Goliath College of Lore Bard Build Guide
With the imposing presence of a Goliath and the brilliant mind of a Lore Bard, you control the battlefield using words and sheer stature.
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Why College of Lore?
The College of Lore Bard focuses on mastering secrets and controlling the flow of battle. As a Goliath, you bring an imposing physical presence to this intellectual subclass. While Lore Bards are usually seen as frail scholars, your Goliath heritage gives you amazing defensive tools. For instance, your Giant Ancestry trait grants supernatural resilience, helping you survive on the front lines while you cast spells to shut down your enemies.
At Level 3, you unlock the Cutting Words feature, allowing you to use your Bardic Inspiration to distract foes and reduce their attack rolls or damage. Combining this verbal manipulation with your physical imposingness makes you a master controller. You can stand tall in the thick of combat, absorbing blows that would crush other spellcasters, while using your words to mentally disarm anyone who dares challenge your party.
College of Lore Features
Bonus Proficiencies
Level 3You gain proficiency with three skills of your choice.
Cutting Words
Level 3You learn to use your wit to distract, confuse, and otherwise sap the confidence of others. When a creature you can see within 60 feet of you makes an attack roll, ability check, or damage roll, you can use your Reaction to spend one of your Bardic Inspiration dice and subtract the number rolled from the creature's roll. You can choose to use this feature after the creature rolls but before the DM says whether the roll succeeds or fails. A creature can't be affected by this feature if the creature can't hear you.
Magical Discoveries
Level 6You learn two spells of your choice. These spells can be from any class's spell list. Each spell counts as a Bard spell for you but doesn't count against the number of Bard spells you know.
Peerless Skill
Level 14When you make an ability check or attack roll and fail, you can spend one of your Bardic Inspiration dice, roll it, and add the number rolled to the ability check or attack roll, potentially turning failure into success.
Recommended Ability Scores
Goliath Traits That Benefit College of Lore Bard
Giant Ancestry
Giant Ancestry grants a supernatural ability that enhances the Bard's combat or utility.
Powerful Build
Enhanced size and carrying capacity complement the Bard's physical combat style.
Large Form
Enhanced size and carrying capacity complement the Bard's physical combat style.
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 |
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ♦ College of Lore grants Bonus Proficiencies at level 3
- ♦ Versatile spellcasting options
- ♦ Jack of all trades with inspiration and spellcasting
Weaknesses
- ♦ Low Wisdom — vulnerable to common saving throws
- ♦ No Darkvision — may need light sources in dungeons
Pro Tips
Use Cutting Words to protect allies from heavy damage, reducing enemy attack rolls right when they are about to strike.
Leverage your Giant Ancestry to shrug off damage, keeping your concentration secure on powerful crowd control spells.
Choose high-impact control spells with Magical Discoveries at level 6, borrowing from the Wizard or Druid spell lists.
Combine Large Form with your positioning to block narrow hallways, forcing enemies to deal with your high-control spells.
Other Bard Subclasses for Goliath
Other Races for College of Lore Bard
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College of Lore a good subclass for Goliath Bard?
What makes College of Lore different from other Bard subclasses?
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