Bard (4E)

4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons

New Bard Builds

Graceful Bard

All bards are inspirational models, but you take this one step further, actually performing on the battlefield, showing allies an enemies alike that your art is alive and dangerous. The graceful bard maneuvers around the battlefield, boosting the morale of allies while keeping foes off balance. Charisma is your primary ability score because your attacks rely on it. Dexterity is your secondary ability, and helps you to always stay one step ahead of your foes. For your tertiary score, select either Constitution or Intelligence depending on which powers you want to use, with a bias towards Constitution for defenses.

Suggested Feat: Melee Training (Human feat: Action Surge)
Suggested Skills: Arcana, Acrobatics, Diplomacy, Intimidation, Perception
Suggested At-Will Powers: Misdirected Mark, Unbalancing Strike
Suggested Encounter Power: Graceful Repositioning
Suggested Daily Power: Staccato

New Class Features

You can select the Virtue of Grace. This is a dexterity-based virtue that opens up Dexterity as a new secondary attribute for the bard, emphasizing quick steps and graceful maneuvers.

Virtue of Grace: Once per round as a free action when an ally hits an enemy adjacent to you, you can slide that enemy a number of squares equal to your Dexterity modifier.

Bard Powers

A bard directs the battlefield, superbly directing allies into advantageous positions. With the virtue of grace, this is expanded to include enemies, involving everyone on the battlefield in a deadly dance. Bards of other virtues can find great benefit in these dances, too, complimenting their tactics with a bit of mobility.

Bard Sustain Powers

All bard powers with Sustain: Minor instead last until the end of the encounter.

Level 1 At-Will Spells

Unbalancing Strike Bard Attack 1

You unbalance an enemy, setting them up for an attack.

At-Will ✦ Arcane, Weapon

Standard Action      Melee weapon

Attack: Charisma vs. Reflex Hit: 1[W] + Charisma modifier damage. Choose an ally within 4 + Dexterity modifier squares (minimum 1 square), the target grants combat advantage to this ally until the end of your next turn. Increase damage to 2[W] + Charisma modifier at 21st level.

Level 1 Encounter Spells

Fast Friends (Revised) Bard Attack 1

You sing a tune of false friendship, leaving your foe in a reverie.

Encounter ✦ Arcane, Charm, Implement

Standard Action      Ranged 5

Attack: Charisma vs. Will Hit: The target cannot attack you or your allies until the end of your next turn or until you or one of your allies attacks the target.

Graceful Step Bard Attack 1

You move as if in a dance, leading your target along.

Encounter ✦ Arcane, Weapon

Standard Action      Melee weapon

Target: One creature. Attack: Charisma vs. Reflex. Hit: 1[W] + Charisma modifier damage. Shift one square and slide the target into any square adjacent to your new position. Miss: Shift one square. Virtue of Grace: You shift your Dexterity modifier squares (minimum 1 square).

Phantom Blow Bard Attack 1

After you strike, shadows seem to leap at the opponent from every angle, opening up for potential assaults.

Encounter ✦ Arcane, Illusion, Weapon

Standard Action      Melee weapon

Target: One creature. Attack: Charisma vs. AC. Hit: 1[W] + Charisma modifier damage and target grants combat advantage until the end of your next turn.

Level 1 Daily Spells

Grease Bard Attack 1

By humming a little comic ditty, you make the ground slick and treacherous.

Daily ✦ Arcane, Implement, Zone

Standard Action      Area burst 2 within 5 squares

Target: Each creature in burst. Attack: Charisma vs. Reflex. Hit: Target is knocked prone. Effect: Until the end of your next turn, any creature that enters or moves within the zone is subject to another attack. Sustain Minor: The effect remains.

Hunter's Horn Bard Attack 1

A sharp blast precedes your and your allies’ assault.

Daily ✦ Arcane, Implement, Psychic

Standard Action      Close burst 2

Target: Each enemy in burst Attack: Charisma vs. Will Hit: 2d6 + Charisma psychic damage. Target is weakened until the end of your next turn. Effect: Allies within the burst gain a +2 power bonus to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.

Staccato Bard Attack 1

You strike hard and fast, inciting your allies to follow your example.

Daily ✦ Arcane, Weapon, Zone

Standard Action      Melee weapon

Target: One creature. Attack: Charisma vs. AC. Hit: 2[W] + Charisma modifier damage. Effect: Until the end of the encounter, you and allies within 5 squares of you can shift 1 square as a minor action.

Level 2 Utility Spells

Lively Step Bard Utility 2

A quick fanfare and you all march faster.

Daily ✦ Arcane

Standard Action      Close burst 5

Target: You and each ally in burst. Effect: Until the next rest or for the next ten hours, the targets speed increases by 2 squares.

Level 3 Encounter Spells

Bladeweave Bard Attack 3

Your weapon shifts and weaves, dizzying your opponent as you strike.

Encounter ✦ Arcane, Weapon

Standard Action      Melee weapon

Target: One creature. Attack: Charisma vs. AC. Hit: [W] + Charisma modifier damage and the target is dazed until the end of your next turn.

Flip and Switch Bard Attack 3

You twirl with a partner, strike out, and twirl again.

Encounter ✦ Arcane, Weapon

Standard Action      Melee weapon

Target: One creature. Attack: Charisma vs. AC. Hit: 2[W] + Charisma modifier damage. Effect: Slide you and a willing adjacent ally, exchanging places before and after the attack. This can be two different allies. Virtue of Grace: Exchange places with willing allies within your Dexterity modifier squares.

Level 5 Daily Spells

Fairy Motes Bard Attack 5

You create a cloud of shining particles that sticks to your foes.

Daily ✦ Arcane, Implement, Radiant

Standard Action      Area burst 2 within 20 squares

Target: Each creature in burst. Attack: Charisma vs. Reflex. Hit: 1d6 + Charisma modifier radiant damage and the target is blinded (save ends). Effect:Target cannot benefit from concealment or invisibility nor can it become hidden (save ends). Aftereffect: Target cannot benefit from concealment or invisibility nor can it become hidden (save ends).

Level 6 Utility Spells

Proud Presentation Bard Utility 6

You grasp and ally's hand and make a quick position change.

Encounter ✦ Arcane

Move Action      Melee 1

Target: You and/or one ally. Effect: You slide the target your Dexterity modifier squares (minimum 1 square). If you pick two targets, they must begin and end adjacent to each other.

Trickster's Healing (Revised) Bard Utility 6

Your magic turns an enemy’s blunder into an opportunity for your allies to overcome their wounds.

Daily ✦ Arcane, Healing

Immediate Reaction      Close burst 10

Trigger: An attack misses an ally within the burst. Target: Each ally in burst hit or missed by the triggering attack. Effect: Each target regains hit points equal to one-half your level + your Intelligence modifier.

Level 7 Encounter Spells

Whirling Chaos Bard Attack 7

You whirl and spin, causing chaos around you.

Encounter ✦ Arcane, Weapon

Standard Action      Close burst 1

Target: Each enemy in burst you can see. Attack: Charisma vs. Reflex. Hit: [W]´+ Charisma modifier damage and knock the target prone. Virtue of Grace: Slide the target your Dexterity modifier squares.

Level 9 Daily Spells

Maestro's Touch Bard Attack 9

You go into a whirling dance, repositioning allies and enemies in the area to your whim.

Daily ✦ Arcane, Implement

Standard Action      Close burst 5

Target: Each enemy in burst. Attack: Charisma vs. Reflex. Hit: 1d6 + Charisma modifier damage and the target is slowed until the end of your next turn. Effect: You can shift all creatures in the burst to any location at least partially in the burst, and can exchange places.

Level 10 Utility Spells

Elusive Retreat Bard Utility 10

You deny the enemy the goal he strove for.

Encounter ✦ Arcane

Immediate Interrupt      Close burst 5

Target: You or one ally in burst. Trigger: An enemy ends his move adjacent to the target Effect: The target shifts your Dexterity modifier squares (minimum 1 square).

Level 13 Encounter Spells

Reap the Whirlwind Bard Attack 13

You spin and twirl, causing attackers to recoil.

Encounter ✦ Arcane, Weapon

Standard Action      Close burst 1

Target: Each enemy in burst you can see. Attack: Charisma vs. Reflex. Hit: [W] + Charisma modifier damage and target is knocked prone. Effect: Until the end of your next turn, any enemy making an attack provokes an opportunity attack from you and any enemy hit by one of your opportunity attacks falls prone. Enemies that fall prone can still attack you if they are in reach. Virtue of Grace: Until the beginning of your next turn you can slide anyone hit by this power or one of your opportunity attacks a number of squares equal to your Dexterity modifier.

Level 15 Daily Spells

Friend Pact Bard Attack 15

You sing a tune of friendship, leaving foes in a reverie.

Daily ✦ Arcane, Charm, Implement

Standard Action      Area burst 2 within 5 squares

Target: Each enemy in burst Attack: Charisma vs. Will Hit: The target cannot attack you or your allies (save ends or until you or one of your allies attacks the target).

Level 16 Utility Spells

Set The Stage Bard Utility 16

You set the stage for the action, placing each ally perfectly to create a heroic scene.

Daily ✦ Arcane

Free Action      Close burst 5

Trigger: You roll initiative at the beginning of an encounter. Target: You and each ally in burst you can see. Effect: The target gains a +5 bonus to initiative. Slide the target your Dexterity modifier squares (minimum 2 squares).

Level 17 Encounter Spells

Encouraging Beat Bard Attack 17

You strike a strong beat on your enemies, encouraging allies to activity.

Encounter ✦ Arcane, Weapon

Standard Action      Melee weapon

Target: One or two targets. Attack: Charisma vs. AC. Hit: [W] + Charisma modifier damage. As long as you hit at least one enemy, each ally within 10 squares can make a saving throw to end any condition that a saving throw can end. Virtue of Grace: Allies gain a bonus on the saving throw equal to your Dexterity modifier.

Level 22 Utility Spells

Dancing on the Edge Bard Utility 22

Your dance across the barriers of reality.

Encounter ✦ Arcane

Move Action      Close burst 5

Target: You and/or one ally in burst. Effect: You slide the target your Dexterity modifier squares (minimum 2 squares) and can slide trough enemy occupied squares. Until the start of your next turn, enemies cannot attack the target, and they have neither line of sight nor line of effect to the target. If you pick two targets, they must begin and end adjacent to each other.

Level 27 Encounter Spells

Dance of the Spheres Bard Attack 27

You shift space and time, linking your enemy and your allies in a spatial bond.

Encounter ✦ Arcane, Implement, Force, Teleport

Standard Action      Ranged 10

Target: One enemy. Attack: Charisma vs. Will. This attack ignores cover. Hit: 2d6 + Charisma modifier force damage. Until the end of your next turn you and allies within 10 squares are considered adjacent to the target, with a clear line of sight and effect ignoring cover and concealment, able to use any power you can use on an adjacent enemy, and to make opportunity attacks whenever the target takes an action that normally provokes opportunity attacks from adjacent creatures. The target is not considered adjacent to you or your allies and traces line of sight and line of effect normally. Virtue of Grace: You and allies gain a bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls against the target equal to 1 + your Dexterity modifier until the end of your next turn.

See Also

• Mystic Dancer class (3.5).

External Links

• Bard Discussion at WotC