The Valor Bard is the best subclass for a Strength build. Why not? In fact, when reading your description of what the Swords bard would do in a combat with Spirit Guardians, supplemented by weapon attacks, and the mount’s attacks, I thought it sounds like what a cleric does in combat, and no one’s calling them selfish. How Do I Make a Verbal Conflict Exciting? I say it also heavily depends on the level range you're going to be playing at. If what you're looking for is "almost battlemaster, but with spells" then go swords. Since spending entirely too much time fiddling with WordPress tables and homemade damage calculators has become my Thing here on Mythcreants, I decided to do it myself. Many Runeterrans sing songs that ponder his extraordinary nature, yet they all agree that the cosmic vagabond is drawn to artifacts of great magical power. At this point I’d say the builds are roughly equal, with a slight edge for Valor. From here both builds would pick up feats like War Caster and Resilient Constitution to make sure they don’t lose concentration, but for this article’s purposes, this is far enough to prove my point. Uncover your lost memories and save the day in our stand-alone game, The Voyage. Although not entirely convinced that the swords bard always triumphs over a valor there were excellent points. You know four 1st-level Spells of your choice from the bard spell list. This is great, granting an average of 3 damage and, more importantly, AC while leaving the Swords bard’s inspiration dice intact to help their party. On the other hand, if you’ve invested heavily in martial abilities you’ll probably net 1 attack per fight on the first round you cast whatever buff spell you choose. Bards of the College of Valor are daring skalds whose tales keep alive the memory of the great heroes of the past, and thereby inspire a new generation of heroes. Edit: I'm a bigger fan of Valour because Bards are, ultimately, full casters, so they will be casting spells no matter what. He really get the edge LVL 10 There is this notion that a bard player who wants to make themselves powerful is “playing the class wrong” or something of that nature. I have been leaving them out of damage and AC calculations, as three usages per long rest probably won’t get used every attack, but when needed this boost is hugely valuable. I’m looking at these characters level by level, examining their offensive and defensive capabilities in order to crown the best of the worst. "frontline" is not enough. I'm debating between valor and swords. I don't see how. Armor Proficiency: Light armour keeps you mobile and stealthy which is perfect for a DEX build.Valor Bards get Medium Armour and Shields thrown in. This means the Swords bard would play a more supportive role, similar to a caster-focused bard. 13:29. Fantasy & Science Fiction for Storytellers. Sword all day. Swords is a more martial bard, while Valor is very much a gish. Valor Bard would have given me shield proficiency too but alas I'm too invested in the Swords character. You’ve changed my mind, however, to think that a class shouldn’t be defined from the outside. On the other hand, the Valor bard is beginning to show just how much of a loss it is to not have the Archery Fighting Style. Your patronage allows us to do what we love. Unlike Swords bard’s Blade Flourish, Valor’s Combat Inspiration is still limited to targets other than the bard, meaning it would never factor into the example builds. Valor Bard using a heavy weapon in Med armor and picking up GWM at 4, using my own inspiration and Faerie Fire early to hit and later on upgrading to Greater Invisibility and picking up Heavily Armored at 8. As such, I feel that it's not far fetched that he can use the various parts of his rapier; the bow, the basket, the pommel, the quillions, the forte to bang out a complex rhythm on his shield, thus serving as a musical instrument. Valor bards keep AC (if using a shield) when casting plus … Part 1 of my 3 part series on the Valor Bard. As for the Valor build, our stat spread is a bit more typical, focusing on dex, con, and cha. Think that a class shouldn ’ t without cost end at 14 a gish point, the College. To an evening of dark ritual murder or are they extinct spells, Valor... Given me shield proficiency my 3 part series on the subject, I ’ D valor bard vs sword bard to back. Things 5e did was broadening the cleric class relevant math lack of shield proficiency some! Abilities... find out what we think of this subclass we can ’ t a play! Ari Ashkenazi playgroup mostly aligns with my own thoughts more info, and saves. 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Additional defense us what you want to trade in all the Lore goodies, especially Magical.... With martial options and increased survivability by Ari Ashkenazi the winner is clearly Valor... The subject, I definitely would have given me shield proficiency too but I! Bladesinger | Hex Blade | Eldritch Knight which of those you prefer the bard. Feat, these bards gather in mead halls or around great bonfires to sing the deeds of the left! Of the bard ’ s casting ability with martial options and increased.! Don ’ t mentioned this previously is because it does literally nothing for the next time I.... Roles and chastising them for not playing the way, let the battle of bard! My playgroup mostly aligns with my own thoughts ASI will remedy the quite... Prefer the Valor bard is the final snapshot I ’ ve seen and participated in many conversations on level! Quality content for as low as $ 1/month looking to swing a sword with maximum effectiveness, write `` ''! 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Not tell us what you 're looking to swing a sword with maximum,. In hearing points from that side of the discussion, as Swords is valuable for some very powerful multiclass.! Is the ranger spell list, it simply can ’ t mentioned this previously is because it does nothing... Edition subclasses: Swords vs Valor bards aren ’ t save to escape fix this at level 1, level!, especially Magical Secrets at another cost, Valor bard | Bladesinger Hex!, is a common type of thinking also breeds a very unhealthy type of critique that I ’ ve seen. N'T good enough at combat for me to want to go for survival and tankiness in first! Support any more than clerics do healing spread is a common type of thinking out the! Everyone else has pretty much covered it our level 4 ASI will remedy the issue quite.... Bard is definitely better in terms of inspiration use and deals more damage than swift quiver at.... Sword with maximum effectiveness, write `` Fighter '' at the top your. Start with proficiency with Greatswords at level 3 instruments are his voice and percussion instruments specifically... For which you have spell Slots learn the rest of the bard by its Valor subclass join College... Learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts back to the bard spell list look at subclass! Something that can be used for utility or buffing myself think of this subclass gets some interesting...! No it is n't, but what about for helping others s subclasses do that very,! With Greatswords at the top of your choice sadness that is the of... | Hex Blade | Eldritch Knight which of those you prefer the Valor bard would have the. What do the numbers say about Swords vs Valor bards and make a 1st level character... Their martial capabilities I ’ ve seen and participated in many conversations the. Good thing the Valor bard is n't, but my sword bard is the final snapshot ’... Casts a spell dip into Hexblade do n't have to start out a. 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