What Do You Get From Bard Multiclass?
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Multiclassing your Bard in D&D 5e opens up a world of customization, allowing you to tailor your character to fill specific niches within your party or amplify existing strengths. What you gain varies significantly depending on the class you choose and the number of levels you invest. Generally, multiclassing grants you access to new skills, abilities, spells, proficiencies, and roleplaying opportunities. It’s a trade-off – you’re delaying the progression of your Bard class features for the immediate benefits of another. Understanding the specific advantages of different multiclass combinations is key to building a powerful and effective character.
Benefits of Multiclassing as a Bard
Multiclassing a Bard provides several key benefits, primarily focused on enhancing combat prowess, skill versatility, and overall survivability. Let’s delve into those advantages:
Enhanced Combat Prowess
Bards, while versatile, can sometimes lack consistent damage output, particularly in the early game. Multiclassing into classes like Fighter, Paladin, or Rogue can address this deficiency.
- Fighter: A Fighter dip (1-2 levels) grants access to a Fighting Style (Archery, Defense, Dueling, etc.) and Second Wind, providing a self-heal option. A second level nets you Action Surge, allowing you to take two actions on one turn, perfect for casting two spells or attacking twice.
- Paladin: A Paladin dip offers a Fighting Style and access to Divine Smite, which allows you to expend spell slots to deal radiant damage on weapon attacks. This greatly enhances your burst damage potential.
- Rogue: Rogue levels provide Sneak Attack, adding extra damage when you have advantage on an attack or an ally is adjacent to the target. Plus, access to the Expertise feature for more skills.
Skill Versatility and Expertise
Bards are already proficient in several skills, but multiclassing can push this even further, especially with the Rogue.
- Rogue: Taking levels in Rogue provides additional skill proficiencies and, crucially, Expertise, doubling your proficiency bonus in two skills. When combined with the Bard’s inherent versatility (Jack of All Trades), you become exceptionally skilled in a wide range of areas, both in and out of combat.
Improved Survivability
Bards aren’t the sturdiest class. Some multiclass options bolster their defenses and hit points.
- Fighter/Paladin: Both these classes grant heavier armor proficiencies. Even a one-level dip into either can significantly increase your Armor Class (AC).
- Barbarian: While perhaps less synergistic, a Barbarian dip grants access to Rage, reducing incoming damage, and unarmored defense, using your Constitution and Dexterity for AC.
- Cleric: A level or two in Cleric provides access to healing spells and potentially heavier armor, boosting both your healing capabilities and survivability.
Popular Bard Multiclass Combinations
Here’s a breakdown of some commonly employed Bard multiclass builds and what they offer:
- Bard/Fighter (Valor/Swords Bard): Focuses on weapon combat, using Bardic Inspiration to enhance attacks and spells, and Fighter features (Action Surge, Fighting Style) to deal significant damage.
- Bard/Paladin (Devotion/Ancients Paladin): Blends Bard’s support abilities with Paladin’s burst damage potential (Divine Smite) and aura effects. Great for party support and melee combat.
- Bard/Rogue (College of Lore Bard): Emphasizes skill mastery, utility, and deception. Rogue Expertise combined with Bardic versatility creates an exceptional skill monkey.
- Bard/Warlock (College of Lore/Eloquence Bard): The ‘Bardlock’ combines Bardic spellcasting with Warlock’s Eldritch Blast (via Magical Secrets) and powerful invocations. Can use the charisma stat to level the other class abilities.
- Bard/Sorcerer (Draconic/Wild Magic): Two charisma-based full casters, this combination offers more spell slots, Metamagic options (from Sorcerer), and expanded spell lists.
Considerations Before Multiclassing
Before jumping into multiclassing, weigh these factors:
- Delayed Spell Progression: Multiclassing can slow down your access to higher-level Bard spells.
- Ability Score Requirements: Ensure you meet the minimum ability score requirements (typically 13 in Charisma and the other class’s primary stat) for both your Bard class and the class you’re multiclassing into.
