Bards in Dungeons and Dragons

Bards in dungeons and dragons began with 1st edition AD&D. There was no bard class in original Dungeons and Dragons. It was first suggested in the Strategic Review in volume two, issue number one. Even in Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 1st edition it was not considered a standard class. One could not begin life as a bard. In order to play a bard one had to begin life as a fighter. After fifth level but before 8th level one needed to change classes to that of a thief. After gaining five levels as a thief, but before gaining 9th level, one would then begin studying as a druid. At this point they would become a bard.

Bards were loosely based on the story of the pied piper of Hamelin

The Bard class information in Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 1st edition was hidden near the back of the player’s handbook in appendix II. It seemed almost to be an afterthought. In 1st edition only humans and half elves could play a bard. Their alignment choices were limited to neutral, chaotic neutral, neutral evil and lawful neutral. The bard class in 1st edition also had rather stringent ability score requirements. A minimum of 15 was required in strength, wisdom, dexterity and charisma. Strength was the skill needed for fighter abilities. Wisdom was for the druid abilities. Dexterity was required for thieving skills. And charisma was required for the charming ability of bards.

Later editions of the game have lightened up the restrictions to this class and made it a mainstream class choice. Far more players choose to play bards in 5th edition than ever chose to play them in 1st. The strict requirements and the multi-class requirements made it an unlikely choice for players.

This dude looks like he thinks that he is very charming.

The Bard Was a Jack of All Trades

The bard began life as a wandering minstrel. In 1st edition the class was sort of a jack of all trades. He was part fighter, part thief and part druid. But the bard also had some specific bard only abilities. The ability to play a musical instrument and charm creatures, monsters and non player characters was a powerful new ability. The bard also carried knowledge which was useful to the adventuring group. Because the bard was a story teller it was assumed that the bard would then have knowledge about legends and lore. They also were exposed to languages of other cultures and gained new languages as they gained in experience. The bard still retained thieving abilities at the same level that they attained prior to becoming a bard.

Bards in 1st edition were distinguished by colleges. These colleges were separated by a level range. In order for a bard character to use certain magical musical instruments they would need to reach the certain level range (or college) to qualify to use it without doing harm to themselves.

A bard playing his instrument

Bards in 1st edition were limited to using leather armor or magical chain mail. This made them far less likely to want to engage directly in melee combat. Their weapons were limited as well. A bard could only use the following weapon choices: clubs, daggers, darts, javelins, scimitars, slings, spears, staves, bastard swords, broadswords, long swords and short sword.

The bards poetic abilities raised the morale of party members and allies. It also improved their abilities to attack. Their singing could negate the effects of harpies and similar attack forms relying on song. It could even sooth the shriekers and end their wailing.

The legend lore ability of the bard could give them knowledge about magical items and even artifacts. And certain magical items which had a musical nature could be used far better by a bard than anyone else. And this was obviously true of the specific magical instruments of the bard provided in the Dungeon Master Guide for 1st edition.

This bard is jamming

Bards in Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition

In 2nd edition the bard was classified as part of the Rogue group. But in 2nd edition it became a standard class option. Ability score requirements were relaxed but thieving skills were reduced. It was still basically a jack of all trades type of class. Later the class was expanded in the Complete Bards Handbook.

Bards in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition

By fifth edition the bard was a basic class choice. Depending upon which bardic college that the player selects to follow the bard develops new skills and abilities. The bard has it’s own spell list in 5th edition. And the musical instrument of the bard is far less important than it was in the early editions.

Bards in Dungeons and Dragons

Bards have always been an unusual class in Dungeons and Dragons. In 1st edition it was rarely seen because few players chose to develop one. The strict requirements and limits to armor and weapons made it an unpopular choice. The bard was kind of a musical thief. Over the various editions of the game the bard evolved into a roguish character with less thieving abilities and more spell type abilities. It has never really been a strong melee class. While the bard has some fighting skills they have pretty much always been limited to light armor. This makes them vulnerable in close range combat.

But they can be a fun class to play. Even in 1st edition they can be a useful addition to the adventurers. Their knowledge and charming abilities can be game changers. Most of the time that I have seen bards in use in 1st edition were at conventions where pre-rolled characters were used. The variety of important skills that the bard has can make them quite useful in the dark depths of the dungeon.

Even in later editions half elves are popular choices for bards
Please follow and like us: