Goliath College of Valor Bard Build Guide
Stand tall as a towering battlefield leader, blending the Goliath's raw physical presence with the inspiring, armored war-skald energy of the College of Valor.
Free — no signup needed for the free tier.
Why College of Valor?
The College of Valor transforms your Bard from a backline performer into a front-line combatant who sings of victory while trading blows. While traditional Bards are fragile spellcasters who stay out of harm's way, your Goliath's natural resilience makes you a perfect fit for this dangerous Striker role. Thanks to Martial Training at level 3, you gain proficiency with martial weapons and medium armor, letting you survive in the thick of melee combat.
Your Goliath traits complement this aggressive playstyle beautifully. With Giant Ancestry, you can use supernatural defensive abilities to shrug off damage, keeping you standing even when enemy attacks break through your armor. When you reach level 6, Extra Attack allows you to strike twice per turn, ensuring you deal consistent physical damage while saving your spells for critical moments.
To optimize this build, your 14 Dexterity perfectly fills out the maximum defensive bonus allowed by medium armor, while your 15 Charisma keeps your spellcasting potent. You are not just a support character; you are a towering war-leader who inspires allies by leaping headfirst into the fray.
College of Valor Features
Combat Inspiration
Level 3You can use your wit to inspire others in battle. A creature that has a Bardic Inspiration die can use a Bonus Action on its turn to roll the die and gain a Temporary Hit Point for each point rolled on the die.
Martial Training
Level 3You gain proficiency with martial weapons and medium armor. In addition, when you attack with a weapon, you can use your Charisma modifier instead of Strength or Dexterity for the attack and damage rolls.
Extra Attack
Level 6You can attack twice instead of once when you take the Attack action on your turn.
Battle Magic
Level 14After you cast a spell, the casting time of which is an action, you can use a Bonus Action to attack with a weapon or make an Unarmed Strike.
Recommended Ability Scores
Goliath Traits That Benefit College of Valor 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 |
👉 Stop reading. Start playing.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ♦ College of Valor grants Combat Inspiration 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
Remind allies that your Combat Inspiration can be used to boost their Armor Class, saving them from a heavy enemy attack.
Use your Giant Ancestry defensive traits alongside your Martial Training armor to fearlessly hold the front line without losing concentration on your spells.
At level 6, use your Extra Attack to shove an enemy prone with your first strike, then attack them with advantage on your second.
Activate Large Form to control narrow passages on the battlefield, physically blocking enemies from reaching your squishier spellcasting allies.
Other Bard Subclasses for Goliath
Other Races for College of Valor Bard
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College of Valor a good subclass for Goliath Bard?
What makes College of Valor different from other Bard subclasses?
Create Your Goliath College of Valor Bard
Use Dice Will Decide's free character builder with optimized stats, spells, and equipment.
Create This Character