Support · Inspiring Caster

Bard

A spellsinger whose verses sharpen allies' blades and whose insults leave monsters weeping.

Skirmisher
d8 hit die
CHA
Inspiration

Hire 3 sellswords at the Tavern.

Overview

Role: Support · Inspiring Caster
Archetype: Skirmisher (melee basic attack)
Hit die: d8
Hit points: 24 at level 1, +15 per level (+3 per CON modifier point, every level)
Primary ability: Charisma
Armour: Light
Weapons: Rapiers, Swords, Daggers, Bows, Crossbows
Resource: Inspiration: 90 + 5 per level, refills 8/s
Ability score improvements: Levels 4, 8, 12, 16, 19
Subclass: Level 3: College of Lore or College of the Warhorn
Starting kit: Rapier, Leather Armor
Suggested scores: STR 8 · DEX 14 · CON 13 · INT 10 · WIS 12 · CHA 15

Class features

Lv 1
Silver Tongue Your magic is woven into every word.
- +1 Spell Save DC
Lv 1
Light Feet A performer never stands where the blow lands: +10% dodge.
- +10% Dodge
Lv 2
Jack of All Trades You're passable at everything — including taking a punch.
- +1 to Hit
- +10% Max HP
Lv 5
Font of Inspiration Your inspiration wells up faster.
- +25% Resource Regen
Lv 6
Countercharm Your music shields mind and body alike: every point of Inspiration you spend weaves into a ward around you (up to a quarter of your health; it fades when the music stops).
- +5% All Resistances
- +5% Damage Reduction
- +25% Psychic Resistance
Lv 10
Magical Secrets You've learned spells no bard should know.
- +6% Skill Damage
- +5% Cooldown Reduction
Lv 14
Magical Secrets (2) Your repertoire is deeper still.
- +6% Skill Damage
Lv 18
Magical Secrets (3) Your first skill cast every 10 seconds costs nothing.
Lv 20
Superior Inspiration You are never without a song.
- +25 Max Resource
- +8% Damage

Level 1–20 progression

Everything a Bard gains each level, including both subclasses (chosen at level 3). Tap a skill to jump to its numbers.

Bard level 1 to 20 progression
Level	Prof.	Gains
1	+2	Silver Tongue Light Feet Vicious Mockery
2	+2	Jack of All Trades Bardic Inspiration
3	+2	Subclass: College of Lore or College of the Warhorn Bonus Proficiencies College of Lore Cutting Words College of Lore Battle Hymn College of the Warhorn Dancing Steel College of the Warhorn
4	+2	Ability Score Improvement or feat
5	+3	Proficiency +3 Font of Inspiration Thunderwave Vicious Mockery 2d6
6	+3	Countercharm
7	+3	Song of Rest Additional Magical Secrets College of Lore Extra Attack College of the Warhorn
8	+3	Ability Score Improvement or feat
9	+4	Proficiency +4 Discordant Whispers Thunderwave 3d8 Dancing Steel 2d8 College of the Warhorn
10	+4	Magical Secrets
11	+4	Well-Read College of Lore War Drums College of the Warhorn Vicious Mockery 3d6 Song of Rest 3d8
12	+4	Ability Score Improvement or feat
13	+5	Proficiency +5 Hypnotic Pattern Thunderwave 4d8 Discordant Whispers 4d6
14	+5	Magical Secrets (2) Dancing Steel 3d8 College of the Warhorn
15	+5	Peerless Skill College of Lore Warhorn's Echo College of the Warhorn Song of Rest 4d8
16	+5	Ability Score Improvement or feat
17	+6	Proficiency +6 Crescendo Vicious Mockery 4d6 Thunderwave 5d8 Discordant Whispers 5d6
18	+6	Magical Secrets (3) Living Archive College of Lore Battle Magic College of the Warhorn
19	+6	Song of Rest 5d8 Ability Score Improvement or feat
20	+6	Superior Inspiration

Feature Skill Dice rank-up Subclass ASI or feat Proficiency · Subclass entries are tagged with the subclass name.

Skills & spells

Numbers at mastery rank 1. Damage adds your weapon hit or ability modifier; "save" skills deal half damage when the foe makes its save (DC = 8 + proficiency + CHA modifier). Open Mastery for every rank, perk and the rank-10 bonus.

