Whisper Bard Guide (DND 5E)

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the Whisper Bard, a bard subclass in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. If you’re looking to master the arts of manipulation, espionage, and infiltration, then the College of Whispers is the perfect choice for you. As a Whisper Bard, you’ll excel at extracting information, using disguises to deceive your enemies, and infiltrating their strongholds with ease.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover the unique features of the College of Whispers Bard, such as Psychic Blades, Words of Terror, Mantle of Whispers, and Shadow Lore.
• Explore the best species options for a College of Whispers Bard, including Firbolg Flutist and Goblin Whisper Bard.
• Learn about the most important ability scores for a Whisper Bard, focusing on Dexterity, Charisma, and Constitution.
• Find out the recommended starting equipment for a College of Whispers Bard, including the rapier and the entertainer’s pack.
• Uncover the best spells for a College of Whispers Bard, such as Vicious Mockery, Dissonant Whispers, and Hypnotic Pattern.

College Of Whispers Bard Features

The College of Whispers Bard features offer a unique set of abilities and spells that enhance their stealth, manipulation, and infiltration skills. Let’s explore some of these features:

Psychic Blades

Key Ability: Psychic damage with weapon attacks

The College of Whispers Bard possesses the extraordinary ability called Psychic Blades. With this feature, bards can channel their magical energy to deal additional psychic damage when making weapon attacks. This adds a potent element of surprise and devastation to their combat capabilities.

Words of Terror

Key Ability: Frightening humanoids through speech

Another remarkable feature of the College of Whispers Bard is Words of Terror. By speaking to humanoids for at least a minute, bards can instill deep fear and terror in their targets. This fear can immobilize enemies or create advantageous situations for the bard and their allies.

Mantle of Whispers

Key Ability: Assuming the persona of a deceased humanoid

Mantle of Whispers is an intriguing feature that allows College of Whispers Bards to adopt the persona and memories of a recently deceased humanoid. This ability enables them to gather information, infiltrate enemy strongholds, and exploit their target’s secrets with uncanny effectiveness.

Shadow Lore

Key Ability: Charming creatures for eight hours

Shadow Lore is a powerful feature of the College of Whispers Bard. With this ability, bards can charm a creature for an extended duration of eight hours. This enchantment empowers bards to manipulate others and sway their opinions, making them valuable assets in social encounters and quests.

“The College of Whispers Bard brings a mysterious and alluring allure to the world of Dungeons & Dragons. With their unique features, they have the power to instill fear, assume secret identities, and wield hidden knowledge to their advantage.”

In the next section, we will discuss the best species for a College of Whispers Bard and how their unique traits complement the stealthy and manipulative nature of this subclass. Stay tuned!

Best Species For A College Of Whispers Bard

If you’re considering playing a College of Whispers Bard, choosing the right species can greatly enhance your abilities in stealth, manipulation, and deception. Each species brings unique features and abilities that complement the Whisper Bard’s playstyle. Here are some of the best species options:

• Bugbear: With their natural stealth and proficiency in Stealth and Perception, Bugbears make excellent Whisper Bards.
• Deep Gnome: Deep Gnomes’ innate spellcasting ability and advantage on saving throws against illusions and charm make them masters of deception.
• Changeling: Changelings have the ability to alter their appearance and mimic voices, perfect for infiltrating enemy strongholds.
• Elf: Elves’ keen senses, proficiency in Perception, and ability to trance for only four hours make them excellent spies and infiltrators.
• Firbolg: Firbolgs’ natural magic, ability to turn invisible, and their affinity for nature make them a unique and powerful choice for a Whisper Bard.
• Goblin: Goblins’ nimbleness, bonus action Disengage or Hide, and bonus to Dexterity make them skilled Whisper Bards.
• Half-Elf: Half-Elves’ versatility, ability score bonuses, and extra skills make them well-rounded Whisper Bards.
• Human: Humans’ flexibility in ability score improvements and their bonus skill make them adaptable Whisper Bards.
• Kenku: Kenkus’ mimicry ability and bonus toward Dexterity and Wisdom make them excellent at blending in and gathering information.
• Owlin: Owlin’s natural flight ability, darkvision, and Wisdom bonus make them great scouts and spies.
• Tiefling: Tieflings’ infernal heritage, abilities, and resistance to fire damage provide unique advantages for a Whisper Bard.
• Thri-Kreen: Thri-Kreen’s natural armor, multiple arms for wielding weapons, and their psionic abilities contribute to their effectiveness as Whisper Bards.

