Dungeons & Dragons: All Official Bard Subclasses, Ranked (2024)

Bards are the favorite class for players who want to play a jack-of-all-trades character that can excel in social situations. They're often the face of their party even if they aren't the strongest or most powerful, and recent bard builds actually have given this support class more credit as a damage dealer. Not all bards are created equally, however, and some Colleges are better for the ideal bard character build.

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In D&D, a bard College isn't a physical place. It's a school of thought and a training philosophy that a bard follows. The College that a bard chooses is often an important part of their backstory and can explain their present role in the party or other personal details, like the deity they worship or their moral alignment. Here is a list of the official Bard Colleges in D&D 5e, ranked from worst to best.

Updated August 11, 2024 by Marissa Fiore: The Dungeons & Dragons landscape is ever-changing as material is introduced through additional sourcebooks. This article has been updated with another subclass for Bards. It has also been updated to conform to current standards.

8 College Of Valor

Dungeons & Dragons: All Official Bard Subclasses, Ranked (2)

Source

D&D Player's Handbook

Main Spells or Benefits

Combat Inspiration (3rd level) and Battler Magic (14th level)

Ideal Race

Human

Party Role

Damage, Healing, Defense

One of the oldest bard subclasses is also, tragically, one of the weakest. The problem with the College of Valor is that it's being pulled in too many different directions. You're a full spellcaster, but you also get two attacks. You've got proficiency with every weapon imaginable, but you can't be as effective with them if you devote yourself to spellcasting.

The College of Valor does offer Combat Inspiration, which lets your allies add a Bardic Inspiration due to their damage rolls, as well as Battle Magic to gain a bonus action weapon attack after casting a spell. However, this lack of focus makes the College of Valor bard a jack-of-all-trades but a master of none.

For tips on playing a College of Valor bard, check out this guide here.

7 College Of Whispers

Dungeons & Dragons: All Official Bard Subclasses, Ranked (3)

Source

Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Main Spells or Benefits

Psychic Blades (3rd level) and Mantle of Whispers (6th level)

Ideal Race

Half-Elf or Changeling

Party Role

Damage

What will likely draw you to the College of Whispers is being able to use your Bardic Inspiration dice to boost your own damage. That's something only this subclass and the College of Swords bard can do. Combine your Psychic blades with abilities like Mantle of Whispers and Shadow Lore, and you've got an ideal infiltration and assassination specialist.

But as with the College of Valor, being good at stabbing people means being not as good at spellcasting. You'll probably want to lean into the spycraft and infiltration side of your spells, so this isn't as much of a detriment for a College of Whispers bard Disguise Self doesn't need the highest spell save DC.

For tips on playing a College of Whispers bard, check out this guide here.

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6 College Of Spirits

Dungeons & Dragons: All Official Bard Subclasses, Ranked (5)

Source

Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft

Main Spells or Benefits

Guiding Whispers (3rd level), Tales From Beyond (3rd level) and Mystical Connection (14th level)

Ideal Race

Changeling, Half-Elf, Human

Party Role

Buffing

Bring the heroes and legends of the past back to life (briefly) through your telling of their tales. The College of Spirits focuses on bringing you and your party additional power through the help of these stories and spirits. While some abilities can be relied on, like Guiding Whispers, a big part of this kit is left up to the dice to decide.

Tales From Beyond allows you to roll on a d12 table to determine what benefit you and your party gain from your ability to call out to the spirits for aid. While not as daunting as a Sorcerer's Wild Magic table, it does mean that you are at the mercy of what you roll.

It's not until you gain the Mystical Connection feat that you can better control which benefit you get, as it allows you to roll 2d12 and choose which number you prefer.

These are the options provided from the Tales From Beyond feat:

Bardic Inspiration Roll

Tale Told Through You

Summary

1

Tale of the Clever Animal

For ten minutes, the target can roll a Bardic Inspiration die and add it to any Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma check.