Bard skills

Vicious Mockery

Lv 1 Projectile psychic

A string of insults laced with subtle enchantment — it hurts, and it leaves them Weakened.

Type: Projectile
Cost: Free
Cooldown: 1.1s
Damage: 1d6 + CHA mod psychic
Hit: WIS save vs your spell DC (half damage on a save)
Scales with: Charisma
Projectiles: 1
Range: 9 tiles
Applies: Weakened 60% · 3s

Damage dice by level Lv 1 1d6Lv 5 2d6Lv 11 3d6Lv 17 4d6

Mastery: ranks 1–10, perks, mastered bonus

Each rank above 1: +3% damage, −1% cooldown, −1% cost. Ranks come from using the skill; your character level caps them (rank 10 needs level 16). Numbers below are without perks.

Vicious Mockery mastery ranks
Rank	Needs	Cooldown	Dmg	What changes
1	Lv 1	1.1s	—	Learned
2	Lv 1	1.1s	+3%	Weaken chance +10% · Weakened 70% · 3s
3	Lv 2	1.1s	+16%	Damage +10%
4	Lv 4	1.1s	+19%
5	Lv 6	1.1s	+22%	Range +20%
6	Lv 8	1s	+25%	Weaken lasts 30% longer · Weakened 70% · 3.9s
7	Lv 10	0.9s	+28%	Cooldown −8%
8	Lv 12	0.9s	+31%
9	Lv 14	0.9s	+34%	Weaken chance +10% · Weakened 80% · 3.9s
10	Lv 16	0.9s	+52%	Mastered (+15% damage, −25% cost, plus its signature bonus) · Weakened 95% · 3.9s

Rank 4: pick one

Heckle the Crowd +1 insult, insults −35% damage.
Cutting Insult Damage +20%, cooldown +10%.

Rank 8: pick one

Exposed Flaws Foes are Marked (+15% damage taken from everyone) instead of Weakened.
Carrying Voice Insults pass through every foe in the line; damage −10%.

Rank 10, Mastered: Devastating Wit: status chance +15% and range +20%.

Bardic Inspiration

Lv 2 Buff

A rousing verse: you and every ally in earshot hit harder, truer and recover faster, and the courage in it wards you like a shield.

Type: Buff
Cost: 30
Cooldown: 20s
Scales with: Charisma
Duration: 12s
Allies within: 7 tiles
Barrier: 25% of max HP
Applies: Blessed · 12s
Grants you: +10% Damage, +2 to Hit, +8% Cooldown Reduction, +2 Armor Class

Mastery: ranks 1–10, perks, mastered bonus

Each rank above 1: +3% damage, −1% cooldown, −1% cost. Ranks come from using the skill; your character level caps them (rank 10 needs level 16). Numbers below are without perks.

Bardic Inspiration mastery ranks
Rank	Needs	Cost	Cooldown	Dmg	What changes
1	Lv 1	30	20s	—	Learned
2	Lv 1	30	19.8s	+3%	Duration +15% · 13.8s
3	Lv 2	29	19.6s	+6%	Inspiration strength +15% · +11.5% Damage, +2.3 to Hit, +9.2% Cooldown Reduction, +2.3 Armor Class
4	Lv 4	29	19.4s	+9%
5	Lv 6	29	19.2s	+12%	Reaches allies 20% farther · radius 8.4
6	Lv 8	29	17.4s	+15%	Cooldown −8%
7	Lv 10	22	17.2s	+18%	Cost −20%
8	Lv 12	22	17s	+21%
9	Lv 14	22	16.8s	+24%	Inspiration strength +10% · +12.5% Damage, +2.5 to Hit, +10% Cooldown Reduction, +2.5 Armor Class
10	Lv 16	14	16.6s	+42%	Mastered (+15% damage, −25% cost, plus its signature bonus) · radius 9.8 · +14% Damage, +2.8 to Hit, +11.2% Cooldown Reduction, +2.8 Armor Class

Rank 4: pick one

Valorous Verse Inspiration strength +30%, duration −20%.
Lingering Refrain Duration +30%.

