Bard

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[The Astrolabe]

Bard is a default base class with Arelith specific changes.


Introduction

Arelith Bards enjoy changes that benefit their spellcasting and requirements. Mechanical changes are included in the #Class Mechanics on this page and explained in the #Arelith Changes section. Base mechanics can be found on NWNWiki. The #Roleplay Tips section provides suggestions for character development.

Class Mechanics

Requirements

Alignment restrictions: None

Class Features

Bard
Bard.png

Hit die: d6

Proficiencies: armor (light, medium), shields, weapons (simple, whips)

Skill points: 6 + int modifier ((6 + int modifier) * 4 at 1st level)

Class Skills: appraise, animal empathy, bluff, concentration, climb, craft mastery, discipline, heal, hide, intimidate, leadership, listen, lore, move silently, parry, perform, ride, sail, search, sleight of hand, spellcraft, spot, taunt, tumble, use magic device

Bonus Feats: Craft wand, scribe scroll, brew potion, lingering song, extra music, curse song

Unavailable feats: weapon specialization

Primary saving throw(s): reflex, will

Base attack bonus: +3/4 level

Spellcasting: Arcane (spell failure from armor is a factor), charisma-based (a base charisma score of 10 + the spell's level is required to cast a spell, bonus spells are based on modified charisma, and the charisma modifier affects spell DCs), and spontaneous cast (no spell preparation required). Bards begin the game knowing four cantrips.

Level Progression

Hit points rolls on Arelith are always maximum.

Base spells per day Known spells
Level BAB Fort Ref Will Feats HP 0 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 0 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
1st +0 +0 +2 +2 bardic knowledge, bard song 6 2 - - - - - - 4 - - - - - -
2nd +1 +0 +3 +3 12 3 0 - - - - - 5 2 - - - - -
3rd +2 +1 +3 +3 18 3 1 - - - - - 5 3 - - - - -
4th +3 +1 +4 +4 24 3 2 0 - - - - 5 3 2 - - - -
5th +3 +1 +4 +4 weapon proficiency (rogue) 30 3 3 1 - - - - 5 4 3 - - - -
6th +4 +2 +5 +5 36 3 3 2 - - - - 5 4 3 - - - -
7th +5 +2 +5 +5 42 3 3 2 0 - - - 5 4 4 2 - - -
8th +6/+1 +2 +6 +6 48 3 3 3 1 - - - 5 4 4 3 - - -
9th +6/+1 +3 +6 +6 54 3 3 3 2 - - - 5 4 4 3 - - -
10th +7/+2 +3 +7 +7 uncanny dodge I, bonus feat 60 3 3 3 2 0 - - 5 4 4 4 2 - -
11th +8/+3 +3 +7 +7 66 3 3 3 3 1 - - 5 4 4 4 3 - -
12th +9/+4 +4 +8 +8 72 3 3 3 3 2 - - 5 4 4 4 3 - -
13th +9/+4 +4 +8 +8 78 3 3 3 3 2 0 - 5 4 4 4 4 2 -
14th +10/+5 +4 +9 +9 84 4 3 3 3 3 1 - 5 4 4 4 4 3 -
15th +11/+6/+1 +5 +9 +9 90 4 4 3 3 3 2 - 5 4 4 4 4 3 -
16th +12/+7/+2 +5 +10 +10 96 4 4 4 3 3 2 0 5 5 4 4 4 4 2
17th +12/+7/+2 +5 +10 +10 102 4 4 4 4 3 3 1 5 5 5 4 4 4 3
18th +13/+8/+3 +6 +11 +11 108 4 4 4 4 4 3 2 5 6 5 5 4 4 3
19th +14/+9/+4 +6 +11 +11 114 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 5 6 6 5 5 4 4
20th +15/+10/+5 +6 +12 +12 inspiring minstrel 120 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 6 6 6 5 5 4

Spells

See Category:Bard_Spells for a list of all spells by category.

 
Cantrips 1st level spells 2nd level spells
 
3rd level spells 4th level spells 5th level spells
 
6th level spells

Epic Bard

Bonus feats: The epic bard gains a bonus feat every three levels after 20th. In other words, at levels 23, 26, and 29.

