Orc College of Valor Bard Build Guide
Unleash the ultimate war-skald by combining the Orc's relentless physical endurance with the martial battlefield command of the College of Valor Bard.
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Why College of Valor?
The College of Valor transforms the traditional spell-slinging Bard into a frontline skirmisher, and the Orc species is the perfect engine for this playstyle. With Martial Training at level 3, you gain proficiency with martial weapons, medium armor, and shields. This lets you utilize your solid Dexterity of 14 to boost your Armor Class (AC) and jump straight into the fray as a high-mobility Striker.
Being on the frontlines can be dangerous, but your Orc traits ensure you survive the heat of battle. The Adrenaline Rush feature allows you to use a bonus action to Dash and gain temporary hit points, helping you close the distance to enemies or retreat safely. Furthermore, if a powerful foe manages to bypass your defenses, Relentless Endurance prevents you from falling unconscious once per long rest, keeping you on your feet to cast life-saving spells or land a finishing blow.
As you level up, your combat potential skyrockets. At level 6, Extra Attack allows you to swing your weapon twice per turn, perfectly blending physical might with your charisma-based spellcasting. By weaving physical prowess with supportive magic, you become a terrifying war-drummer that enemies cannot ignore.
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
Orc Traits That Benefit College of Valor Bard
Adrenaline Rush
Bonus action Dash with temp HP gives the Bard both mobility and survivability.
Relentless Endurance
Dropping to 1 HP instead of 0 once per rest is a powerful survival tool for frontline Bards.
Darkvision
Orc 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 |
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ♦ College of Valor grants Combat Inspiration 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 Combat Inspiration to buff your allies' AC when they are targeted, keeping your frontline secure while you focus on striking down foes.
Combine Adrenaline Rush with Extra Attack to quickly charge past the enemy frontline, gain temporary hit points, and strike vulnerable backline targets.
Do not worry about low Strength; use a Finesse weapon like a rapier to utilize your 14 Dexterity for high-accuracy melee strikes.
Save your Relentless Endurance as a safety net to cast a crucial healing spell on yourself if you get knocked to 0 hit points.
Other Bard Subclasses for Orc
Other Races for College of Valor Bard
Frequently Asked Questions
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What makes College of Valor different from other Bard subclasses?
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