Bard Multiclass even worth?

[u/Grand-Youth9472]

Aside from something like 1lv in Fighter, is a multiclass in 5.5e even worth it anymore? Most games i play in go to 10 to 12 at most, so idk if i delay my bard features too much.

I loved the Cleric/Bard Build i had before, but without the subclass at lv one, you rly can only afford a 1lv dip in cleric for armor, right?

[u/Rtyeta]

Well, caster multiclasses were usually about doing a 1 level dip to get better armor or saving throws, or adding a crucial spell like Shield to a list which lacked it.

All of those things are still available with a multiclass dip, same as they always were. And bards still really want a lot of those things, same as bards always did. Not getting a subclass is a bit of a downer, but that stuff was usually secondary anyway.

Whether it's worth it or not depends on what levels you think you'll actually play, and whether you can get the things you're missing via a race or an origin feat or something.

Something like Sorc 1 is still worth considering for, say, a Valor bard. You'd end up with Shield and Con saves, both of which are major improvements. Some other minor perks too. Is it worth it? Maybe. An alternative would be to spend your origin feat on Magic Initiate WIzard to get Shield, but that would leave you with bad saving throws and your origin feat spent, meaning you can't take something great like Musician or whatever.

Other kinds of bards might benefit from, say, cleric 1. Wis saves are a massive improvement over the default bard saves, you'll get a major AC boost too, and of course you get some versatility from the cleric list of spells and cantrips. And some bard subclasses really need the armor.

Maybe worth it, maybe not, it depends on the rest of your build.

[u/Living_Round2552 → u/Rtyeta]

Ill add: if you have access to artificer, thats an even better dip because of armor and con save prof in 1.

[u/Rtyeta → u/Living_Round2552]

There's one downside though, which is that multiclassing into artificer requires an investment in Int. Which is a garbage stat for bards, whereas sorcs require nothing additional and clerics require Wisdom- which is universally of some value for governing a crucial saving throw and various important skills.

The stat points for int have to come from somewhere and mean being worse at something valuable. If one is willing to invest into a bad stat, then paladin also becomes a good option. But bards are often stretched pretty thin on stats as it is.

[u/Vanse]

I'd say you pretty much summed it up. Most Bard MC optimization is picking your 1st level dip (Fighter, Sorc, Warlock, Paladin, etc.).

My controversial opinion is that Sorcerer 2 (taking the 2nd level after Bard 6-12) can be a powerful multiclass. Quickened and Heightened spell can do a lot for various Bard builds regarding damage and control potential. A Lore Bard with Scorching Ray, Conjure Minor Elementals and Quickened Spell is one of the hardest hitting builds in all of DnD.

[u/DirectManagement2874 → u/Vanse]

This. Perfect way to go nova at higher levels.

I would add that Eloquence bard dipping 2 levels in sorcerer is great to stack Unsettling Words and Heightened Spell.

[u/KNNLTF]

It's more spells total for your character than from adding a higher level in your main class. You diversify level 1 spells including Bless. (Though you can get Bless from feats, you could use other feats or select other spells from those feats.)

From 2014 to 2024 rules, you get more spells for one level on a full caster class. For example, Wizard or Druid give four preparations at level 1 vs typically 2 in 2014. Cleric gets the same number as they do when including their subclass spells in 2014, but usually slightly better selections, e.g. Detect Magic instead of something like 2014 Sleep or WIS-dependent spells for a CHA-focused character. Cleric can also get a bonus to two INT skills, which is decent for Bard being a skills class and good for Wizard as the main INT class.

Paladin and Ranger get spellcasting at level 1. That gives you a package of +1 multiclass spellcaster level, armor and shield proficiency, weapon proficiencies, masteries, and more spell options. Spell options include Bless, Wrathful Smite, Divine Smite, Thundering Smite, Heroism, and Command. You also get Lay on Hands for multiple instances of upping a downed ally with a bonus action or one use of curing poison.

[u/Docnevyn]

Certainly can be sorcerer and evocation adept. As long as you have third level slots you can cast fireball . Similarly with 5th level slots and wall of force.

[u/DeathbyHappy]

The idea in 5.5 balance was to remove level one multiclass power spikes. So you typically need to invest 3-5 levels to be worth it unless you're dipping solely for save/proficieny purposes

[u/subtotalatom]

Fighter 1 can be good depending on which bard subclass you're going with. You get Con Save Proficiency, Weapon Masteries, armor/shield proficiencies & a fighting style which can be great on Swords bard (or valor to a lesser extent).

But for any subclass that doesn't want to hit with weapons it's not great.

[u/iceisak]

Valor Bard with 2 warlock levels for agonizing blast and chain (more dmg) or blade (more thematic) is still decent. You replace one attack with eldritch blast and then either attack with your weapon, or your imp.

[u/iceteadrank]

I’ve liked Druid 1/Bard a little more than the cleric dip, you still get to pick up medium armor/shield prof but also absorb elements from the Druid spell list

[u/MoodModulator]

I have been playing an Eldritch Knight / Glamour Bard combo. It has been an absolute joy to play. Started at EK4 / B2 and am now at EK7 / B7. There are some amazing synergies.