Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Bard Subclasses [Features + Spells]
After playing for more than 80 hours as Bard, here is my take on its best subclasses available!
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Baldur’s Gate 3 has a wide variety of classes and subclasses that players can choose from, through which they can choose the best one that might fit them. Such is the Bard class, which has a total of 3 subclasses, and each has its traits and features. Therefore, players might want to know the Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Bard Subclass, which is where your build will start to diversify.
- Baldur’s Gate 3 Bard Class has three subclasses, the best of which are the College of Lore and the College of Valor.
- College of Lore focuses on Cutting Words, Intimidation Proficiency, Arcana, and Sleight of Hand Proficiency.
- College of Valor aims towards Shield Proficiency, Combat Inspiration, Martial Weapon Inspiration, and Medium Armor Proficiency being the main features.
- The third bard subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3, the College of Swords, is also a good option but does not top the other two.
- Author’s Note: With more than dozens of hours of experience in Baldur’s Gate 3, I feel more than obliged to provide you with hands-on experience on the topic below.
BG3 Best Bard Subclass
Below I have listed a summarized version of the BG3 Best Bard Subclass:
| BARD SUBCLASS | BEST FOR | DESCRIPTION | FEATURES | PRIMARY ABILITIES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Lore | The Subclass with Charisma-Based Skills. | Pursuing beauty and truth, colelcting knowledge and making opponents spellbound. | Cutting Words, Intimidation Proficiency, Arcana Proficiency, Sleight of Hand Proficiency | Charisma |
| College of Valor | The Subclass with High Defensive Proficiencies. | Players will wander the lands in order to see the deeds of the mighty and using their insane memory. | Shield Proficiency, Combat Inspiration, Martial Weapon Inspiration, Medium Armor Proficiency. | Charisma |
Regarding the features for the class, the Bard class will have quite a few features that align with the subclass.
| Features | Effects |
| Dexterity Saving Throw Proficiency | Players can add their proficiency bonus to their Dexterity Saving Throws. |
| Light Armor Proficiency | Wearing light armor won’t disadvantage your attack rolls or spell-casting. |
| Charisma Saving Throw Proficiency | You can add your proficiency bonus to your Charisma saving throws. |
| Simple Weapon Proficiency | Add up your proficiency bonus to your attack rolls with simple weapons. |
| Musical Instrument Proficiency | Players will know how to play music and can entertain a crowd using it. |
| Hand Crossbow Proficiency | Add up your proficiency bonus to your attack rolls with hand crossbows. |
| Longsword Proficiency | You can add your proficiency bonus to your attack rolls with Longswords. |
| Rapier Proficiency | Add your bonus to your Rapier-based attack rolls. |
| Shortsword Proficiency | The proficiency bonus will be added to your Shortswords. |
College Of Lore
First things first, when it comes to the Best Bard Subclass, there are two sub-classes that would be considered the best, which would range from the College of Lore to the College of Valor, though the College of Swords isn’t all that far off either.
- Regarding the College of Lore, its primary ability has been centered towards Charisma, while the Saving Throw Proficiencies will be that of Dexterity and Charisma.
- The College of Lore has been described as one that pursues beauty and truth, collecting knowledge from wherever possible and using it during combat.
Features
As far as the features are concerned, there will be four main initial features that range from Arcana Proficiency, Sleight of Hand Proficiency as well as Cutting Words, and Intimidation Proficiency.
| Features | Effects |
| Cutting Words | Players can use their wit to distract a creature. |
| Intimidation Proficiency | Charisma-based skill |
| Arcana Proficiency | Intelligence-based skill |
| Sleight of Hand Proficiency | Dexterity-based skill |
Feature Progression
As far as the Feature progression is concerned for both the Bard class and the College of Lore progression, it is listed as follows.
| Level Progression | Features/Spells/Actions |
| 1 | Bardic Inspiration |
| 2 | Song of Rest |
| 2 | Jack of All Trades |
| 3 | Expertise |
| 3 | Choose a subclass |
| 4 | Choose a feat |
| 5 | Font of Inspiration |
| 5 | Improved Bardic Inspiration |
| 5 | Bardic Inspiration charge increases. |
| 6 | Countercharm |
| 8 | Choose a feat |
| 8 | Bardic Inspiration enhanced |
| 10 | Improved Bardic Inspiration |
| 10 | Expertise in any 2 skills |
| 10 | Choose 2 spells |
| 12 | Choose a feat. |
| 3 (College of Lore) | Cutting Woods |
| 3 (College of Lore) | Arcana, Sleight of Hand and Intimidation proficiencies |
| 3 (College of Lore) | Choose 2 spells |
- Reliable offensive abilities
- Enemies Crowd Control
- Impressive Charisma and Dexterity
- Low overall damage
- Only good as support class
College Of Valor
In my opinion, the second-best Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Bard Class will be known as the College of Valor, which has the primary ability set to Charisma, while the saving Throw proficiencies are set to Charisma and Dexterity. They have been described as wandering the lands and keeping memories alive.
