D&D 5E (2024) Tier Rating Subclasses The Bard.

[Zardnaar]

Something different. Each subclass essentially gets thumbs up or down if i want to play it or not. Assuming I wanted to play the class. If the base class is somewhat weak its essentially irrelevant for purposes of this rating. In this context classes with the most "best" subclasses are the best classes even if the other class are better overall. Its not a power ranking as such.

Bard.

The base bard is tuned really high. Arguably the best class in the game. They excel at support and control very weak at damage.

Dance
Rated as the worst bard generally by various you tubers near release. It doesnt deal much damage and it looks like a gish. Ergo its a C tier class. Rereading it I think the internet under rated it. Its still a mediocre to bad gish but its excellent at being the bards bard. Thematic and on point.

I blame @Tigris. We've had our disagreements but I can respect a passionate argument. A dance bards still a bard. I like the class a lot and I dont mind playing support. Its also fun and tactical which can appeal. So its a thumbs up 1/5 so far. I wouldnt play this expecting to be good at fighting.

Glamour
Well the Bards overall are tuned high. This one doubles down on control and bards are already good at that. So one of the best control classes in the game just got even better.

All bards can steal Cleric, Druid, Wizard spells at lvl 10+. Thats kind of scary. Arguably one of the best classes just got better. Its a wi so 2/5. Its almost unfair seeing this in action as well. One of the best archetypes over perhaps.

Lore
The "nerfed" bard from 5.0. No more stealing warlock, Paladin and Ranger spells. However its still good just not really good. A bit boring but it does its job well and a lot of games dont hit level 10 so stealing spells at lvl 6 is kind of unique. Thumbs up 3/5.


Moon
This one looks good across the board. Until you read the lvl 6 ability. The classes built around moonbeam which was an ok spell in 5.0. Powercreep on emanations, cloud of daggers and monster HP have made the spell mediocre and a small healing buff is mostly a nothing burger. A class built around a spell I dont want to use. Its a pass bit of a Shame as well. 3/5

Valor

The best bard in early 5.5 ratings. After playing with it with the CME nerf idk about that. Its not bad and its playable but its not that great and to MAD for my tastes. Most of the power builds for itseem to be level 10+ if not 12-14+ range. Thats to long to wait and a gamble.

Its a gish thats not good at gishing vs other gish concepts and classes. The class frustrates me later with MAD and feats (basically pick charisma or Dexterity to boost). Almost needs to be multiclassed and 5.0 material to "git gude". Internet and myself may have got those one wrong. Others may like but its not for me. And I like bards a lot. Thumbs down.

So thats it for bards. 3/5 worse success rate than the barbarian. Mostly due to 5 vs 4 subclasses (excluding Ravenloft).

 

[Remathilis]

Was there a reason you excluded the spirit bard?

 

[Zardnaar]

Was there a reason you excluded the spirit bard?

Have to read it yet.

One of my players has the book dead tree so I'll probably do it last.

 

[ECMO3]

Regarding Moon Bard, Moonbeam is a pretty effective spell. Nice damage and a nice size and easy to move around. Nothing to write home about but a decent pick up.

The ability to go invisibile when you give out Inspiration is bonkers though, truely awesome in play IME. It works especially well on a Halfling that can move through the space of medium creatures.

If I had to rank them best to worst for all levels 3-20 here is where I would put them, the ones in Bold I have played, the ones not in Bold are based on my white room thoughts on reading their abilities:

1. Glamour
2. Moon
3. Valor
4. Spirits
5. Lore
6. Dance

 

[Zardnaar]

Regarding Moon Bard, Moonbeam is a pretty effective spell. Nice damage and a nice size and easy to move around. Nothing to write home about but a decent pick up.

The ability to go invisibile when you give out Inspiration is bonkers though, truely awesome in play IME. It works especially well on a Halfling that can move through the space of medium creatures.

If I had to rank them best to worst for all levels 3-20 here is where I would put them, the ones in Bold I have played, the ones not in Bold are based on my white room thoughts on reading their abilities:

1. Glamour
2. Moon
3. Valor
4. Spirits
5. Lore
6. Dance

Yeah rest of moon bard is good.

Basically having a very mediocre lvl 6 ability though. Opportunity cost is would pkay another bard.

Your fast turnaround is also different. Valir bard woukd take clisr yo a year of real time to hit lvl 12. You can do it in a few months

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I think all bard subclasses are not bad at all.

For the dance bard: someone noticed that you can easily drag your allies out of harms way with your bardic inspirations. That really changed my mind about that subclass.
bonus action Bardic inspiration->free unarmed strike grab otion on ally->fail save voluntarily->reposition and then still cast a spell as an action.

 

[Zardnaar]

I think all bard subclasses are not bad at all.

For the dance bard: someone noticed that you can easily drag your allies out of harms way with your bardic inspirations. That really changed my mind about that subclass.
bonus action Bardic inspiration->free unarmed strike grab otion on ally->fail save voluntarily->reposition and then still cast a spell as an action.

Aware. Thats why I gave them a tick.

But those good subclasses also kinda obsolete the weaker ones. A huge chunk of the bard power is in the base class and its tuned very high.

Hard to make a bad bard. One would almost have to try at it.

 

[Minigiant]

Hard to make a bad bard. One would almost have to try at it.

No offense.

Bards had few offense options. You either need to actively choose them or get it from your subclass.

So subclasses that give offense get a + from me

 

[ECMO3]

I think all bard subclasses are not bad at all.

For the dance bard: someone noticed that you can easily drag your allies out of harms way with your bardic inspirations. That really changed my mind about that subclass.

This is nice, but highly situational and not what I would call "easy" due to the half movement restriction when grappling. Like if you start 15 feet away from the guy you want to move you can only drag him 7 feet with a 30 move, so it is really only very effective when you start right next to the guy.

 

[Zardnaar]

No offense.

Bards had few offense options. You either need to actively choose them or get it from your subclass.

So subclasses that give offense get a + from me

If by offense you mean direct damage then yes.

They're not short of offense in any way.