Bard Spells

Bard Spells

Cantrips

Dancing Lights

Level: Cantrip	Casting Time: 1 Action	Evocation
Range: 120ft	Duration: 1 Minute (Concentration)	Components: VSM (a bit of phosphorus or wychwood, or a glowworm)

You create up to four torch-sized lights within range, making them appear as torches, lanterns, or glowing orbs that hover in the air for the duration. You can also combine the four lights into one glowing vaguely humanoid form of Medium size.

Whichever form you choose, each light sheds dim light in a 10-foot radius. As a bonus action on your turn, you can move the lights up to 60 feet to a new spot within range. A light must be within 20 feet of another light created by this spell, and a light winks out if it exceeds the spell's range.

Friends

Level: Cantrip	Casting Time: 1 Action	Enchantment
Range: Self	Duration: 1 Minute (Concentration)	Components: SM (a small amount of makeup applied to the face as this spell is cast)

For the duration, you have advantage on all Charisma checks directed at one creature of your choice that isn’t hostile toward you. When the spell ends, the creature realizes that you used magic to influence its mood and becomes hostile toward you. A creature prone to violence might attack you. Another creature might seek retribution in other ways (at the DM’s discretion), depending on the nature of your interaction with it.

Light

Level: Cantrip	Casting Time: 1 Bonus Action	Evocation
Range: Touch	Duration: 1 Hour	Components: VSM (a firefly or phosphorescent moss)

You touch one object that is no larger than 10 feet in any dimension. Until the spell ends, the object sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like. Completely covering the object with something opaque blocks the light. The spell ends if you cast it again or dismiss it as a free action.

If you target an object held or worn by a hostile creature, you must make a melee spell attack against that creature, casting the spell on a successful attack.

Lucky Number

Level: Cantrip	Casting Time: 1 Action	Divination
Range: Self	Duration: 24 Hours	Components: VS

You are able to tweak tiny variables affecting a creature's immediate future in order to grant yourself a bit of luck at the right time. Roll a d20; once during the duration of lucky number, when you roll that result (regardless of what type of dice the target rolls), the creature has the option to either reroll the result or add a +2 bonus to the result. The creature must decide to use this ability before the success or failure of the original roll is known. A creature can have only one lucky number per day.

Mage Hand

Level: Cantrip	Casting Time: 1 Action	Conjuration
Range: 30ft	Duration: 1 Minute	Components: VS

A spectral, floating hand appears at a point you choose within range. The hand lasts for the duration or until you dismiss it as an action. The hand vanishes if it is ever more than 30 feet away from you or if you cast this spell again.

You can use your action to control the hand. You can use the hand to manipulate an object, open an unlocked door or container, stow or retrieve an item from an open container, or pour the contents out of a vial. You can move the hand up to 30 feet each time you use it. The hand can't attack, or carry more than 10 pounds.

Mending

Level: Cantrip	Casting Time: 1 Minute	Transmutation
Range: Touch	Duration: Instant	Components: VSM (two lodestones)

This spell repairs a single break or tear in an object you touch, such as a broken chain link, two halves of a broken key, a torn cloak, or a leaking wineskin. As long as the break or tear is no larger than 1 foot in any dimension, you mend it, leaving no trace of the former damage.

This spell can physically repair a magic item or construct, but the spell can't restore magic to such an object.

Message

Level: Cantrip	Casting Time: 1 Action	Enchantment
Range: 120ft	Duration: 1 Round	Components: VSM (a short copper wire)

You point your finger toward a creature within range and whisper a message. The target (and only the target) hears the message and can reply in a whisper that only you can hear.

You can cast this spell through solid objects if you are familiar with the target and know it is beyond the barrier. Magical silence, 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood blocks the spell. The spell doesn't have to follow a straight line and can travel freely around corners or through openings.

Minor Illusion

Level: Cantrip	Casting Time: 1 Action	Illusion
Range: 30ft	Duration: 1 Minute	Components: SM (a bit of fleece)

You create a sound or an image of an object within range that lasts for the duration. The illusion also ends if you dismiss it as an action or cast this spell again.

