Bardic Inspiration 5e
The Bardic Inspiration in 5e is one of the most essential skills a Bard has in Dungeons and Dragons. Bards gain this ability already at Level one. It stays relevant throughout the campaign as the spell gets more effective with higher levels.
In a classical sense, the spell is a Bonus Action used to buff allies. Creatures that are in most cases allies get one extra Bard Inspiration dice. They can use that dice on whatever roll they want within the next ten minutes.
However, the ability can have extra uses depending on the Bard Subclass you choose. Which extra abilities are those? And how does Bardic Inspiration work? Learn everything you need to know in this “Bardic Inspiration 5e” – Guide by dungeon-heaven.com.
How does Bardic Inspiration work?
Bardic Inspiration is a temporary buff for creatures. It is a core feature for all Bards and all subclasses of bards. According to the Player’s Handbook, the creature has to be within 60 feet of the bard and has to be able to hear the bard.
There is a standard usage of the Bardic Inspiration. The player uses words or music to inspire their allies. A player can sing, recite a poem, or play a beat. Sam Riegel is one of the best examples of how to roleplay a funny Bard. Here is a best-of of his Bard Character Scanlan Shorthalt from Vox Machina.
In the end, it is up to the player itself if he or she wants to roleplay the Bardic Inspiration.
The spell uses a bonus action. After casting the creature of your choice gets a Bardic Inspiration dice. This dice can be used only once within the next 10 minutes and is lost if it isn’t used within that time. Which dice your ally gets is based on your current Bard Level. This table shows you the Bardic Inspiration dice:
| Bard Level | Bardic Inspiration Dice |
|---|---|
|
1 - 4 |
d6 |
|
5 - 9 |
d8 |
|
10 - 14 |
d10 |
|
15+ |
d12 |
On what can Bardic Inspiration be added?
The buffed Creature or PC can decide on what he or she wants to use the dice. This must happen within the 10-minute time period.
It can be added to one ability check, saving throw, or attack roll. It is completely up to the player who is buffed. The procedure is usually as follows:
The player rolls the normal dice. Before the Dungeon Master tells them if they succeed or fail they can add the Bardic Inspiration dice. So if the player has a feeling that the roll was too low he or she can force a better outcome.
Example: Use a Bardic Inspiration dice
Imagine being in an epic fight and you want to hit your enemy. You know the AC of
the BBEG has to be around 16 and 19. You have been buffed with Bardic Inspiration
and the 10 minutes aren’t over yet. Now you have rolled very low. With all your
bonuses coming from e.g. the weapon you are using, push the roll to a 13. You know
that this will be too low for you to hit the enemy. Before the DM tells you what
happens next you have to take your Bardic Inspiration dice. You add the result of the
roll onto the 13 you have rolled previously.
Magical Inspiration
Magical Inspiration is an optional class feature for Bards. It was first introduced in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. Basically, it says that a creature that casts a spell while having Bardic Inspiration can buff the spell’s effect.
If you are casting a healing spell you roll the Bardic Inspiration dice and add the result to the number of hit points that are being restored. If you are casting a damage spell you add the result to the total damage.
This effect is especially potent with spells that affect multiple creatures. The number you rolled is now multiplied by however many creatures are being affected by the spell. This feat is available to Bards at Level 2. Later on in the game, this can become extremely powerful.
Uses by subclass
With all the subclasses of a Bard come different approaches to the Bardic Inspiration 5e. However, you can still use the basic approach of Bardic Inspiration next to your own way of dealing with it. Try to keep a balance between both ways. The most start as soon as you reach Level 3.
College of Lore
With a College of Lore Bard you can use the Bardic Inspiration dice to use the Cutting Words ability. It is used to lower the target’s attack roll, damage roll, or ability check. This is mostly used against enemies. At Level 14 you gain the Peerless Skill feature. This allows you to expand the use of one Bardic Inspiration dice.
College of Valor
This gives some extra buffs thanks to the Combat Inspiration feature. Your allies use the Inspiration they received from the Bard to deal additional damage or boost their Armor Class as a Reaction.
College of Glamour
The 3rd-level College of Glamour Bard uses the Mantle of Inspiration ability. This hands temporary hit points out to a number of the Bards allies.
College of Swords
College of Swords Bards use Blade Flourish to follow up their attacks. This special move is used by expending a use of your Bardic Inspiration. With Level 14 Bards choose to use a d6 for these Blade Flourish moves instead of a Bardic Inspiration dice.
College of Whispers
A Bard that chose the College of Whispers can use Bardic Inspiration to make their attacks do extra psychic damage. This is the Psychic Blade feature. The damage increases as you level up. It gets pretty easy to get carried away with it. Better keep an eye on how much you are using it.
College of Creation
The College of Creation gives your allies extra bonuses. It comes with the ability Mote of Potential. This causes the inspiration to manifest in a physical form. For example, this is a heart, a music note, or another thing. Your ally uses this inspiration. Mote of Potential provides extra bonuses depending on what it is being used for.
College of Eloquence
If you have chosen the College of Eloquence you get the Unsettling Words feature. This allows you to subtract a roll from the target’s saving throw. With Level 6 comes the ability of Unfailing Inspiration. The feature helps to get more range out of your Bardic Inspiration. At Level 14 you gain the Infectious Inspiration feature. When a creature uses the Bardic Inspiration you can use a reaction to give another Bardic Inspiration dice to a different ally. However, this doesn’t extend your use of Bardic Inspiration beyond the first use. The feature can be used a number of times per day equal to your charisma modifier.
College of Spirits
In Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft the College of Spirits gets introduced. At level 3 the Bard gains an ability called Tales from Beyond. This allows Bards to channel a Spirit Tale from the grave. The Spirit Tale you get is random. At Level 14 you gain more control over the Spirit you are getting. However, it is a still a surprise. Each tale has a different effect, ranging from teleporting targets to dealing psychic damage to enemies.
FAQ: Bardic Inspiration 5e
Can I use Bardic Inspiration on myself?
In fact you can’t do that!
According to the Player’s Handbook the creature must be within 60 feet, able to hear you, and must be be other than yourself. When you play a College of Lore Bard you get acess to the Peerless Skill feature. This starts at level 14. You can use one of your own Bardic Inspiration dice when making an ability check.
Can I give Bardic Inspiration to multiple creatures?
Yes you can!
However, any creature can have only one Bardic Inspiration dice at one time. It takes a bonus action for each creature. If you want to give e.g. three creatures Bardic Inspiration you will need three turns.
Does Bardic Inspiration break Invisibility?
No it doesn’t!
As long as the invisible creature can hear you, you are good to give them your Bardic Inspiration. The Invisibility only breaks when you attack, they cast a spell, or loose concentration.
Do creatures have to be conscious to receive Bardic Inspiration?
Unfortunaly no!
A creature that is unconscious is unaware of their surroundings. This doesn’t meet the criteria of being able to hear.
Can I use Bardic Inspiration on death-saving throws?
Yes you can!
A death saving throw is a special kind of saving throw. There are only higher stakes. However, as said before it can’t be used on creatures that are already unconscious. If you have already inspired the creature it is able to use the Inspiration.
Conclusion: Bardic Inspiration 5e
Bardic Inspiration is one of the key features of Bards in Dungeons and Dragons 5e. By choosing a College you get a unique of approaching to the Bardic Inspiration 5e. Ask yourself what kind of Bard you want to play and choose wisely. There is no turning back.
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