Bards are a class available to player characters.
Description[]
| “ | The Bard is a rogue, but very different from the Thief. Their strength is a pleasant and charming personality. With that and their wits, the Bard makes their way through the world. A Bard is a talented musician and a walking storehouse of gossip, tall tales, and lore. They learn a little bit about everything that crosses their path, dabbling in all trades but mastering none. While many Bards are scoundrels, their stories and songs are welcome almost everywhere. | ” |
Class Features[]
- May not wear armor heavier than chain mail.
- May not equip shields larger than bucklers.
- May only become Proficient (one slot) in any weapon class.
- May only become Proficient (one slot) in any fighting style.EE only
- Thieving abilities: Pick Pockets (starts at 25%, increases 5%/level afterward until 100% at level 16. Affected by dexterity and racial bonuses, as with thieves)
- Increased Lore score: 10 per level.
- May cast arcane spells starting at 2nd level (spellcasting disabled while wearing armor).
- May use the Bard Song ability to play any song from their repertoire.
- 1st level: Can play “The Ballad of Three Heroes.”
- All allies within 30 ft. gain +1 to hit, +1 to damage, and +1 to all their Saving Throws.
- 3rd level: Can play “The Tale of Curran Strongheart.”
- All allies within 30 ft. gain immunity to fear effects for as long as the song lasts, and any fear effects currently on them are removed.
- 5th level: Can play “Tymora’s Melody.”
- All allies within 30 ft. gain +1 to luck, +3 to Saving Throws, +10 to lore, and a +10% bonus to all of their thieving skills.
- 7th level: Can play “The Song of Kaudies.”
- All allies within 30 ft. have a 50% chance to become immune to silence and deafness and to shrug off the effects of Silence 15' Radius, Shout, Great Shout, Command, Greater Command, Mournful Wail, Death Knell, Harpy Wail, War Cry, Undying Lament, Great Roar and Wail of the Banshee.
- 9th level: Can play “The Siren’s Yearning.”
- All enemies within 30 ft. must save vs. Spell or become enthralled, unable to take action until 1 round passes or they take damage.
- 11th level: Can play “War Chant of Sith.”
- All allies within 30 ft. gain a +2 bonus to Armor Class, +10% resistance to slashing, piercing, crushing, and missile damage, and the ability to regenerate 2 Hit Points per round.
- 1st level: Can play “The Ballad of Three Heroes.”
- Alignment restricted to any neutral.
- Hit Die: d6
Class KitsEE only[]
Blade EE only[]
| “ | The Blade is an expert fighter and adventurer whose bardic acting abilities make them appear more intimidating and fearsome. Their fighting style is flashy and entertaining, but also lethally dangerous. | ” |
Advantages
- May place 3 slots in Two-Weapon Style.
- May use the Offensive Spin and Defensive Spin abilities once per day. Gains one use each at level 1 and an additional use each every 4 levels thereafter.
- OFFENSIVE SPIN: During the next 4 rounds, the Blade’s movement rate doubles and they gain a +2 bonus to hit and damage rolls as well as an extra attack per round. All attacks deal maximum damage for the duration. Offensive Spin may not be used in conjunction with the Haste or Improved Haste spells.
- DEFENSIVE SPIN: During the next 4 rounds, the Blade is rooted to the spot and gains a +1 bonus to Armor Class per level, up to a maximum of +10.
- Can play “The Ballad of Three Heroes.”
Disadvantages
- Only has one half the normal Lore value.
- Only has one half the normal Pick Pockets skill.
- Cannot play “The Tale of Curran Strongheart,” “Tymora’s Melody,” “The Song of Kaudies,” “The Siren’s Yearning,” and “War Chant of Sith.”
Jester EE only[]
| “ | This Bard is well versed in the arts of ridicule and hilarity, and uses these abilities to distract and confuse enemies, cavorting madly during combat. Do not mistake them for true fools, however; they can be quite deadly. | ” |
Advantages
- When the Jester plays their song, every opponent within 30 ft. must save once per round to avoid falling under its effects:
- 1st level: Enemies must save vs. Spell with a +2 bonus or be confused.
- 15th level: Enemies must save vs. Spell with a +2 bonus or be confused, and must save vs. Spell or be slowed.
- 20th level: Enemies must save vs. Spell with a +2 bonus or be confused, must save vs. Spell at +2 or be knocked unconscious, and must save vs. Spell or be slowed.
Disadvantages
- Cannot play “The Ballad of Three Heroes,” “The Tale of Curran Strongheart,” “Tymora’s Melody,” “The Song of Kaudies,” “The Siren’s Yearning,” and “War Chant of Sith.”
Skald EE only[]
| “ | This nordic-style Bard is a warrior of great strength, skill, and virtue. Their songs are inspiring sagas of battle and valor, and Skalds devote their lives to those pursuits. | ” |
Advantages
- +1 bonus to hit and damage rolls.
- The Skald’s song has the following effects:
- 1st level: Grants allies a +2 bonus to hit and damage rolls and a +2 bonus to AC.
- 15th level: Grants allies a +4 bonus to hit and damage rolls, a +4 bonus to AC, and immunity to fear.
- 20th level: Grants allies a +4 bonus to hit and damage rolls, a +4 bonus to AC, and immunity to fear, stun, and confusion.
Disadvantages
- Only has one quarter the normal Pick Pockets skill.
- Cannot play “The Ballad of Three Heroes,” “The Tale of Curran Strongheart,” “Tymora’s Melody,” “The Song of Kaudies,” “The Siren’s Yearning,” and “War Chant of Sith.”
Source:
- Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition - Manual 2 - Mastering Melee & Magic
Items and Quests[]
Items exclusive to Bards[]
Quests exclusive to Bards[]
- Singing a tale of your journey - Minor optional dialogue
- Convincing Flozem to become an artist
External Links[]
- Bard article on the Baldur's Gate Wiki, a wiki for the Baldur's Gate games.
- Bard article on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms