# Alternate Bard
*Source: Alternate Bard*
> [!tldr] Class and Feature Progression
>
> <table class="class-progression">
> <thead>
> <tr><th colspan='12'></th></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><th class"level">Level</th><th class"pb">PB</th><th class"feature">Features</th><th class="value">Cantrips Known</th><th class="value">Spells Known</th><th class="value">1st</th><th class="value">2nd</th><th class="value">3rd</th><th class="value">4th</th><th class="value">5th</th><th class="value">Bardic Insp.</th><th class="value"><a href="/3-Mechanics/CLI/lists/list-optfeaturetype-llabrd-cp.md">Chords Known</a></th></tr>
> </thead><tbody>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">1st</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Bardic Inspiration (Level 1)' class='internal-link'>Bardic Inspiration</a>, <a href='#Folklore (Level 1)' class='internal-link'>Folklore</a></td><td class="value">⏤</td><td class="value">⏤</td><td class="value">⏤</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d4|noform|noparens|avg|text(d4)`</td><td class="value">-</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">2nd</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Spellcasting (Level 2)' class='internal-link'>Spellcasting</a>, <a href='#Chords of Power (Level 2)' class='internal-link'>Chords of Power</a></td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d4|noform|noparens|avg|text(d4)`</td><td class="value">2</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">3rd</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Bardic Tradition (Level 3)' class='internal-link'>Bardic Tradition</a>, <a href='#Magical Secrets (Level 3)' class='internal-link'>Magical Secrets</a>, <a href='#Harmonious Recovery (Level 3)' class='internal-link'>Harmonious Recovery</a></td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d4|noform|noparens|avg|text(d4)`</td><td class="value">2</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">4th</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Ability Score Improvement (Level 4)' class='internal-link'>Ability Score Improvement</a></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d4|noform|noparens|avg|text(d4)`</td><td class="value">2</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">5th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Tradition Feature (Level 5)' class='internal-link'>Tradition Feature</a>, <a href='#Magical Secrets (Level 5)' class='internal-link'>Magical Secrets</a></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d6|noform|noparens|avg|text(d6)`</td><td class="value">2</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">6th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Folklore (Level 6)' class='internal-link'>Folklore</a></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d6|noform|noparens|avg|text(d6)`</td><td class="value">3</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">7th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Bardic Virtuoso (Level 7)' class='internal-link'>Bardic Virtuoso</a></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">5</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d6|noform|noparens|avg|text(d6)`</td><td class="value">3</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">8th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Ability Score Improvement (Level 8)' class='internal-link'>Ability Score Improvement</a></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">5</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d6|noform|noparens|avg|text(d6)`</td><td class="value">3</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">9th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Magical Secrets (Level 9)' class='internal-link'>Magical Secrets</a></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">6</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d6|noform|noparens|avg|text(d6)`</td><td class="value">3</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">10th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Folklore (Level 10)' class='internal-link'>Folklore</a>, <a href='#Font of Inspiration (Level 10)' class='internal-link'>Font of Inspiration</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">6</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d6|noform|noparens|avg|text(d6)`</td><td class="value">4</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">11th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Tradition Feature (Level 11)' class='internal-link'>Tradition Feature</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">7</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d8|noform|noparens|avg|text(d8)`</td><td class="value">4</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">12th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Ability Score Improvement (Level 12)' class='internal-link'>Ability Score Improvement</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">7</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d8|noform|noparens|avg|text(d8)`</td><td class="value">4</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">13th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Magical Secrets (Level 13)' class='internal-link'>Magical Secrets</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">8</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">1</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d8|noform|noparens|avg|text(d8)`</td><td class="value">4</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">14th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Folklore (Level 14)' class='internal-link'>Folklore</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">8</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">1</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d8|noform|noparens|avg|text(d8)`</td><td class="value">5</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">15th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Tradition Feature (Level 15)' class='internal-link'>Tradition Feature</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">9</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d8|noform|noparens|avg|text(d8)`</td><td class="value">5</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">16th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Ability