If you create a sound, its volume can range from a whisper to a scream. It can be your voice, someone else's voice, a lion's roar, a beating of drums, or any other sound you choose. The sound continues unabated throughout the duration, or you can make discrete sounds at different times before the spell ends.

If you create an image of an object--such as a chair, muddy footprints, or a small chest--it must be no larger than a 5-foot cube. The image can't create sound, light, smell, or any other sensory effect. Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an illusion, because things can pass through it.

If a creature uses its action to examine the sound or image, the creature can determine that it is an illusion with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the illusion for what it is, the illusion becomes faint to the creature.

Shocking Grasp

Level: Cantrip	Casting Time: 1 Action	Evocation
Range: Touch	Duration: 1 Minute	Components: VS

Lightning springs from your hand to deliver a shock to a creature you try to touch. Make a melee spell attack against the target. You have advantage on the attack roll if the target is wearing armor made of metal. On a hit, the target takes 1d8 lightning damage, and it can't take reactions until the start of its next turn.

The spell's damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).

True Strike

Level: Cantrip	Casting Time: 1 Action	Divination
Range: 30ft	Duration: 1 Round (Concentration)	Components: S

You point a finger at a target in range. Your magic grants you a brief insight into the target's defenses. On your next turn, you gain advantage on your attack rolls against the target, provided that this spell hasn't ended.

Vicious Mockery

Level: Cantrip	Casting Time: 1 Action	Enchantment
Range: 60ft	Duration: Instant	Components: V

You unleash a string of insults laced with subtle enchantments at a creature you can see within range. If the target can hear you (though it need not understand you), it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or take 1d4 psychic damage and have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.

This spell's damage increases by 1d4 when you reach 5th level (2d4), 11th level (3d4), and 17th level (4d4).

Level 1 Spells

Animal Friendship (Bard, Druid)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Enchantement
Range: 30ft	Duration: 24 Hours	Components: VSM (a morsel of food)

This spell lets you convince a Beast that you mean it no harm. Choose a Beast that you can see within range. It must see and hear you. If the Beast's Intelligence is 4 or higher, the spell fails. Otherwise, the beast must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by you for the spell's duration. If you or one of your companions harms the target, the spell ends.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can affect one additional beast for each slot level above 1st.

Bane (Bard, Cleric)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Enchantment
Range: 30ft	Duration: 1 Minute (Concentration)	Components: VSM (a drop of blood)

Up to three creatures of your choice that you can see within range must make Charisma saving throws. Whenever a target that fails this saving throw makes an attack roll or a saving throw before the spell ends, the target must roll a d4 and subtract the number rolled from the attack roll or saving throw.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 1st.

Blade Ward (Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Abjuration
Range: Self	Duration: 1 Minute (Concentration)	Components: VS

You extend your hand and trace a sigil of warding in the air. Until the end of the duration, you have Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage dealt by weapon attacks.

Charm Person (Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Enchantment
Range: 30ft	Duration: 1 Hour	Components: VS

You attempt to charm a Humanoid you can see within range. It must make a Wisdom saving throw, and does so with advantage if you or your companions are fighting it. If it fails the saving throw, it is charmed by you until the spell ends or until you or your companions do anything harmful to it. The charmed creature regards you as a friendly acquaintance. When the spell ends, the creature knows it was charmed by you.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 1st. The creatures must be within 30 feet of each other when you target them.

Cloak of Secrets (Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Illusion
Range: Self	Duration: 1 Hour	Components: S

This spell forms an invisible bubble that filters all speech coming from inside the affected area so that creatures outside hear a completely different version of the conversation. The bubble also disguises lip movements to match the false conversation.

Any creature listening to the conversation for at least 1 round can attempt to make a Wisdom (Insight) against your Spell Save DC to realize that the apparent conversation doesn't actually make any sense. The bubble also obscures the verbal components of spells cast within the area so it's impossible to identify spells by their verbal components alone.

