Gnome College of Dance Bard Build Guide
A Gnome College of Dance Bard blends whimsical agility with potent magical defenses, turning every chaotic battlefield into an unpredictable, high-stepping dance floor.
Free — no signup needed for the free tier.
Why College of Dance?
The College of Dance Bard is a highly mobile, unarmed striker that uses rhythmic performance to navigate combat. As a Gnome, your innate Gnomish Cunning provides advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic. This ensures that while you are dancing through the front lines, enemy spellcasters will have an incredibly hard time locking you down with mind-controlling or paralyzing spells.
With the level 3 feature Dazzling Footwork, you can use your Charisma to boost your Armor Class when unarmored, making your nimble Gnome surprisingly tough to hit. This feature also lets you make unarmed strikes using your Bardic Inspiration, turning your small-statured character into a fast-hitting martial threat who can dance safely out of harm's way.
Additionally, your Darkvision helps you lead the way in dimly lit dungeons without a torch, giving you a stealthy edge. By combining Gnomish magical resilience with subclass features like Inspiring Movement, you can fearlessly reposition yourself and your allies, creating a dynamic, rhythm-filled battlefield that your enemies cannot control.
College of Dance Features
Dazzling Footwork
Level 3While you aren't wearing armor or using a shield, you gain the following benefits: Acrobatic Movement: Your Walking Speed increases by 10 feet. Nimble Defense: While you are conscious, when you roll for initiative and don't have any Bardic Inspiration die remaining, you regain one.
Inspiring Movement
Level 6When a hostile creature you can see ends its turn within 5 feet of you, you can use your Reaction to spend one of your Bardic Inspiration dice and move up to your Walking Speed without provoking opportunity attacks. You move toward that creature, and when you end this movement, you can grant that creature's target a bonus to its next attack roll against that creature by rolling your Bardic Inspiration die and adding the result.
Tandem Footwork
Level 6When you roll initiative, you can spend one of your Bardic Inspiration dice and add the number rolled to your initiative roll. When another creature you can see rolls for initiative, you can use your Reaction to roll one of your Bardic Inspiration dice and add the number to that creature's initiative roll.
Leading Evasion
Level 14When you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your Reaction to spend one of your Bardic Inspiration dice, add the number rolled to your saving throw, and take no damage if you succeed.
Recommended Ability Scores
Gnome Traits That Benefit College of Dance Bard
Gnomish Cunning
Extra saving throw advantages protect against debilitating spells and effects.
Darkvision
Gnome Darkvision helps Bards scout ahead and fight in darkness without needing a torch.
Combat Effectiveness
| Level | HP | Melee DPR | Spell DPR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 | 33 | 3.9 | 7.8 |
| Level 11 | 69 | 3.58 | 10.18 |
| Level 17 | 105 | 3.58 | 13.2 |
👉 Stop reading. Start playing.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ♦ College of Dance grants Dazzling Footwork at level 3
- ♦ Darkvision for dungeon exploration
- ♦ Versatile spellcasting options
- ♦ Jack of all trades with inspiration and spellcasting
Weaknesses
- ♦ Low Wisdom — vulnerable to common saving throws
- ♦ May require careful feat selection to optimize
Pro Tips
Use your Dazzling Footwork to attack enemies unarmed, allowing you to deal solid damage without needing to carry heavy weapons as a small Gnome.
Activate Tandem Footwork at the start of combat to boost your party's Initiative, ensuring your allies act first and control the battlefield.
Rely on your Gnomish Cunning to resist enemy spellcasters, allowing you to confidently dance into dangerous, magic-heavy areas to rescue allies.
Coordinate with your allies to use Inspiring Movement, letting them safely retreat from enemies as a reaction when you use your Bardic Inspiration.
Other Bard Subclasses for Gnome
Other Races for College of Dance Bard
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College of Dance a good subclass for Gnome Bard?
What makes College of Dance different from other Bard subclasses?
Create Your Gnome College of Dance Bard
Use Dice Will Decide's free character builder with optimized stats, spells, and equipment.
Create This Character