Epic bard bonus feats: arcane defense, curse song, epic skill focus (all but animal empathy), epic spell focus*, epic will, extra music, great charisma, great dexterity, greater spell focus, greater spell penetration, improved combat casting, lasting inspiration, lingering song, unremitting cadence, song of the heart

Unavailable epic feats: epic weapon specialization, outsider shape, construct shape, dragon shape, undead shape

* Although in the list of available Epic Bonus Feats, the pre-requisites are not mechanically possible on Arelith

Level Feats HP
21st 126
22nd 132
23rd bonus feat 138
24th 144
25th 150
26th bonus feat 156
27th 162
28th 168
29th bonus feat 174
30th 180

Arelith Changes

Change Level Description
Requirements - Normally non-lawful, but Arelith bards may be lawful.
Class skills - Bards on Arelith gain access to many skills as class skills. See the Class Skills list for information.
Spell changes - For specifics, see Category:Bard_Spells.
Understanding language - Bard, Monk, and Harper levels contribute towards understanding languages you do not speak.
Learning language - Bard (+1 per 10), Monk (+1 per 10), and Harper (+1 per 5) levels contribute to the total number of language you can learn.
Arcane Spell Failure 6 Bards gain -20% Arcane Spell Failure on their equipment. Must have at least 6 bard levels, or be a majority class bard.
+1 Dodge AC - Bards using Medium or lighter Armor now gain +1 Dodge AC. This bonus only applies to pure Bards, or characters with at least 20 Bard levels
Lingering Song/Lasting Inspiration - Lingering song is now applied before Lasting Inspiration (Duration becomes 150 rounds instead of 105 rounds as we now do addition first)
Bard Song - See Bard#Bard Song below. Extensive updates.
Curse Song - Recharges on a different timer from Bard Song, and a minute faster.
Extra Music - Additionally, reduces bard song replenishment cooldown by 3 minutes
Skill Focus: Perform - Additionally, reduces bard song replenishment cooldown by 3 minutes
Inspiring Minstrel - A character with this feat can take Lasting Inspiration so long as they meet the Perform requirements. Granted on 20th level Bard or 10th level Dirgesinger
Unremitting Cadence - Prerequisite: 21st level, Charisma 21+, Extend Spell, Lasting Inspiration.

Specifics: Spells from the Bard's spellbook are treated as being Extended. Essentially, an auto-extend.

  • Unremitting Cadence I applies to Innate spells 1 through 3.
  • Unremitting Cadence II applies to Innate spells 4 through 6.
  • Unremitting Cadence II requires Unremitting Cadence I.
Song of the Heart - Prerequisite: 21st level, Bard 21+, Charisma 25+, Unremitting Cadence II, Epic Reputation.

Specifics: This feat enhances the effect of Bard Song by one dynamic tier. Does not affect Curse Song. Notes: See below for bonuses added by Song of the Heart.

Lich Lyrics - See under Curse Songs for information. DC is equal to: (1/2 effective Bard level) + (1/2 Charisma modifier) + (1/5th of your total Perform score).
CL vs. Dispels - Bard receives a +3 bonus in defense vs. Dispels if they have at least 21+ bard and they do not have a divine dip class: Paladin, Blackguard, Zhentarim Enforcer, Harper Paragon, Cleric, or Hexblade.

Bard Synergies

Bard synergizes with certain class combinations for the purposes of Effective Song Level, Song Charges, Bard Spell Caster Level, and Dispel Protection.

Class Effective Bard Song Level Effective Curse Song Level Bard Song Charges Curse Song Charges Bard
Caster Level
Dispel
Caster Level
Notes
Bard +1:1 +1:1 +2:3 +2:3 +1:1 +1:1 Additional +3 Dispel Caster Level with 21+ Bard levels.
Arcane Archer +1:2 +1:2 +1:2 +1:2 +1:2, +1:1 if more AA than Bard levels +1:1 Requires 20+ Bard levels.
Assassin +2:3 +2:3 +1:2 +1:2 +2:3 +2:3 Requires Dirgesinger
Cleric (Evangelist) 6 (flat) +1:3 6 (flat) +1:3 +1:3 +1:3 +0:1 +0:1 +4 Effective Bard Song and Curse Song for duration of Divine Favor.
Dirgesinger +1:5 +1:1 +1:3 +2:3 +1:1 +1:1 Bard Song when applied to Undead receives +1:1 (instead of +1:5) for Dirgesinger song effective level scaling
Dragon Disciple +1:2 +1:2 +1:2 +1:2 +1:3, 1:2 if more Bard levels than DD. +1:1
Harper Paragon +1:5 +1:5 +1:5 +1:5 +1:5 +1:5 Bonus makes this dip equivalent with a Paladin or Blackguard dip.
Master Harper +1:1 +1:1 +2:3 +2:3 +1:1 +1:1
Loremaster +1 at 3 Loremaster
+1 at 5 Loremaster
+1 at 3 Loremaster
+1 at 5 Loremaster
+1 at 3 Loremaster
+1 at 5 Loremaster
+1 at 3 Loremaster
+1 at 5 Loremaster
+1 at 3 Loremaster
+2 at 5 Loremaster
+1 at 3 Loremaster
+2 at 5 Loremaster
Pale Master +1:2 +1:2 +1:2 +1:2 Per Palemaster Per Palemaster
Shaman +1:3 +1:3 +1:3 +1:3 +0:1 +0:1
Warlock +2:3 +2:3 +1:2 +1:2 +0:1 +0:1 Requires Eldritch Euphony feat
Zhentarim Enforcer +1:5 +1:5 +1:5 +1:5 +1:5 +1:5 Bonus makes this dip equivalent with a Paladin or Blackguard dip.
Zhentarim Operative +1:1 +1:1 +2:3 +2:3 +1:1 +1:1

Bard Song

Bard song has undergone an extensive update for Arelith. This includes unique Bard Songs, unique Curse Songs, the ability to teach and learn songs with other bards, and the ability to find songs by exploring.

  • Has a persistent radius.
  • The radius is 15 meters (slightly bigger than previous Bard Song).
  • You must be within the radius to receive the bonuses.
  • If you leave the radius, the bonuses will fade after 3 rounds.
  • You will receive a message when entering and exiting the radius.
  • While on a ship, it's still ship-wide
  • Silence(normal saves and SR apply):
  • The Song Source (Bard):
  • Entering the Silence aura removes the song from all affected by that Bards' song, including the Bard.
  • Exiting the Silence re-applies the song for free, as if newly cast.
  • Song Effected individuals:
  • Entering the Silence drops the song effect from themself.
  • Exiting the Silence re-applies the song only if they are within a relevant radius around the original Bard they lost the song effect from.
Note: The use of Curse Song (only) will toggle Expertise and Improved Expertise off.

Learning Songs

  • Bards begin knowing songs based on their starting location, race, and other conditions. See Starting Songs on this page for full list.
    • Humans, Half-Orcs, and Half-Elves are granted one random Bard Song and one random Curse Song upon reaching a combined Bard + Dirgesinger level of 5+.
    • All bards gain a random Bard Song or Curse Song at Bard 10, 20, and 30.
  • The exploration songs can be found by walking around the right areas. These areas are typically (but not always) dungeons that take a little effort to get to.
  • Not all songs are discoverable. Some must be learned from other PCs.

Note: Although a Bard may know/learn a song, they are unable to use the Song until they meet the requirements for doing so are met.

Teaching Songs

  • A Bard with 15+ Effective Song levels AND a combined Bard + Dirgesinger level of 5+ can teach songs
    • Use -song teach <ID> or -cursesong teach <ID> to teach songs to all nearby bards. Costs 1000 Adventure XP. Any song can be taught, whether racial or discovered in the world, except the Lich Lyrics.

Using Songs

  • Once the Bard has a combined Bard + Dirgesinger level of 5+, they can then adjust the default Song (applied in addition to the Baseline Song), selecting any Song they current know in place of the default. One replacement for default Bard Song and one replacement for default Curse Song is allowed.
    • Use -song to review your available Song lists (Bard and Curse)
    • Use the -song <ID> and -cursesong <ID> commands to swap between songs.
    • It is recomemnded to use the -toolbar command for songs, as it features the ability to autocast them directly without having to switch them manually.
  • Perform Requirements: (Bard Level * 2) + 10 at level 25

Song Duration

  • Base (minimum) song duration is 10 rounds.
    • Bards without Lasting Inspiration gain 1 additional round to their Song duration for every effective Song level they have above 10.
  • You can toggle the duration states (switch between maximum and minimum duration) of your songs by using:
    • Bard Song: -songdur
    • Curse Song: -songdur curse
  • The Lingering Song Feat (+5 rounds duration) is now applied before Lasting Inspiration (10x Duration):
    • Song Duration with both feats becomes 150 rounds instead of 105 rounds (vanilla)
  • Examples:
    • If you have 20 effective Song Levels (Ex: 10 Bard / 20 Palemaster) and do not have Lasting Inspiration, your Bard Song and Curse Song will last 20 rounds
      • If you use the -songdur function this will reduce back to the minimum of 10 rounds