Features
For its features, it has a total of 4 that range from Medium Armor Proficiency, Combat Inspiration, Shield Proficiency, and Martial Weapon Proficiency.
| Features | Effect |
| Shield Proficiency | Wielding a shield won’t impose a disadvantage on the Attack Rolls. |
| Combat Inspiration | You can inspire an ally to add a bonus to the next attack roll. |
| Martial Weapon Inspiration | Add a proficiency bonus to the attack rolls with Martial Weapons. |
| Medium Armor Proficiency | If you wear medium armor, it won’t be a disadvantage on your attack rolls or spell-casting. |
- Cancels disadvantage on attack rolls
- Defense focused abilities
- Reliable Support
- Lacks at heavy armor
- Lacks at Melee attacks
Best Subclass Spells
Moving on, there are cantrips and six levels of spells that players can use, and a few might work better than others.
| Cantrips | Effect |
| Friends | Players will gain an Advantage on their Charisma checks against a creature that isn’t hostile. |
| Minor Illusion | Players can create an illusion that will cause creatures nearby to investigate it. |
| Mage Hand | Cast forth a spectral that will be able to manipulate and interact with objects. |
| True Strike | You will get an advantage on your following Attack Roll. |
| Vicious Mockery | Cast forth a string of insults toward a creature that will take damage and get a Disadvantage for the next Attack Roll. |
As far as the spells are concerned, they are listed as follows for Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Subclass.
| Spells | Effect |
| Fireball | You can shoot out a bright flame using fingers that will explode upon coming into contact. |
| Mass Healing Word | The spell will end up healing up to 6 teammates. |
| Haste | You can either target yourself or your allies to make them Hastened. |
| Heat Metal | You can cause a metal weapon or your armor to become red hot. |
| Cloud of Daggers | Summon forth a cloud of spinning daggers that will attack anyone inside. |
| Crown of Madness | You can instill madness in an opponent that is a humanoid. |
| Counterspells | Nullify another creature’s spell that is being used as a reaction. |
| Thunderwave | You can cast forth a wave of thunderous force that will push away objects. |
| Calm Emotions | Humanoids won’t be able to be charmed or can’t be frightened. |
| Hypnotic Pattern | Summon a twisting pattern of color that will end up hypnotizing all sorts of creatures. |
| Plant Growth | Cause weeds to burst from the ground and cover the entire area. |
| Heroism | Make yourself or any target become immune to Frightened. |
| Dimension Door | You can teleport yourself and one ally to a place you can see. |
| Minor Illusion | Create forth an illusion that will cause nearby creatures to investigate. |
| Vicious Mockery | Summon forth a string of insults towards a creature. |
| Disguise Self | Magically change your appearance completely. |
| Bane | Up to a total of 3 creatures will receive a -1d4 penalty to their attack rolls and their Saving Throws. |
| Phantasmal Force | You can deal damage to any creature for each turn. |
| Bestow Curse | You will be able to curse a creature using your touch. |
| Fear | Project forth an image that will be so scary that it makes targets drop everything and become fearful. |
| Polymorph | Transform a creature into a sheep. |
| Dominate Person | You can make a humanoid fight alongside you. |
My Take On Using The Bard Subclasses
The Bards have to be one of my favorite classes in BG3 after playing the title for over 40 hours. The fact that an entity can use such harsh language that it deals damage or even kills the target is simply too hilarious. Naturally, this means that I lean more toward the College of Lore than the College of Valor.
The class also focuses a lot on Charisma for skills like Deception, Persuasion, and, of course, Performance. If you’re a seasoned DnD player, then you already know why I singled out these three. If not, then you’ll come to know in time what power these hold.
And that’s just about it! All that players need to know about the Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Bard Subclass, and with that, let’s wrap up the guide! While you’re here, why not read the Baldur’s Gate 3 Halsin guide, which will tell you everything you need to know about the Halsin Companion? Alongside that, the Best Level 1 Spells guide will be worth reading!
With that, Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Fighter Subclasses Strategy Playstyle guide is one that you shouldn’t miss out on. Lastly, how about reading the in-game Bear Scene guide?
Up Next:
- Baldur’s Gate 3 Ranger Build
- Baldur’s Gate 3: How To Romance Karlach
- Baldur’s Gate 3: Paladin Build
- Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Items
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