Can Bards Cast Necromancy Spells? Exploring the Bardic Arts of Life and Death
The short answer is: yes, bards can absolutely cast necromancy spells, though perhaps not with the same breadth and depth as a dedicated necromancer wizard. While they might not be the first class that comes to mind when you think of raising the dead, bards possess a unique connection to magic that allows them to dabble in the arts of life and death. Let’s delve into how bards utilize necromancy and what their role is within this often misunderstood school of magic.
Bards: Masters of Magic Through Story and Song
Bards, at their core, are storytellers, artists, and keepers of lore. Their magic flows from the very essence of their performance, weaving spells through music, poetry, and oration. This makes them incredibly versatile casters, able to bend the weave of magic in unexpected ways. While they aren’t specialized in any single school like a wizard might be, they have the ability to learn a diverse range of spells, including some from the necromancy school.
Existing Necromantic Options for Bards
Bards already have access to several commonly used necromancy spells right out of the box. This includes spells like:
- Speak with Dead: This allows a bard to question the deceased, gathering information from beyond the veil.
- Raise Dead: While not as potent as resurrection, this spell allows a bard to bring a fallen comrade back to life, albeit with some limitations.
- Bestow Curse: A spell that can inflict a curse on an opponent which can be flavored with necrotic energy.
These spells, while not an exhaustive list, demonstrate that bards aren’t completely divorced from the necromantic arts. They offer the bard some ability to interact with the undead or the life force of beings, often with a bardic twist.
Expanding Bardic Necromancy
Given their knack for versatility, bards can also expand their repertoire of necromancy spells in various ways. Here’s how:
- Talk to Your DM: If there’s a particular low-level necromancy spell that your bard desperately wants to learn, discussing it with your Dungeon Master can be fruitful. They might allow you to swap out another bard spell, reflecting your character’s specific interest in the arcane art.
- Magic Initiate Feat: The Magic Initiate feat allows characters to pick a few spells from another class’s spell list. This provides an excellent opportunity for a bard to dip their toes into the necromantic arts, grabbing spells like Chill Touch or False Life.
- Multiclassing: For a more significant investment, a bard might multiclass into a class with a stronger focus on necromancy, such as a wizard, to gain even more access to necromantic spells.
The Bardic Necromancer: A Different Approach
It is important to note that a bard using necromancy will typically not play the same way as a wizard specializing in the school of necromancy. They often approach necromancy with a more nuanced and supportive perspective. Bards are not typically raising legions of undead, but rather they might use necromancy to enhance their support of the party through curses, understanding how to interact with the dead in a meaningful way, or even supporting the party with healing and reviving. They are more story driven when they use the school of necromancy and less “minion” focused.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Bards and Necromancy
Here are 15 frequently asked questions designed to shed further light on the interaction between bards and necromancy:
1. Is necromancy inherently evil for a bard?
Not necessarily. While necromancy is often associated with evil in D&D settings, a bard could use these spells in a neutral or even good-aligned way. A bard might use Speak with Dead to find justice for a murder victim, or use Raise Dead to save a beloved companion. Ultimately, the intent and method define a character’s morality.
2. Can a bard create undead minions like a wizard necromancer?
While bards have some access to necromancy, their list of spells that allow them to create minions is limited. They don’t get access to spells like Animate Dead without taking specific steps to do so. Creating legions of the undead is typically the domain of a dedicated wizard necromancer.
3. What are the typical necromancy spells that bards use?
Bards primarily rely on spells like Speak with Dead and Raise Dead. They might also pick up spells like Chill Touch, False Life or Bestow Curse through feats, magic items, or multiclassing.
4. Is it more effective for a bard to focus on other spell schools?
Generally speaking, yes. Bards excel in schools like enchantment, illusion, and healing. Their strengths typically lie in support and control. However, a bard can effectively use necromancy in a niche role with proper planning.
5. How can a bard make their necromancy feel unique?
Bards can add a narrative or performance element to their necromancy. Perhaps they compose a haunting ballad to invoke Speak with Dead, or use dramatic gestures when casting Bestow Curse. This creative flair makes their use of necromancy feel personal and memorable.
6. Can a bard be a full-fledged necromancer?
Not in the same way as a wizard specializing in the School of Necromancy. A bard can dabble in necromancy effectively, but they lack the specialized spells and abilities needed to truly master it in the same way as a wizard.
7. What are the risks of a bard using necromancy?
If a bard leans too heavily into necromancy without understanding the risks, they can be perceived as evil by others in their party and the wider world. Necromancy is often viewed with suspicion and fear.
8. How can a bard justify using necromancy in a good-aligned campaign?
Bards can frame their use of necromancy as a means to an end. They might use it to seek justice, understand the mysteries of death, or protect the living from the undead. The story they craft around their magic can make it more palatable for others.
9. Can a bard use necromancy in a supportive way?
Absolutely. Bards can use Speak with Dead to gather vital information for their party, or Raise Dead to bring back fallen allies. Their necromancy can be a part of their supportive role, with a more subtle twist.
10. Is it optimal for a bard to use a Magic Initiate feat for necromancy?
It can be, if the player wishes to use necromancy to supplement their build. It allows them to expand into the school with a few key spells, without taking a level in another class.
11. Which races might be drawn to necromancy as bards?
Any race could, really. Some races have lore connections that could lead a character to become a necromancy focused bard, such as the Shadar-Kai or Eladrin, but anyone can use necromancy if they wish.
12. How does multiclassing affect a bard’s necromancy?
Multiclassing into a class like a wizard unlocks significantly more necromancy spells. However, it might weaken the bard’s core abilities, so the decision must be weighed carefully.
13. Are there any bard subclasses that lean more into necromancy?
The College of Whispers, while not strictly focused on necromancy, does use spells with effects that can be flavored as necrotic, like Psychic Blades. It leans into the themes of dark secrets and shadows that might be more suitable for necromancy than other bard subclasses.
14. How do magical items affect a bard’s ability to use necromancy?
Certain magic items that grant access to necromancy spells or enhance necromantic effects can boost a bard’s capabilities, allowing them to cast spells they would not normally have access to.
15. Are bards the worst necromancers in D&D?
No, but they are not the best either. While they can make use of spells from the necromancy school, they are primarily focused on other abilities. They are not going to be raising large hordes of skeletons or zombies. Instead they will use necromancy to assist their allies or gain more lore and knowledge.
Conclusion: The Bardic Touch on Death
In conclusion, bards can indeed cast necromancy spells, offering a unique twist on this often misunderstood school of magic. While they may not dominate the art in the way a necromancer wizard does, they can integrate necromancy into their repertoire with creativity, narrative focus, and strategic planning. This allows them to explore the duality of life and death in a way that complements their role as storytellers and performers. Whether through a haunting melody or a somber poem, bards bring their unique artistic touch to the dance between life and death, making them a fascinating and unexpected practitioner of the necromantic arts.