College of War
Bards of the College of War are often known as War Chanters. The drums of war rage as their voices echo across the battlefield. War Chanters entertain and inspire their audiences with aggressive war dances, involving drums, stomping, shouting, and numerous displays of mock fighting, but for a War Chanter, there is no greater stage than the battlefield. The passion, the rage, the loss, the gain, and the glory are all the makings of a perfect performance. A performance where a bard of the College of War finds themselves center stage, inspiring their allies to fight on with even greater ferocity.
Bonus Proficiencies
At 3rd level, you gain proficiency with martial weapons.
Unarmored Defense
Also at 3rd level, while you are wearing no armor and not wielding a shield, your AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Charisma modifier.
Battle Cry
When you join the College of War at 3rd level, you weave magic through your battle cries, bolstering yourself and your allies. When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot of 5th level or lower to deal Thunder damage to the target. The extra damage is equal to your Bardic Inspiration Die for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1 additional die for each spell level higher than 1st.
Additionally, choose one of the following effects to be applied along with the extra damage:
Staggering Roar. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks, and can't take reactions until the end of its next turn.
Crushing Howl. The target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be deafened and muted until the end of its next turn.
Rallying Cry. Choose one ally within 60 feet of you who can hear you, and who can see you and the target of your attack. That ally gains a number of temporary hit points equal to the thunder damage dealt.
Vitalizing Chant
Through victory or death, the battle rages on. At 6th level, you learn the aura of vitality spell, which doesn't count against the number of Bard spells you know.
Echoes of Battle
Beginning at 14th level, you gain 3 additional effects from which to choose when you use your battle cry:
Thunderous Howl. The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be knocked prone and have its speed reduced to 0 until the end of its next turn.
Commanding Shout. Choose one ally within 60 feet of you who can hear you, and who can see you and the target of your attack. That ally can immediately use its reaction to make one weapon attack against the target of your attack.
Dragon's Roar. Choose one ally within 60 feet of you who can hear you, and who can see you and the target of your attack. Until the end of your next turn, that ally benefits from the effects of the haste spell.
Credits
- Original concept by /u/Mheros
- Balance and Wording by /u/DamnedMage
- Art by Jean-Sebastien Rossbach