The 2024 Bard is the life of the party, a charismatic master of lore, magic, and derring-do. The Bard subclasses, their Magical Secrets, and the incredible Bardic Inspiration they lend to their allies have all had a costume change for the 2024 Player's Handbook. This guide explains the new rules for the Bard, with clear explainers showing what's changed since fifth edition.
If you want to build a Bard from scratch, STOP reading here. Our Bard 5e guide has all the information you need - this is simply a changelog of changes between the two versions of fifth edition.
Level one
- Core Bard Traits - Bards are no longer proficient in longswords, rapiers, or shortswords
- Bardic Inspiration - Characters with a Baridic Inspiration Die have one hour rather than 10 minutes to use it, and it can now only be used on failed D20 tests.
- Spellcasting - Bards can now swap one of their known cantrips when they gain a level in the Bard class.
- Spellcasting - The following have been added to the Bard spell list: Starry Wisp; Thunderclap; Charm Monster; Fount of Moonlight; Synaptic Static; Yolande's Regal Presence; Power Word Fortify; Antipathy/Sympathy.
- Spellcasting - Bards now have nine prepared spells at level five rather than eight; 10 at level six rather than nine; 11 at level seven rather than 10; 12 at level eight rather than 11; 14 at level nine rather than 12; 15 at level 10 rather than 14; 16 at levels 11 and 12 rather than 15; 17 at levels 13 and 14 rather than 16 and 18; 18 at levels 15 and 16 rather than 19; 19 at level 17 rather than 20; 20 at level 18 rather than 22; and 21 at level 19 rather than 22.
Level two
- Expertise - Moved from level three to level two, replacing Song of Rest.
Level three
- Bard Subclass (College of Dance) - A completely new subclass.
- Bard Subclass (College of Glamour) - Beguiling Magic is a new feature that replaces Enthralling Performance.
- Bard Subclass (College of Glamour) - The temporary HP granted by Mantle of Inspiration now equals twice the result rolled on your Bardic Inspiration Die (rather than five).
- Bard Subclass (College of Lore) - Cutting Words now triggers when a target makes a damage roll or a successful ability check or attack roll.
- Bard Subclass (College of Valor) - Martial Training now lets you use simple and martial weapons as a spellcasting focus.
Level five
- Font of Inspiration - Now lets you regain one use of Bardic Inspiration by spending a spell slot.
Level six
- Bard Subclass (College of Glamour) - Mantle of Majesty now means you always have the Command spell prepared, and its uses can be restored by spending a spell slot.
- Bard Subclass (College of Lore) - Magical Discoveries was renamed, but it essentially functions the same. However, it now applies the same spell list restrictions as the updated Magical Secrets feature.
- Bard Subclass (College of Valor) - Extra Attack now lets you replace one of your attacks with a cantrip that costs an action to cast.
Level seven
- Countercharm - Countercharm is now a reaction rather than an action.
Level nine
- Expertise - Expertise moved from level 10 to level nine, replacing the improved Song of Rest feature originally gained at this level.
Level 10
- Magical Secrets - Spells can now only be chosen from the Bard, Cleric, Druid, or Wizard spell list.
- Magical Secrets - Bards no longer gain two Magical Secrets spells whenever they gain this class feature. Instead, after gaining the Magical Secrets feature, a Bard can choose spells from any of the appropriate spell lists whenever they gain a Bard level and their number of prepared spells increases. They can also swap spells and cantrips for ones from the additional spell lists made accessible by the feature - meaning Bard spells they chose at previous levels can be swapped for Wizard, Cleric, or Druid spells.
Level 14
- Bard Subclass (College of Glamour) - Failing a saving throw against Unbreakable Majesty now causes an incoming attack to miss rather than forcing the attacker to choose a new target.
- Bard Subclass (College of Lore) - Peerless Skill no longer uses up your Bardic Inspiration die if the roll you applied it to still fails.
- Bard Subclass (College of Lore) - Battle Magic now applies to any spell you cast, not just Bard spells.
Level 18
- Superior Inspiration - Moved from level 20 to level 18, and it now brings your Bardic Inspiration die up to two (rather than one) when you roll Initiative.
Level 19
- Epic Boon - An entirely new feature.
Level 20
- Words of Creation - An entirely new feature.
We've also got helpful guides to the DnD races and DnD 2024 backgrounds you'll need to consider when building a character using the One DnD rules.