Score Improvement (Level 16)' class='internal-link'>Ability Score Improvement</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">9</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="value">`dice:1d8|noform|noparens|avg|text(d8)`</td><td class="value">5</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">17th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Magical Secrets (Level 17)' class='internal-link'>Magical Secrets</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">10</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">1</td><td class="value">`dice:1d10|noform|noparens|avg|text(d10)`</td><td class="value">5</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">18th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Folklore (Level 18)' class='internal-link'>Folklore</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">10</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">1</td><td class="value">`dice:1d10|noform|noparens|avg|text(d10)`</td><td class="value">6</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">19th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Ability Score Improvement (Level 19)' class='internal-link'>Ability Score Improvement</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">11</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">`dice:1d10|noform|noparens|avg|text(d10)`</td><td class="value">6</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">20th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Mythic Secrets (Level 20)' class='internal-link'>Mythic Secrets</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">11</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">`dice:1d10|noform|noparens|avg|text(d10)`</td><td class="value">6</td></tr>
> </tbody></table>
^class-progression
## Hit Points
- **Hit Dice**: 1d8 per Alternate Bard level
- **Hit Points at First Level:** 8 + CON
- **Hit Points at Higher Levels:** add 5 OR 1d8 + CON (minimum of 1)
## Starting Alternate Bard
- **Saving Throw Proficiencies**: Charisma, Dexterity
- **Skill Proficiencies**: *Choose 3:* Acrobatics, Arcana, Deception, History, Insight, Investigation, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Religion, Sleight of Hand, or Stealth
- **Weapon Proficiencies**: Simple weapons, rapiers, and shortswords
- **Tool Proficiencies**: one musical instrument and one tool of your choice
- **Armor Training**: Light armor and Medium armor
**Starting Equipment:** You start with the following items, plus anything provided by your background.
- (a) a rapier, (b) a shortsword, or (c) any simple weapon
- (a) a leather armor or (b) a chain shirt
- (a) a diplomat's pack or (b) an entertainer's pack
- One musical instrument of your choice and a dagger
## Multiclassing Alternate Bard
**Ability Score Minimum:** Charisma 13
When you gain a level in a class other than your first, you gain only some of that class's starting proficiencies.
- **Skill Proficiencies**: *Choose 1:* Acrobatics, Arcana, Deception, History, Insight, Investigation, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Religion, Sleight of Hand, or Stealth
- **Tool Proficiencies**: one musical instrument of your choice
- **Armor Training**: Light armor
## The Bard
An elderly man in an extravagant purple coat stepped out of the shadows into the middle of the giant lord's stronghold. With the eyes of all his foes on him, he began to play a masterful song ridiculing the frost giant lord. As the multitude of foes closed around on him, the elderly musician's heroic companions jumped from the battlements, and motivated by the wondrous song, they made quick work of the giant and his horde.
The sprightly halfling let forth a mighty blast on her war horn and led the charge toward the hobgoblin legion. Not to be outdone, and inspired by the bravery of the halfling in her shining armor, the heroes drew their weapons and ran forward. When the battle was won, the valiant halfling sat down to write a ballad of the heroics of the day.
A man of otherworldly beauty and grace stood before the townsfolk against the backdrop of a dark and rainy night. For uncounted years, this town had been living under the brutal rule of an evil vampire lord. After many hopeless years, the tales told by this strangely beautiful man had given the townsfolk hope that together they could overthrow their undead overlord.
All three of the heroes described above are considered Bards. The versatile performers wander the world collecting tales, talents, knowledge, and unique magical abilities which they use to motivate and inspire heroism in their comrades.
### The Song of Creation
The first tale every bardic mentor imparts to their protégé is the *Song of Creation*. Though the myth has many variations, they all tell of the multiverse being created by the song. All Bards learn to draw upon the creative power of this song to work their signature magic to inspire greatness in others.
While not all Bards are wandering musicians, they each learn to draw upon the song of creation in their own unique way. Whether through their speech, songs, or art, all Bards recognize the magical power of spoken words. While their magic may not be as powerful or wondrous as a Wizard or Cleric, their subtle and versatile abilities allow Bards and their allies to overcome nearly any challenge they may face.
### Wondrous Wanderers
True practitioners of bardic magic aren't common. Not every minstrel or jester is a true Bard. Learning to channel the song of creation requires natural talent and dedication. True Bards spend their lives wandering the land gathering local legends, secret lore, and unique magic. No two Bards are ever alike.
Bards are marked by an unquenchable desire to learn new things, master new skills, and gather strange tales. For these travelers, the call of adventure is nearly impossible to resist. They often find themselves in the company of heroes delving into forgotten tombs, deciphering ancient scrolls, and on the hunt for strange exotic creatures. Any Bard that can tell an awe-inspiring story from personal experience earns renown among other Bards. Indeed, after telling stories about heroes accomplishing mighty deeds, many Bards take these themes to heart and assume heroic roles themselves.
