Tabaxi Bard 5e D&D Guide

With their mesmerizing voice and nimble paws, the Tabaxi Bard dances across the strings of their lute, bringing forth harmonies that transcend the boundaries of reality itself.

Legends say that the notes they pluck have the power to soothe the angriest of dragons or ensnare the hearts of wayward adventurers.

Yet, not just their musical prowess sets Tabaxi Bards apart. They possess an insatiable curiosity, an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and adventure. Their wanderlust is as boundless as the endless horizons they traverse.

So, should you encounter a Tabaxi Bard in your travels, be prepared for a symphony of enchantment and a whirlwind of tales that will transport you to realms beyond your wildest imagination.

Creating a Tabaxi Bard

Tabaxi

Tabaxi are catlike humanoids who came from a distant and strange land, driven by their curiosity to collect fascinating artifacts, listen to stories, and understand ancient tales – laying their eyes on all the wonders of the world.

These felines are the ultimate nomads, never staying in one place too long, as they want to see and explore as much as they can. Their nature pushes them to find long-lost legends, discover treasure and leave no secrets uncovered.

Note: These features can be slightly changed or modified if some variations don’t fit your character.

Tabaxi Subraces

The Tabaxi are similar to their feline brethren, the Leonin, as they also have no subraces. Their lack of subraces are probably due to their reluctance to settle, always being on the move and seldom seeking refuge, even with their own kind.

Bard Class Features

Hit Points

Proficiencies

Bard Colleges

Once you reach level 3, you’ll be able to unlock the techniques of different bard colleges; choosing one will give you specific features, so try optimizing your choices with your subrace.

Creation – College of Creation Bards are obsessed with the cosmos, believing it is a work of art, a creation of the first dragons and gods.

You can often hear them sing the Song of Creation, filling those around them with deep emotions.

Eloquence – College of Eloquence Bards are master orators, using persuasion, reason, and a well-spoken argument to solve most problems. These Bards are experts at plucking the heartstring of those listening and even winning over skeptics.

Glamour – College of Glamour Bards learned their craft in the Feywild, using their magic to enlighten and captivate those who listen to their song. There are tales of these Bards successfully lulling powerful dragons with their song and speech.

Lore – College of Lore Bards knows something of everything, having diverse knowledge about almost any matter. They are experts at unraveling lies, exposing corruption, and telling the truth in the most compelling manner.

Spirits – College of Spirits Bards study fiction, histories, and legends in search of great power. They use magic to call upon forces to once again change the world, just as in their books.

Swords – College of Swords Bards entertain through weapon prowess – swallowing swords, jugglings knives, and mocking combatants. They are skilled with weapons and often combine them with powerful magical effects.

Valor – College of Valor Bards tells the tales of legendary heroes, both in the past and in the present. They usually travel to these great events to catch a firsthand experience, which is why their songs are so emotional and detailed.

Whispers – College of Whispers Bards seem like ordinary Bards, singing and dancing as usual, but their motives are as dangerous as their teachings.

These Bards are wolves in sheep’s clothing. They uncover secrets and turn people against each other using threats and extortion. In most cases, these Bards claim to follow a different college, only revealing their true college when it is absolutely necessary.

Note: Watch out for College of Whispers Bards in royal courts and among the highest echelons of society, as they can worm themselves into any situation.

Combining Bard With Tabaxi

Determining Your Bard Subclass

Choosing your ideal subclass is subjective, but if your objective is optimization, try understanding what your character wants to do and what stats fit best with their subclass.

Optimal Tabaxi Subrace

Tabaxi are some of the most natural Bards you’ll ever find, and that’s not only because of their friendly nature but because of their Dexterity (2) and Charisma (1) score bonuses as well.

Bards use Charisma for their spellcasting modifier. They also have proficiency in Dexterity and Charisma saving throws which will just be increased if you choose to become a Tabaxi Bard.

Note: These cats are a lot different than the Khajiits some of us are used to from the Elder Scrolls games.

Your Tabaxi Bard Background

Your Tabaxi Bard needs a unique background that will affect its choices, as well as the way it sees the world and what it wants to achieve.

Start by asking yourself some basic questions: Where were they born, and where did they come from? Do they have any goals, bonds, or ideals, and what are their flaws? Where do they belong in social circles and society as a whole? What inspires them?

Place of Birth

Think of the environment a Tabaxi Bard grew up in and how it affected them physically and emotionally and eventually shaped their view of the world.

Try to make their place of birth and upbringing correspond with their personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws – this will truly bring their character alive.

Note: The birthplaces of races are usually mentioned in the Player’s Handbook or some of its expansion books.

Characteristics and Personality Traits 

Tabaxi Bards are some of the funniest and lighthearted creatures you’ll come across.

Their journeys around the world have led them to become great storytellers, never short of a captivating riddle or dungeon-crawling tale.

Tabaxi Bard Examples:

• Nothing can shake my optimistic attitude.

• I have a good joke for every occasion, especially the occasions where humor is inappropriate.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

Ideal – Express one ideal that is a driving force in a Tabaxi Bard’s life – their conviction, ethical principle, and moral standing (probably something about nature).

I’m very loyal to my friends, not to any ideals, and everyone else can even take a trip down the Styx for all I care.

Bonds – Think of a single bond that your Tabaxi Bard has to an event, person, or place. Bonds will tie them to their background and can inspire bravery or stimulate memories driving them against their ideals.

My instrument is the possession I treasure the most, and it reminds me of someone I love.

Flaws – Choose a single flaw for a Tabaxi Bard – their unhealthy compulsion, greatest fear/weakness, or most vile vice.

I can’t resist a pretty face.

Inspiration

The DM can use inspiration to reward you for playing according to your bond, personality traits, ideals, and flaw.

As a Tabaxi Bard, I can’t stop myself from performing if a performance is needed, I am a musician after all!

Note: If you’re struggling to create your background or just don’t want to think, the Player’s Handbook has well-thought-through backgrounds that you can use for your character or use as a mold.

Supplies and Gear For Tabaxi Bards

Bards start with the following equipment, together with the equipment from their background. Choosing equipment based on your situation and your character’s proficiencies is the easiest way to go about things.

• (a) A rapier (b) A longsword (c) Any simple weapon
• (a) A diplomat’s pack or (b) An entertainer’s pack
• (a) A lute or (b) Any other musical instrument
• A dagger and leather armor

You can decide how your character came about these goods – whether they stole, inherited, or purchased them some time back – adding to your character’s background.

Note: If you aren’t satisfied with your equipment, you can always use your starting wealth to buy other equipment (5d4 x 10 GP for Bards).

Final Thoughts

Tabaxi Bards are some of the best storytellers you’ll ever come across, as their lives consist of treasure hunting, uncovering hidden secrets, and finding long-lost artifacts. 

Luckily, Tabaxi Bards are some of the friendliest adventurers you’ll meet. They are never too tired to sing you a song or chat about their travels and make excellent Supports for an adventuring party.

Having a Tabaxi Bard in your party can really turn your party into a family and make any adventure more memorable.

You might also be interested in the following:

• Tabaxi Fighter
• Tabaxi Rogue