Rank 8: pick one

Quick Cadence Cooldown −15%.
Heroic Verse Inspiration strength +20%, cost +30%.

Rank 10, Mastered: Anthem of Heroes: inspiration strength +15% and radius +20%.

Thunderwave

Lv 5 Area thunder

A wave of thunderous force sweeps out from you, hurling foes away.

Type: Area (around you)
Cost: 20
Cooldown: 8s
Damage: 2d8 + CHA mod thunder
Hit: CON save vs your spell DC (half damage on a save)
Scales with: Charisma
Radius: 2.6 tiles
Applies: Stunned 15% · 0.6s

Damage dice by level Lv 5 2d8Lv 9 3d8Lv 13 4d8Lv 17 5d8

Mastery: ranks 1–10, perks, mastered bonus

Each rank above 1: +3% damage, −1% cooldown, −1% cost. Ranks come from using the skill; your character level caps them (rank 10 needs level 16). Numbers below are without perks.

Thunderwave mastery ranks
Rank	Needs	Cost	Cooldown	Dmg	What changes
1	Lv 1	20	8s	—	Learned
2	Lv 1	20	7.9s	+3%	Radius +10% · radius 2.9
3	Lv 2	20	7.8s	+6% +1d	+1 damage die
4	Lv 4	19	7.8s	+9% +1d
5	Lv 6	19	7s	+12% +1d	Cooldown −8%
6	Lv 8	19	7s	+15% +1d	Stun chance +10% · Stunned 25% · 0.6s
7	Lv 10	19	6.9s	+18% +1d	Radius +10% · radius 3.1
8	Lv 12	19	6.8s	+21% +1d
9	Lv 14	15	6.7s	+24% +1d	Cost −15%
10	Lv 16	10	6.6s	+42% +1d	Mastered (+15% damage, −25% cost, plus its signature bonus) · radius 3.6 · Stunned 40% · 0.6s

Rank 4: pick one

Wide Wave Radius +35%, damage −10%.
Booming Chord Damage +20%, cost +25%.

Rank 8: pick one

Staccato Cooldown −15%.
Deafening Stun chance +30%, damage −10%.

Rank 10, Mastered: Thunderclap: radius +20% and stun chance +15%.

Song of Rest

Lv 7 Heal

A soothing melody mends you and every ally nearby; the one who needs it most keeps mending and steadies (−10% damage taken) for a while after.

Type: Heal
Cost: 30
Cooldown: 12s
Heals: (2d8 + CHA mod) × 3
Hit: Always hits
Scales with: Charisma
Also heals allies within: 6 tiles
Buff lasts: 8s
Grants you: +4 HP Regen / s, +10% Damage Reduction

Healing dice by level Lv 7 2d8Lv 11 3d8Lv 15 4d8Lv 19 5d8

Mastery: ranks 1–10, perks, mastered bonus

Each rank above 1: +3% healing, −1% cooldown, −1% cost. Ranks come from using the skill; your character level caps them (rank 10 needs level 16). Numbers below are without perks.

Song of Rest mastery ranks
Rank	Needs	Cost	Cooldown	Heal	What changes
1	Lv 1	30	12s	—	Learned
2	Lv 1	30	11.9s	+3%	Radius +15% · radius 6.9
3	Lv 2	25	11.8s	+6%	Cost −15%
4	Lv 4	25	11.6s	+9%
5	Lv 6	24	11.5s	+12% +1d	+1 healing die
6	Lv 8	24	10.4s	+15% +1d	Cooldown −8%
7	Lv 10	24	10.3s	+18% +1d	Lingering regeneration +50% · +6 HP Regen / s, +15% Damage Reduction
8	Lv 12	23	10.2s	+21% +1d
9	Lv 14	23	10.1s	+24% +1d	Lingering regeneration lasts 30% longer · 10.4s
10	Lv 16	9	10s	+42% +1d	Mastered (+15% damage, −25% cost, plus its signature bonus) · +8 HP Regen / s, +20% Damage Reduction

Rank 4: pick one

Rousing Chorus Healing +20%, cost +30%.
Encore Cooldown −25%, healing −10%.

Rank 8: pick one

Carrying Melody Radius +40%.
Lullaby Lingering regeneration twice as strong.

