Only the most innocent of bards consider themselves pure entertainers; many are instead masters of manipulation who hide behind an occupation that provides easy access to people in power. They are not solo fighters, but rather concentrate on inspiring allies or discouraging enemies to tip combat in their favor.

When becoming a Bard, you gain the following benefits:
+2 Willpower
+1 Cunning

As a Bard you gain access to the following talents.
More detailed information about each talent can be found on their individual pages.

Song of Valor	Description	The bard sings an ancient tale of valorous heroes, granting the party bonuses to mana or stamina regeneration at a rate affected by the bard's cunning. The bard can only sing one song at a time
Type	Sustained	Cooldown	30s	Requirements	none
Activation	-	Upkeep	50	Fatigue	5
Range	Personal	Target Type	Area of Effect, Sphere (10m), Self Centered
Distraction	Description	The bard's performance, replete with dizzying flourishes, is designed to distract and confuse. The target forgets who it was fighting and becomes disoriented unless it passes a mental resistance check
Type	Activated	Cooldown	30s	Requirements	Level 8
Activation	40 Stamina	Upkeep	-	Fatigue	-
Range	Short (8m)	Target Type
Song of Courage	Description	The bard launches into an epic song of the party's exploits, granting them bonuses to attack, damage, and critical chance. The size of the bonuses are affected by the bard's cunning. The bard can only sing one song at a time.
Type	Sustained	Cooldown	30s	Requirements	Level 10
Activation	-	Upkeep	50	Fatigue	5
Range	Personal	Target Type	Area of Effect, Sphere (10m), Self Centered
Captivating Song	Description	The bard begins an entrancing song that stuns hostile targets nearby unless they pass a mental resistance check every few seconds. Continuing the song does not drain stamina, but the bard cannot move or take any other action while singing
Type	Sustained	Cooldown	30s	Requirements	Level 12
Activation	-	Upkeep	60	Fatigue	5
Range	Personal	Target Type

Specializations in Dragon Age: Origins are not available from the start of the game. In addition to having a free Specialization Point, the character must have found a trainer willing to teach him the specialization before a point can be spent on training it.

Specialization unlocks are persistent between games, meaning that once unlocked in your player profile, your characters can learn a specialization without having to find the trainer first. They can also be unlocked even if the player character does not have the right class to actually learn them.

Spoilers below this point

The Bard specialization is taught by Leliana by pursuing her personal story. Alternatively a dwarf called Alimar in Orzammar trains it as well.

Spoilers above this point