### Creating Your Bard
When creating your Bard, the most important thing for you to consider is your Bard's *Muse*, or inspiration. Do they seek out beauty in the world, writing ballads and songs inspired by the sights they see? Maybe they find their inspiration in tales of selfless heroism and travel the world seeking the next hero of the realm? Or, maybe the lure of power and influence is what drives your Bard to travel the land gathering lore and magic.
Also, consider your Bard's preferred style of performance and how it makes them unique from other Bards. Are they a virtuoso, known throughout the land for their skill with their signature musical instrument? Or, are they a rowdy teller of tales who only performs in the cheapest tavern in each town?
#### Quick Build
You can make a Bard quickly by following these suggestions. First, make Charisma your highest ability score, followed by Dexterity. Second, choose the Entertainer background.
## Class Features
### Bardic Inspiration (Level 1)
You can inspire heroism with both word and song. Beginning at 1st level, when another creature who can hear you within 30 feet makes an ability check or fails an attack roll or saving throw, you can use a reaction to expend a Bardic Inspiration Die, a d4, roll it, and add the result to the target's roll.
You have a number of Bardic Inspiration Dice equal to half your Bard level (rounded up) + your Charisma modifier. You regain all expended Dice when you finish a short or long rest.
Your Bardic Inspiration Die grows at certain Bard levels, as shown in the Bardic Insp. column of the Bard Class table.
### Folklore (Level 1)
At 1st level choose one skill and one tool or language. You are now proficient in this skill or tool, or learn to speak, read, and write that language. If you choose a skill or tool that you are already proficient in, you add double your proficiency bonus to any ability check you make with that skill or tool.
You choose another skill and one tool or language to gain this benefit when you reach 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level.
### Spellcasting (Level 2)
At 2nd level, you can use your mastery over word and song to draw upon the Song of Creation to produce wondrous spells:
#### Cantrips
You learn two cantrips of your choice from the Bard spell list. You learn an additional Bard cantrip at 4th and 10th level, as shown in the Cantrips Known column of the Bard table.
#### Spell Slots
The Bard table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your Bard spells of 1st-level and higher. To cast Bard a spell, you must expend a slot of the spell's level or higher, and you regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.
#### Spells Known of 1st-Level and Higher
You know two 1st-level spells of your choice from the Bard spell list at the end of this class. The Spells Known column of the Bard table shows when you learn more Bard spells of your choice. Each spell you learn must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For instance, when you reach 5th level in this class, you learn one new Bard spell of 1st or 2nd-level.
Whenever you gain a Bard level, you can replace one Bard spell that you know with another Bard spell of your choice.
#### Spellcasting Ability
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your Bard spells, as your magic comes from the heart and soul you pour into the performance of your music. You use Charisma whenever a Bard spell refers to your spellcasting ability, when setting the saving throw DC, and when making an attack roll with one.
<span class='abilityDc'>**Spell save DC**: Charisma + Proficiency Bonus</span>
<span class='abilityAttackMod'>**Spell attack modifier**: Charisma + Proficiency Bonus</span>
#### Ritual Casting
You use your varied knowledge to cast the ritual version of any Bard spell you know so long as it has the ritual tag.
#### Spellcasting Focus
You can use a musical instrument that you are proficient with as a spellcasting focus for Bard spells you know.
### Chords of Power (Level 2)
Your skills allow you to reproduce minor portions of the Song of Creation, known as [Chords of Power](/3-Mechanics/CLI/lists/list-optfeaturetype-llabrd-cp.md). At 2nd level, you can reproduce two Chords, which you choose from the list at the end of this class. Most Bards use music or song to reproduce these Chords, but others reproduce them by recalling stories of heroism, legend, or tragedy.
During a long rest, you can spend 1 hour immersed in the Song of Creation practicing your chosen performative art to replace one Chord you know with another of your choice.
At certain levels you learn additional Chords of Power, as shown in the Chords Known column of the Bard Class table.
### Bardic Tradition (Level 3)
At 3rd level, choose the Bardic Tradition that best represents the varied skills, talents, and knowledge you have gained in your many travels: Fool, Loremaster, or Skald.
Also included at the end of this class are Bardic Traditions inspired by the Bard options published in *Xanathar's Guide to Everything*: the Conspirator, Mesmer, and Blade.
