The 10 Best Armor For Bards in D&D 5e [Ranked]

The world of D&D lets adventurers pick and choose between various armors, shields, and defensive trinkets.

However, some armors stand out above the rest, fitting an adventurer’s background, build, flavor and simply giving more useful stats to that character.

In the case of Bards, their backstories and playstyles mainly have them don light armor, medium armor, various other hats, and at times even take a shield.

Bards aren’t known for being pure spellcasters, and while some subclasses might enjoy a bit more AC (like Dexterity builds), it’s a good idea to take lighter armor or medium armor that suits your build.

Bard Armor Proficiency

• Light armor

Best Armor for the Bard in 5e

10. Leather

Armor Class (AC): 11 + Dexterity modifier

Strength: –

Stealth: –

Weight: 10 lbs

Cost: 10 GP

Explanation

Most Bards choose to start with Leather armor, as Padded armor has no benefits except costing 5 GP less and giving disadvantage on stealth.

There aren’t many other options when you start out, so you’ll be stuck with Leather armor until you make some more money or you find some better armor in a chest somewhere.

9. Shield

Armor Class (AC): +2

Strength: –

Stealth: –

Weight: 6 lbs

Cost: 10 GP

Explanation

Normal Bards don’t often pick up shields, but Valor Bards sure do.

They look to accumulate as much AC as possible, and when combined with Half Plate, your total AC can reach up to 19 with Dexterity at 14.

8. Elven Chain

Rarity – Rare

Item Type – Armor (chain shirt)

Description

You will gain a +1 bonus to your AC while wearing this armor. You’re considered proficient with this armor, even if you lack proficiency with medium armor.

Explanation

Bards don’t usually have proficiency with the Chain Shirt, but if you want extra AC without having to attune to an item, the Elven Chain is perfect for you.

Not only will you have more AC than any light armor you can get your hands on, but if your Dexterity is at 14, you can get up to 15 AC as a Bard.

7. Hat of Disguise

Rarity – Uncommon (requiring attunement)

Item Type – Wondrous item

Description

Wearing this hat means you can use an action to cast Disguise Self from it. The spell will end if the hat is removed.

Explanation

Bards are known for being silly, but what the Hat of Disguise offers is a doorway for silliness and the potential for calculated thievery.

Why sneak through the shadows when you can change forms, steal an item, change back, and never be suspected of ever committing a crime?

6. Half Plate

Armor Class (AC): 15 + Dexterity modifier (max 2)

Strength: –

Stealth: –

Weight: 6 lbs

Cost: 10 GP

Explanation

Valor Bards build entirely different armor than normal Bards do, as can be seen by their choice of medium armor instead of light armor.

Half Plate will be your go-to armor as a Valor Bard, and certain people even like using it as an instrument.

5. Gloves of Thievery

Rarity – Uncommon

Item Type – Wondrous item

Description

The Gloves of Thievery are invisible while worn. Wearing them means you gain a +5 bonus to Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) checks and Dexterity checks to pick locks.

Explanation

You can’t let your Rogue have all the fun. Sometimes stealing an item requires you to be out in the open, and who’s better than swindling people than Bards are?

With the Gloves of Thievery, you can become a master thief without doing much, and when combined with armor like the Glamoured Studded Leather and the Hat of Disguise, things can get even more out of hand.

4. Studded Leather

Armor Class (AC): 12 + Dexterity Modifier

Strength: –

Stealth: –

Weight: 13 lbs

Cost: 45 GP

Explanation

Bards don’t often look for any other armor besides Studded Leather. It might not be the best armor, but it works perfectly for a Bard.

3. Helm of Brilliance

Rarity – Very Rare (requiring attunement)

Item Type – Wondrous item

Description

This helm is set with 1d10 diamonds, 2d10 rubies, 3d10 fire opals, and 4d10 opals. Gems pried from the helm crumble to dust. Removing all gems from the helm means it loses its magic.

