4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons: Best Magic Items for Bards

Creating an effective character in 4^th edition D&D isn't just about combining a good mix of attributes, powers, feats, race, class, and skills. A truly effective character also needs the right selection of magic items to synergize with the character's build. Inefficient or useless magic items can make a character surprisingly weak, while powerful and efficient magic items can greatly increase the effectiveness of a character. Presented are some of the best magic items for making an effective 4^th edition bard.

Spell Anchors - Bards create a large number of sustained effects that benefit the entire party. Due to the need to sustain effects and occasionally provide healing, bards tend to run short on minor actions. These gloves will give the bard a reprieve once per day.

Circlet of Continuity - Bard sustained effects are critical for the effectiveness of a bard. Even one round of stun can nullify that effectiveness. This head item allows the bard to be stunned for one round an encounter and still sustain an effect.

Phrenic Crown - The vast majority of saving throw effects that a bard places on enemies are from attacks that target will defense. This crown significantly improves the effectiveness of any bard using those powers.

Bracers of Archery - Bards don't tend to have very high damage output, but these bracers can help a bow using bard deal at least moderate damage.

Whistling Songbow - Any songbow allows a bard to use implement attack powers and weapon attack powers without having to draw and stow items. This is one of the best choices because it also provides an attack bonus to allies, helping a bard fulfill the leader role.

Echoing Songblade - While this songblade property only works on a critical hit, it is one of the best properties in the game when it does activate. The ability to potentially use a daily attack power multiple times in the same encounter is spectacular. If the bard keeps scoring critical hits, the power can continue to be used.

Shield of Deflection - For bards that focus on intelligence rather than constitution, healing surges and hit points will be low. This shield will allow the bard to stay back and use implement powers while taking less damage from ranged attacks.

Ankhmon's Bracers - Free healing, potentially multiple times with every attack, is simply too good a choice to ignore. Any bard not using a shield should have these bracers.

Proper selection of magic items is all about choosing magic items that work best with the strengths of the characters. Bards specialize in providing encounter long benefits for allies and temporarily removing enemies from an encounter. This short list of magic items will give bards a powerful advantage in fulfilling their combat role.