Introduction

This document exists as one of several that is a way to completely overhault the way Dungeons & Dragons 2024 handles its progresssion and power level. The name comes from older editions of Dungeons & Dragons such as 3rd Edition and similar spinoff games, and aims to empower classes and make D&D 2024 a better feeling game to play for Players.

Art and Magic

In the worlds of D&D, words and music are not just vibrations of air, but vocalizations with power all their own. The Unchained Bard is a master of song, speech, and the magic they contain. Not all Unchained Bards use music and song however; some use fluid brushstrokes to paint their magic into reality, while others might invoke words of power with sculptures of clay they have made inscribed with symbols of power.

While some Unchained Bards say that the multiverse was spoken into existence, that the words of the gods gave it shape, and that echoes of these primordial Words of Creation still resound throughout the cosmos, others might describe the process as the gods creating a beautiful mural together, or perhaps shaping the races from clay from the very earth itself. The arts of Unchained Bards is an attempt to snatch and harness the creative flame left to the mortal races by the gods, subtly woven into their spells and powers.

The greatest strength of Unchained Bards is their sheer versatility. Many Unchained Bards prefer to stick to the sidelines in combat, using their magic to inspire their allies and hinder their foes from a distance. But Unchained Bards are capable of defending themselves in melee if necessary, using their magic to bolster their swords and armor. Their spells lean toward charms and illusions rather than blatantly destructive spells. They have a wide-ranging knowledge of many subjects and a natural aptitude that lets them do almost anything well. Unchained Bards become masters of the talents they set their minds to perfecting, from musical performance to esoteric knowledge.

Learning From Experience

True Unchained Bards are not common in the world. Not every minstrel singing in a tavern or jester cavorting in a royal court is an Unchained Bard. Discovering the magic hidden in art requires hard study and some measure of natural talent that most troubadours and jongleurs lack. It can be hard to spot the difference between these performers and true Unchained Bards, though. An Unchained Bard's life is spent wandering across the land gathering lore, telling stories, and living on the gratitude of audiences, much like any other entertainer. But a depth of knowledge, a level of musical skill, and a touch of magic set Unchained Bards apart from their fellows.

Only rarely do Unchained Bards settle in one place for long, and their natural desire to travel—to find new tales to tell, new skills to learn, and new discoveries beyond the horizon—makes an adventuring career a natural calling. Every adventure is an opportunity to learn, practice a variety of skills, enter long-forgotten tombs, discover lost works of magic, decipher old tomes, travel to strange places, or encounter exotic creatures. Unchained Bards love to accompany heroes to witness their deeds firsthand. An Unchained Bard who can tell an awe-inspiring story from personal experience earns renown among other Unchained Bards. Indeed, after telling so many stories about heroes accomplishing mighty deeds, many Unchained Bards take these themes to heart and assume heroic roles themselves.

Joy of the Arts

Unchained Bards bring levity during grave times; they impart wisdom to offset ignorance; and they make the ridiculous seem sublime. Unchained Bards are preservers of ancient history, their songs and tales perpetuating the memory of great events down through time—knowledge so important that it is memorized and passed along as oral history or other unyielding artistic works, to survive even when no written record remains.

It is also the Unchained Bard's role to chronicle smaller and more contemporary events—the stories of today's heroes, including their feats of valor as well as their less than impressive failures.

Of course, the world has many people who can carry a tune or tell a good story, and there's much more to any adventuring Unchained Bard than a glib tongue and artistic talent. Yet what truly sets Unchained Bards apart from others—and from one another—are the style and substance of their arts.

Quick Build

You can make an Unchained Bard quickly by following these suggestions. First, Charisma should be your highest ability score, followed by Dexterity. Second, choose the entertainer background. Third, choose the dancing lights and vicious mockery cantrips, along with the following 1st-level spells: charm person, detect magic, healing word, and thunderwave.

Proficiencies

Armor: none
Weapons: simple weapons
Tools: Any combination of three from the following list: musical instruments, painter's supplies, calligrapher's supplies.
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma
Skills: Choose any 3.

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

• (a) 2 Daggers, An instrument of your choice OR painter's supplies OR calligrapher's supplies, an Entertainer's Pack, and 11 GP.
• (b) 80 GP

Creation Spells

At 1st level, and again when you reach an Unchained Bard level specified in the Creation Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Mote of Potential

At 1st level, whenever you give a creature an Bardic Inspiration die, you can utter a word from the Song of Creation to create a Tiny mote of potential, which orbits within 5 feet of that creature. The mote is intangible and invulnerable, and it lasts until the Bardic Inspiration die is lost. The mote looks like a musical note, a star, a flower, or another symbol of art or life that you choose.

When the creature uses the Bardic Inspiration die, the mote provides an additional effect based on whether the die benefits an ability check, an attack roll, or a saving throw, as detailed below:

• Ability Check. When the creature rolls the Bardic Inspiration die to add it to an ability check, the creature can roll the Bardic Inspiration die again and choose which roll to use, as the mote pops and emits colorful, harmless sparks for a moment.

• Attack Roll. Immediately after the creature rolls the Bardic Inspiration die to add it to an attack roll against a target, the mote thunderously shatters. The target and each creature of your choice that you can see within 5 feet of it must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC or take thunder damage equal to the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die.

• Saving Throw. Immediately after the creature rolls the Bardic Inspiration die and adds it to a saving throw, the mote vanishes with the sound of soft music, causing the creature to gain temporary hit points equal to the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die plus your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1 temporary hit point).

Dancing Item

Large or smaller Construct

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• Armor Class 11 + Your Charisma Modifier
• Hit Points 10 + 5 times your Unchained Bard Level (the Item has a number of Hit Dice [d8s] equal to your Unchained Bard Level)
• Speed 30 ft., fly 30ft. (hover)
• Proficiency Bonus Equal to your Proficiency Bonus

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	14 (+2)	16 (+3)	4 (-3)	10 (0)	6 (-2)

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• Damage Immunities Poison, Psychic
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
• Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
• Languages understands the languages you speak.

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Immutable Form. The item is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.

Irrepressible Dance. When any creature starts its turn within 10 feet of the item, the item can increase or decrease (your choice) the walking speed of that creature by 10 feet until the end of the turn, provided the item isn't incapacitated.

Actions

Force-Empowered Slam. Melee Attack Roll: Bonus equals your spell attack modifier, reach 5 ft. Hit: 1d10 + plus your Charisma modifier Force damage.

Dance Spells

At 1st level, and again when you reach an Unchained Bard level specified in the Dance Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Dazzling Footwork

At 1st level, While you aren't wearing armor or wielding a Shield, you gain the following benefits.

Dance Virtuoso. You have Advantage on any Charisma (Performance) check you make that involves you dancing.

Unarmored Defense. Your base Armor Class equals 10 plus your Dexterity and Charisma modifiers.

Agile Strikes. When you expend a use of your Bardic Inspiration as part of an action, a Bonus Action, or a Reaction, you can make one Unarmed Strike as part of that action, Bonus Action, or Reaction.

Bardic Damage. You can use Charisma instead of Strength for the attack rolls of your Unarmed Strikes. When you deal damage with an Unarmed Strike, you can deal Bludgeoning damage equal a roll of your Bardic Inspiration Die plus your Charisma Modifier. This roll doesn't expend the die.

Tandem Footwork

At 5th level, you add your Charisma Modifier (minimum +1) to all Initiative rolls you make.

Additionally, when you roll Initiative, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration if you don't have the Incapacitated condition. When you do so, roll your Bardic Inspiration die; you and each ally within 30 feet of you who can see or hear you gains a bonus to Initiative equal to the number rolled.

Inspiring Movement

At 10th level, when an enemy you can see ends its turn within 5 feet of you, you can take a Reaction and expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to move up to half your Speed. Then one ally of your choice within 30 feet of you can also move up to half their Speed using their Reaction.

None of this feature's movement provokes Opportunity Attacks.

Leading Evasion

At 15th level, when you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you instead take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw and only half damage if you fail. If any creatures within 5 feet of you are making the same Dexterity saving throw, you can share this benefit with them for that save.

You can't use this feature if you have the Incapacitated condition.

Eloquence Spells

At 1st level, and again when you reach an Unchained Bard level specified in the Eloquence Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Silver Tongue

At 1rd level, you are a master at saying the right thing at the right time. When you make a Charisma (Persuasion) or Charisma (Deception) check, you can treat a d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10.

Unsettling Words

Also at 1rd level, You can spin words laced with magic that unsettle a creature and cause it to doubt itself. As a bonus action, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration and choose one creature you can see within 60 feet of you. Roll the Bardic Inspiration die. The creature must subtract the number rolled from the next saving throw it makes before the start of your next turn.

Unfailing Inspiration

At 5th level, your inspiring words are so persuasive that others feel driven to succeed. When a creature adds one of your Bardic Inspiration dice to its ability check, attack roll, or saving throw and the roll fails, the creature can keep the Bardic Inspiration die.

Universal Speech

At 10th level, you have gained the ability to make your speech intelligible to any creature. As an action, choose one or more creatures within 60 feet of you, up to a number equal to your Charisma Modifier (minimum 1). The chosen creatures can magically understand you, regardless of the language you speak, for 1 hour.

You have a number of uses of this Feature equal to your Charisma Modifier (minimum once), and regain all expended uses you finish a Short or Long Rest.

Infectious Inspiration

At 15th level, when you successfully inspire someone, the power of your eloquence can now spread to someone else. When a creature within 60 feet of you adds one of your Bardic Inspiration dice to its ability check, attack roll, or saving throw and the roll succeeds, you can use your reaction to encourage a different creature (other than yourself) that can hear you within 60 feet of you, giving it an Bardic Inspiration die without expending any of your Bardic Inspiration uses.

You can use this reaction a number of times equal to your Charisma Modifier (minimun once), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Glamour Spells

At 1st level, and again when you reach an Unchained Bard level specified in the Glamour Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Beguiling Magic

At 1st level, immediately after you cast an Enchantment or Illusion spell using a spell slot, you can cause a creature you can see within 60 feet of yourself to make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, the target has the Charmed or Frightened condition (your choice) for 1 minute. The target repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending one use of your Bardic Inspiration (no action required).

Mantle of Inspiration

Starting at 5th level, You can weave fey magic into a song or dance to fill others with vigor. As a Bonus Action, you can expend a use of Bardic Inspiration, rolling an Bardic Inspiration die. When you do so, choose a number of other creatures within 60 feet of yourself, up to a number equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of one creature). Each of those creatures gains a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to two times the number rolled on the Bardic Inspiration die, and then each can use its Reaction to move up to its Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks.

Mantle of Majesty

At 10th level, you always have the Command spell prepared.

As a Bonus Action, you cast Command without expending a spell slot, and you take on an unearthly appearance for 1 minute or until your Concentration ends. During this time, you can cast Command as a Bonus Action without expending a spell slot.

Any creature Charmed by you automatically fails its saving throw against the Command you cast with this feature.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending a level 3+ spell slot (no action required).

Unbreakable Majesty

At 14th level, as a Bonus Action, you can assume a magically majestic presence for 1 minute or until you have the Incapacitated condition. For the duration, whenever any creature hits you with an attack roll for the first time on a turn, the attacker must succeed on a Charisma saving throw against your spell save DC, or the attack misses instead, as the creature recoils from your majesty.

Once you assume this majestic presence, you can't do so again until you finish a Short or Long Rest.

Lore Spells

At 1st level, and again when you reach an Unchained Bard level specified in the Lore Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Bonus Proficiencies

At 1st Level, You gain proficiency with three skills of your choice.

Bardic Knowledge

At 1st level, you add your Charisma Modifier (minimum +1) to any Intelligence (Arcana), Intelligence (History), or Wisdom (Nature) Skill Checks you make.