Command (Bard, Cleric, Paladin)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Enchantment
Range: 60ft	Duration: 1 Round	Components: V

You speak a one-word command to a creature you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or follow the command on its next turn. The spell has no effect if the target is undead, if it doesn't understand your language, or if your command is directly harmful to it.

Some typical commands and their effects follow. You might issue a command other than one described here. If you do so, the DM determines how the target behaves. If the target can't follow your command, the spell ends.

Approach. The target moves toward you by the shortest and most direct route, ending its turn if it moves within 5 feet of you.

Drop. The target drops whatever it is holding and then ends its turn.

Flee. The target spends its turn moving away from you by the fastest available means.

Grovel. The target falls prone and then ends its turn.

Halt. The target doesn't move and takes no actions. A flying creature stays aloft, provided that it is able to do so. If it must move to stay aloft, it flies the minimum distance needed to remain in the air.

Silence. The target stops speaking for the duration of the spell.

Speak. The target speaks for the duration of the spell.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can affect one additional creature for each slot level above 1st. The creatures must be within 30 feet of each other when you target them.

Comprehend Languages (Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action (Ritual)	Divination
Range: Self	Duration: 1 Hour	Components: VSM (a pinch of soot and salt)

For the duration, you understand the literal meaning of any spoken language that you hear. You also understand any written language that you see, but you must be touching the surface on which the words are written. It takes about 1 minute to read one page of text.

This spell doesn't decode secret messages in a text or a glyph, such as an arcane sigil, that isn't part of a written language.

Cure Wounds (Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Necromancy
Range: Touch	Duration: 1 Instant	Components: VS

A creature you touch regains a number of hit points equal to 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the healing increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 1st.

Darting Duplicate (Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: Bonus Action	Illusion
Range: Touch	Duration: Instant	Components: VS

An illusory duplicate of you steps clumsily into an adjacent square, presenting a tempting target before winking out of existence.

Any creature that threatens that square must succeed at a Wisdom save or be forced to make an attack of opportunity against the image.

Detect Magic (Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Sorcerer, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Minute (Ritual)	Divination
Range: Self	Duration: 10 Minutes (Concentration)	Components: VS

For the duration, you sense the presence of magic within 30 feet of you. If you sense magic in this way, you can use your action to see a faint aura around any visible creature or object in the area that bears magic, and you learn its school of magic, if any.

The spell can penetrate most barriers, but it is blocked by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt.

Dissonant Whisper (Bard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action (Ritual)	Enchantment
Range: Self	Duration: Instant	Components: V

You whisper a discordant melody that only one creature of your choice within range can hear, wracking it with terrible pain. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it takes 3d6 psychic damage and must immediately use its reaction, if available, to move as far as its speed allows away from you. The creature doesn’t move into obviously dangerous ground, such as a fire or a pit. On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage and doesn’t have to move away. A deafened creature automatically succeeds on the save.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.

Distort Value (Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard, Warlock)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Minute	Illusion
Range: Toch	Duration: 8 Hours	Components: V

You cast this spell on an object no more than 1 foot on a side, doubling the object’s perceived value by adding illusory flourishes or polish to it, or reducing its perceived value by half with the help of illusory scratches, dents, and other unsightly features. Anyone examining the object can ascertain its true value with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the maximum size of the object increases by 1 foot for each slot level above 1st.

Earth Tremor (Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Evocation
Range: 10ft	Duration: Instant	Components: VS

You cause a tremor in the ground within range. Each creature other than you in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage and is knocked prone. If the ground in that area is loose earth or stone, it becomes difficult terrain until cleared, with each 5-foot-diameter portion requiring at least 1 minute to clear by hand.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.

Faerie Fire (Bard, Druid)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Bonus Action	Evocation
Range: 60ft	Duration: 1 Minute (Concentration)	Components: V

Each object in a 20-foot cube within range is outlined in blue, green, or violet light (your choice). Any creature in the area when the spell is cast is also outlined in light if it fails a Dexterity saving throw. For the duration, objects and affected creatures shed dim light in a 10-foot radius.

