Baldur’s Gate 3is shaping up to be one of the biggest RPGs of the decade, and that expansive scope begins at character creation, where players must choose race, class, and background from over a hundred combined options. Of these choices, the most impactful will almost certainly be theBaldur’s Gate 3class, as it defines not only what the player’s character can do but also who they are as a person.
Players who are looking for a charming, magical, jack-of-all-trades entertainer should look no further than the Bard class. The Bard is a quintessentialDungeons and Dragonsclass, one who has unlocked the ancient magic hidden within music, song, and performance. WithBaldur’s Gate 3’s adoption of the +2/+1 Ability Score options fromTasha’s Cauldron of Everything, any race can make a good Bard by choosing Charisma as their primary Ability Score, with Dexterity being the recommended secondary.
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Baldur’s Gate 3: Bard Roleplay Features
There are few classes more flavorful thanthe Bard inBaldur’s Gate 3, and that flavor begins at character creation with the choice of a starting instrument. Although the differences between these instruments are mostly cosmetic, and other instruments can be acquired later in the game, a Bard’s instrument helps to define their character. They will use their equipped instrument whenever they cast a Bard spell, adding a musical motif as they work their magic. Bards can also play their instruments outside of combat, causing nearby NPCs to gather round and even toss a few coins, allowing the Bard’s allies to take advantage of their distraction to pick pockets, open locks, and generally get up to no good.
When it comes to dialogue options, Bards make the most of their natural charisma, encyclopedic knowledge of song and story, and performance skills. Like their fellowCharisma class the Warlock, the Bard will most often serve as the party’s “face”, taking the lead in conversations and using their high Persuasion, Deception, and even Intimidation to charm, trick, or coerce others into accepting their point of view.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Bard Gameplay Features
In gameplay terms, the Bard fills the role of a support caster, though with a focus on crowd control and debuffing rather than healing. The Bard gets access to the same number ofSpell Slots per Long Restas any other full caster in the game, and chooses the spells they know from a long list of buffing, debuffing, healing, and utility options. The Bard supplements their spells with a few unique support and Skill-focused features, further boosting their legendary versatility.
These features include Bardic Inspiration, which allows the Bard to grant their allies a bonus die to Attack Rolls, Saving Throws, or Ability Checks, and Song of Rest, which grants the entire party an extra Short Rest per Long Rest. The Bard also gains a pair of Skill-based features in Jack of all Trades, which makes the Bard better at Skills they aren’t Proficient in, and Expertise, which allows the Bard to pick two Skills to further specialize in. The Level 6+ features of the Bard inBaldur’s Gate 3aren’t yet confirmed, but if the class continues tofollow theDnD5E rules closelythey will also gain the ability to protect allies from the Frightened and Charmed conditions, and eventually gain the ability to pick spells from any class' spell list.
While Bards pick new spells at every level, the most important choice they’ll make past character creation is picking their subclass. The Bard has three subclasses to choose from, each with its own focus and flavor:
Players can expect their subclass to provide plenty of roleplay opportunities and dialogue options as theyprogress throughBaldur’s Gate 3’s story, allowing them to add an extra level of customization to the Bard’s charm, versatility, and musical talents.
Baldur’s Gate 3comes out on August 3 on PC and September 6 on PS5.