Magical Discoveries

At 5th level, You learn two spells of your choice. These spells can come from the Cleric, Druid, or Wizard spell list or any combination thereof (see a class's section for its spell list). A spell you choose must be a cantrip or a spell for which you have spell slots, as shown in the Revised Unchained Bard Features Table.

You always have the chosen spells prepared, and whenever you gain an Unchained Bard level, you can replace one of the spells with another spell that meets these requirements.

Cutting Words

At 10th level, you learn to use your wit to supernaturally distract, confuse, and otherwise sap the confidence and competence of others. When a creature that you can see within 60 feet of yourself makes a damage roll or succeeds on an ability check or attack roll, you can take a Reaction to expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration; roll your Bardic Inspiration die, and subtract the number rolled plus your Charisma Modifier (minimum +1) from the creature's roll, reducing the damage or potentially turning the success into a failure.

Peerless Skill

Starting at 15th level, When you make an ability check or attack roll and fail, you can expend one use of Bardic Inspiration; roll the Bardic Inspiration die, and add the number rolled to the d20, potentially turning a failure into a success. On a failure, the Bardic Inspiration isn't expended.

Moon Spells

At 1st level, and again when you reach an Unchained Bard level specified in the Moon Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Moon's Inspiration

At 1st level, As a Magic action, you can invoke the power of a folktale, imbuing yourself with primal magic until you use this feature again. When you use this feature, choose which of the following folktales you invoke; your choice gives you certain benefits while this magic is active.

Inspired Eclipse. When you take a Bonus Action to give a creature a Bardic Inspiration die, you can have the Invisible condition and teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see as part of that Bonus Action. This invisibility lasts until the start of your next turn and ends early immediately after you make an attack roll, deal damage, or cast a spell.

Lunar Vitality. Once per turn when you restore Hit Points to a creature with a spell, you can expend a Bardic Inspiration die and increase the amount of Hit Points restored by a number equal to a roll of the Bardic Inspiration die. The creature's Speed also increases by 10 feet until the end of its next turn.

Primal Lore

At 1st level, You learn Druidic and one cantrip from the Unchained Druid spell list. It counts as an Unchained Bard spell for you but doesn’t count against the number of cantrips you know. Whenever you gain a Bard level, you can replace this cantrip with another cantrip of your choice from the Druid spell list.

Additionally, gain proficiency in one Skill of your choice.

Blessing of the Moonwells

At 5th level, when you cast Moonbeam, you can modify the spell so that you glow faintly while the spell is active. While glowing, you shed Dim Light out to 5 feet, and whenever a creature fails its saving throw against the effects of this Moonbeam, another creature of your choice that you can see within 60 feet of yourself regains 2d4 Hit Points.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending a level 3+ spell slot (no action required).

Sacred Grounds

At 10th level, you can cast Hallow without consuming the material components, though you must have the components to cast the spell.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending a level 5+ spell slot (no action required).

Eventide's Splendor

At 15th level, you become suffused with the might of the moon, improving your Moon's Inspiration in the following ways.

Shadow of the New Moon. When you use Inspired Eclipse, the creature who received the Bardic Inspiration die can also have the Invisible condition and immediately take a Reaction to teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see. The creature remains Invisible until the start of its next turn.

Vibrance of the Full Moon. When you use Lunar Vitality, you can roll 1d6 and use the number rolled in place of expending a Bardic Inspiration die.

Satire Spells

At 1st level, and again when you reach an Unchained Bard level specified in the Satire Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Satirical Prowess

At 1st level, you gain proficiency with thieves' tools. You also gain proficiency in Sleight of Hand and one additional skill of your choice. If you are already proficient in the Sleight of Hand Skill, choose another skill proficiency. If you are already proficient with thieves' tools, choose another tool proficiency.

