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There’s no better way to manipulate people inDungeons & Dragonsthan playing as a bard, and there are no better manipulators than students of the College of Whispers. Bards who study at this college specialize in extracting information, mentally assaulting their targets and even using their guises to infiltrate enemy strongholds.
College of Whispers bards make excellent spies and saboteurs, but where the rogue likes to find their way via rooftops and sewers, students of the College of Whispers employ social engineering (with some magical help) to go where they please. If you’re looking for a subtle bard subclass, read on to study at the College of Whispers.
College Of Whispers Bard Features
Studying at the College of Whispers offers bard players several benefits. Starting at level three,Psychic Bladeslets you use your Bardic Inspiration die to deal an extra 2d6 psychic damage upon successfully striking a target with a weapon attack. That damage scales to 3d6 at level five, 5d6 at level 10, and 8d6 at level 15.
Words of Terroris an ideal feature for an interrogation or to remove an unwitting guard. If you may speak to a humanoid for at least one minute, you can force them to roll a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened by you for one hour.
Because Words of Terror takes a minute to complete,it’s not useful for combat purposes. Use this to get past a guard or to make a prisoner so scared of you that they spill all their secrets.
Mantle of Whispersat level six lets you adopt the persona of any humanoid that dies within 30 feet of you. By using your reaction, you magically transform into that creature for one hour. Creatures can attempt to see through your disguise with a contested Insight check, but your Deception roll gets a +5 bonus. You also gain the mundane memories of the persona you’ve assumed, but you don’t learn their closely guarded secrets.
Finally,Shadow Loreat level 14 lets you whisper a phrase at any creature you see within 30 feet to force it to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, that creature becomes charmed by you for eight hours. The charmed creature won’t fight for you, but it will grant you favors and gifts like it would a close friend.
Shadow Lorecan take a creature out of combat,but it’s most useful for charming bossesand having them tell you where they’re hiding their treasure.
Best Species For A College Of Whispers Bard
Any species can enroll in the College of Whispers, but certain species offer special features that pair nicely with the subterfuge and manipulation that College of Whispers bards are known for.Here are a few suggestions.
Bugbear
Sometimes subterfuge isn’t enough. In those cases, you can talk your way up to the guard and useSurprise Attackto take them out quickly. Anextra five feet of reachfor your rapier is nice, as isDarkvisionandresistance to being charmed.
Deep Gnome
Disguise SelfandNondetectionare the perfect spells to add to your College of Whispers bard’s spell list.Darkvision,stealth proficiency, andMagic Resistanceare also great to have.
Changeling
If you’re able to’t kill someone to use Mantle of Whispers,Shapechangerwill let you assume their appearance and voice at a glance. You also gaintwo skill proficienciesthat are typically useful for bards and especially for the College of Whispers.
Elf
Darkvision,charm resistance, andperception proficiencyare all nice to have, but being ahigh elfgives you access tolongbow proficiencyand a usefulcantrip.
Firbolg
Firbolgs are surprisingly good at subterfuge.Disguise SelfandDetect Magicare always useful, and you can turninvisibletoo. Being able tocommunicate with beasts and plantscan be useful when there are no people around, but keep in mind that most of your College of Whispers features require a shared language to work.
Goblin
Fury of the Smallis so great. So isDarkvision,charm resistance, and being able tohide or disengage as a bonus action.
Half-Elf
College of Whispers bards want three stats, and being a half-elf gives youthree stat boosts.Darkvisionandcharm resistanceare fine, while being a high half-elf can provide you withlongbow proficiencyor auseful cantrip.
Human
Humans know a thing or two aboutbig stat boosts. you’re able to also govariant human for a featto start with a good feat.
Kenku
Kenku Recallcan really boost your charisma rolls, whileMimicryandExpert Duplicationare perfect for a subterfuge-heavy subclass.
Owlin
When talking your way past the guard doesn’t work, justflyin through the roof.Darkvisionandstealth proficiencyare also strong.
Tiefling
Fierna tieflingslearn Friends, Charm Person, and Suggestion, which all seem very on-brand for the College of Whispers Bard.Glasya tieflingslearn Minor Illusion, Disguise Self, and Invisibility. Pick your preferred tiefling subspecies based on your preferred spells.
Thri-Kreen
YourHardened Carapacenot only gives you a base 13 armor class, but it also gives you advantage on hide checks. Being able to wield hand crossbows and a rapier with yourSecondary Armsis also great, as isTelepathyfor any language barriers.
Best Ability Scores For A College Of Whispers Bard
Much like theCollege of ValororCollege of Swords, you’ll want to split your ability scores among three stats:Dexterity,Charisma, andConstitution. Dexterity is necessary for your weapon attacks in order to employ Psychic Blades, while Charisma powers your spells and skill checks. Constitution provides hit points and concentration saving throws.
Strength,Intelligence, andWisdom can all be ignored.
If you’re using D&D’s point buy system,a decent starting ability score spreadfor a College of Whispers bard might look something like this.
8(-1)
16(+4)
14(+2)
10(0)
16(+3)
Best Starting Equipment For A College Of Whispers Bard
Because we’re focusing on Dexterity as our primary weapon stat, therapier is your best option. Anentertainer’s packhas a few more useful items than a diplomat’s pack, so pick that too.
Choose whatever instrument you like as your spellcasting focus. A lute is suggested, but it can really be anything, so get creative. Leather armor and a dagger are fine to start, butyou’ll want to find studded leather armor as soon as possible.
You’ll still need an instrument to cast spells, butWords of Terror,Mantle of Whispers, andShadow Lore just require a whisper to work.
Best Spells For A College Of Whispers Bard
Even though you’ll be dealing weapon damage and whispering your way to success, spells still form the backbone of a College of Whispers bard’s toolkit.Here are a few suggested spells to learnas you progress through your levels.
Ninth Level
Magical Secretsoffers a few more spells from other classes which a College of Glamour bard should consider.Counterspellis a staple support spell, andHealis the best single-target healing spell in the game before Power Word Heal. At level 18,Wishis by far the strongest spell you can get.
