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The Obojima campaign setting supplement forDungeons & Dragonsoffers a lot of varied and interesting subclass options, including the college of masks bard. This bard college is highly focused on theatrical performance, and loosely inspired by the world of Kabuki theater. A highly performance-based subclass, the college of masks is perfect for anyone who wants an incredibly fun roleplay challenge for their bard build.
If you’re looking to bring a unique subclass to your typical D&D table, or want to explore Obojima and its storied campaign setting, consider this bard build for your next character. Here’s how to build a college of masks bard.
College Of Masks Overview
The college of masks bard is steeped ina unique tradition of performance and theater, as well as the folklore of Obojima.The essence of this class is using various masks to grant magical buffsto your abilities and allies in combat and roleplay.
Tools Of Performance
3
You gain the ability to weave magical boons into theatrical masks, granting you special abilities when you wear them.
The types of masks you’re able to craft are detailed in the subclass description; and at third level,you can craft two of your choice, gaining an additional option at seventh, 11th, and 15th levels.
Copycat
You can cast Alter Self with the use of one Bardic Inspiration; this casting of the spell does not require concentration, and you gain five temporary hit points.
You also gain equipment that you would associate with your target; this can include weapons, armor, shields, and other equipment.
Many-Masked Performance
6
Over one minute, you canperform for creatures within 60 feet of you, and cause themto become either charmed, frightened, or fall unconscious.
When the performance ends,each of these creatures must make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DCor be subjected to the chosen effect.
Gift Of Theater
14
you may give one of your theater masks to an allywithin melee range; you may use this feature once per short or long rest.
Beyond these abilities,choosing specific masks for your bard to use allows you to customize your play style.
Mask abilities include allowing the free casting of certain spells, gaining proficiency in chosen skills, gaining temporary hit points, and more. Consult the Obojima campaign setting for more details on these masks.
Best Ability Scores For A College Of Masks Bard
At the end of the day,bards are best at one thing: performance and the art of charisma. That’s why you’ll want tofocus your ability scores on Charisma, while also prioritizing some physical attributes.
Details
Charisma
Because bards focus on Charisma-based spellcasting and skills like Deception and Persuasion, you’ll want tomake Charisma your highest ability score.
Dexterity
Dexterity helps inform Armor Class, which is always helpful, and bards have proficiency in Dexterity saving throws, meaning you’ll want toput your second-highest stat into Dexterity.
Intelligence
Intelligence is helpful for arcane spellcasters like bards, and also helpful for certain roleplay scenarios. Because Obojima is a roleplay-focused supplement,focusing on roleplay stats is helpful.
Constitution
Constitution informs Hit Points, so you’ll want tomake sure you have a decent stat here so that your bard doesn’t end up being too squishy in combat.
Wisdom
Wisdom is ultimately not that important for a bard but ishelpful for overcoming certain spell saves, so your next highest stat should go into Wisdom.
Strength
Strength is the least of a bard’s concernsunless you’re playing a subclass that dictates it. The college of masks is not highly combat-focused,so place your lowest stat here.
Some masks, like the Stone Mask, provide buffs to Athleticsand reduce incoming damage.
So,if you want to play a melee-focused bard, you might want to consider placing a higher stat into Strength, depending on the masks you choose.
Best Species For A College Of Masks Bard
While you can always use species fromthe 2024 Player’s Handbookor other Dungeons & Dragons supplements,there are two species specific to Obojima that are great for the college of masks bard.
Best Backgrounds For a College Of Masks Bard
Many of the backgrounds in the Obojima campaign setting function differentlyfrom the backgrounds in the 2024 Player’s Handbook.
Ultimately, while one of these backgrounds provides a nice flavor for a college of masks bard, you might want toconsider using another background from the Player’s Handbook. Here are some good background options to choose from.
The Obojima campaign setting’s backgrounds function differently from the 2024 Player’s Handbook, granting skill proficiencies to characters rather than Ability Score improvements.
Talk to your Dungeon Master about how to balance this differenceif you’re bringing this subclass to a non-Obojima table.