Song Cooldown

  • Bards regain a bard song usage and a curse song usage every 10 minutes subject to the following reductions:
    • Taking Extra Music, Skill Focus: Perform, or Artist reduces this time by 3 minutes. (Only one reduction applies)
    • Bards inherently will decrease Song cooldown as their song gains in effective level (cumulative to a 4 minute reduction at 30th level):
At 5th effective song level: -30 seconds
At 10th effective song level: -30 seconds
At 15th effective song level: -30 seconds
At 20th effective song level: -30 seconds
At 25th effective song level: -60 seconds
At 30th effective song level: -60 seconds
  • Curse Song recharges 1 minute faster.
  • Examples:
    • A level 30 Bard without the above feat(s) will cooldown at:
      • Bard Song: 6 minutes
      • Curse Song: 5 minutes
    • A level 25 Bard with one or more reduction feats will cooldown at:
      • Bard Song: 4 Minutes.
      • Curse Song: 3 Minutes
    • A level 10 Bard / level 20 Palemaster with one or more reduction feats will cooldown at:
      • Bard Song: 5 minutes
      • Curse Song: 4 minutes

General Song Customizations

  • Bard Song and Curse Song no longer persists after a bard dies.
  • Curse Song now displays the Curse Song name to the victim.
  • Damage for Curse Songs is now rolled separately for each creature in the area of effect.
  • Bards now always replace their own song, even when a higher level bard has buffed them.
  • Epic Skill Focus: Perform adds an additional effect to each Bard Song and Curse Song.
  • Perform skill added by the Bard Song cannot be used to boost subsequent songs.
  • Party buff song effects are removed when using Selfish Solo.
  • All AC is Dodge AC.
  • Bard Song used on a ship will affect everyone on a ship deck even if they are outside of the traditional range of the song.
  • Bard Song effective level is reduced by 3 when wearing Heavy Armor and/or a Tower Shield.
  • Bard Song and Curse Song are now completely separate counters that are scaled differently than the single counter before.
Song Charges across Bard and all the existing synergies are outlined in the #Bard_Synergies Table
Note: The minimum number of Bard Song and Curse Song charges is 3.

Custom Song Tables

Song work by using the Baseline song (see below) and applying the Bard Song and Curse Song on top.

  • Examples:
    • Level 20 Bard 10 Earthkin Defender with 70 Perform skill singing Bard Song would receive 2 AB, 2 bludgeon damage, 2 universal saves, 3 AC, and 6 to all their skills from the baseline song from the level 20 bonuses. Then, if they had chosen -song 15 (Song of the Deep Stone) they would also receive 4 AC vs Elementals, 7 Discipline, and 10/+4 Damage Resistance. The 20 Bard 10 Earthkin Defender gets the level 30 effects since the song has a special caveat that Earthkin Defender levels stack with Bard for that specific song. The Discipline would add 6 + 7 to give a total of 13 Discipline. If the singer only had 40 Perform then the singer would only get the benefits from the level 20 version of the Song of the Deep Stone benefits.
    • Level 26 Bard 4 Blackguard with 62 Perform signing Curse Song would affect their victims' -2 AB, -2 bludgeon damage, -2 universal saves, -4 AC, and -8 to all skills from the Baseline song. Then, if the singer had chosen -cursesong 5 (Conqueror's Canticle) then the victim would also be affected with 13d4 negative damage, -5 fear saves, and -8 Leadership. This would be a total of -16 to Leadership and -8 to Discipline. If the singer also has Epic Skill Focus: Perform then that is an additional -6 to Discipline for a total of -14 to Discipline.

Specific Songs Bonuses

  • Skills they provide are now capped by the targets hard rank investments.
  • This is calculated as a % investment of your max possible hard ranks for any given level and your hard ranks.
  • Functionally, this means if a person is level 30, has 5 hard ranks in Animal Empathy, and a level 30 bard sings Ranger's Round (5 base + 7 song specific), the Ranger's Round would at best give 1 more (always rounded down) Animal Empathy, totaling a score of 6 for the listener from the level 30 Bard Song.
  • Mathematically this is as follows:
Bonus To Skills = Song Skill Bonus * (Hard Skill Ranks / (PC Level + 3))
If Bonus To Skills > Hard Skill Ranks, instead use Hard Skill Ranks.

Noisy Songs

  • If a song is noisy (it applies to others) then it will negate bonuses to listen and move silently for the Bard.
  • This means only Selfish Solo provides any Listen or Move Silently to the Bard.

Synergy Bonus

Some songs benefit from multiclassing and scale at a 1:1 conversion if the character has more bard levels.
This means, for example, a bard 20/fighter 10 would sing a Draconic Dirge at effective lvl 30 and benefit fully from the baseline bardic rhythm and the specific song bonuses at 30, but all other songs at 20.
However, the Perform requirement must still be met. Said bard/fighter would need an effective 70 Perform score to get the highest benefits of the song.

Bard Song Table
Bard Songs Effective Bard Song Level
Number Name Effects ESF: Perform Bonus Synergy Levels Scaling Effect 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
N/A Bardic Rhythm Baseline Bonus Values
Applies to both Song and Curse
N/A N/A Perfm Req 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 60 62 64 66 68 70
AB 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3
Bludg Dm 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Uni Saves 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
AC 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5
All Skills 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5
0 Classic Chorus +1 Slash DM
+1 Universal Saves
+2 Save vs Mind N/A
1 Pilfering Poem +1 Dodge AC vs Lawful Casts Knock & Find Traps Rogue Save vs Trap 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7
Open Lk, Dis Trap,
Listen
0 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7
Slt Hand, Hide & MS* 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7
2 Sea Shanty +2 Cold Dmg
+1 Dodge AC (if drunk)
Breathe Underwater Swashbuckler Sail 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
3 Draconic Dirge Fear Immunity Fighter AC vs Dragon 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4
AB vs Dragon 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4
Pos Dm vs Dragon 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4
Imm Fire Acid Cold Elec 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 15% 15% 15%
4 Healing Hymn +5 Save vs Poison
+2 Fort
Immunity to Poison & Disease Regen 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 7
Heal 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
5 Frostbound Round 15/- vs Cold
+1 Piercing Dm
+2 AC vs Animal & Giant
Immunity to Spell: Cone of Cold
Immunity to Spell: Ice Storm Barbarian Save vs Cold 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6
6 Sentinel's Song Effect: Ultravision Effect: See Invisibility Knight DR - - - - - 1/+1 1/+1 1/+1 1/+1 1/+1 1/+1 2/+2 2/+2 2/+2 2/+2 2/+2 2/+2 3/+3 3/+3 3/+3 3/+3 3/+3 3/+3 4/+4 4/+4 4/+4 4/+4 4/+4 4/+4 5/+5
Spot+Listen 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
7 Slime's Serenade +2 Acid Dm
+2 AC vs Oozes
20% Acid Immunity
15/- Acid Resistance Save vs Acid 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6
8 Masking Melody Perf & Bluff 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
Save vs Mind 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6
9 Selfish Solo Only applies to Bard
+10% move speed
+1 Unisave
28+ Bard OR Rhapsody of Blood: +1 APR
28+ Bard: +5 Slashing DMG instead of +2
Search Bonus AB - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 2 2
Slash Dm 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3
AC 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2
Regen 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5
Search* 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
10 Traveler's Tune +10 Bonus on use rope Riding Bonus Ranger Move Speed 21% 22% 23% 24% 25% 26% 27% 28% 29% 30% 31% 32% 33% 34% 35% 36% 37% 38% 39% 40% 41% 42% 43% 44% 45% 46% 47% 48% 49% 50%
Climb 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15
Riding* 0 2 2 4 4 6 6 8 8 10 10 12 12 14 14 16 16 18 18 20 20 22 22 24 24 26 26 28 28 30
11 Purser's Piece +1 Appraise per Int modifier of Bard Count 15 levels lower for Sleight of Hand Loremaster Appraise & Lore 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
12 Arcane Anthem 18 SR
+1 Unisave
Nullify Faerzress & Wild Magic Spellcraft 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
Concentr 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
UMD 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7
13 Deceptive Ditty +1 AC Dodge Enables use of Shadow Doors Shadowdancer Concealment 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9% 10% 11% 12% 13% 14% 15% 16% 17% 18% 19% 20% 21% 22% 23% 24% 25% 26% 27% 28% 29% 30%
Hide & MS 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
Set Trap 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
14 Lunar Lullaby Immunity to Lycanthropy
+1 AC vs Evil
+5 Save vs Mind AC vs Shapeshift 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4
AB vs Shapeshift 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4
15 Miner's Melody Increase chance of harvesting resources Earthkin Defender AC vs Elementals 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4
Concentr 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7
DR - - 1/+4 1/+4 1/+4 2/+4 2/+4 2/+4 3/+4 3/+4 3/+4 4/+4 4/+4 4/+4 5/+4 5/+4 5/+4 6/+4 6/+4 6/+4 7/+4 7/+4 7/+4 8/+4 8/+4 8/+4 9/+4 9/+4 9/+4 10/+4
16 Ranger's Round +1 Piercing Dm
Move Speed if sung in Wilderness
Animal Empathy +1 per 4
Magical Beasts included in vs Ranger Wilderness Move Speed - - - - - - 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 30% 30% 30% 30% 30% 30% 30% 40% 40% 40%
AB vs Animal 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4
AC vs Animal - - - - - - - - - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3
Animal Empathy 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7
17 Blacksmith's Ballad +2 Fire Dm
15/- Fire Resistance
Immunity to Spell: Fireball
Immunity to Spell: Combust
+5 Save vs Fire AC vs Construct 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5
Curse Song Table
Curse Songs Effective Curse Song Level
Number Name Effects ESF: Perform Synergy Levels Scaling Effect 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
N/A Bardic Rhythm Baseline Curse Song
Applies to all curses.
Perfm Req 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 60 62 64 66 68 70
AB 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3
Bludg Dm 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Uni Saves 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
AC 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5
All Skills 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5
0 Atrocious Aria Default Curse
Does not stack with baseline curse song
Perfm Req 6 6 6 6 10 10 10 10 10 20 20 20 20 20 30 30 30 30 30 40 40 40 40 40 60 60 60 70 70 70
AB 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3
Bludg Dm 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Will 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Fortitude 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5
Reflex 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4
HP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 8 8 8 16 16 16 16 16 28 28 28 28 28 38 38 38 46 46 46
AC 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5
All Skills 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
1 Reposeful Requiem Undead lose -2 Uni Saves Divine vs Undead - 1d4 1d4 2d4 2d4 3d4 3d4 4d4 4d4 5d4 5d4 6d4 6d4 7d4 7d4 8d4 8d4 9d4 9d4 10d4 10d4 11d4 11d4 12d4 12d4 13d4 13d4 14d4 14d4 15d4
Undead Fire Vuln 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9% 10% 11% 12% 13% 14% 15% 16% 17% 18% 19% 20% 21% 22% 23% 24% 25% 26% 27% 28% 29% 30%
Undead Lose Dmg - - - - 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6
2 Doom-tempest Dirge 10% spell failure Elec Dmg - 1d4 1d4 2d4 2d4 3d4 3d4 4d4 4d4 5d4 5d4 6d4 6d4 7d4 7d4 8d4 8d4 9d4 9d4 10d4 10d4 11d4 11d4 12d4 12d4 13d4 13d4 14d4 14d4 15d4
Concen+Lisn 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
3 Lush's Lament -5% move speed -2 Dexterity Psychic Dmg - 1d4 1d4 2d4 2d4 3d4 3d4 4d4 4d4 5d4 5d4 6d4 6d4 7d4 7d4 8d4 8d4 9d4 9d4 10d4 10d4 11d4 11d4 12d4 12d4 13d4 13d4 14d4 14d4 15d4
Listen 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
4 Venomous Verse Random Disease & Poison (On fort save)
~DC15 below Bard level 16, up to ~DC 26 above
-2 Constitution Assassin Poison Dmg - 1d4 1d4 2d4 2d4 3d4 3d4 4d4 4d4 5d4 5d4 6d4 6d4 7d4 7d4 8d4 8d4 9d4 9d4 10d4 10d4 11d4 11d4 12d4 12d4 13d4 13d4 14d4 14d4 15d4
Save vs Poison - - - - 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6
5 Conqueror's Canticle Leadership Debuff Neg Dm - 1d4 1d4 2d4 2d4 3d4 3d4 4d4 4d4 5d4 5d4 6d4 6d4 7d4 7d4 8d4 8d4 9d4 9d4 10d4 10d4 11d4 11d4 12d4 12d4 13d4 13d4 14d4 14d4 15d4
Save vs Fear 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6
Leadership* 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
6 Trapper's Tune Magical Beasts included as well Ranger Bleed Dmg - 1d4 1d4 2d4 2d4 3d4 3d4 4d4 4d4 5d4 5d4 6d4 6d4 7d4 7d4 8d4 8d4 9d4 9d4 10d4 10d4 11d4 11d4 12d4 12d4 13d4 13d4 14d4 14d4 15d4
Animal Movement -1% -2% -3% -4% -5% -6% -7% -8% -9% -10% -11% -12% -13% -14% -15% -16% -17% -18% -19% -20% -21% -22% -23% -24% -25% -26% -27% -28% -29% -30%
Animal Pierce Vuln 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9% 10% 11% 12% 13% 14% 15% 16% 17% 18% 19% 20% 21% 22% 23% 24% 25% 26% 27% 28% 29% 30%
AB and AC vs Animal - - - - - - - - - 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3
7 Chilling Chant -5% Move Speed
15% Cold Vulnerability
-2 Saves vs Cold Cold Dm - 1d4 1d4 2d4 2d4 3d4 3d4 4d4 4d4 5d4 5d4 6d4 6d4 7d4 7d4 8d4 8d4 9d4 9d4 10d4 10d4 11d4 11d4 12d4 12d4 13d4 13d4 14d4 14d4 15d4
Tumble 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 10
8 Lich Lyrics Large damage (Fortitude for 1/2)
-10% Water
-2 Constitution Entropy Dmg 1d6 2d6 3d6 4d6 5d6 6d6 7d6 8d6 9d6 10d6 11d6 12d6 13d6 14d6 15d6 16d6 17d6 18d6 19d6 20d6 21d6 22d6 23d6 24d6 25d6 26d6 27d6 28d6 29d6 30d6

Song of the Heart

Song of the Heart is a feat that strengthens your Bard Song by one "Dynamic Tier".

  • This does not increase the actual Song Level.
    • Thus, a pure 30 Bard with Song of the Heart does not count as being higher than level 30.
    • You are still playing a Song at your effective level.
  • What Song of the Heart does is add bonuses on top of whatever you would get normally.


Baseline Song gets, on top of any other bonuses granted by Bard Song Level itself:

  • +1 Damage
  • +1 Dodge AC
  • +1 Skills
  • +1 AB
  • +1 Unisaves


In addition to the above, specific songs get bonuses to what they grant:

  • Classic Chorus:
    • +1 additional saving throws vs. Death Magic
    • +1 additional saving throws vs. Mind Spells
  • Pilfering Poem:
    • +1 additional bonus to each Pilfering Poem skill provided
    • +1 additional dodge AC vs. Lawful
  • Sea Shanty:
    • +1 additional bonus to Sail skill
    • +1 additional saving throws vs. Electrical saving throws
    • +1 additional Cold damage
  • Draconic Dirge:
    • +1 additional AC, AB, & Divine Damage vs. Dragons
    • Additional +5% Damage Immunity vs. Fire, Cold, Acid, Electrical
  • Healing Hymn:
    • +1 additional point of Regen
    • +1 additional bonus to Heal skill
    • +1 additional saving throws vs. Poison
    • +1 additional saving throws to Fortitude
  • Frostbound Round:
    • +1 additional AC vs. Giants and Animals
    • +1 additional Piercing damage
    • +1 additional Cold damage
    • +1 additional saving throws vs. Cold
  • Sentinel's Song:
    • +1 additional bonus to the Soak amount ONLY, not the Enhancement amount. (6/+5 vs. 5/+5 for 30, for example)
    • +1 additional bonus to Spot and Listen skills
  • Slime's Serenade:
    • +1 additional saving throws vs. Acid
    • +1 additional Acid damage
    • +1 additional AC vs. Oozes
    • Additional +5% damage immunity vs. Acid
    • +1/- additional damage resistance vs. Acid
  • Masking Melody:
    • +1 additional saving throws vs. Mind Spells
    • +1 additional bonus to Bluff and Perform skills
  • Selfish Solo:
    • +1 additional bonus to Search skill.
  • Traveler's Tune:
    • Additional +5% movement speed
    • +1 additional bonus to Climb skill
  • Purser's Piece:
    • +1 additional bonus to Lore and Appraise skills
  • Arcane Anthem:
    • +1 additional bonus to Spellcraft, Concentration, and UMD skills
    • +1 additional bonus to Spell Resistance (from 18 to 19)
  • Deceptive Ditty:
    • +1 additional bonus to Hide, Move Silently and Set Trap skills
    • Additional 5% concealment
  • Lunar Lullaby:
    • +1 additional AC and AB vs. Shapechangers
    • +1 additional AC vs Evil
    • (ESF: Perform) +1 additional saving throws vs. Mind Spells
  • Miner's Melody:
    • +1 additional AC vs. Elementals
    • +1 additional bonus to Concentration skill
    • +1 additional bonus to Soak amount (not penetration amount)
  • Ranger's Round:
    • +1 additional Piercing damage
    • Additional +10% Movement Speed in natural exterior area
    • +1 additional AB and AC vs. Animals and Beasts
    • (ESF: Perform) +1 additional AB and AC vs. Magical Beasts
  • Blacksmith's Ballad:
    • +1 additional Fire damage
    • +1 additional AC vs. Constructs
    • +1/- additional damage resistance vs. Fire
    • (ESF: Perform) +1 additional saving throws vs. Fire

Starting Songs

The following chart shows what songs are given at start.

