Unlocking the Zenith: The Ultimate Guide to the Level 20 Bard in D&D 5e

At level 20, the Bard in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition transcends mere support and becomes a powerful force capable of shaping reality through magic, inspiration, and unparalleled versatility. The core level 20 Bard ability revolves around maximizing their Bardic Inspiration feature, ensuring it’s almost always available to bolster allies. Specifically, the level 20 feature Superior Inspiration grants the Bard one use of Bardic Inspiration whenever they roll initiative and have no uses left. This seemingly simple ability dramatically increases the Bard’s effectiveness in combat, ensuring they can consistently empower their party when it matters most. Beyond this cornerstone ability, a level 20 Bard possesses access to the most potent spells, an expansive spell repertoire, and the ability to customize their spell list with spells from any class, solidifying their status as a master manipulator of magic and a vital asset to any adventuring group.

The Power of Superior Inspiration

The Superior Inspiration ability, gained at level 20, is deceptively simple, yet profoundly impactful. At the highest levels of play, combat encounters are often decisive and quick. Having that guaranteed Bardic Inspiration at the start of every fight is a game-changer. It means that even if the Bard exhausted all their inspirations in the previous encounter or during roleplaying interactions, they still have a charge ready to go when the dice are rolled.

This ensures the Bard can consistently:

• Buff allies at crucial moments: A timely Bardic Inspiration can turn the tide of battle, allowing an ally to succeed on a critical saving throw, land a devastating attack, or pass an important ability check.
• Maintain consistent support: The reliability of Bardic Inspiration eliminates the anxiety of running out of resources and allows the Bard to be a constant source of empowerment for the party.
• Adapt to any situation: Knowing that Bardic Inspiration is always available encourages the Bard to use their resources more freely, allowing them to take risks and support the party in creative ways.

However, that is not all that a Level 20 Bard can do.

Beyond Inspiration: A Symphony of Power

While Superior Inspiration is the defining level 20 feature, it is merely the crescendo of a symphony of abilities that culminates in a truly remarkable character. A level 20 Bard boasts:

• Master Spellcasting: Access to 9th-level spells provides access to the most powerful magic in the game, capable of warping reality and reshaping destinies. The ability to learn spells like Wish, True Polymorph, and Mass Suggestion opens up endless possibilities.
• Unmatched Versatility: Through their Magical Secrets feature, Bards can learn spells from any class spell list. This allows them to patch up weaknesses in their own repertoire, gain access to powerful offensive options, or simply acquire spells that fit their character concept.
• Skill Mastery: Bards are renowned for their expertise in skills. By level 20, a Bard can be proficient in a multitude of skills, often with Expertise doubling their proficiency bonus. This makes them invaluable for social encounters, exploration, and problem-solving.
• Charismatic Presence: With a maximized Charisma score, a level 20 Bard becomes a master manipulator, capable of swaying opinions, influencing decisions, and charming even the most resistant individuals.
• Subclass Specialization: Each Bard College offers unique features that further enhance their abilities. Whether it’s the College of Lore’s cutting words, the College of Valor’s martial prowess, or the College of Eloquence’s irresistible arguments, the subclass choice adds another layer of customization and power.

In essence, the level 20 Bard is a walking Swiss Army knife, capable of adapting to any situation and providing invaluable support to their party.

Level 20 Bard FAQs

1. How many spells does a level 20 Bard know?

A 20th-level Bard knows a total of 22 spells. This comprises 16 spells from the standard Bard spell list and 6 spells acquired through the Magical Secrets feature.

2. What is the most important ability score for a Bard?

Charisma is the most important ability score for a Bard. It determines the effectiveness of their spells, their Bardic Inspiration, and their social skills. Most Bards will prioritize maximizing Charisma as soon as possible.

3. Can a Bard learn spells from other classes?

Yes, Bards can learn spells from other classes through the Magical Secrets feature, which they gain at levels 10, 14, and 18. This allows them to select spells from any class spell list, significantly expanding their versatility.

4. Which Bard College is the strongest at level 20?

The “strongest” Bard College depends on playstyle and party composition. However, the College of Lore and the College of Eloquence are often considered particularly powerful due to their potent support and control abilities.

5. What is the best weapon for a Bard?

The best weapon for a Bard depends on their build and playstyle. A finesse weapon like a rapier or a shortsword is a good choice for Bards who want to engage in melee combat. However, many Bards prefer to focus on spellcasting and support, in which case a simple weapon like a dagger or a light crossbow may suffice.

6. What armor can a Bard wear?

Bards can wear light armor. Some subclasses, such as the College of Valor and the College of Swords, also grant proficiency with medium armor and shields.

7. Is the Bard a powerful class in D&D 5e?

Yes, the Bard is a powerful and versatile class in D&D 5e. They excel at supporting their allies, controlling the battlefield, and influencing social interactions. Their ability to learn spells from other classes further enhances their adaptability.

8. What is Bardic Inspiration?

Bardic Inspiration is a special ability that allows the Bard to inspire their allies. The Bard can give a creature a Bardic Inspiration die, which they can use to add to an ability check, attack roll, or saving throw.

9. Can Bards heal?

Yes, Bards can heal. They have access to several healing spells, such as Healing Word, Cure Wounds, and Mass Cure Wounds.

10. Are Bards good in combat?

Bards can be effective in combat, especially when focused on support and control. While they may not be as strong as dedicated damage dealers, their ability to buff allies, debuff enemies, and control the battlefield makes them a valuable asset to any party.

11. What skills are Bards proficient in?

At first level, Bards gain proficiency in three skills of their choice. They also typically have high Charisma, making them excellent at skills like Persuasion, Deception, and Performance.

12. How does Superior Inspiration interact with other Bard abilities?

Superior Inspiration synergizes extremely well with other Bard abilities. By ensuring that Bardic Inspiration is always available, it allows the Bard to consistently use features like Cutting Words (College of Lore) or Unsettling Words (College of Eloquence) to further enhance their support and control capabilities.

13. What is the best race for a Bard?

The best race for a Bard depends on the desired playstyle. Races with bonuses to Charisma, such as Half-Elves, Tieflings, and Aasimar, are excellent choices. Some players also enjoy the Dragonborn due to their versatility as a Fighter and Paladin.

14. How do you play a level 20 Bard effectively?

To play a level 20 Bard effectively, focus on:

• Mastering your spell list: Choose spells that complement your party’s strengths and cover their weaknesses.
• Utilizing Bardic Inspiration strategically: Use your Bardic Inspiration to empower allies at critical moments, such as before a challenging attack or a crucial saving throw.
• Leveraging your skills: Use your skills to gather information, influence NPCs, and solve problems outside of combat.
• Communicating with your party: Coordinate with your party to ensure that your abilities are used to their fullest potential.

15. Can a level 20 Bard change the course of a campaign?

Absolutely! A level 20 Bard, with their mastery of magic, skills, and influence, can significantly impact the course of a campaign. They can uncover secrets, sway powerful figures, and even alter the fate of entire nations. Bards are often the voice of reason, or the spark that ignites a revolution. Their ability to inspire and manipulate makes them a force to be reckoned with, capable of shaping the world around them.

Level 20 is not the limit for learning new abilities! You can enhance your knowledge and skills with the latest research and publications in game-based learning by checking out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.