Rank 10, Mastered: Hymn of Hearth: cost −20% and lingering regeneration +50%.

Discordant Whispers

Lv 9 Area psychic

A melody only your enemies can hear — it wracks their minds and sends them fleeing.

Type: Area
Cost: 25
Cooldown: 10s
Damage: 3d6 + CHA mod psychic
Hit: WIS save vs your spell DC (half damage on a save)
Scales with: Charisma
Radius: 2.5 tiles
Range: 7 tiles
Applies: Feared 70% · 3s

Damage dice by level Lv 9 3d6Lv 13 4d6Lv 17 5d6

Mastery: ranks 1–10, perks, mastered bonus

Each rank above 1: +3% damage, −1% cooldown, −1% cost. Ranks come from using the skill; your character level caps them (rank 10 needs level 16). Numbers below are without perks.

Discordant Whispers mastery ranks
Rank	Needs	Cost	Cooldown	Dmg	What changes
1	Lv 1	25	10s	—	Learned
2	Lv 1	25	9.9s	+3%	Radius +10% · radius 2.8
3	Lv 2	25	9.8s	+6% +1d	+1 damage die
4	Lv 4	24	9.7s	+9% +1d
5	Lv 6	24	8.8s	+12% +1d	Cooldown −8%
6	Lv 8	24	8.7s	+15% +1d	Fear lasts 20% longer · Feared 70% · 3.6s
7	Lv 10	24	8.6s	+18% +1d	Radius +10% · radius 3
8	Lv 12	23	8.5s	+21% +1d
9	Lv 14	19	8.4s	+24% +1d	Cost −15%
10	Lv 16	13	8.3s	+42% +1d	Mastered (+15% damage, −25% cost, plus its signature bonus) · radius 3.4 · Feared 70% · 4.5s

Rank 4: pick one

Rumour Spreads Radius +35%, damage −10%.
Dread Chorus Damage +20%, radius −20%.

Rank 8: pick one

Endless Murmur Cooldown −15%.
Exposed Secrets Foes are Marked (+15% damage taken) instead of Frightened.

Rank 10, Mastered: Madness Refrain: status lasts 30% longer and radius +15%.

Hypnotic Pattern

Lv 13 Area psychic

A twisting pattern of colour hangs in the air; those who see it stand transfixed.

Type: Area
Cost: 35
Cooldown: 16s
Damage: 2d6 + CHA mod psychic
Hit: WIS save vs your spell DC (half damage on a save)
Scales with: Charisma
Radius: 3 tiles
Range: 7 tiles
Applies: Stunned 55% · 2s

Mastery: ranks 1–10, perks, mastered bonus

Each rank above 1: +3% damage, −1% cooldown, −1% cost. Ranks come from using the skill; your character level caps them (rank 10 needs level 16). Numbers below are without perks.

Hypnotic Pattern mastery ranks
Rank	Needs	Cost	Cooldown	Dmg	What changes
1	Lv 1	35	16s	—	Learned
2	Lv 1	35	15.8s	+3%	Stun chance +10% · Stunned 65% · 2s
3	Lv 2	34	15.7s	+6%	Radius +10% · radius 3.3
4	Lv 4	34	15.5s	+9%
5	Lv 6	34	13.8s	+12%	Cooldown −10%
6	Lv 8	33	13.6s	+15%	Stuns last 20% longer · Stunned 65% · 2.4s
7	Lv 10	28	13.4s	+18%	Cost −15%
8	Lv 12	27	13.3s	+21%
9	Lv 14	27	13.1s	+24%	Radius +10% · radius 3.6
10	Lv 16	18	13s	+42%	Mastered (+15% damage, −25% cost, plus its signature bonus) · radius 4.1 · Stunned 80% · 2.4s

Rank 4: pick one

Mesmerize Stuns last 50% longer, damage −20%.
Kaleidoscope Radius +35%, stun chance −10%.

Rank 8: pick one

Flicker Cooldown −15%.
Vivid Hues Damage +40%, cost +30%.

Rank 10, Mastered: Spellbound: stun chance +15% and radius +15%.