Ultimately, the best species for a College of Whispers Bard depends on your preferred playstyle and the specific abilities you want to emphasize. Consider each species’ unique strengths and abilities, and choose the one that aligns with your character concept and goals.

Species Comparison Table

Choose the species that suits your desired playstyle and character concept, and unlock the full potential of your College of Whispers Bard.

Best Ability Scores For A College Of Whispers Bard

The College of Whispers Bard relies on a combination of Dexterity, Charisma, and Constitution to excel in their clandestine endeavors. Each ability score plays a crucial role in maximizing the bard’s effectiveness in combat, spellcasting, and survival.

Dexterity

Dexterity is the foremost ability score for a College of Whispers Bard. It determines their accuracy and damage output with weapon attacks, especially when combined with their Psychic Blades feature. A high Dexterity score allows the bard to strike swiftly and effectively, making them a formidable combatant.

Charisma

Charisma is equally vital for a College of Whispers Bard. It powers their spellcasting ability and enhances their social skills. With their innate charm and silver tongue, bards with high Charisma can manipulate others, gather valuable information, and deftly navigate social situations. A higher Charisma score also increases the effectiveness of their Words of Terror feature.

Constitution

Constitution provides the College of Whispers Bard with the durability they need to survive in the midst of danger. A higher Constitution score grants more hit points, ensuring the bard can withstand attacks and persevere in combat. Additionally, Constitution aids in concentration saving throws, allowing the bard to maintain focus on their spells even under duress.

By prioritizing Dexterity, Charisma, and Constitution when assigning ability scores, a College of Whispers Bard can optimize their potential and fulfill their role as a skilled manipulator and infiltrator.

Best Starting Equipment For A College Of Whispers Bard

When embarking on your journey as a College of Whispers Bard, it’s crucial to equip yourself with the right tools to excel in your manipulative and stealthy endeavors. Here are the best starting equipment options for a College of Whispers Bard:

Primary Weapon: Rapier

As a College of Whispers Bard, your weapon of choice should be a rapier. This elegant and versatile weapon allows you to strike with precision and finesse, enabling you to swiftly dispatch your enemies while preserving your stealthy approach.

Essential Pack: Entertainer’s Pack

Being an accomplished performer is an integral part of your Bardic identity. The Entertainer’s Pack contains the essential items you need to showcase your talents and maintain your cover as a charismatic entertainer. With this pack, you’ll have access to a musical instrument, costumes, props, and other tools that enhance your ability to charm and deceive.

Spellcasting Focus: Chosen Instrument

As a bard, your musical instrument doubles as your spellcasting focus. Choose an instrument that resonates with your character’s persona and style, such as a flute, lute, or drums. Not only does it serve as a conduit through which you channel your magical abilities, but it also adds depth and flavor to your performances.

Armor and Supplementary Weapons

While leather armor and a dagger suffice as starting equipment, it’s essential to upgrade to studded leather armor as soon as possible. This provides superior protection while still allowing for stealth and mobility. Additionally, having a dagger handy as a backup weapon is always a wise choice for close-quarter combat or discreet tasks.

Remember, as a College of Whispers Bard, stealth, manipulation, and deception are your primary tools. Choosing the right starting equipment ensures that you’re well-prepared to seamlessly blend into any situation and extract the information you seek.

Best Spells For A College Of Whispers Bard

As a College of Whispers Bard, you possess a unique set of spells that align perfectly with your theme of manipulation, infiltration, and psychic damage. These spells will help you deceive enemies, extract information, and control the battlefield to your advantage.

