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Bard of the College of Valor

Tier B

Bard · College of Valor · Half-Elf · levels [3,21)

Medium-armor healer + caster with martial weapon prof. The "tank support" bard.

Why this tier

Medium armor + shield + martial weapon prof; less skill-monkey than Lore, more survivable.

Estimated single-target DPR

45/100 — Loremaster estimate, not measured in play

Feat progression

  1. L4Resilient (Constitution) — Concentration save
  2. L8War Caster — Concentration advantage
  3. L12Lucky — 3 luck points

Loremaster’s notes

The Valor Bard is the "I can fight and I can cast" hybrid. Combat Inspiration (level 3) lets you grant a Bardic Inspiration as a bonus action that, when used by an ally, can add to attack or damage or AC. Inspiration: +d6 to ally's AC for one attack is essentially the Shield spell on someone else. At level 3, you get medium armor, shield, and martial weapon proficiency. Combined with DEX 14 + half-plate + shield, you have 17+2 = 19 AC without casting. This build is best for campaigns where you don't know whether the party needs a healer, a tank, or a face — the Valor bard is serviceable at all three. Lore is better in long campaigns where the campaign-setting skills matter.

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