Crescendo

Lv 17 Area thunder

The final bar of your song detonates in a thunderous blast — and leaves you riding the high.

Type: Area (around you)
Cost: 45
Cooldown: 20s
Damage: 6d8 + CHA mod thunder
Hit: CON save vs your spell DC (half damage on a save)
Scales with: Charisma
Radius: 4 tiles
Grants you: +15% Damage, +10% Attack Speed

Mastery: ranks 1–10, perks, mastered bonus

Each rank above 1: +3% damage, −1% cooldown, −1% cost. Ranks come from using the skill; your character level caps them (rank 10 needs level 16). Numbers below are without perks.

Crescendo mastery ranks
Rank	Needs	Cost	Cooldown	Dmg	What changes
1	Lv 1	45	20s	—	Learned
2	Lv 1	45	19.8s	+3%	Radius +10% · radius 4.4
3	Lv 2	44	19.6s	+6%	Afterglow strength +20% · +18% Damage, +12% Attack Speed
4	Lv 4	44	19.4s	+9%
5	Lv 6	43	17.6s	+12%	Cooldown −8%
6	Lv 8	43	17.4s	+15% +1d	+1 damage die
7	Lv 10	42	17.2s	+18% +1d	Radius +10% · radius 4.8
8	Lv 12	42	17s	+21% +1d
9	Lv 14	35	16.8s	+24% +1d	Cost −15%
10	Lv 16	23	16.6s	+52% +1d	Mastered (+15% damage, −25% cost, plus its signature bonus) · +21.8% Damage, +14.5% Attack Speed

Rank 4: pick one

Grand Hall Radius +35%, damage −10%.
Fortissimo Damage +20%, cost +25%.

Rank 8: pick one

Da Capo Cooldown −15%.
Standing Ovation Afterglow strength +50%.

Rank 10, Mastered: Magnum Opus: afterglow strength +25% and damage +10%.

College of Lore skills

Cutting Words

Lv 3 Buff College of Lore

Name every weakness aloud: nearby foes are Marked to take more damage, and your allies grow nimbler.

Type: Buff
Cost: 20
Cooldown: 14s
Scales with: Charisma
Duration: 6s
Allies within: 6 tiles
Applies: Marked · 6s
Grants you: +5% Dodge

Mastery: ranks 1–10, perks, mastered bonus

Each rank above 1: +3% damage, −1% cooldown, −1% cost. Ranks come from using the skill; your character level caps them (rank 10 needs level 16). Numbers below are without perks.

Cutting Words mastery ranks
Rank	Needs	Cost	Cooldown	Dmg	What changes
1	Lv 1	20	14s	—	Learned
2	Lv 1	20	13.9s	+3%	Radius +10% · radius 6.6
3	Lv 2	20	13.7s	+6%	Marks last 20% longer · Marked · 7.2s
4	Lv 4	19	13.6s	+9%
5	Lv 6	19	12s	+12%	Cooldown −10%
6	Lv 8	19	11.9s	+15%	Dodge bonus +30% · +6.5% Dodge
7	Lv 10	15	11.8s	+18%	Cost −20%
8	Lv 12	15	11.6s	+21%
9	Lv 14	14	11.5s	+24%	Radius +15% · radius 7.5
10	Lv 16	9	11.3s	+42%	Mastered (+15% damage, −25% cost, plus its signature bonus) · radius 8.4 · Marked · 9s

Rank 4: pick one

Peerless Lore Marks last 50% longer.
Loud Library Radius +35%.

Rank 8: pick one

Quick Wit Cooldown −15%.
Nimble Footnotes Dodge bonus +60%, cost +20%.

Rank 10, Mastered: The Last Word: marks last 30% longer and radius +15%.

College of the Warhorn skills

Dancing Steel

Lv 3 Melee strike slashing College of the Warhorn

A spinning, showboating flurry of blade-work that cuts a wide circle.

Type: Melee strike
Cost: 12
Cooldown: 4s
Damage: 1d8 + weapon hit slashing
Hit: Attack roll vs AC
Reach: 1.5 tiles
Arc: 150°

Damage dice by level Lv 3 1d8Lv 9 2d8Lv 14 3d8

Mastery: ranks 1–10, perks, mastered bonus

Each rank above 1: +3% damage, −1% cooldown, −1% cost. Ranks come from using the skill; your character level caps them (rank 10 needs level 16). Numbers below are without perks.

