Editing Bard (section)

===4th Edition===
Bards were one of several classes, alongside the [[Barbarian]], the [[Druid]] and the [[Sorcerer]], that did not appear in the 1st [[Player's Handbook]] for 4th edition. WotC explained that this was because they needed more time to tinker with them and make them work. [[Grognard]]s [[rage]]d at the delay... but when it came out, it was proven well worth the wait.

Released in the Player's Handbook 2, the 4e Bard is an Arcane Leader, a combination of Source and Role that it would share with the [[Artificer]] from the 4e [[Eberron]] Player's Guide. Its unique class features are Bardic Training (free Ritual Caster feat & ritual book, can cast a Bard ritual 1/day per tier without any components) and Skill Versatility (+1 to untrained skill checks), but also has a number of shout-out features.

Firstly, the bard's traditional ability as both a healer and the party's face is reflected in its two innate class powers; Majestic Word (2/encounter healing burst) and Words of Friendship (+5 to a Diplomacy check 1/encounter).

Secondly, the bard's long association with [[multiclassing]] is reflected in its Multiclass Versatility feature; it's the only class in 4th edition that can take multiclass feats from multiple classes.

Finally, Bardic Music is covered not just by the bard's attack & utility powers, which are various magical notes & melodies that have buffing or debuffing effects, but also by its Song of Rest feature. During short rests, bards can play music or sing in order to grant their audience the ability to spend healing surges, gaining bonus HP equal to the bard's [[Charisma]] modifier.

A Bard's subclass-feature is its Bardic Virtue, which basically reflects the kind of qualities who the bard prizes in their stories/poems/songs and which they consider the most important virtue to try and emulate themselves. The PHB2 features the Virtues of ''Cunning'' (slide allies that enemies miss) and ''Valor'' (grants THP to an ally who bloodies or kills an enemy), with Arcane Power adding the Virtue of ''[[Just As Planned|Prescience]]'' (Intercept an enemy's attack against an ally by adding the bard's [[Wisdom]] modifier to that ally's defenses).

Essentials added a variant Bard in the form of the [[Skald]], an Arcane/Martial hybrid bard that is more "fightery" and less "castery".

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