Unsheathing the Song: A Bard’s Arsenal in D&D 5e
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What weapons do bards use in D&D 5e? The answer, like the bard themselves, is multifaceted and depends on a few key factors, primarily their proficiencies and their chosen College. Generally, a bard starts with proficiency in simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, and shortswords. This provides a solid foundation for both melee and ranged combat. However, the true depth of a bard’s arsenal lies in their ability to adapt, learn, and even redefine what it means to be a warrior-artist. Let’s explore this further.
Understanding the Core Proficiencies
The starting weapon proficiencies offer a decent blend of options. Simple weapons cover your basic clubs, daggers, and slings – useful in a pinch, but rarely a bard’s first choice. The inclusion of hand crossbows provides a ranged option for dealing damage from afar. The real stars here are the longsword, rapier, and shortsword, allowing for some surprisingly effective melee builds. But remember, proficiency only means you can use the weapon effectively; it doesn’t define what weapon you should use.
The Rapier’s Reign
For many bards, the rapier stands out as the go-to weapon. Its finesse property allows you to use your Dexterity modifier for attack and damage rolls, which often aligns with a bard’s focus on Dexterity for skills, armor class, and initiative. The rapier offers a good balance of damage (1d8 piercing) and elegance, perfectly complementing the bard’s flair.
Beyond the Basics: College Choices and Feats
While the starting proficiencies are important, the true expansion of a bard’s weapon options comes from their chosen College at 3rd level. The College of Valor and College of Swords are particularly notable for their impact on combat prowess.
- College of Valor: Bards of Valor gain proficiency with martial weapons, opening up a much wider range of options, including battleaxes, greatswords, and longbows. This turns them into formidable frontline fighters capable of wielding heavier weapons and delivering significant damage.
- College of Swords: These bards gain proficiency with scimitars in addition to the standard bard weaponry. They also get Fighting Styles and Blade Flourishes, adding extra effects to their attacks.
For bards who aren’t part of the College of Valor, the Weapon Master feat offers a route to gaining proficiency in four additional weapons of their choice. However, it requires an Ability Score Increase (ASI), which might be better spent improving Charisma, Dexterity, or Constitution. Variant Human is a good alternative if the Weapon Master feat is desired at level 1.
Guns in D&D 5e?
The article mentions “pistols” which might be slightly misleading as standard D&D 5e rules don’t automatically include firearms. However, many Dungeon Masters (DMs) incorporate firearms into their campaigns, often treating them as martial weapons with specific properties. If your DM allows firearms, a bard could potentially gain proficiency through the Weapon Master feat or via subclass features.
Practical Weapon Choices for Different Bards
The “best” weapon for a bard is subjective and depends on the bard’s role in the party, their preferred fighting style, and the campaign setting. Here are some possible considerations:
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The Skirmisher: A Dexterity-focused bard might favor the rapier for its finesse property and decent damage output. Alternatively, a shortsword paired with a shield offers a balance of offense and defense.
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The Support Caster: If combat is a last resort, a simple dagger or light crossbow might be sufficient, allowing the bard to focus on spellcasting and support.
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The Frontline Fighter: A College of Valor bard could wield a longsword, battleaxe, or even a greatsword for increased damage, but they will need to balance their Strength and Dexterity.
Ultimately, the best weapon for a bard is the one that best complements their abilities, play style, and the needs of their party. It’s a matter of personal preference and campaign context.
FAQs: Bards and Their Blades (and Bows)
1. Can a bard use a battleaxe?
Yes, but only if they are proficient. A standard bard isn’t proficient, but a College of Valor bard gains proficiency with martial weapons, including the battleaxe. Alternatively, any bard can take the Weapon Master feat to gain proficiency.
2. Can a bard use a greatsword?
Similar to the battleaxe, a bard needs proficiency to use a greatsword effectively. This can be achieved through the College of Valor subclass or the Weapon Master feat.
3. Can a bard use a shield?
Yes, bards are proficient with shields. A shield can significantly improve a bard’s survivability, especially when combined with light armor.
4. Can a bard have a gun?
In standard D&D 5e, guns aren’t a default weapon. However, if your DM incorporates firearms into the game, a bard could gain proficiency through the Weapon Master feat or a relevant subclass feature (if the DM allows it).
5. Can a bard use a scimitar?
Yes, a College of Swords bard gains proficiency with the scimitar. For other bard colleges, the Weapon Master feat can be used.
6. What is the best armor for a bard?
Light armor is the best choice for most bards because they are only proficient with light armor. Glamoured Studded Leather is an excellent choice for a magical item, providing good protection while allowing the bard to maintain their performance style.
7. What is a bard’s main weapon?
There isn’t a single “main” weapon for bards. The rapier is a popular choice due to its finesse property, but other options like the longsword, shortsword, or even a hand crossbow can be viable depending on the bard’s build and play style.
8. Is a bard a good healer?
Bards are decent healers, though not as potent as Clerics or dedicated healing classes. They have access to healing spells like Cure Wounds and Healing Word, but they often need to balance healing with other roles like support, control, and damage dealing.
9. Can a bard wear a breastplate?
While a bard can technically wear a breastplate, they won’t be able to cast spells if they wear armor with which they lack proficiency.
10. Can bards pick locks?
Yes! Bards are excellent at lockpicking, especially because they can gain Expertise in skills like Thieves’ Tools, doubling their proficiency bonus.
11. What are a bard’s weaknesses?
A bard’s main weakness is the lack of potent damage-dealing spells. They are more focused on support, utility, and control rather than raw damage output.
12. Do bards get extra attacks?
Standard bards do not get Extra Attack. However, bards of the College of Valor and College of Swords do get this feature, enhancing their melee combat capabilities.
13. What do bards carry?
Beyond weapons and armor, bards often carry musical instruments (their spellcasting focus), healing potions, scrolls, and other useful utility items. A bag of holding can be invaluable for carrying all their gear.
14. Why are bards so strong?
Bards are strong because of their versatility. They combine elements of Rogue, Cleric, and other classes, allowing them to excel in a variety of situations. They are skilled in combat, magic, and social interactions.
15. What race makes the best bard in D&D?
While any race can be a successful bard, Half-Elves are often considered ideal due to their Charisma bonus, skill proficiencies, and other beneficial traits. Other good options include Tieflings (Charisma bonus) and Humans (versatility).
The Final Chorus
The weapons a bard uses are merely tools to amplify their true power: their artistic expression, their ability to inspire, and their mastery of magic. Whether wielding a rapier, strumming a lute, or weaving a spell, the bard is a force to be reckoned with in any D&D campaign. Remember, the best weapon is the one that tells your story, and a bard has countless stories to tell.
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