Here are some recommended spells for a College of Whispers Bard:

• Vicious Mockery: Use the power of your words to unleash psychic damage and ridicule your foes. Not only will it harm them, but it also has a chance to impose disadvantage on their next attack roll.
• Dissonant Whispers: Evoke haunting words in your enemies’ minds, forcing them to flee in terror and take psychic damage. This spell is perfect for creating chaos and confusion during battles.
• Hypnotic Pattern: Enchant the battlefield with a mesmerizing pattern of lights and colors. Anyone caught in its grasp will be charmed and incapacitated, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
• Invisibility: Vanish from sight, allowing you to move unnoticed and covertly gather information or prepare for a surprise attack. This spell is crucial for a Bard focused on infiltration and espionage.
• Suggestion: Plant a powerful suggestion in the mind of a creature, influencing their actions and decisions. Use this spell wisely to manipulate others and get them to do your bidding.
• Fear: Instill fear in the hearts of your enemies, causing them to drop what they’re holding and flee in terror. The area of effect and duration of this spell make it a potent tool for battlefield control.
• Teleport: Transport yourself and your allies in an instant, bypassing obstacles or escaping dangerous situations. This spell provides unparalleled mobility and flexibility for a College of Whispers Bard.

By incorporating these spells into your repertoire, you can utilize the full potential of your College of Whispers Bard abilities. These spells will enable you to manipulate, deceive, and control others, ensuring your success in any mission or adventure.

“With spells like Vicious Mockery, Dissonant Whispers, and Hypnotic Pattern at your disposal, you have the power to bend minds and control situations to your advantage.” – Bardmaster X

Building a Whispers Bard Summary

When constructing a powerful and versatile Whispers Bard, several key factors come into play. To optimize your character, consider the following:

Ability Scores

The most crucial ability scores for a Whispers Bard are Charisma, Dexterity, and Constitution. Charisma powers your spells and social abilities, while Dexterity enhances weapon attacks and proficiency with Psychic Blades. Constitution grants additional hit points and aids in concentration saving throws.

Race

The choice of race can provide valuable bonuses to enhance your Whispers Bard’s capabilities. Consider selecting a race that complements the stealth and manipulation abilities of this bard subclass. Suitable races include Satyr, Changeling, and Half-Elf, which offer unique features and bonuses that align with the theme of deception and infiltration.

Feats

Feats are an excellent way to further enhance your Whispers Bard’s abilities. Consider options such as Fey Touched, which grants additional spells and the ability to excite the senses of those around you, or Telepathic, which allows you to communicate telepathically with others. These feats can provide valuable enhancements to your bard’s skills and create exciting role-playing opportunities.

Spells

Choosing the right spells is crucial to the success of a Whispers Bard. Some key spells to consider include:

• Message: Allows you to communicate secretly with others, perfect for covert operations.
• Vicious Mockery: Inflict psychic damage and impose disadvantage on the target’s next attack, ideal for unsettling foes and disrupting their plans.
• Disguise Self: Transform your appearance to blend seamlessly into your surroundings, enabling enhanced infiltration and deception.

These spells align with the bard’s theme of manipulation, psychological warfare, and infiltration, allowing you to excel in extracting information and navigating complex situations.

To summarize, building a Whispers Bard involves optimizing ability scores, selecting a race that complements your abilities, choosing feats to enhance your skills, and picking spells that align with the bard’s manipulative nature. With careful consideration of these factors, you can create a formidable Whispers Bard ready to embark on thrilling adventures.

College of Whispers Bard Background

The College of Whispers Bard embodies the intriguing archetype of a courtier-spy, skilled in the arts of manipulation, infiltration, and gathering of information. These bards adeptly navigate social circles, presenting themselves as typical minstrels, sharing news, singing songs, and telling tales. However, beneath their charming facade lies a shadowy agenda fueled by their knowledge and magical abilities to acquire power and wealth.

As courtier-spies, College of Whispers Bards excel in the art of manipulating others, using their skills to exploit secrets and hidden agendas. Their mastery of deception allows them to gain the trust of influential figures, enabling them to access confidential information and sow discord among their enemies.

“In order to uncover and manipulate the truth, one must dance on the edge of secrecy and revelation.”

These bards seamlessly blend into any environment, seamlessly adopting various guises to infiltrate enemy strongholds, masquerading as servants, diplomats, or even high-ranking officials. They effortlessly navigate the intricate webs of power and influence, uncovering the hidden machinations at the heart of courtly life, and using their cunning to further their own goals.

The College of Whispers Bard’s unique blend of charisma, intellect, and magical prowess makes them invaluable assets in both political and espionage endeavors. Their innate ability to uncover and exploit secrets grants them unparalleled advantages in their pursuit of wealth, influence, and personal gain.

