{"id":35733,"date":"2023-08-11T15:22:50","date_gmt":"2023-08-11T13:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1872161"},"modified":"2023-08-11T18:46:42","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T16:46:42","slug":"baldurs-gate-bard-class-guide-best-choices-options-to-build-your-bard","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/baldurs-gate-bard-class-guide-best-choices-options-to-build-your-bard\/","title":{"rendered":"Baldur\u2019s Gate bard class guide: Best choices &#038; options to build your bard"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\"> Anyway, here&#8217;s Wonderwall. <\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By Cole Luke\n                \t\t<\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Friday, 11 August 2023 at 13:22 PM<\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body> <p>It wouldn\u2019t be Dungeons &amp; Dragons without a merry bard keeping the party\u2019s spirits high, and to fulfil your archetypal destiny we have for you our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/baldurs-gate-3-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/a> bard class guide with the best choices and options to build your bard.<\/p>\n<p>Despite being a music-focused class, the bard is no stranger to delivering damage \u2013 and our build ensures that you sit somewhere between John Lennon\u2019s Imagine and Norwegian Black Metal.<\/p>\n<p>This means that you can expect to be fairly good at a wide range of abilities and will be more than useful in most situations \u2013 especially if you have got a good combination of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/baldurs-gate-3-all-companions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">companions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>We won\u2019t keep you, though, as we know you have rehearsals to attend to (and a tadpole situation to take care of) \u2013 so to get the lowdown on all things bard, keep reading to become a pain and note-slinging maestro the likes of Faer\u00fbn has never seen.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 bard class guide: Best choices &amp; options to build your bard<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>We know you want to get straight into the action, so below is a very quick overview of the options to go for if you want the best bard build for Baldur\u2019s Gate 3.<\/p>\n<ul><li><b>Race<\/b> \u2013 Half-Elf<\/li>\n<li><b>Sub-race<\/b> \u2013 Wood Half-Elf<\/li>\n<li><b>Class<\/b> \u2013 Bard<\/li>\n<li><b>Subclass<\/b> \u2013 College of Valour<\/li>\n<li><b>Background<\/b> \u2013 The Entertainer<\/li>\n<li><b>Skills<\/b> \u2013 Acrobatics and Performance<\/li>\n<li><b>Spells<\/b> \u2013 Healing Word, Heroism, Dissonant Whispers, Thunderwave<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This makes sure to not pigeonhole you squarely into either a support or combat role, and instead lets you become a versatile force to be reckoned with during combat and dialogue.<\/p>\n<p>Scant few will resist your charms \u2013 fewer your deadly attacks.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more on Baldur\u2019s Gate 3:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/baldurs-gate-3-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 review<\/a> \u2013 our final verdict<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/baldurs-gate-3-best-builds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 builds<\/a> \u2013 create your character<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/baldurs-gate-3-cast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 cast<\/a> \u2013 all voice actors<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/baldurs-gate-3-mods\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 mods<\/a> \u2013 best hacks and cheats<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/baldurs-gate-3-multiplayer-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 multiplayer<\/a> \u2013 co-op explained<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/baldurs-gate-3-all-companions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 companions<\/a> \u2013 recruit them all<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/baldurs-gate-3-classes-subclasses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 classes<\/a> \u2013 best class and sub-class<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/baldurs-gate-3-change-appearance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 change appearance<\/a> \u2013 can it be done?<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/technology\/gaming\/baldurs-gate-3-early-game-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 early game tips<\/a> \u2013 get an epic sword<\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>Best Subclass for bard in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The best subclass for the bard in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 is The College of Valour<\/strong> which makes the bard quite a lot better in combat.<\/p>\n<p>The College of Lore is better suited for Ability Checks during non-combat encounters and places it squarely in support role territory, something much better served by clerics or paladins.<\/p>\n<p>College of Valour will give you access to these features.<\/p>\n<ul><li><b>Combat Inspiration<\/b> \u2013 Inspire an ally to add a +ld6 bonus to their next Attack Roll, Ability Check, Saving Throw, weapon damage, or Armour Class.<\/li>\n<li><b>Medium Armour Proficiency<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Shield Proficiency<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Martial Weapon Proficiency<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3><b>Best Spells for bard in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Unlike other classes, you cannot prepare spells from your spellbook, and instead have to have set choices which you make during the levelling up screen.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, it\u2019s important to choose wisely, as you don\u2019t want to get caught out with spells that aren\u2019t optimal for your build \u2013 so below is a handy-dandy guide for you to follow as you climb up the XP ladder.<\/p>\n<h4><b>Level 1<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul><li>Charm Person<\/li>\n<\/ul><h4><b>Level 2<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul><li>College of Valour<\/li>\n<li>Crown of Madness<\/li>\n<\/ul><h4><b>Level 3<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul><li>Mage Hand<\/li>\n<li>Cloud of Daggers<\/li>\n<li>Actor<\/li>\n<\/ul><h4><b>Level 4<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul><li>Fear<\/li>\n<\/ul><h4><b>Level 5<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul><li>Knock<\/li>\n<\/ul><h4><b>Level 6<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul><li>Phantasmal Force<\/li>\n<\/ul><h4><b>Level 7<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul><li>Polymorph<\/li>\n<\/ul><h4><b>Level 8<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul><li>Dimension Door<\/li>\n<li>Ability Improvement (charisma)<\/li>\n<\/ul><h4><b>Level 9<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul><li>Mass Cure Wounds<\/li>\n<\/ul><h4><b>Level 10<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul><li>Minor Illusion<\/li>\n<li>Confusion<\/li>\n<li>Call Lightning<\/li>\n<li>Fireball<\/li>\n<\/ul><h4><b>Level 11<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul><li>Otto\u2019s Irresistible Dance<\/li>\n<li>Feign Death<\/li>\n<li>Alert<\/li>\n<\/ul> <h3><b>Best Abilities for bard in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Strength<\/b> \u2013 10<\/p>\n<p><b>Dexterity<\/b> \u2013 15<\/p>\n<p><b>Constitution<\/b> \u2013 14<\/p>\n<p><b>Intelligence<\/b> \u2013 10<\/p>\n<p><b>Wisdom<\/b> \u2013 10<\/p>\n<p><b>Charisma<\/b> \u2013 16<\/p>\n<p>The above means that you\u2019re quite the loveable \u2013 yet capable \u2013 fellow as you can charm the socks off people during dialogue and pull them off their cold corpses if they cross your path.