Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Bard Subclasses [Overview, Features, Spells]

The Baldur's Gate 3 Best Bard Subclass guide will showcase the Bard class as well as the two best subclasses available!

Baldur’s Gate 3 has a wide variety of classes and subclasses that players can choose from, through which they can choose what the best one 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. 

Important: Players must choose a strong subclass to get the most optimal Bard to build!
Key Takeaways
  • 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. 

Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Bard Subclass

Bard Class
Bard Class (Image Credits eXputer)

Below listed is a summarized version of the Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Bard Subclass:

BARD SUBCLASSDESCRIPTIONFEATURESPRIMARY ABILITIES
College of LorePursuing beauty and truth, colelcting knowledge and making opponents spellbound.Cutting Words, Intimidation Proficiency, Arcana Proficiency, Sleight of Hand ProficiencyCharisma
College of ValorPlayers 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

Kicking things off, let’s take a look at the Bard class itself before going into which the best subclass might be. The Bard class has its primary ability being focused on Charisma, while the saving throw proficiencies have been centered towards Dexterity and Charisma. Bards have been described to be extremely intelligent, being able to master their spells as well as cantrips and being able to use them to their advantage. 

Features 

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. 

Subclasses 

Subclasses
Subclasses (Image Credits eXputer)

Now, as far as the subclasses are concerned, the Baldur’s Gate 3 Bard Class has a total of 3 subclasses to choose from, all of which will have their progression as well as spell slots that can be varied. 

  • College of Lore 
  • College of Valor 
  • College of Swords

College Of Lore 

College of Lore
College of Lore (Image Credits eXputer)

First things first, when it comes to the Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Bard Subclassthere 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 ProficiencyDexterity-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 
1Bardic Inspiration 
2Song of Rest 
2Jack of All Trades 
3Expertise 
3Choose a subclass 
4Choose a feat 
5Font of Inspiration 
5Improved Bardic Inspiration 
5Bardic Inspiration charge increases. 
6Countercharm 
8Choose a feat 
8Bardic Inspiration enhanced 
10Improved Bardic Inspiration 
10Expertise in any 2 skills 
10Choose 2 spells 
12Choose 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

College Of Valor 

College Of Valor
College Of Valor (Image Credits eXputer)

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. 

FeaturesEffect 
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 ProficiencyIf you wear medium armor, it won’t be a disadvantage on your attack rolls or spell-casting. 

Best Subclass Spells 

Spells
Spells (Image Credits eXputer)

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. 

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?

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Mina Anwar


Mina is a Senior Guides Writer and a fanatic who’s obsessed with playing games and writing about them. She’s invested tons of hours in games like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, she loves to write detailed guides for beginners and pros in the Gacha Games world. Experience: 3+ Years || Education: Bachelor's in Journalism || Written 400+ Articles

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