- Roleplaying Considerations: Does the multiclass make sense for your character’s backstory and personality? How will you justify the shift in focus?
- Party Composition: Consider what your party needs. Is it more damage, utility, or survivability? Choose a multiclass that complements the party’s strengths and weaknesses.
Example Multiclass Build: Bard/Rogue (The Skill Master)
This build focuses on maximizing skills and utility.
- Race: Half-Elf (for +2 Charisma and two +1s to other stats)
- Stats: Prioritize Charisma, then Dexterity and Constitution.
- Levels: Bard 17 / Rogue 3
- Bard Subclass: College of Lore (for Additional Magical Secrets) or College of Eloquence (for Unsettling Words and Silver Tongue)
- Rogue Subclass: Assassin (for burst damage) or Thief (for extra bonus action)
- Key Features: Expertise from both Bard and Rogue, Jack of All Trades, Cunning Action, a wide range of spells.
This build excels at social encounters, investigation, and supporting the party. They can fill any role needed in the party.
The Games Learning Society
Multiclassing in D&D 5e, like many aspects of tabletop roleplaying, can be a complex decision. Just like the creative learning enviroments fostered at the Games Learning Society, careful planning and understanding the game’s mechanics is required. At GamesLearningSociety.org, you can explore research and resources on the educational potential of games, including how they can help develop strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and collaborative abilities.
FAQs About Bard Multiclassing
1. What is the best class to multiclass with Bard?
The “best” class depends on your desired playstyle. Paladin and Fighter are excellent for combat, Rogue for skills, and Warlock/Sorcerer for spellcasting.
2. Does multiclassing affect my Bardic Inspiration?
No, multiclassing doesn’t directly affect your Bardic Inspiration dice. However, it can delay your access to improvements like larger dice or more uses.
3. Can I multiclass into a class I was already?
No, you cannot multiclass into the same class.
4. What are the ability score requirements for multiclassing into Bard?
You need a Charisma score of 13 or higher to multiclass into Bard, and you also need a Charisma score of 13 or higher in your current class to allow a multiclass out.
5. How does multiclassing affect spell slots?
Your spell slots are determined by your combined class levels for spellcasting classes, using the Multiclass Spellcaster rules in the Player’s Handbook.
6. Does my hit dice change if I multiclass?
Yes. Your hit dice per level will change depending on the class you chose to level up. A level in barbarian will grant you a d12 hit dice, while a level in wizard will only grant you a d6 hit dice.
7. Can a Bard/Barbarian be effective?
It’s an unconventional mix, but the Barbarian’s rage can affect the Bards spellcasting ability. However, the increased health and damage reduction can be a strong benefit.
8. Is a 1-level dip into another class worth it for a Bard?
It can be. A 1-level dip into Fighter or Paladin provides a Fighting Style and potential armor proficiencies, while a 1-level dip into Cleric offers healing spells.
9. How does Expertise work with multiclassing?
Expertise allows you to double your proficiency bonus for skills you are proficient in. You only get the benefit for each class that offers the Expertise class feature.
10. Can I use Magical Secrets to get spells from any class?
Yes, the Magical Secrets feature allows you to learn spells from any class’s spell list.
11. Does multiclassing affect my subclass features?
Yes, it can delay your access to later subclass features. Carefully plan your level progression to maximize your build.
12. Is it better to focus on one class or multiclass?
It depends on your desired playstyle. Focusing on one class offers consistent progression, while multiclassing allows for greater customization but may delay key abilities.
13. What if I don’t meet the ability score requirements to multiclass?
You cannot multiclass into or out of a class if you don’t meet the minimum ability score requirements.
14. How many levels should I take in another class when multiclassing as a Bard?
The optimal number of levels depends on your build. Dips of 1-3 levels are common for minor benefits, while more substantial investments (5+ levels) significantly alter your character’s capabilities.
15. Does multiclassing affect my proficiency bonus?
No, your proficiency bonus is based on your overall character level, not your individual class levels. Multiclassing does not affect that bonus.