College of Whispers Bard vs. Other Bard Subclasses

The College of Whispers Bard offers a unique and captivating playstyle that sets it apart from other bard subclasses. While other bards may excel in different areas, the College of Whispers Bard specializes in manipulation, espionage, and infiltration, making it a powerful and intriguing choice for players.

One of the key advantages of the College of Whispers Bard is its ability to extract valuable information from enemies. Through their unique features and abilities, such as Words of Terror and Mantle of Whispers, they can skillfully deceive and interrogate opponents, gathering vital knowledge that can sway the tide of battle.

In addition to their information-gathering skills, the College of Whispers Bard also possesses a dark, mysterious aura that instills fear in their enemies. The Psychic Blades feature allows them to deal additional psychic damage with their weapon attacks, making them formidable adversaries on the battlefield.

Furthermore, the College of Whispers Bard has the ability to adopt disguises and charm creatures, giving them unparalleled versatility in social interactions. Their Shadow Lore feature, for example, allows them to charm a creature for a duration of eight hours, opening up opportunities for manipulation and gaining valuable allies.

The College of Whispers Bard offers a unique blend of spellcasting, combat prowess, and deception, making it an excellent choice for players who enjoy complex and multifaceted characters. Whether it’s infiltrating enemy strongholds, extracting information, or manipulating others for personal gain, the College of Whispers Bard provides a thrilling and rewarding gameplay experience.

To summarize, the advantages of choosing the College of Whispers Bard include:

• The ability to extract information from enemies
• Dealing additional psychic damage with Psychic Blades
• Adopting disguises and charming creatures
• An immersive and captivating playstyle
• Versatility in combat, social interactions, and manipulation

Whether you prefer to lurk in the shadowy corners of a dungeon or employ your cunning abilities in diplomatic situations, the College of Whispers Bard offers a unique and powerful playstyle that is sure to leave both allies and enemies intrigued.

Multiclass Options for Whispers Bard

The College of Whispers Bard offers players a range of multiclass options to further enhance their abilities and create a unique character. Two popular multiclass options for Whispers Bard are the Bard/Rogue and Bard/Warlock combinations.

Bard/Rogue Multiclass

A Bard/Rogue multiclass combines the charisma and manipulation abilities of the bard with the stealth and skill expertise of the rogue. This combination allows the character to excel in both social interactions and sneaky endeavors. By taking levels in both classes, the character gains access to a wider range of skills and abilities, making them a versatile asset to any adventuring party.

Bard/Warlock Multiclass

Another intriguing option is the Bard/Warlock multiclass. By combining the bard’s innate magical abilities with the additional spells and invocations granted by the warlock class, the character becomes a formidable force on the battlefield. The warlock’s eldritch invocations provide the bard with unique options for enhancing their spellcasting and versatility. This multiclass is ideal for players looking to expand their magical repertoire and add a darker edge to their character.

Both the Bard/Rogue and Bard/Warlock multiclass options offer exciting opportunities for players to customize their Whispers Bard and explore new facets of their character’s abilities. It is essential to consider the desired playstyle, character concept, and the dynamic of the adventuring party when choosing a multiclass combination.

Conclusion

The College of Whispers Bard offers players the opportunity to master the arts of stealth, deception, and manipulation. With their unique features, spells, and abilities, Whispers Bards can create powerful and intriguing characters that excel at extracting information, infiltrating enemy strongholds, and manipulating others for their own gain.

When playing a Whispers Bard, it’s crucial to carefully consider your ability scores, species, equipment, and spell choices to optimize your character’s performance. High Dexterity, Charisma, and Constitution are essential for dealing damage, casting spells, and staying resilient in combat.

In terms of species, options like Firbolg and Goblin offer interesting bonuses that synergize well with the stealth and manipulation abilities of a Whisper Bard. As for equipment, a rapier, entertainer’s pack, and chosen instrument are recommended starting choices. And when it comes to spells, Vicious Mockery, Dissonant Whispers, and Hypnotic Pattern align perfectly with the bard’s theme of manipulation and infiltration.

By following these tips and building your character strategically, you can create the best Whisper Bard build and embark on captivating adventures in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Whether you’re deceiving enemies, gathering secrets, or charming your way through obstacles, the Whispers Bard subclass guarantees an exciting and rewarding gameplay experience.