College of Tragedy

The College of Tragedy is a bardic subclass for those who explore sorrowful stories and specialize in dramatic tales of downfall. The subclass was created by Matthew Mercer and was published in Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn.

Poetry in Misery
At level 3, a bard in this subclass can use their reaction to soliloquize when they or an ally rolls a natural 1. Upon doing so, they regain one expended use of Bardic Inspiration.

Sorrowful Fate
Also at 3rd level, a College of Tragedy bard can, when they or an ally require a target to make a saving throw, expend one use of Bardic Inspiration to change the saving throw type to Charisma. If the target then fails this save, the bard rolls an inspiration die and deals that amount of psychic damage to the target. Additionally, if the target is reduced to 0 HP within the next minute, they are "magically compelled to utter darkly poetic final words" before they die. This feature can be used once per rest.

Tale of Hubris
At level 6, if the bard or one of their allies is the target of a critical hit, the bard can, as a reaction, expend one use of their Bardic Inspiration against the creature who scored the hit. For the next minute, a weapon attack roll of 18-20 against that creature is considered a critical hit. At level 14, the critical hit range becomes 17-20.

Impending Misfortune
Also at level 6, the bard can choose to take a +10 bonus to an attack roll or saving throw, but their next attack roll or saving throw after that must take a -10 penalty. The penalty, if not used, goes away after the bard completes a rest. The feature may be used once per rest, or after the bard has been reduced to 0 HP.

Nimbus of Pathos
At level 14, the bard may, as an action, touch a willing creature. The creature gains the following benefits and detriments for the next minute:


 * Their AC increases by 4.
 * They have advantage on attack rolls and saving throws.
 * Their weapon and spell attacks deal an extra 1d10 radiant damage.
 * Any attacks against the creature are considered a critical hit on a natural 18-20.

Once the minute elapses, the creature immediately drops to 0 HP and must make death saves until healed, stabilized, or dead. This feature can be used once per long rest.

Trivia
The idea for the subclass originated at a panel at Emerald City Comic Con 2019, where Liam O'Brien claimed he would never want to play a bard. Matthew Mercer coined the idea on the spot.