Gain the following benefits while wearing the helm:

• Use an action to cast one of the following spells (save DC 18) using gems as the component: Daylight (opal), Fireball (fire opal), Prismatic Spray (diamond), or Wall of Fire (ruby). The gem is destroyed, and the spell is cast.
• As long as the helm has one diamond, it will emit dim light in a 30-foot radius when at least one undead is present in the area. Undead starting its turn in the radius will take 1d6 Radiant damage.
• As long as the helm has one ruby, you’ll have resistance to Fire damage.
• As long as the helm has one fire opal, you may use an action to speak a command word, making one weapon you’re holding burst into flames.

The flames will emit bright light for a 10-foot radius and dim light for another 10 feet. The flames don’t harm you or the weapon. Hitting with an attack using the weapon makes the target take 1d6 Fire damage.

The flames will last until you use a bonus action and speak the command word or until you stow or drop the weapon.

Roll a d20 if you’re wearing the helm and take Fire damage from failing a save against a spell. Rolling a 1 emits beams of light from the remaining gems, forcing creatures in a 60-foot area to succeed on a DC 17 save or be struck by a beam.

Being struck deals Radiant damage equal to the number of gems in the helm. After this, the helm and its gems are destroyed.

Explanation

The Helm of Brilliance is a very interesting piece of armor, as it’ll eventually lose its magic if all gems are removed.

It’s an item that makes you think rather than letting you use it indefinitely without any repercussions.

The item isn’t for everyone, even if it is immensely powerful.

2. Glamoured Studded Leather

Rarity – Rare

Item Type – Armor (studded leather)

Description

Wearing the armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC. You may also use a bonus action to speak the command word of the armor, which will assume a set of normal clothing or other armor.

You may decide what it looks like, including its accessories, color, and style, but the armor will retain its bulk and weight. This illusory appearance will last until you use this property again or if you remove the armor.

Explanation

Glamoured Studded Leather is difficult to say no to as a Bard, especially because of its bonus AC and ability to choose an illusory form to assume.

You will find that this armor can be applied to almost any situation, leading you to think of new, interesting ways to play a Bard that fits with your character.

1. Platinum Scarf

Rarity – Legendary (requiring attunement)

Item Type – Wondrous item

Description

Using an action lets you pull a scale from the scarf and speak a command word. Doing so lets you choose one of the following effects:

Breath of Life – The scale disappears, and touching the creature makes it regain 10d4 HP.

Platinum Shield – Until you dismiss it (no action required) or for 1 hour, the scale will become a +1 shield (you or another creature can use it). Wielding the shield gives immunity to Radiant damage.

Radiant Hammer – Until you dismiss it (no action required) or for 1 hour, the scale will become a magic light hammer (you or another creature can use it).

The hammer deals 2d4 Radiant damage, not Bludgeoning damage like normal hammers. It will deal an extra 2d4 Radiant damage against chromatic dragons.

After pulling three scales from the scarf, no more scales can be removed until the break of the next dawn, when the missing scales grow back. Pulling off a scale and not speaking a command word means it will disappear after 1 minute.

Explanation

Bards mainly play as a supportive character and look for items that protect them as well as their party members.

Platinum Scarf does just that, providing great healing, a shield to protect against block damage, and a hammer to deal damage.

The best thing about Platinum Scarf is that any Bard can benefit from its properties without trying to incorporate it into their build.

Note: Breath of Life, Platinum Shield, and Radiant Hammer can all be used on party members as well!

Final Thoughts

For the most part, each class in D&D has its most used or beloved armor that is both iconic and functional.

Though some of these armors might not be the best D&D armor overall, they remain the best option for that character at the moment.

A good example would be the choice between a set of light armor with a shield and medium armor, as the AC difference might be slight or non-existent, but the choice is crucial if we’re talking about fitting it into your build.

In the end, whether you decide to take a conventional or unconventional armor, as long as you like it and it fits your playstyle, you should roll with it!