Base Race, Start or Class Condition Subrace Bard Song Curse Song Either Category
Skaljard Start - Frostbound Round Chilling Chant -
Sencliff Start - Sea Shanties Lush's Lament -
Gift of the Sailor - Sea Shanties - -
Dirgesinger - - Reposeful Requiem -
Human - 1 Random 1 Random -
Human Deep Imaskari 1 Random: Traveler's Tune or Arcane Anthem - 1 Random
Human Shadovar Deceptive Ditty Arcane Anthem -
Human Storm Half-Giant Doomtempest Dirge Conqueror's Canticle -
Human Cloud Half-Giant Healing Hymn Conqueror's Canticle -
Human Fire Half-Giant Blacksmith's Ballad Conqueror's Canticle -
Human Frost Half-Giant Frostbound Round Chilling Chant -
Human Stone Half-Giant Miner's Melody Conqueror's Canticle -
Elf Moon Elf Lunar Lullaby Reposeful Requiem -
Elf Sun Elf Arcane Anthem Conqueror's Canticle -
Elf Wood Elf Ranger's Round Reposeful Requiem -
Elf Wild Elf Ranger's Round Trapper's Tune -
Elf Aquatic Elf Sea Shanty Chilling Chant -
Elf Avariel Draconic Dirge Conqueror's Canticle -
Elf Drow Deceptive Ditty Venomous Verse -
Half-Elf - 1 Random 1 Random -
Sun Elf Fey'ri Masking Melody Conqueror's Canticle -
Half-Elf Kenku Pilfering Poem Trapper's Tune -
Half-Elf Green Hag Slime's Serenade Venomous Verse -
Half-Elf Gloaming Traveler's Tune Deceptive Ditty -
Dwarf Shield Dwarf Miner's Melody Conqueror's Canticle -
Dwarf Gold Dwarf Purser's Piece Conqueror's Canticle -
Dwarf Wild Dwarf Ranger's Round Venomous Verse -
Dwarf Duergar Miner's Melody Conqueror's Canticle -
Dwarf Derro Deceptive Ditty Venomous Verse -
Gnome Rock Gnome Miner's Melody 1 Random
Gnome Forest Gnome Deceptive Ditty Reposeful Requiem 1 Random
Gnome Svirfneblin Masking Melody 1 Random
Halfling Lightfoot Halfling Pilfering Poem Lush's Lament -
Halfling Strongheart Halfling Sentinel's Song Conqueror's Canticle -
Halfling Ghostwise Halfling Ranger's Round Trapper's Tune -
Orog - Blacksmith's Ballad Conqueror's Canticle -
Half-Orc - 1 Random 1 Random -
Goblin - Deceptive Ditty Venomous Verse -
Hobgoblin - Sentinel's Song Conqueror's Canticle -
Gnoll - Ranger's Round Conqueror's Canticle -
Kobold - Pilfering Poem Trapper's Tune -
Troglodyte - Slime's Serenade Venomous Verse -
Ogre - Healing Hymn Conqueror's Canticle -
Minotaur - Sentinel's Song Conqueror's Canticle -
Imp - Masking Melody Lush's Lament -
Yuan-ti - Masking Melody Venomous Verse -
Firbolg - Traveler's Tune Chilling Chant -
Pixie - Deceptive Ditty Lush's Lament -
Planetouched Aasimar Sentinel's Song Conqueror's Canticle -
Planetouched Tiefling Masking Melody Conqueror's Canticle -
Planetouched Air Genasi Traveler's Tune Doom-tempest Dirge -
Planetouched Fire Genasi Blacksmith's Ballad Conqueror's Canticle -
Planetouched Earth Genasi Miner's Melody Conqueror's Canticle -
Planetouched Water Genasi Sea Shanty Chilling Chant -
Planetouched Rakshasa Masking Melody Conqueror's Canticle -
Vampire - Masking Melody Conqueror's Canticle -

Roleplay Tips

Basic Bard Forgotten Realms description available on FRwiki.

External Links

Information about default NWN class are available on NWNWiki.