What Skills are Most Important for Bard?
The most important skills for a Bard are those that complement their Charisma score, which is the primary ability score for this class, and their role as a skilled performer and spellcaster, with Performance, Persuasion, Deception, and Intimidation being top choices. A well-rounded Bard should also consider skills like Acrobatics, Insight, and History, which can be useful in various situations and enhance their overall versatility as a character.
Understanding the Bard’s Skillset
To determine the most important skills for a Bard, it’s essential to understand their role in the party and their abilities. Bards are known for their Charisma, which makes them excellent performers, persuaders, and deceivers. They use their Charisma score to cast spells, perform skills, and interact with other characters.
Key Skills for Bards
Some key skills for Bards include:
- Performance: This skill is crucial for Bards as it allows them to perform music, tell stories, and entertain audiences, which can be used to charm and inspire allies or demoralize enemies.
- Persuasion: With their high Charisma score, Bards are naturally skilled at persuading others, making this skill a valuable asset for negotiating, convincing, and manipulating non-hostile NPCs.
- Deception: Bards can use their Charisma to deceive and mislead others, making Deception a useful skill for sneaking past enemies, creating distractions, or manipulating situations to their advantage.
- Intimidation: While Bards are not typically associated with intimidation, their Charisma can also be used to demoralize and frighten enemies, making Intimidation a viable skill for certain playstyles.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Primary Ability Score for Bards?
The primary ability score for Bards is Charisma, which they use for spellcasting, skill checks, and other abilities.
2. Can Bards Use Shields?
Bards can use shields if they have proficiency with them, such as through a multiclass with a class that grants shield proficiency, like the Cleric.
3. What Proficiencies Should a Bard Have?
A Bard should have proficiency in Light Armor, Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, Shortswords, and at least one type of Musical Instrument.
4. What is the Best Subclass for Bards?
The College of Valor is considered one of the strongest Bard subclasses due to its versatility, combat skills, spellcasting, and support capabilities.
5. How Many Skills Should a Bard Choose?
At first level, a Bard can choose three skills to be proficient in, as well as up to three different types of Musical Instruments.
6. Is Intelligence Important for Bards?
Intelligence is generally considered the best stat to dump for Bards, as they rely more heavily on Charisma for their abilities.
7. Can Bards Change Cantrips?
Bards, like Warlocks and Sorcerers, cannot change their cantrips as they are not considered spells known of 1st level or higher.
8. What Class Goes Well with Bard?
Paladins work well with Bards due to their shared primary ability score, Charisma, and complementary abilities.
9. Do Bards Have to Prepare Spells?
Bards do not prepare spells; instead, they have access to their full spell list but only know a limited number of spells.
10. What are the Class Skills of a Bard?
The class skills of a Bard include Acrobatics, Appraise, Bluff, Climb, Craft, Diplomacy, Disguise, Escape Artist, Intimidate, Knowledge, Linguistics, Perception, Perform, Profession, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, and Spellcraft.
11. Can a Bard be Chaotic Good?
Yes, a Bard can be Chaotic Good, as their inclination to travel, learn new skills, and desire for freedom aligns with the Chaotic alignment, while their charming and artistic nature can still reflect Good intentions.
12. Do Bards Have to be Good at Music?
No, Bards do not have to be good at music; their Muse can be related to any form of artistic expression or performance.
13. What are Bards Weaknesses?
Bards are weak in terms of damaging spell options, especially crowd control spells, which can make them less effective in certain combat situations.
14. What Weapons Should a Bard Use?
Bards are proficient in Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, and Shortswords, allowing them to choose weapons based on their playstyle.
15. How to Make a Bard Overpowered?
To make a Bard overpowered, consider multiclassing with Rogue or Warlock, using certain equipment like the Needle of Mending or the Instrument of Bards, and selecting powerful feats or subclasses like College of Eloquence.