On top of the proficiency bonuses, your College of Lore bard gets the Cutting Words feat. 14th level brings the Peerless Skill feature, which allows a bard to inspire themselves when making ability checks.
Does inspire courage affect spells?
Bard’s Inspire Courage only works on weapons, meaning that anything that isn’t considered a weapon will not get this bonus. For instance, it will work on a magical ray spell, as those are considered weapons (see this FAQ). Or even weapon-like spells, such as Spiritual Weapon or Flame Blade.
Can you add Bardic Inspiration to damage?
No. Bardic inspiration can be used for “one ability check, attack roll or saving throw” (PHB page 53). If the inspiration is from a College of Valor Bard then it can also be used for a “weapon damage roll” (PHB page 55).
Can bards use bless?
Of course they can: one is Bless, the other Bardic Inspiration – apples and oranges. Yes.
How many times can you use bardic inspiration?
A creature can have only one Bardic Inspiration die at a time. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). You regain any expended uses when you finish a Long Rest. Your Bardic Inspiration die changes when you reach certain levels in this class.
When do you use the bardic inspiration ability?
Realistically, a bard is going to space out the uses of Bardic Inspiration between fights, saving some for out-of-combat situations to get that extra boost on a skill check etc. The only time this ability is going to even be useful is when you go through an unusually high number (4+) of fights and roleplay encounters without taking a short rest.
Is it possible to be a bard at Level 1?
It seems one is always better off taking a level of any other full caster instead (Sorcerer should at least be always possible assuming amicable DM, but a Bard probably has 13 Int or Wis for Wizard/Cleric/Druid too), or even a level of any class which gives you anything at level 1.
Can a swords Bard use superior inspiration for?
The only thing a Swords Bard will ever use Superior Inspiration for is throwing vanilla Bardic Inspiration at their friends. Or if they really want to, they can get a +3 to the average damage of a single blade flourish. Conveniently enough, the Swords Bard is one that would synergize ridiculously well with a single level of Hexblade Warlock.
How many encounters does a 5th level Bard have?
Our day will consist of two encounters, a short rest, three encounters, a short rest, and two encounters, then long rest. On fights 1, 3, and 6, you use 5 Bardic Inspiration, since you got them back on each of your short rests ( Font of Inspiration, 5th level bard feature).
