D&D 5E Valor Bard tips?

[DarklordKyo]

Also, keep in mind what you'll be fighting if you pick fireball. If you're up against Devils it's completely useless.
Fire is one of the most resisted elements:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?379165-MM-Resistances-Immunities-Vulnerabilities-and-Damage
If you're up against people or something Fireball is better than lightning bolt. If you're up against one of the countless things immune/resistant to fire, Lightning bolt will serve you better.

Well, in those cases, what about Shatter?

 

[Souplex]

Also, keep in mind what you'll be fighting if you pick fireball. If you're up against Devils it's completely useless.
Fire is one of the most resisted elements:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?379165-MM-Resistances-Immunities-Vulnerabilities-and-Damage
If you're up against people or something Fireball is better than lightning bolt. If you're up against one of the countless things immune/resistant to fire, Lightning bolt will serve you better.

Well, in those cases, what about Shatter?

Shatter is quite good, the problem is that it targets Con. If you use it as a mook-clearer it's fine, but against anything big they'll laugh it off.

 

[DarklordKyo]

Shatter is quite good, the problem is that it targets Con. If you use it as a mook-clearer it's fine, but against anything big they'll laugh it off.

Okay, [*writes notes*], what about Sharpshooter?, should I ditch an ASI for it? Also, how worth it is Action Surge when it comes to delaying class growth for two Fighter levels?, and should I sacrifice maxing both stats &/or ditching Sharpshooter for it? (as it looks, I can sacrifice maxing both stats for Sharpshooter, sacrifice Sharpshooter for maxing both stats, or sacrifice both for Action Surge).

Either way, after Magical Secrets at 10, I'm planning to multiclass into Fighter for the Archery style.

 

[Souplex]

Shatter is quite good, the problem is that it targets Con. If you use it as a mook-clearer it's fine, but against anything big they'll laugh it off.

Okay, [*writes notes*], what about Sharpshooter?, should I ditch an ASI for it? Also, how worth it is Action Surge when it comes to delaying class growth for two Fighter levels?, and should I sacrifice maxing both stats &/or ditching Sharpshooter for it? (as it looks, I can sacrifice maxing both stats for Sharpshooter, sacrifice Sharpshooter for maxing both stats, or sacrifice both for Action Surge).

Either way, after Magical Secrets at 10, I'm planning to multiclass into Fighter for the Archery style.

Sharpshooter is good in my admittedly limited experience. The power attack is nice, but the real meat comes from ignoring cover. I hope you liked doing math on your SATs:
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?472938-Great-Weapon-Mastery-How-to-5-10-Like-a-Pro
I have no experience multiclassing. Multiclassing is for Munchkins.
You should consider straight bard.
At level 11 you get 6th level magic. Mass suggestion can end an encounter.
*Casts mass suggestion* "Your allies plan on killing you, kill them before they get the chance."
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/mass-suggestion
True Seeing is the best way to foil the plans of any DM that likes illusions.
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/true-seeing
Programmed Illusion is great roleplaying if you wants your Bard to be the type who sells albums or if you have a boat you want to put a theme-song on.
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/programmed-illusion
At 13 you get 7th level magics.
Etheralness lets you circumvent any physical obstacle
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/etherealness
Forcecage is the second most broken spell in the game. The only reason Wish is more broken is that it can be used to cast forcecage.
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/forcecage
...You read that right. Can't be physically broken, can't be dispelled, so long as it fits within a 20x20x20 cube (everything but the Tarrasque, a roc, a Kraken, and maaaaybe an Emperyan (they don't mention the physical measurements in the description. Gargantuan usually fits in 20x20x20. ) it should work on an ancient dragon) is taken out of the battle unless it has teleportation or a disintegrate spell. If you do the barred version you can continue to take pot-shots, and since you have sharpshooter you can ignore the cover from the bars.
------------------------------------------
regenerate and resurrection are for if you don't have a cleric handy. If someone loses a limb you'll be glad you have regenerate.
Warning: Do not advertise that you have regenerate to your DM. They will take it as an excuse to start lopping off limbs.
resurrection is great if people die in closed-casket-funeral fashions. When you get it you ask everyone for a blood-sample so if they die in a way that isn't recoverable you have a piece of them to work with.
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/regenerate
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/resurrection
Teleport is something someone has to get. Could be you, could be a Sorcerer or Wizard. Teleporting is vastly preferable to walking to Mordor.
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/teleport
Then at 14 you get more magical secrets, but they can be from 7th level and under. Any class' stupid-powerful exclusive high-end spell is yours.

 

[DarklordKyo]

snip

Well, I figured I could point at least one point in fighter for the passive boost to ranged, and I have the dex for it.

Either way, all that said, and take True Polymorph as the lvl 9 right? If need be, tank bosses, or transport my teammates, as a freaking dragon.

 

[Souplex]

snip

Well, I figured I could point at least one point in fighter for the passive boost to ranged, and I have the dex for it.

Either way, all that said, and take True Polymorph as the lvl 9 right? If need be, tank bosses, or transport my teammates, as a freaking dragon.

Or you could use your lvl18 magical secret on Shapechange. It's like True Polymporph except it only targets self, you retain your mental scores, and you maintain your class.
You become a Bard Dragon.

 

[DarklordKyo]

Or you could use your lvl18 magical secret on Shapechange. It's like True Polymporph except it only targets self, you retain your mental scores, and you maintain your class.
You become a Bard Dragon.

Aren't Magical Secrets separate from normal level up spell gains? Either way, what would you recommend for the level 9?, Power Word Heal? (though, considering Battle Magic, that might be a useful investment, depending on the circumstances).

 

[Souplex]

Or you could use your lvl18 magical secret on Shapechange. It's like True Polymporph except it only targets self, you retain your mental scores, and you maintain your class.
You become a Bard Dragon.

Aren't Magical Secrets separate from normal level up spell gains? Either way, what would you recommend for the level 9?, Power Word Heal? (though, considering Battle Magic, that might be a useful investment, depending on the circumstances).

They are. I was referring to Bard level not character level.
I have no firsthand experience with Level 8+ spells, (In my current game I'm about to hit level 17 but I'm playing a Paladin) so this is all just my observations.
Foresight. Foresight sooooo hard. Cast it on your heavy and then brew yourself a cup of tea while they mow through everything.
Advantage on all rolls. Attacks against them have disadvantage.
8 hour duration. No concentration required.
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/foresight

 

[DarklordKyo]

They are. I was referring to Bard level not character level.
I have no firsthand experience with Level 8+ spells, (In my current game I'm about to hit level 17 but I'm playing a Paladin) so this is all just my observations.
Foresight. Foresight sooooo hard. Cast it on your heavy and then brew yourself a cup of tea while they mow through everything.
Advantage on all rolls. Attacks against them have disadvantage.
8 hour duration. No concentration required.
https://www.dnd-spells.com/spell/foresight

Basically, make the tank like the Heavy in this?, lol