The Dungeons and Dragons Bard is a versatile fellow, and the College of Lore Archetype path plays Deeply into that. There are few other class types that can boast such a varied and useful spell and skill list in all of 5th edition D&D, but does this jack of all trades approch leave the Bard to broad in it’s usage, thus ending up being simply mediocre in everything?Lets break it down.
First there are the basic bard things.
- Hitpoits are the standard bard d8 a level. Pretty respectable mid range die type, no complaints there.
- Spellcasting has some versitiliy and usefulness, as the list includes a bunch of spells from both cleric and mage toolboxes. Bards are a utility caster with some healing. You can focus on healing and be almost as good as a cleric in it, though damage spells are pretty lacking in the basic spell list. A bard also gets ritual casting, very nice.
- Proficiencies are a good mix with three open slots to boot, and the jack of all trades perk at second level means you are at least passable at pretty much everything.Plus as you level you can make some skills even better than they were before.
- Class abilities are a good toolbox as well, buffs for your friends, the ability to counter charms, things, as well as a few extra spells thrown in to add to your list.
Then there are the college of lore things
As it stands, basic Bards are versatile and useful by themselves, but the College of lore works to give them even more options. that versatility in a number of ways.
- Get even more proficiencies!
- Cutting words lets you can make fun of an enemies mom and give it a penalty
- Even more off list spells
- Make one skill even better than with expertise.
Final thoughts, TL;DR:Overall Bards are versatile and useful by themselves, but the College of lore extends that versatility in a number of ways.For starters, even more proficiencies! Also, you can make fun of an enemies mom and give it a penalty with the cutting words ability. What else makes this a versatile choice is even more of list spells, as well as choosing to make one skill even better-er than before.
College of Lore Final Rating: A : Extreme Versatility without sacrificing usefulness
Image Credits: Wizards of the Coast, zix72 on DeviantArt
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