Though Bards are not known for being a fighting class and are often advised to stay out of the thick of battles, that does not mean that they should explore the world empty-handed and unprotected. Bards need a few weapons on hand to defend themselves if an incident should occur and to help their party in the midst of a fight as well. The only weapon that bards are normally permitted to wield is a humble quarterstaff, however, certain spells and the art of multiclassing can make your Bard less squishy.
Today we will be looking at some of the weapons best suited to those belonging to the Bard class and the places in which players are most likely to find them. Their unique fighting styles and limitations are considered when we choose the perfect weapon for one of Dungeons & Dragons’ most iconic and versatile support classes.
Updated by Kristy Ambrose on March 13th, 2021: As long as the D&D universe keeps evolving and expanding, we’ll keep updating the lists that focus on the original tabletop role-playing fantasy game. The Bard has been a part of many an adventuring party since the beginning of the pop culture phenomenon and is consistently a popular choice even though it’s not a typical sword and sorcery or hack-and-slash class. Now, even more options exist for Bards that would prefer to wield melee weapons and take a more active role in combat situations. Multiclassing is a common and ideal option, with players opting for combing their Bard with a Theif, Fighter, Cleric, Paladin, or Warlock to give them more weapon abilities.
10 Luckblade
For Bards that want to be a part of the action, the Luckblade may be a perfect choice. The Luckblade is a legendary property which can be applied to any kind of sword. This gives the weapon a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls, gives it the ability to use charges of the spell “Wish,” and allows players to reroll on any failed roll once per day. This wonderful weapon can be found in dragon hoards or hidden in a noble family’s treasure vault.
9 Moonblade
Sometimes a party does not have a tank character that can absorb damage without losing HP points. In that case, it is important to equipt your Bard with weapons that can both keep them safe and help them aid their party in taking down enemies.
Passed down through Elven families, it is important to note that this weapon may lock its special abilities from non-elf characters. If you are able to unlock the weapon, will let you use it and its numerous magical and wonderful properties. The weapon gains a new effect when it is passed down and can do anything from emulating a Vorpal sword, store spells, summon an elven ancestor spirit, and even blind people.
8 Tinderstrike
Sometimes a Bard needs to protect themselves from melee attacks, and sometimes they need a discreet weapon that can be used to intimidate enemies and be easily thrown in order to take down enemies from a distance. This little dagger also gives players the ability to speak Ignan, the language of fire, resist fire damage, dominate monsters, and create a devastation orb, which is basically a big bomb.
It also makes players act recklessly and be oblivious to consequences, but such things are natural traits to the Bard class. This weapon can be found on the plane of fire or anywhere an uncontrollable blaze is raging.
7 Oathbow
Bows have the benefit of giving Bards the ability to stay out of the action while also contributing to the fight. They can take down enemies without taking much damage themselves, limiting the rest that they need afterward, but this is not your average bow.
This Oathbow has a Command Phrase that will target any enemy the player wants and give them an advantage on attacks against that creature as well as 3d6 bonus damage. It is important to note that the creature also can’t benefit from cover. This bow can be found in wood elf forest cities, usually in the possession of royalty or heroes.
6 Dancing Sword
A wonderful way for a Bard to stay out of the fight while still being able to contribute is by being able to puppeteer a sword. The Dancing Sword is a sword that floats by itself and is able to perform attacks while the player is otherwise occupied. It is important to note that it does use a bonus action to move and attack with the dancing sword.
In order to get one for yourself, request that a trust wizard craft one for you or attempt to find it in secret stashes of magical goods.
5 Hexblade
The Hexblade is considered a pact weapon. This means that it is a weapon that players can attune to themselves and summon upon request. It is important to note that a Bard will have to dip into the Warlock class in order to obtain full use of this weapon.
A Hexblades pact weapon uses Charisma as its attack stat, rather than relying on Strength or Dexterity. Since Bards are known for being a rather charismatic class, this makes it a perfect weapon as players will tend to favor this stat when doling out points. The best thing about this is that the pact can be attached to any weapon.
4 Sacrificial Dagger
Low-level players require simple, easy to handle, and basic weapons. Daggers are already good starting weapon for Bards, due to being a primarily dexterity focused weapon. Magically enhanced with powers like Vampirism and Life Stealing, this particular dagger was used by a Drow priestess in gruesome rituals.
Evil-aligned characters would be predisposed to this weapon, so Bards that have multi-classed with Warlocks, Sorcerers, or other classes that lean to the darker side of the morality spectrum would appreciate the Sacrificial Dagger. It can be acquired from a chest at the end of the quest “Impossible Demands” or given as a reward for completing the Menace of the Underdark module.
3 Star of Day
A shortsword that’s a relic of the Sun God Amaunator, it was forged to combat the Darkening. The followers of the Sun God play a prominent role in the D&D universe, and if your Dungeon Master takes you to Eveningstar you might be able to find this legendary blade.
Bards that have multi-classed as Clerics or Paladins are ideal for this weapon, but anyone would covet a weapon imbued with both fiery and holy power. It should be noted that you don’t have to be a follower of Amaunator to wield the weapon but your character does have to be of a good moral alignment.
2 Blast Scepter
The Blast Scepter is actually an offhand item that’s used to boost your other attack powers, especially your arcane focus, but it also improves the wielder’s resistance to fire and electrical damage. That applies to both melee and ranged characters, so it’s ideal for a multiclass Bard character. It’s a rare item that can be found in a variety of places, but DMs opt to hide it in moderate to difficult level dungeons to give it away as a reward at the end of an adventure.
1 Fiddlestick
The Fiddlestick is covert, looking like an innocent violin bow. In fact, it’s a legendary short sword with an invisible blade. The exact location of the sword is up to your DM, but a clue is that the weapon is an artifact from D. M. Burns, a legendary warrior. Apparently, he won a duel armed with only a violin bow and was so impressed that he had the bow magically enhanced. It can still be used as a violin bow, and the Command Phrase, “Oh, Fiddlesticks” gives you an extra attack if you miss your first attempt.
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