald - Conspirator
Mesmer - Sword Dancer

Version 1.2.0 - Created by /u/laserllama

Artist Credits:
Covers - S. Prescott - Ellywick Tumblestrum
Page 1 - Eric Deschamps - God of Storytelling
Page 3 - Lie Setaiwan - Song of Inspiration
Page 4 - Rudy Siswanto - Wandering Troubadour
Page 5 - Eelis Kyttanen - Inspiring Bard
Page 6 - Olivier Bernard - Dwarf Berserker Token
Page 7 - Marta Nael - Arcane Bombardment
Page 8 - Irina Nordsol - Maestros Initiate
Page 9 - David Rapoza - Dragonsguard Elite
Page 10 - Kieran Yanner - Moon Dancer
Page 11 - Joseph Weston - Firbolg Flutist

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