2

Tale of the Renowned Duelist

You make a melee spell attack. On a hit, roll and add two Bardic Inspiration dice + your Charisma Modifier for force damage.

3

Tale of the Beloved Friends

The target and one other creature of its choice gain temporary hit points equal to your Charisma Modifier + a number rolled of your Bardic Inspiration die.

4

Tale of the Runaway

The target and a number of creatures equal to your Charisma Modifier can teleport up to 30 feet away as a reaction.

5

Tale of the Avenger

For one minute, any creature who attacks the target of this effect takes force damage equal to a roll of your Bardic Inspiration.

6

Tale of the Traveler

The target gains temporary hit points equal to your Charisma Modifier + your Bard level. Until these run out, they also gain 10 to their walking speed and +1 to their AC.

7

Tale of the Beguiler

If the target fails a Wisdom Save, they take psychic damage equal to two of your Bardic Inspiration dice and becomes incapacitated until the end of their next turn.

8

Tale of the Phantom

The target becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or it hits a creature. If it attacks, the hit creature takes necrotic damage equal to two of your Bardic Inspiration dice and becomes frightened.

9

Tale of the Brute

All creatures of the target's choice within 30 feet roll a Strength Saving Throw. On a fail, they take thunder damage equal to three of your Bardic Inspiration dice and are knocked prone. On a success, they take half damage and aren't knocked down.

10

Tale of the Dragon

The target uses a fire breath weapon in a 30-foot cone. Every creature makes a Dexterity Saving Throw. On a fail, they take fire damage equal to four of your Bardic Inspiration dice. On a success, they take half that damage.

11

Tale of the Angel

The target receives temporary hit points equal to your Charisma Modifier + two rolls of your Bardic Inspiration. You can also end one condition afflicting that target.

12

Tale of the Mind-Bender

The target makes an Intelligence Saving Throw. On a fail, it takes psychic damage equal to three rolls of your Bardic Inspiration dice. It is also stunned until the end of its next turn.

For tips on playing a College of Spirits bard, check out this guide here.

5 College Of Glamour

Dungeons & Dragons: All Official Bard Subclasses, Ranked (6)

Source

Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Main Spells or Benefits

Enthralling Performance (3rd Level) and Mantle of Majesty (6th Level)

Ideal Race

Half-Elf, Elf, or Satyr

Party Role

Crowd Control

Add a little Feywild magic to your barding. The College of Glamour is all about inspiring raptured awe from your audience, charming them with your seductive notes. Enthralling Performance will ensure most of the bar is on your side if a brawl breaks out, but Mantle of Majesty is where the real fun begins. Being able to cast Command as a bonus action every turn for a full minute can ruin an enemy's defenses as you keep causing them to drop their guard repeatedly.

One shouldn't discount Mantle of Inspiration, which can provide your entire party with extra hit points and movement for the turn. Unbreakable Majesty is less impactful if you consistently play on the back lines, but it can ensure you're relatively safe even if an enemy manages to sneak past your front line.

For tips on playing a College of Glamour bard, check out this guide here.

4 College Of Swords

Dungeons & Dragons: All Official Bard Subclasses, Ranked (7)

Source

Xanathar's Guide to Everything

Main Spells or Benefits

Blade Flourish (3rd level)

Ideal Race

Human or Half-Elf

Party Role

Damage

If you ever want to be a swashbuckling adventurer, the College of Swords is likely to be your go-to. Similar to the College of Valor, the College of Swords bard gets an extra attack and can use its Bardic Inspiration dice for damage. Unlike the College of Valor, you can use those dice on yourself to do extra damage and receive other benefits.

Blade Flourish is the College of Swords' signature ability. With it, you deal extra damage to the target, and you move, guard, or strike another target nearby, depending on the type of flourish chosen. You'll also get to choose a Fighting Style normally reserved for the fighter class, providing extra damage to your chosen sword style.

