Can Bards Change Spells Every Long Rest?

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The answer to the question Can Bards change spells every long rest? is no, as Bards are the only full casters that can’t change prepared spells on a long rest, with their rules for changing them on leveling up being pretty strict as well. Unlike other classes such as Clerics, Druids, Paladins, and Artificers, Bards do not have the flexibility to change their entire spell list except cantrips and spells granted to them by their subclass on a long rest.

Bards and Spell Changes

Understanding Bard Spellcasting

Bards have a unique approach to spellcasting, with limitations on when and how they can change their spells. This is in contrast to other classes that have more flexibility in their spellcasting abilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often can a Bard change spells? A Bard can only change a spell once per level, which usually happens once every few months, and they can learn any spell from the Bard spell list only, with Magical Secret being the only way to learn spells from other classes’ spell lists.
2. Can you switch spells in a long rest? According to the PHB (p58), Clerics can change their list of prepared Spells when they finish a Long Rest, but this flexibility does not apply to Bards.
3. What classes can change their spells on a long rest? Artificers, Clerics, Druids, and Paladins can change out their entire spell list except cantrips and spells granted to them by their subclass on a long rest.
4. How often can you change spells in D&D? All classes that have limited known spells allow you to swap out a spell when you level up, with the new spell being a level that you have spell slots for.
5. How many spells can a Bard use per day? For example, if you’re a level 1 Bard, you have 2 spell slots that can be used to cast first-level spells, and you also know 2 cantrips which can be cast “at will” (unlimited uses per day).
6. Can you cast 2 cantrips in one turn? The only restriction is if you use a bonus action to cast any spell, the only other spell you can cast in the same turn is a cantrip with a casting time of one action.
7. Can Bards change spells? Bards have the ability to switch out spells whenever they gain a level, but this is the only time they can change the spells they can cast.
8. Do Bards get spells back on short rest? Beginning when you reach 5th level, you regain all of your expended uses of Bardic Inspiration when you finish a short or long rest.
9. What classes can swap spells? Clerics, Druids, Paladins, and Wizards can change their prepared Spells by selecting from their known Spells, while other spellcasting classes can replace one spell when leveling up their character.
10. How many times can you long rest in D&D? A character can’t benefit from more than one long rest in a 24-hour period, and a character must have at least 1 hit point at the start of the rest to gain its benefits.
11. Does long rest reset spell slots? You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest and prepare the list of cleric spells that are available for you to cast.
12. How often can you long rest in D&D? You can only benefit from a long rest once every 24 hours, unless you fight and then go back to town to just hang out for the rest of the day.
13. When can Bards learn new spells? The Bard knows a certain number of spells and can’t switch them unless it gains a level, and they can learn any spell from the Bard spell list only.
14. How many times can a Bard use a cantrip? Cantrips can be cast an unlimited number of times per day, as they are a type of spell that is relatively low-powered but can be cast without using up a spell slot.
15. Why do Bards get so few spells? Bards are intentionally jack-of-all-trades classes, they’re a little bit good at using skills, using magic, and using weapons and armor, but not as good at any one class as any of that, which explains why they get fewer spells compared to other caster classes.