D&D 5E Best Bard Spells & Spells List
If you are seasoned in DnD 5e, you already that sorcerers and wizards control the majority of the game. Both these characters are equally powerful when it comes to yielding high-power spells. But yet another character in DnD 5e is bards. With the right bard spells, you can portray yourself as a charismatic character who can wit and charm his way into beguiling and confuse those around.
In simple words, bards work as a great support to the team. From stunning and paralyzing your opponents to creating a magic prison box, there are some bard spells that can work wonders in the game. In this article, we will walk you through the best dnd 5e bard spells.
DnD 5e Bard Spell List
While they may not be as powerful as the wizards and sorcerers, bards come with a spellcasting progression. Using bard spells, you can trick, beguile, and confuse anyone around you. However, the number of DnD 5e bard spells is relatively limited compared to sorcerers, druids, or wizards. Therefore, you will need to choose each bard spell carefully since you will have limited opportunities to learn new spells or alter your selection.
But which bard spells to go for? To make it easier for you, we have created a DnD 52 bard spells list describing some of the best bard spells.
Best Bard spells 5e
Now that you have got the chance to look at all of the spells that a Bard can use in D&D. Here is the best D&D 5E Bard spells list to help you progress in your campaign.
1. Cure Wounds (1st Level)
This entry-level spell works as a staple for the Cleric class and can be the difference between life and death. If you are a bard and cast a cure wounds spell, then you can fill in for a cleric. This will allow the cleric to become more active in combat. Touching a creature automatically regains your hit points to 1d8+. Unfortunately, this dnd bard spell has zero effect on constructs or the undead.
2. Dominate Person/Dominate Monster
As the name suggests, casting this DnD 5e bard spell allows you to beguile any creature within range. Once the monster is charmed, he is directly linked to you on telepathic terms. During the duration of the spell, you can telepathically command the creature when conscious. You can either ask the animal for a general course of action or command it to attack another creature. The spell ends if the creature performs a successful wisdom saving throw.
3. Dimension Door (4th Level)
This level 4 d&d bard spell can be used by 4 different spell classes. Using the dimension door will allow you to teleport instantly to any place within a 500m distance from you. In addition, you can teleport another willing creature with you. This can be an excellent bard spell to have if you have no chance of defeating the monster you face. Ensure that you inform the Dungeon master regarding the location to where you are teleporting to. The spell fails if you teleport to an occupied space.
4. Forcecage
Casting this level 7 spell will cause an invisible cube-shaped prison laced with a magical force to appear in the area within a range around you. You can either use this prison as a cage or a solid box that won’t allow any matter to pass through it. Simultaneously, these boxes will block any spell. To make the box work, cast the spell with the creature inside to trap it completely. The trapped creatures need to make a Charisma saving throw to either teleport or interplanar travel to escape.
5. Faerie Fire (1st Level)
This is a great entry-level spell to have if any one of your team members cannot see in the dark. The Faerie Fire allows you to navigate through dark areas and can essentially assist you in combat as well. Casting this dnd 5e bard spell lights up every object within range, with each object emitting light up to 20ft ahead of them. Similarly, it will also light up any creature in the area within the area. To save itself, the creature will need to make a dexterity save.
6. Mage Hand (Cantrip)
During the game, you’ll come across multiple objects that will tempt you to touch them. Unfortunately, the majority of these objects will have deadly consequences if you touch them. In these cases, casting the mage hand cantrip will have a special hand do it for you while you stay 30 ft back and watch. It lasts for a minute, and you can use it to perform any command. However, the mage hand won’t attack and can only lift 10 pounds at once.
7. Hold Person (2nd Level)
If you are a seasoned DOTA player, you know that support matters a great deal. Similar is the case with DnD 5e. Here, bards are known primarily to support their team. Casting this 2nd level dnd 5e bard spell will cause your character to stun your enemy. Once the enemy is stunned, the barbarian or the fighter of your team can take it down easily. However, the spell fails if the target makes a successful Wisdom throw. If the throw is successful, the creature will try to overturn the effects and run.
8. Hypnotic Pattern (3rd Level)
Now, this is where the game gets interesting. The Hypnotic Pattern is a 3rd level d&d bard spell that is both beautiful and terrifying. Casting this spell allows you to cast an illusion that makes a spinning pattern of colors if a 30 feet radius is the size of a cube. Any creature caught in this illusion cube will need to make a successful Wisdom saving throw. If the throw fails, the creature is charmed and incapacitated. The wizards and sorcerers primarily use this spell, but a bard can use it and provide additional support to this team.
9. Polymorph
The Polymorph is 4th level d&d bard spell that will grant any creature within range a new form. Casting the polymorph will turn every willing creature in the area within range into a new form. The Polymorph will not affect a shapeshifter or a creature with 0 hit points. Similarly, an unwilling creature will need to make a successful Wisdom saving throw to evade the spell. Casting this spell grants any creature a new form that can be a beast, and the creature’s overall statistics are replaced by the beasts’. The creature is limited in its actions by the nature of its new form, and it can’t speak, cast spells, or take any other action that requires hands or speech.
10. Thunderwave (1st Level)
As we mentioned earlier in the article, bards have limited spells in their arsenal compared to sorcerers and wizards. However, some dnd 5e bard spells can give you an edge. The Thunderwave is a level 1 spell that creates a 15ft cube of lightning. To save themselves, any creature in the area will need to perform a constitution saving throw. Upon a successful throw, these creatures will still take some damage. Similarly, the spell’s effect pushes unsecured objects in the area 10 feet away from you.
The Bottom Line
Bards are primarily known for their support in the game. While they don’t have access to many spells, they have a few great spells in their arsenal with which you can support your team. Mentioned above are some of the best dnd 5e bard spells. If you think we might have missed out on a potential spell, make sure you let us know in the comment box below.