Tumbling Fool

At 1st level, you master a variety of acrobatic techniques that allow you to evade danger. You gain the following benefits:

• You can take the Dash action as a Bonus Action instead. If you expend a use of your Bardic Inspiration feature, you can take the disengage action as a Bonus Action using this feature.
• You gain a climb speed equal to your speed.
• You take half damage from falling (Rounded down). At 14th level, you gain immunity to falling damage.

Fool's Insight

At 5th level, if a creature succeeds on its saving throw against a detect thoughts spell cast by you, it immediately suffers an embarrassing social gaffe. It might loudly pass gas, unleash a thunderous burp, trip and fall, or be compelled to tell a tasteless joke. This gaffe gives it Disadvantage on Charisma Skill Checks and Saving Throws for 1 minute.

Fool's Play

At 10th level, if you fail a Charisma (Deception) or Charisma (Intimidation) Skill Check, you can expend a use of your Bardic Inspiration Die (no action required) to re-roll that check once and add the result of the Bardic Inspiration Die to the result.

Fool's Luck

Starting at 15th level, you seem to have a knack for pulling yourself out of tight situations, transforming what looks like sure failure into an embarrassing but effective success.

You can expend one use of Bardic Inspiration after you fail an ability check, fail a saving throw, or miss with an attack roll to re-roll ability check, saving throw, or attack roll and roll that Bardic Inspiration to the new result, potentially turning failure into a success.

Spirits Spells

At 1st level, and again when you reach an Unchained Bard level specified in the Spirits Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Channeler

At 1st level, You learn how to contact spirits beyond the grave, letting their power and knowledge flow through you. You gain the following benefits.

Guiding Whispers. You know the Guidance cantrip. It has a range of 60 feet when you cast it.

Spiritual Focus. You employ tools that aid you in channeling spirits. You gain a Gaming Set (Playing Cards). You have proficiency with this Gaming Set, and you can use the cards or one of the following items as a Spellcasting Focus for your Unchained Bard spells: Arcane Focus (Crystal or Orb), Candle, or Ink Pen.

Spirits From Beyond

At 1st Level, While holding a Spellcasting Focus, you can take a Bonus Action to expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration and call forth the powers of a spirit. Roll the Bardic Inspiration die and refer to the Spirits from Beyond table to determine the spirit you channel, then choose one creature you can see within 30 feet of yourself as the spirit’s target. The spirit immediately takes effect; if a spirit’s effect requires a saving throw, the DC equals your Unchained Bard spell save DC.

Empowered Channeling

At 5th level, your ability to channel spirits improves. You gain the following benefits.

Power from Beyond. Once per turn, when you cast an Unchained Bard spell that deals damage or restores Hit Points, roll a d6. You gain a bonus to one of the spell’s damage rolls or to the total Hit Points the spell restores equal to the number rolled.

Seance. You can cast Speak with Dead once without a spell slot, and you regain the ability to cast it in this way when you finish a Long Rest. Once you modify the spell in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a Short or Long Rest.

Spiritual Convergence

At 10th level, whenever you roll on the Spirits from Beyond table, you can roll the die twice and choose which of the two effects to bestow.

Mystical Connection

At 15th level, you gain mastery over the spirits you call forth. When you use your Spiritual Convergence feature, you take both results and apply both. If you roll the same result twice, re-roll one of the dice until you get a different result. You cannot choose the same result twice if you roll a 12 on the Spirits from beyond table with this feature.

Swords Spells

At 1st level, and again when you reach an Unchained Bard level specified in the Swords Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Bonus Proficiencies

At 1st level, you gain proficiency with light armor and martial weapons.

If you're proficient with a simple or martial melee weapon, you can use it as a spellcasting focus for your Unchained Bard spells, and you can use Charisma instead of Dexterity or Strength for your Attack and Damage modifiers with that weapon.

Fighting Style

At 1st level, You gain a Fighting Style feat of your choice.

Blade Flourish

At 1st level, you learn to perform impressive displays of martial prowess and speed.

Whenever you take the Attack action on your turn, your walking speed increases by 10 feet until the end of the turn, and if a weapon attack that you make as part of this action hits a creature, you can use one of the following Blade Flourish options of your choice. You can use only one Blade Flourish option per turn.

Defensive Flourish. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target you hit. The damage equals the number you roll on the Bardic Inspiration die. You also add the number rolled to your AC until the start of your next turn.
Mobile Flourish. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target you hit. The damage equals the number you roll on the Bardic Inspiration die. You can also push the target up to 5 feet away from you, plus a number of feet equal to the number you roll on that die. You can then immediately use your reaction to move up to your walking speed to an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the target.
Slashing Flourish. You can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to cause the weapon to deal extra damage to the target you hit and to any other creature of your choice that you can see within 5 feet of you. The damage equals the number you roll on the Bardic Inspiration die.

Extra Attack

At 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. If you know a Cantrip, you can replace one of these attacks with a use of that Cantrip.

Master's Flourish

At 10th level, whenever you use a Blade Flourish option, you can roll a d6 and use it instead of expending an Bardic Inspiration die.

Blade and Song

At 15th level, when you cast an Unchained Bard Spell as an Action, you can make a single Weapon Attack as a Bonus Action.

Tragedy Spells

At 1st level, and again when you reach an Unchained Bard level specified in the Tragedy Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Poetry in Misery

At 1st level, you learn to harness the beauty in failure, finding inspiration in even the direst twists of fate. Whenever you or an ally within 30 feet of you rolls a 1 on the d20 for an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw, you can use your reaction to regain one expended use of your Bardic Inspiration feature.

Sorrowful Fate

At 1st level, you exploit a foe's peril to instill deep feelings of sorrow and doom. When you or an ally you can see forces a creature to make a saving throw, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to change the type of saving throw to a Charisma save instead.

If the target fails this save, roll an Bardic Inspiration die. The target takes psychic damage equal to the result plus your, and is plagued with regret until the end of your next turn, being unable to use the Vocal component of spells. If the target is reduced to 0 hit points during this time and can speak, they are magically compelled to utter darkly poetic final words before succumbing to their injuries.

You can use this Feature a number of times equal to your Charisma Modifier (minimum once), and recover all expended uses you finish a short or long rest.

Tale of Hubris

At 5th level, you learn to weave a magical narrative that draws out the fatal arrogance of your foes. When a creature scores a critical hit against you or an ally within 30 feet of you that you can see, you can use your reaction and expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to target the attacking creature and evoke the story of their downfall. For 1 minute or until the target suffers a critical hit, any weapon attack against the target scores a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.

At 15th level, the critical hit range of this feature becomes 18-20.

Impending Misfortune

At 10th level, your words can twist the power of fate to create triumph from the promise of future despair. When you make an attack roll or a saving throw, you can gain a +5 bonus to the roll, but the next attack roll or saving throw you make takes a −5 penalty. If not used, this penalty disappears when you finish a short or long rest.

You can't use this feature again until you finish a short or long rest, or until you are reduced to 0 hit points.

Nimbus of Pathos

At 15th level, you can touch a willing creature as an action and empower it with tragic heroism. For 1 minute, the creature is surrounded by mournful music and ghostly singing, granting it the following benefits and drawbacks.

• The creature adds your Charisma Modifier to its AC.
• It adds your Charisma Modifier to its attack rolls and saving throws.
• When the creature hits a target with a weapon attack or spell attack, that target takes extra radiant damage equal to a roll of your Bardic Inspiration die (this does not expend a use of that feature).
• Any weapon attack against the creature scores a critical hit on a roll of 18–20.

When this effect ends, the creature immediately drops to 0 hit points and is dying. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Valor Spells

At 1st level, and again when you reach an Unchained Bard level specified in the Valor Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Combat Inspiration

At 1st level, you can use your wit to turn the tide of battle. A creature that has an Bardic Inspiration die from you can use it for one of the following effects.

Defense. When the creature is hit by an attack roll, that creature can use its Reaction to roll the Bardic Inspiration die and add the number rolled to its AC against that attack, potentially causing the attack to miss.

Offense. Immediately after the creature hits a target with an attack roll, the creature can roll the Bardic Inspiration die and add the number rolled to the attack's damage against the target.

Martial Training

At 1st Level, you gain training with Light and Medium armor and Shields.

If you're proficient with a simple or martial melee weapon, you can use it as a spellcasting focus for your Unchained Bard spells, and you can use Charisma instead of Dexterity or Strength for your Attack and Damage modifiers with that weapon.

Extra Attack

At 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. If you know a Cantrip, you can replace one of these attacks with a use of that Cantrip.

Lead the Charge

At 10th level, the Emanation Area of Effect of any Unchained Bard Spells you cast that have it increases by 5 feet.

Battle Magic

At 14th level, after you cast a spell that has a casting time of an action, you can make one attack with a weapon as a Bonus Action.

Whispers Spells

At 1st level, and again when you reach an Unchained Bard level specified in the Whispers Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Psychic Blades

At 1st level, you gain the ability to make your weapon attacks magically toxic to a creature's mind.

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one use of your Bardic Inspiration to deal extra psychic damage to that target equal to a roll of your Bardic Inspiration Die. You can do so only once per round on your turn.

Words of Terror

At 1st level, you learn to infuse innocent-seeming words with an insidious magic that can inspire terror.

If you speak to a humanoid alone for at least 1 minute, you can attempt to seed paranoia in its mind. At the end of the conversation, the target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or be frightened of you or another creature of your choice. The target is frightened in this way for 1 hour, until it is attacked or damaged, or until it witnesses its allies being attacked or damaged. If the target succeeds on its saving throw, the target has no hint that you tried to frighten it.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Mantle of Whispers

At 5th level, you gain the ability to adopt a humanoid's persona. When a humanoid dies within 30 feet of you, you can magically capture its shadow using your reaction. You retain this shadow until you use it or you finish a long rest.

You can use the shadow as an action. When you do so, it vanishes, magically transforming into a disguise that appears on you. You now look like the dead person, but healthy and alive. This disguise lasts for 1 hour or until you end it as a bonus action.

While you're in the disguise, you gain access to all information that the humanoid would freely share with a casual acquaintance. Such information includes general details on its background and personal life, but doesn't include secrets. The information is enough that you can pass yourself off as the person by drawing on its memories.

Another creature can see through this disguise by succeeding on a Wisdom (Insight) check contested by your Charisma (Deception) check. You gain a +5 bonus to your check.

Once you capture a shadow with this feature, you can't capture another one with it until you finish a short or long rest.

Enduring Mantle

At 10th level, you can now have up to two shadows at a time, and switch between them as a Bonus Action. If you would gain a third shadow, the earliest one you gained is lost.

Shadow Lore

At 15th level, you gain the ability to weave dark magic into your words and tap into a creature's deepest fears.

As an action, you magically whisper a phrase that only one creature of your choice within 30 feet of you can hear. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. It automatically succeeds if it doesn't share a language with you or if it can't hear you. On a successful saving throw, your whisper sounds like unintelligible mumbling and has no effect.

On a failed saving throw, the target is charmed by you for the next 8 hours or until you or your allies attack it, damage it, or force it to make a saving throw. It interprets the whispers as a description of its most mortifying secret. You gain no knowledge of this secret, but the target is convinced you know it.

The charmed creature obeys your commands for fear that you will reveal its secret. It won't risk its life for you or fight for you, unless it was already inclined to do so. It grants you favors and gifts it would offer to a close friend.

When the effect ends, the creature has no understanding of why it held you in such fear.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Art (In Order)

• daylightallure
• a k i
• 椒@彦
• esaka
• wauwa
• emuson

1.0

• Created the document.

1.1

• Updated Source List.
• Updated references to Sources to XUA25PU
• Removed Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting from the Spell List.

1.2

• Updated College of the Moon to better fit the FRHoF version.
• Added some spells from FRHoF to the Unchained Bard Spell List.