For tips on playing a College of Swords bard, check out this guide here.

3 College Of Creation

Dungeons & Dragons: All Official Bard Subclasses, Ranked (8)

Source

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

Main Spells or Benefits

Performance of Creation (3rd level) and Animating Performance (6th level)

Ideal Race

High Elf, Kobold

Party Role

Damage and Defense

Being able to create anything at all just by strumming a few notes or singing a few bars is incredible. Accidentally spill your drink? Create a mop to soak it up. Forgot your towel during the beach episode? Sing a bit and suddenly there's a shimmering cloth covering your soaked self. Forgot your crowbar to break into the local constabulary? Hum a tune and suddenly you're locked and loaded.

As great as Performance of Creation can be, Animating Performance is just as good. By singing a song, you animate a mundane object into a Dancing Item that can attack as a bonus action every turn. Plus, it can automatically trip up any nearby enemies through its incessant dancing.

For tips on playing a College of Creation bard, check out this guide here.

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2 College Of Eloquence

Dungeons & Dragons: All Official Bard Subclasses, Ranked (10)

Source

Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and Mythic Odysseys of Theros

Main Spells or Benefits

Silver Tongue (3rd level) and Unfailing Inspiration (6th level)

Ideal Race

Satyr or Half-Elf

Party Role

Crowd Control and Talking to NPCs

In a lot of ways, the College of Eloquence feels like the best possible bard you could be. Since most bards wind up as the face of the party, abilities like Silver Tongue and Universal Speech are incredibly useful for dealing with NPCs.

Unsettling Words is also an excellent ability. Rather than give yourself extra damage or attack, you can use your Bardic Inspiration die to lower the next saving throw of an enemy. Then cast something like Tasha's Hideous Laughter and watch the big bad descend into fits of uncontrollable giggling.

Perhaps best of all, Unfailing Inspiration prevents an ally's Bardic Inspiration from being lost if they fail on their ability check, attack roll, or saving throw.

For tips on playing a College of Eloquence bard, check out this guide here.

1 College Of Lore

Dungeons & Dragons: All Official Bard Subclasses, Ranked (11)

Source

D&D Player's Handbook

Main Spells or Benefits

Cutting Words (3rd level)

Ideal Race

Kobold, High Elf

Party Role

Damage and Healing

There's one bard subclass that has always been head and shoulders above the rest, and that's the College of Lore. There's simply nothing a College of Lore bard can't do, from extra bonus skill proficiencies to learning more spells from any class in the game.

Cutting Words is also one of the best alternate uses of Bardic Inspiration. As a reaction, you can expend your Bardic Inspiration to subtract that die roll's number from an enemy's attack roll, ability check, or damage roll.

Since this subclass is all about spellcasting, pick a species that offers a better damage-dealing cantrip than Vicious Mockery. Kobolds or High Elfs make excellent Lore bards for being able to learn Fire Bolt from the start.

For tips on playing a College of Eloquence bard, check out this guide here.

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Dungeons & Dragons: All Official Bard Subclasses, Ranked (2024)

FAQs

What is the best Bard subclass in D&D? ›

There's one bard subclass that has always been head and shoulders above the rest, and that's the College of Lore. There's simply nothing a College of Lore bard can't do, from extra bonus skill proficiencies to learning more spells from any class in the game.

Which Bard College is better? ›

On top of the Magical Secrets that every other bard college gets in D&D 5e, this makes a Lore bard the game's most versatile spellcaster by far, and thus the best bard college a D&D player can possibly choose for their bard character.

What is the strongest subclass in DND? ›

Dungeons & Dragons: Best Subclass Of Every Class
  • 8 Battle Master (Fighter) ...
  • 7 Way Of Mercy (Monk) ...
  • 6 Oath Of Redemption (Paladin) ...
  • 5 Gloom Stalker (Ranger) ...
  • 4 Swashbuckler (Rogue) ...
  • 3 Lunar Sorcerer (Sorcerer) ...
  • 2 Hexblade (Warlock) Add A Melee Option To Your Spellcasting. ...
  • 1 Chronurgy Magic (Wizard) Control Time Like No Other.
Nov 5, 2023

What level do bards get subclasses? ›

At level 3, Bards can choose a subclass (called a College).

