Summary
Bards are a fun and versatile class to play inBaldur’s Gate 3thanks to their natural charisma, their versatility, and their role of filling the gaps in the party’s skillsets. One of the spellcasters,Bards use music to cast magicinstead of drawing it from an innate talent, knowledge, or channeling it from a god. Because of their musical talents, they can play a variety of musical instruments, and are talented in storytelling and wordplay.
One of the most versatile classes, Bards are a great choice for any player who enjoys roleplaying outside of combat. Bards get some of the best dialogue options inBaldur’s Gate 3, and their natural talent for just about everything means they rarely let the party down. However, to succeed at playing as a Bard, it is worth making use of several tips.
Building a Bard in Baldur’s Gate 3
Understand the Subclasses
The Bard subclasses only become available at Level 3, where theBard chooses one of three Collegesto specialize in. Each Bard subclass specializes in a different aspect of the bardic arts, such as magic, swordplay, and inspirational abilities.
College of Lore
Bards from the College of Lore focus on spells. They debuff their enemies with the reaction Cutting Words, a powerful ability that deals a 1d6 penalty to Attack rolls, Ability checks, and Saving throws. Lore Bards also get to choose two Spells from the Magical Secrets list.
College of Swords
Bards from the College of Swords are more martially inclined, and can hold their own on the front lines. They get an Extra Attack when fighting, use their Bardic Inspiration for multi-attacks, and can choose a Fighting Style. College of Swords Bards can also wear Medium Armor and use Scimitars.
College of Valor
Bards from the College of Valor inspire their allies with their upgraded Bardic Inspiration, Combat Inspiration. Combat Inspiration adds bonus damage to their next weapon attack, or adds protection to their AC. Valor Bards also get proficiency in all Martial Weapons, Shields, and Medium Armor, and they get an Extra Attack per turn.
Multiclass into Warlock
Bard is one of four classes that have Charisma as their core ability score. The otherthree Charisma classes inBaldur’s Gate 3are Paladin, Sorcerer, and Warlock. As Bard is such a versatile class, it can be multiclassed into any of the other Charisma classes seamlessly, but one of the best options for multiclassing a Bard is the Warlock. A College of Swords Bard multiclassed with Warlock with the Pact of the Blade is an incredibly effective DPS fighter, and also gives them access to Eldritch Blast, one of the best offensive cantrips inBaldur’s Gate 3.
How Bards Work in Baldur’s Gate 3
Bardic Inspiration Charges
Bard abilities are powered through two systems: the usualspell slots that all spellcasters use, and Bardic Inspiration Charges. Inspiration Charges are points that power Bard-specific abilities, such as Bardic Inspiration, Blade Flourish, and Combat Inspiration. Spells learned as a Bard, such as Faerie Fire, Healing Word, and Thunderwave use the usual spell slots rather than Inspiration Charges. Bards gain more Inspiration Charges as they level up.
Using a Bard’s Charisma
Bards are a Charisma classand use their Charisma-modifier to increase the chances of their spells and weapon attacks to hit. Charisma works well as the Bard’s main ability score, as they’re well-known as a class of performers and storytellers, and often serve as the “face” of the party. In character creation, max the Bard’s Charisma as much as possible, and seek ways to increase it during gameplay through completing quests and rare equipment that modifies the Charisma stat.
Roleplaying a Bard in Baldur’s Gate 3
Understanding a Bard’s Versatility
At level 2, Bards unlock Jack of All Trades, which adds half theBard’s proficiency bonus to all of their Ability checks. This makes Bards good at everything: Bards can pick locks, they can disarm traps, they can steal. Bards are the ultimate all-rounder, and can pick up the slack of anyone who may have been left behind at camp. Everyone who plays a Bard knows that they can do everything; they may not be the best at it, but they do get the job done.
Using Music as a Distraction
The flute, lute, violin, lyre, and drum are all a part of the Bard’s repertoire of musical talents, and they’re not limited to magic in combat. Thanks to a proficiency in Performance,Bards can play these musical instrumentsanywhere and at any time, but best when a well-timed distraction is needed for their companions to slip past some guards or pick some pockets. This is especially helpful to save on spell slots, or if spells such as Illusion aren’t available.
Access to Magical Secrets
All Bards get access to the Magical Secrets list at Level 10, which is a list of spells drawn from other classes.The Magical Secrets listis extensive and includes spells of all kinds for any build, including spells like Haste, Slow, Counterspell, and Mass Healing Word for support builds, as well as Banishing Smite, Contagion, Death Ward, and Hunger of Hadar for DPS Bard builds. This gives the Bard access to a variety of spells that other spellcasting classes don’t have access to, and their spells are always prepared. Lore Bards also get access to the Magical Secrets list at Level 6, but they can only choose spells from Level 3 and below.
Use Insight and Charisma
Charisma is the ultimate power inBaldur’s Gate 3. So many fights are avoided when the player character has the insight and Persuasion skill needed to convince a boss enemy and their allies to die, all without the party needing to lift a finger. Bards also have some of the best class-specific dialogue inBaldur’s Gate 3, making it incredibly easy and fun to roleplay them.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
