Tiefling College of Valor Bard Build Guide
Unleash the fiery wrath of the Nine Hells as a Tiefling College of Valor Bard, blending martial prowess with hellish magic.
Free — no signup needed for the free tier.
Why College of Valor?
Welcome to the front lines! As a College of Valor Bard, you swap the traditional lute-plucking performer role for a battle-hardened warrior. You are a Striker, meaning your goal is to deal damage while supporting your allies. Thanks to Martial Training, you gain proficiency with medium armor, shields, and martial weapons, transforming you into a competent physical fighter who can still cast powerful spells.
Your Tiefling heritage makes you surprisingly tough in the heat of battle. The Fiendish Legacy trait grants you resistance to fire damage, which is incredibly useful since fire is one of the most common damage types in D&D. This extra layer of defense ensures you can stay standing in close combat while handing out your upgraded Combat Inspiration dice to help your allies boost their armor class or damage rolls.
Since you will be fighting in the thick of it, having Darkvision allows you to spot enemies hiding in the shadows without needing to hold a torch, keeping your hands free for a sword and shield. It is the perfect blend of hellish durability and musical martial power.
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
Tiefling Traits That Benefit College of Valor Bard
Fiendish Legacy
Built-in damage resistance reduces incoming damage, keeping your Bard alive longer in combat.
Darkvision
Tiefling 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 Valor grants Combat Inspiration at level 3
- ♦ Darkvision for dungeon exploration
- ♦ Versatile spellcasting options
- ♦ Jack of all trades with inspiration and spellcasting
- ♦ Built-in damage resistance improves survivability
Weaknesses
- ♦ Low Wisdom — vulnerable to common saving throws
- ♦ May require careful feat selection to optimize
Pro Tips
Use your Combat Inspiration defensively; let your allies know they can add your Bardic Inspiration die to their AC to avoid getting hit.
Take advantage of Martial Training by equipping a shield and medium armor to boost your AC, keeping your fiery Tiefling safe in melee range.
Combine your Extra Attack at level 6 with spellcasting to weaken foes before striking them down, making the most of your high Charisma.
Leverage your Darkvision to initiate combat in pitch-black dungeons, striking surprised enemies before they can react to your hellish presence.
Other Bard Subclasses for Tiefling
Other Races for College of Valor Bard
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College of Valor a good subclass for Tiefling Bard?
What makes College of Valor different from other Bard subclasses?
Create Your Tiefling College of Valor Bard
Use Dice Will Decide's free character builder with optimized stats, spells, and equipment.
Create This Character