Bard of the College of Lore
Tier ABard · College of Lore · Half-Elf · levels [1,21)
Skill monkey + Jack-of-All-Trades + Cutting Words + Peerless Skill = the best skill and social character.
Why this tier
Inspiration is the best party buff in the game; Lore gives extra skills + magical secrets.
Estimated single-target DPR
50/100 — Loremaster estimate, not measured in play
Feat progression
- L4Resilient (Constitution) — Concentration save
- L8War Caster — Concentration advantage, somatic on full hands
- L12Lucky — 3 luck points
Loremaster’s notes
The Lore Bard is the "I made the DM actually run the game" character. Bardic Inspiration (1d6 at level 1, scaling to 1d12 at level 20) is the best resource in the game — it lets you boost any ally's attack, save, or ability check by 1d6+ as a reaction. At level 3, College of Lore gives Cutting Words: a 1d6 penalty to an enemy's attack roll, ability check, or save as a reaction. By level 10, you can use Bardic Inspiration on yourself for free (Peerless Skill). Magical Secrets at level 6, 10, 14, 18 is the multiclass-feats-into-spellcasters mechanic: pick 2 spells from any class list. Best picks: Counterspell, Fireball, Healing Spirit (level 10), Bigby's Hand (level 14).
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