Best Baldur's Gate 3 Bard build: Race, skills, subclass, background & more
Any keen songsters out there will definitely want to pay attention to our best Baldur's Gate 3 Bard build, as you can really excel with the best race, skills, subclass, background and so much more.
While there is plenty of combat to go around in Baldur's Gate 3, sometimes you just need a little bit of music in your life, and perhaps some convincing words if anyone needs a little persuading.
While the Bard is perhaps a little overlooked when it comes to the eight classes in the game, you can do some serious damage both in and out of combat with the right stats and skills.
So, make sure to carry on reading below to see everything you need to create the best Bard build in Baldur's Gate 3, or check out our other class guides if you've got your eyes on something else:
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Baldur's Gate 3 Bard explained
Click to enlargeThe Bard in Baldur's Gate 3 is a charisma-based class that can switch between spellcasting and melee depending on your specialisations. Many of the available spells benefit from charisma status effects, but a lot of the benefits come from outside of combat too.
You will want to pick the Bard if you're looking to be a master in dialogue scenarios, as you'll be able to pass Persuasion, Deception, and even Intimidation skill checks with ease. Furthermore, you'll get plenty of Bard-specific dialogue options as well to flourish many a conversation with prose and song.
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All Bard subclasses in Baldur's Gate 3
Click to enlargeThere are a total of three Bard subclasses that players can choose from in Baldur's Gate 3, giving them a different approach depending on how they want to play through the game. The three subclasses in question are College of Lore, College of Valour, and College of Swords, so continue reading to see all of the subclass features below.
College of Lore
The College of Lore offers a heavy dialogue specialisation to the Bard, giving you extra boosts to certain skill checks and a new way to harm your enemies with words.
| Subclass Feature | Description |
| Additional Proficiencies | Gain Proficiency in Arcana, Intimidation, and Sleight of Hand |
| Cutting Words | Use your wit to distract a creature and sap its confidence |
College of Valour
With the College of Valour, you're going to flex your musical muscles to support the rest of your party, which can be very helpful if you think your songs are good enough to inspire.
| Subclass Feature | Description |
| Combat Inspiration | Inspire an ally to add +1d6 bonus to their next Attack Roll, Ability Check, Saving Throw, weapon damage, or Armour Class |
College of Swords
Finally, the College of Swords is perfect if you want to make your Bard an adept fighter as well as a talker, giving you a number of different combat skills to enhance your effectiveness in hostile encounters.
| Subclass Feature | Description |
| Slashing Flourish (Melee) | Attack up to two enemies at once |
| Defensive Flourish (Melee) | Attack defensively, increasing your Armour Class by four if you hit |
| Mobile Flourish (Melee) | Thrust your weapon with enough force to push your target back 6m. Afterwards, you can Teleport to the target |
| Slashing Flourish (Ranged) | Attack up to two enemies at once |
| Defensive Flourish (Ranged) | Attack defensively, increasing your Armour Class by four if you hit |
| Mobile Flourish (Ranged) | Shoot a target with enough force to push it back 6m. Afterwards, you can Teleport to the target |
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What is the best Bard subclass?
Click to enlargeOur pick for the best Bard subclass in Baldur's Gate 3 is the College of Swords, as it gives you the greatest amount of flexibility when it comes to your wider adventure.
While you can of course skip many hostile encounters through clever dialogue, many fights are inevitable and having the skills to succeed within them is so important.
If you really want to focus on a speech route though, then the College of Lore certainly wouldn't be a bad choice as its subclass features will definitely give you the upper hand when exchanging words.
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Best Baldur's Gate 3 Bard build
Level 1
Click to enlarge| Option | Selection |
| Race & Subrace | Wood Half-Elf |
| Cantrips | Minor Illusion & Viscous Mockery |
| Spells | Sleep, Dissonant Whispers, Tasha's Hideous Laughter, Speak with Animals |
| Background | The Entertainer |
| Skill Proficiencies | Persuasion, Performance |
| Instrument | Lyre |
| Ability Points |
|
Level 2
Click to enlarge| Option | Selection |
| Spell | Charm Person |
Level 3
Click to enlarge| Option | Selection |
| Subclass | College of Swords |
| Spell | Cloud of Daggers |
| Fighting Style | Duelling |
| Replace Spell |
|
Level 4
Click to enlarge| Option | Selection |
| Cantrip | Light |
| Spell | Heat Metal |
| Feat | Actor |
Level 5
Click to enlarge| Option | Selection |
| Spell | Speak with the Dead |
| Replace Spell |
|
Level 6
Click to enlarge| Option | Selection |
| Spell | Fear |
Level 7
Click to enlarge| Option | Selection |
| Spell | Dimension Door |
| Replace Spell |
|
Level 8
Click to enlarge| Option | Selection |
| Spell | Confusion |
| Feat | Skilled: Acrobatics, Investigation, Sleight of Hand |
Level 9
Click to enlarge| Option | Selection |
| Spell | Dominate Person |
| Replace Spell |
|
Level 10
Click to enlarge| Option | Selection |
| Skills | Intimidation, Persuasion |
| Cantrip | Mage Hand |
| Spell | Seeming |
| Magical Secrets | Spirit Guardians, Cone of Cold |
Level 11
Click to enlarge| Option | Selection |
| Spell | Otto's Irresistible Dance |
Level 12
Click to enlarge| Option | Selection |
| Spell | Hold Monster |
| Feat | Sharpshooter |
So, that wraps up everything you need to know about the best Bard build in Baldur's Gate 3, giving you suggestions for what to select if you want to succeed as a performing artist.
Looking for more help in your travels through Faerûn? Check out our Baldur's Gate 3 homepage for so much more when it comes to guides.