Dancing Steel mastery ranks
Rank	Needs	Cost	Cooldown	Dmg	What changes
1	Lv 1	12	4s	—	Learned
2	Lv 1	12	4s	+3%	Arc and reach +15% · radius 1.7 · arc 173°
3	Lv 2	12	3.9s	+16%	Damage +10%
4	Lv 4	12	3.9s	+19%
5	Lv 6	12	3.4s	+22%	Cooldown −10%
6	Lv 8	11	3.4s	+25%	Flourishes Mark foes (20%) · Marked 20% · 3s
7	Lv 10	11	3.4s	+28%	Arc and reach +15% · radius 2 · arc 195°
8	Lv 12	11	3.3s	+31%
9	Lv 14	9	3.3s	+34%	Cost −20%
10	Lv 16	6	3.2s	+62%	Mastered (+15% damage, −25% cost, plus its signature bonus) · Marked 40% · 3s

Rank 4: pick one

Full Circle Arc and reach +30%, damage −10%.
Showstopper Damage +20%, cost +25%.

Rank 8: pick one

Allegro Cooldown −15%.
Spotlight Mark chance +30%; marks last 50% longer.

Rank 10, Mastered: Blade Ballad: damage +10% and Mark chance +20%.

Subclasses

Chosen at level 3. Each adds its own skill and a feature every few levels.

College of Lore

Bards who collect secrets like coins — and spend them to cut an enemy's confidence to ribbons.

Skills

Cutting Words Lv 3

Features

Lv 3
Bonus Proficiencies You've picked up a little of everything.
- +1 to Hit
- +5% Magic Find
Lv 7
Additional Magical Secrets Borrowed spells from a dozen traditions.
- +8% Skill Damage
Lv 11
Well-Read You know the trick to every spell.
- +1 Spell Save DC
- +5% Cooldown Reduction
Lv 15
Peerless Skill Your talent rises to meet any moment.
- +4% Crit Chance
Lv 18
Living Archive Your reserves are as deep as your library.
- +20 Max Resource
- +15% Resource Regen

College of the Warhorn

Battle-skalds who fight in the front rank, blade in one hand and horn in the other.

Skills

Dancing Steel Lv 3

Features

Lv 3
Battle Hymn You were drilled for the shield-wall.
- +1 Armor Class
- +15 Hit Points
Lv 7
Extra Attack Your basic attacks strike twice.
Lv 11
War Drums Your rhythm quickens your arm.
- +8% Attack Speed
Lv 15
Warhorn's Echo Your blows ring out across the whole melee.
- +10% Area Damage
Lv 18
Battle Magic Song and steel are one weapon now.
- +10% Damage

Bard unique weapons

Rhyme-and-Reason Starter

Rapier · Weapon · drops from level 5

+8–24% Damage
+2–6 Charisma
+1–4 Dexterity
+1 random affix

Heckler. Each basic hit also fires a free Vicious Mockery at another nearby foe for 62–75% damage.

“Every thrust is a line of verse. Every verse is an insult.”

Encore, the Twice-Sung Bow

Shortbow · Weapon · drops from level 12

+8–24% Damage
+2–6 Charisma
+5–15% Area Damage
+1 random affix

Encore!. Your area songs play again at the same spot 1.2s later for 54–58% damage.

Verse. Each skill you cast adds a Verse: +5% attack speed and +2% move speed for 8s (up to 8).

“Its string plays every note twice: once for the crowd, once for the dead.”

The Last Chord

Longsword · Weapon · drops from level 16

+8–24% Damage
+2–6 Charisma
+3–8% Cooldown Reduction
+1 random affix

Finale. Every 4th skill you cast is a Finale: a thunder burst around you for 45–60% weapon damage.

Standing Ovation. You and allies within 6 tiles deal +8% damage and move 8% faster.

“A blade tuned to a single note, the one every song is secretly building toward.”

Bards are Skirmishers: they can also wear the 8 Skirmisher unique armour and off-hands, and any unique jewelry. Power values show the range they roll in.