How to play the Bard class in Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access Class Guide

The Bard class has just been added to Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access Patch 8. The Bard is a support class that uses the power of her voice and music to inspire her allies and thwart her enemies. This class is unique and can be difficult to master. Here is a guide to the Bard class.

• Baldur's Gate 3 Best Bard Races
• Baldur's Gate 3 Best Bard Spells
• Baldur's Gate 3 Best Bard Skills
• Baldur's Gate 3 initial bard skill points
• Baldur's Gate 3 Bard Subclasses

Baldur's Gate 3 Best Bard Races

Race determines the unique traits of your characters, such as darkvision or additional attribute points. Charisma is a bard's primary attribute, as it is their spellcasting modifier. The best race options for Bard will give +2 to this stat. These races are:

*High Elf

* Forest half-elf * Drow half-elf * Asmodeus Tiefling * Mephistopheles Tiefling * Zariel Tiefling

Race options will satisfy the requirement of +2 Charisma; However, Half-elf is the best option as a racing feature. You will also get the option to select additional Ability Upgrades-choose Dexterity and Constitution.

Baldur's Gate 3 Best Bard Spells

A bard will gain access to several spells and spells at level one and above as they level up. During character creation, you can choose two sorceries and four starting spells. Cantrips can be used without a spell slot. Best Options:

• Wicked Mock (Affliction): Unleash a series of enchanted insults on a creature. He takes damage (psychic 1d4) and has disadvantage on his next attack roll.
• Sure Strike (Spellcraft): Predicts a character's defense to give you advantage on attack rolls against them.
• Dissonant Whispers (Spell): Whisper an inaudible melody to a creature. He takes 3d6 psychic damage and becomes frightened.
• Tasha's Disgusting Laugh (Spell): Causes the creature to burst out laughing, leaving it prone and unable to stand up.
• Cure Wounds (Spell): A creature you touch recovers 1d8+3 hit points.
• Healing Word (Spell): A creature you see regains 1d4+3 hit points.

These spells and spells are a mix of damage and condition spells that will allow you to support your allies by inflicting negative conditions on your enemies during combat. You will also select the initial tool on the class screen, and the tool can be changed later and has no effect on gameplay other than the sound your spells make when cast.

Baldur's Gate 3 Best Bard Skills

Charisma is the main ability of the Bard. The best skills are ability checks that use Charisma are:

• Deception
• intimidation
• Performance
• Belief

Entertainer background will give you performance and acrobatics skills, allowing you to select the three remaining skills when choosing a skill.

Baldur's Gate 3 initial bard skill points

The bard must focus on the three abilities listed below. The remaining ability points can be left at 10 or 8 in the case of Strength.

• Dexterity (16): Affects your Dexterity skills and your effectiveness with ranged and melee weapons. Also affects your initiative and armor class.
• Constitution (14): Affects maximum hit points.
• Charisma (17): Affects your Charisma skills, affects merchant prices, and improves bard spellcasting.

Baldur's Gate 3 Bard Subclasses

At the third level, you will choose a bard subclass. Two options: College of Knowledge and College of Valor. College of Valor will change your playstyle to a melee-oriented bard with skills in medium armor, shields, and combat weapons. You will also gain access to the Battle Inspiration action. College of Knowledge will give you access to the Cutting Words reaction.

Any subclass is an efficient option; However, the College of Knowledge is the best option to support the Bard's play style. The Cutting Words reaction can be used on the same turn as an action and a bonus action, provided you have Bard's Inspiration points to perform three actions in one turn.

For more Baldur's Gate 3 guides, check out Baldur's Gate 3: Who Are Companions? here at the Pro Game Guides.