<\/p>\n<p>Your high Constitution means you can take quite a few hits to keep the tunes going and your Dexterity will grant you favourable odds when doing Combat Rolls.<\/p>\n<p>Being a bard grants you the Class Feature <b>Bardic Inspiration<\/b>. This spell can\u2019t be cast on yourself but gives allies a +1d6 advantage roll to use during Ability Checks, Saving Throws and Attack Rolls.<\/p>\n<p>This Advantage can be used when they want, so it\u2019s recommended to save it until a critical moment \u2013 such as a boss fight or tricky dialogue option.<\/p>\n<h3><b>Best race and sub-race for bard in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>The best race and sub-race for the bard in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 is Wood Half-Elf<\/b>. This is mainly due to the +2 Charisma afforded to you and the <b>Ability Improvements<\/b> which lets you change things about a bit, say if you\u2019d rather allot them to Constitution and Dexterity.<\/p>\n<p>Other features such as <b>Darkvision<\/b> let you see in the dark, which pairs very nicely with <b>Mask of the Wild<\/b> which gives the bard proficiency in <b>Stealth<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>As the bard isn\u2019t going to be the party tank, <b>Fleet of Foot <\/b>will see you making it to safety if your bard is in the thick of it.<\/p> <div class=\"brightcove embed\"> <div class=\"embed__intrinsic\"> <div class=\"brightcove__player vjs-playlist-player-container\"> <video data-video-id=\"6332232107112\" data-account=\"69912529001\" data-player=\"ByeOf0VZEl\" data-embed=\"default\" data-application-id=\"\" controls=\"\" class=\"video-js\"> <\/video> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script src=\"\/\/players.brightcove.net\/69912529001\/ByeOf0VZEl_default\/index.min.js\"\/> <h3><b>Best bard background in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The best background for the bard in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 is the Entertainer.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>That may come as no surprise given the title, but the Entertainer background enables the bard to be very good when it comes to Charisma, Constitution and Dexterity, meaning that while you have the gift of the gab, you\u2019re no slouch in combat either \u2013 with your weapons as sharp as your tongue \u2013 and a club to the head won\u2019t leave you dead, though we can\u2019t say how you\u2019ll fare with the critics.<\/p>\n<h3><b>Best instrument for bard in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><strong>The best instrument for the Bard in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3 is any of them.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>They only change the animation for when you enable Bardic Inspiration, so you can choose whichever instrument you like the look of the best.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve opted for the violin as it feels very befitting of the candlelit taverns of the game, but that is purely our preference.<\/p>\n<h3><b>Best equipment for bard in Baldur\u2019s Gate 3<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>The College of Valour subclass lets you utilise Medium Armour, though you will never be quite as robust as a barbarian or paladin \u2013 so it\u2019s not always advisable to be the first to charge into the fray.<\/p>\n<p>One-handed weapons such as a shortsword or mace with a shield, as well as a hand crossbow, are a pretty well-rounded combo to have, letting you do damage up close and from afar depending on the situation you find yourself in.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Subscribe to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/gaming-newsletter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">free Gaming Newsletter<\/a> for weekly insights, and <strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RadioTimesGames\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">follow us on Twitter<\/a> for all the latest updates.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Looking for something to watch? Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/tv\/tv-listings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">TV Guide<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/streaming-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Streaming Guide<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only \u00a310, PLUS a \u00a310 John Lewis and Partners voucher delivered to your home \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/magazine-subscription\/?utm_term=evergreen-article\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">subscribe now<\/a>. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to <a title=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/audio\/podcasts\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/audio\/podcasts\/\">The Radio Times Podcast<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> Anyway, here&#8217;s Wonderwall. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":35734,"template":"","categories":[1,8],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/08\/baldurs-gate-bard-class-guide-best-choices-options-to-build-your-bard.jpg",1600,1066,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/08\/baldurs-gate-bard-class-guide-best-choices-options-to-build-your-bard-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/08\/baldurs-gate-bard-class-guide-best-choices-options-to-build-your-bard-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/08\/baldurs-gate-bard-class-guide-best-choices-options-to-build-your-bard-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/08\/baldurs-gate-bard-class-guide-best-choices-options-to-build-your-bard-1024x682.jpg",800,533,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/08\/baldurs-gate-bard-class-guide-best-choices-options-to-build-your-bard-1536x1023.jpg",1536,1023,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2023\/08\/baldurs-gate-bard-class-guide-best-choices-options-to-build-your-bard.jpg",1600,1066,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Anyway, here's Wonderwall.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/35733"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}