What race makes the best bard in D&D? ›

What race is best for a DnD Bard? From the Player's Handbook, Half-Elf is the best race for a Bard, with the Drow (or Eladrin) Elf, a Satyr, and a Changeling also being ideal options.

What is the best class to dip a bard? ›

Best Dip for Bard
  • Sorcerer: Gets me CON saves and spells like shield. DSS, Shadow, Clockwork, WM all have cool benefits. ...
  • Death Cleric: Gets me Armor, some spells and Reaper. ...
  • Order Cleric: Armor, some spells and voice of authority. ...
  • Fighter: Gets armor & CON saves and Defense FS. ...
  • Hexblade: Gets Armor & Shield spell.
May 22, 2023

What is the ranking of bard? ›

Bard College's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #72.

Why is bard the best class? ›

As a bard is canonically a smooth talker, it comes as little surprise that they are some of the most effective characters in dialogue scenarios. Their high Charisma stat can be used to cast spells, and gives them a unique advantage in dangerous conversations.

What is the best subclass for bard bd3? ›

Bard Subclasses Tier List – Baldur's Gate 3. The College of Valour subclass is the best for the Bard because of additional weapon and armor proficiencies and extra utility via combat inspiration.

What is the most overpowered D&D class? ›

1) In terms of sheer power, the most overpowered class in D&D 5e is (and almost always has been, in all editions) the Wizard. The spells a Wizard can command can solve just about any problem, and beat any opponent.

What are the weakest classes in DnD? ›

The Ranger has earned itself a bad name and many regard it as the worst class in 5e, as many of its abilities are highly situational. Natural Explorer and Favored Enemy only provide benefits related to specific terrain or creatures, respectively.

What is the best class for a bard? ›

The Paladin is one of the bard's best multiclasses for combat in D&D 5e. This is partly because of complementary spellcasting. Even though the bard's high-level spells will be delayed, they gain access to several unique paladin spells.

What are the new bard subclasses? ›

In the new 2024 Player's Handbook there are four official Bard subclasses: the College of Dance, College of Glamour, College of Lore and College of Valor. Notably, Lore and Valor both appeared in the 2014 Player's Handbook, while Glamour first appeared in Xanathar's Guide to Everything.

Can you be a bard in D&D? ›

The bard is a standard playable character class in many editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. The bard class is versatile, capable of combat and of magic (divine magic in earlier editions, arcane magic in later editions). Bards use their artistic talents to induce magical effects.

What species is best for Bard? ›

Strong Species Options for Bards
  • Eladrin.
  • Elves.
  • Drow.
  • Tabaxi.
  • Tieflings.
  • Humans.
  • Changelings.
  • Satyrs.

What is the best class to play with a bard? ›

Multiclassing
  • Fighter: Take a level of Fighter on a Lore Bard, and you get all of the Valor Bard's free proficiencies. Fighting Style is nice, too.
  • Paladin: A tempting alternative to the Fighter, depending on how many levels you intend to spend multiclassing. ...
  • Rogue: The ultimate skill build combination.

What is the best option for a bard? ›

Rogue levels are the best bard multiclass for any D&D character going all-in on skills. Although the character's spellcasting will suffer, they'll have access to many magic abilities to overcome even more obstacles. Additionally, Sneak Attack helps bards deal more damage with their weapons in combat.

Why is Bard the best class? ›

As a bard is canonically a smooth talker, it comes as little surprise that they are some of the most effective characters in dialogue scenarios. Their high Charisma stat can be used to cast spells, and gives them a unique advantage in dangerous conversations.

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