Any attack roll against an affected creature or object has advantage if the attacker can see it, and the affected creature or object can't benefit from being invisible.

Feather Fall (Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Reaction (when you or a creature within range falls)	Transmutation
Range: 60ft	Duration: 1 Minute	Components: VM (a small feather or piece of down)

Choose up to five falling creatures within range. A falling creature's rate of descent slows to 60 feet per round until the spell ends. If the creature lands before the spell ends, it takes no falling damage and can land on its feet, and the spell ends for that creature.

Gift of Alacrity (Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Minute	Divination
Range: Touch	Duration: 8 Hours	Components: VS

You touch a willing creature. For the duration, the target can add 1d8 to its initiative rolls.

Healing Word (Bard, Cleric, Druid)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Bonus Action	Necromancy
Range: 60ft	Duration: Instant	Components: V

A creature of your choice that you can see within range regains hit points equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the healing increases by 1d4 for each slot level above 1st.

Heroism (Bard, Paladin)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Enchantment
Range: 60ft	Duration: 1 Minute (Concentration)	Components: VS

A willing creature you touch is imbued with bravery. Until the spell ends, the creature is immune to being frightened and gains temporary hit points equal to your spellcasting ability modifier at the start of each of its turns. When the spell ends, the target loses any remaining temporary hit points from this spell.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 1st.

Hideous Laughter (Bard, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Enchantment
Range: 30ft	Duration: 1 Minute (Concentration)	Components: VSM (tiny tarts and a feather that is waved in the air)

A creature of your choice that you can see within range perceives everything as hilariously funny and falls into fits of laughter if this spell affects it. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or fall prone, becoming incapacitated and unable to stand up for the duration. A creature with an Intelligence score of 4 or less isn’t affected.

At the end of each of its turns, and each time it takes damage, the target can make another Wisdom saving throw. The target has advantage on the saving throw if it’s triggered by damage. On a success, the spell ends.

Identify (Bard, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Minute (Ritual)	Divination
Range: 90ft	Duration: 1 Hour	Components: VSM (a pearl worth at least 100GP and an owl feather)

You choose one object that you must touch throughout the casting of the spell. If it is a magic item or some other magic-imbued object, you learn its properties and how to use them, whether it requires attunement to use, and how many charges it has, if any. You learn whether any spells are affecting the item and what they are. If the item was created by a spell, you learn which spell created it.

If you instead touch a creature throughout the casting, you learn what spells, if any, are currently affecting it.

Illusory Script (Bard, Warlock, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Minute (Ritual)	Divination
Range: 90ft	Duration: 10 Days	Components: VM (a lead-based ink worth at least 10GP which the spell consumes)

You write on parchment, paper, or some other suitable writing material and imbue it with a potent illusion that lasts for the duration.

To you and any creatures you designate when you cast the spell, the writing appears normal, written in your hand, and conveys whatever meaning you intended when you wrote the text. To all others, the writing appears as if it were written in an unknown or magical script that is unintelligible. Alternatively, you can cause the writing to appear to be an entirely different message, written in a different hand and language, though the language must be one you know. Should the spell be dispelled, the original script and the illusion both disappear. A creature with truesight can read the hidden message.

Longstrider (Bard, Druid, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Transmutation
Range: Touch	Duration: 1 Hour	Components: VSM (a pinch of dirt)

You touch a creature. The target's speed increases by 10 feet until the spell ends.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, you can target one additional creature for each slot level above 1st.

Silent Image (Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Illusion
Range: 60ft	Duration: 10 Minutes (Concentration)	Components: VSM (a bit of fleece)

You create the image of an object, a creature, or some other visible phenomenon that is no larger than a 15-foot cube. The image appears at a spot within range and lasts for the duration. The image is purely visual; it isn't accompanied by sound, smell, or other sensory effects.

You can use your action to cause the image to move to any spot within range. As the image changes location, you can alter its appearance so that its movements appear natural for the image. For example, if you create an image of a creature and move it, you can alter the image so that it appears to be walking.

Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an illusion, because things can pass through it. A creature that uses its action to examine the image can determine that it is an illusion with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the illusion for what it is, the creature can see through the image.

Silvery Barbs (Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Reaction (when a creature within range succeeds on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw)	Enchantment
Range: 60ft	Duration: Instant	Components: V

You magically distract the triggering creature and turn its momentary uncertainty into encouragement for another creature. The triggering creature must reroll the d20 and use the lower roll.

You can then choose a different creature you can see within range (you can choose yourself). The chosen creature has advantage on the next attack roll, ability check, or saving throw it makes within 1 minute. A creature can be empowered by only one use of this spell at a time.

Sleep (Bard, Sorcerer, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Enchantment
Range: 90ft	Duration: 1 Minute	Components: VSM (a pinch of fine sand, rose petals, or a cricket)

This spell sends creatures into a magical slumber. Roll 5d8; the total is how many hit points of creatures this spell can affect. Creatures within 20 feet of a point you choose within range are affected in ascending order of their current hit points (ignoring unconscious creatures).

Starting with the creature that has the lowest current hit points, each creature affected by this spell falls unconscious until the spell ends, the sleeper takes damage, or someone uses an action to shake or slap the sleeper awake. Subtract each creature’s hit points from the total before moving on to the creature with the next lowest hit points. A creature’s hit points must be equal to or less than the remaining total for that creature to be affected. Undead and creatures immune to being charmed aren’t affected by this spell.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, roll an additional 2d8 for each slot level above 1st.

Speak With Animals (Bard, Druid)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action (Ritual)	Divination
Range: Self	Duration: 10 Minutes	Components: VS

You gain the ability to comprehend and verbally communicate with beasts for the duration. The knowledge and awareness of many beasts is limited by their intelligence, but at minimum, beasts can give you information about nearby locations and monsters, including whatever they can perceive or have perceived within the past day. You might be able to persuade a beast to perform a small favor for you, at the GM's discretion.

Thunderwave (Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Evocation
Range: 15ft Cube	Duration: Instant	Components: VS

A wave of thunderous force sweeps out from you. Each creature in a 15-foot cube originating from you must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 2d8 thunder damage and is pushed 10 feet away from you. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn't pushed.

In addition, unsecured objects that are completely within the area of effect are automatically pushed 10 feet away from you by the spell's effect, and the spell emits a thunderous boom audible out to 300 feet.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 1st.

Unseen Servant (Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action (Ritual)	Conjuration
Range: 60ft	Duration: 1 Hour	Components: VSM (a bit of string and wood)

This spell creates an invisible, mindless, shapeless, Medium force that performs simple tasks at your command until the spell ends. The servant springs into existence in an unoccupied space on the ground within range. It has AC 10, 1 hit point, and a Strength of 2, and it can't attack. If it drops to 0 hit points, the spell ends.

Once on each of your turns as a bonus action, you can mentally command the servant to move up to 15 feet and interact with an object. The servant can perform simple tasks that a human servant could do, such as fetching things, cleaning, mending, folding clothes, lighting fires, serving food, and pouring wine. Once you give the command, the servant performs the task to the best of its ability until it completes the task, then waits for your next command.

If you command the servant to perform a task that would move it more than 60 feet away from you, the spell ends.

Witch Bolt (Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard)

Level: 1	Casting Time: 1 Action	Evocation
Range: 30ft	Duration: 1 Minute (Concentration)	Components: VSM (a twig from a tree that has been struck by lightning)

A beam of crackling, blue energy lances out toward a creature within range, forming a sustained arc of lightning between you and the target. Make a ranged spell attack against that creature. On a hit, the target takes 1d12 lightning damage, and on each of your turns for the duration, you can use your action to deal 1d12 lightning damage to the target automatically. The spell ends if you use your action to do anything else. The spell also ends if the target is ever outside the spell’s range or if it has total cover from you.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the initial damage increases by 1d12 for each slot level above 1st.