Your Bardic Tradition grants you features at 3rd level, and again when you reach 5th, 11th, and 15th level in this class.
### Magical Secrets (Level 3)
You have gathered magical knowledge from many disciplines. At 3rd level, you learn two 1st-level spells of your choice from any class spell list. They become Bard spells for you, but they do not count against your total number of Spells Known, and you can't replace these spells when you gain a Bard level.
You learn two additional Magical Secrets of certain spell levels at 5th level (2nd-level spells), at 9th level (3rd-level spells), at 13th level (4th-level spells), and finally at 17th level (5th-level spells).
### Harmonious Recovery (Level 3)
Starting at 3rd level, you can immerse yourself in the Song of Creation to regain magical potential. During a short rest, you can spend 10 minutes practicing your chosen performative art, to regain expended spell slots of a total level equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one 1st-level slot).
Once you use this feature to regain spell slots, you must finish a long rest before you can do so again.
### Ability Score Improvement (Level 4)
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score by 2, or two ability scores by 1. As normal, you can't increase one of your ability scores above 20 using this feature.
### Tradition Feature (Level 5)
At 5th level, you gain a feature from your Bard Tradition.
### Magical Secrets (Level 5)
At 5th level, you learn two additional Magical Secrets spells of your choice. These spells must be of 2nd level.
### Folklore (Level 6)
At the 6th level, you learn more Folklore. You gain proficiency with one skill, musical instruments, tool, or learn another language of your choice.
### Bardic Virtuoso (Level 7)
Your intuitive knowledge of the Song of Creation propels your performative abilities to supernatural heights. Starting at 7th level, you add double your proficiency bonus to ability checks you make that incorporate a musical instrument.
Also, when you perform a Chord of Power that lasts until the start of your next turn, such as [Lay of Alacrity](/3-Mechanics/CLI/optional-features/lay-of-alacrity-llabrd.md), you can use a bonus action on the next turn to continue performing that Chord without expending a Bardic Inspiration Die.
### Ability Score Improvement (Level 8)
At 8th level you can increase one ability score by 2, or two ability scores by 1. As normal, you can't increase one of your ability scores above 20 using this feature.
### Magical Secrets (Level 9)
At 9th level, you learn two additional Magical Secrets spells of your choice. These spells must be of 3rd level.
### Folklore (Level 10)
At 10th level, you learn more Folklore. You gain proficiency with one skill, musical instruments, tool, or learn another language of your choice.
### Font of Inspiration (Level 10)
You can draw power from the ambient music from the Song of Creation in times of need. Starting at 10th level, you regain one expended Bardic Inspiration Die when you roll initiative.
You can also use your bonus action to expend one spell slot and regain Bardic Inspiration Dice equal to the slot's level.
### Tradition Feature (Level 11)
At 11th level, you gain a feature from your Bard Tradition.
### Ability Score Improvement (Level 12)
At 12th level you can increase one ability score by 2, or two ability scores by 1. As normal, you can't increase one of your ability scores above 20 using this feature.
### Magical Secrets (Level 13)
At 13th level, you learn two additional Magical Secrets spells of your choice. These spells must be of 4th level.
### Folklore (Level 14)
At 14th level, you learn more Folklore. You gain proficiency with one skill, musical instruments, tool, or learn another language of your choice.
### Tradition Feature (Level 15)
At 15th level, you gain a feature from your Bard Tradition.
### Ability Score Improvement (Level 16)
At 16th level you can increase one ability score by 2, or two ability scores by 1. As normal, you can't increase one of your ability scores above 20 using this feature.
### Magical Secrets (Level 17)
At 17th level, you learn two additional Magical Secrets spells of your choice. These spells must be of 5th level.
### Folklore (Level 18)
At 18h level, you learn more Folklore. You gain proficiency with one skill, musical instruments, tool, or learn another language of your choice.
### Ability Score Improvement (Level 19)
At 19th level you can increase one ability score by 2, or two ability scores by 1. As normal, you can't increase one of your ability scores above 20 using this feature.
### Mythic Secrets (Level 20)
You have uncovered knowledge of some of the most powerful and secret magicks of the multiverse. At 20th level, you learn one 6th-level and one 7th-level Magical Secrets spell. You can cast each of these spells once at their lowest level, and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest.
## Optional Features
> [!example]- Optional Features: Chords of Power
> 
^list-optfeature-llabrd-cp