It looks like I'll be starting a 5e game in a couple of weeks and I'm trying to narrow down what I want to play. Whilst I've been gazing and drooling a little at the idea of a Tavern Brawling Barbarian (to unleash my inner Conan) I suspect the group may require a healer.
Given there's probably going to be a Paladin handy to help out, how good is a Valor Bard in the role of making people not-die? I'd rather not go full Cleric if I don't need to.
Very good.
First, they get healing word for mid combat healing. Second, Song of Rest is an excellent way to heal out of combat without wasting spell slots. The bard gets lots of simple healing magic that makes up the bread and butter of not-dying in the game. Without being a dedicated healer.
It can do the job well enought, bards also have access to the most popular healing spell in the game; cure wounds.
They get the key spells.
Cure, mass cure, restoration, dispell, raise dead, and resurection.
And you can pick up spells from any class, so if you want true resurection and heal you can add that.
Cheers. I don't mind saving lives as long as I look Dashing and Heroic whilst doing so! 
o good, i was wondering about this and haven't yet rec'd my PHB.
Bards heal well and if there is a paladin he's no slouch either. Bards even have a unique 9th level healing spell in power word heal. Magical secrets adds more options. Valor bards combat inspiration allows the inspired individual to add the bonus die to AC for some extra damage mitigation.
If you go for the College of lore you can snipe at level 6 the paladin's 3rd level spell aura of vitality (2d6 healing as a bonus action) for 1 minute = 70 HP of healing. Not bad for a 3rd level spell.
borg285 wrote: