Baldur’s Gate 3 Bard Classes – The Best Class to be a Support – Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a rich and immersive experience, allowing players to dive into a world of magic, combat, and strategy. Among the various classes available, the Bard class stands out as the quintessential support role, bringing a unique blend of magic, music, and versatility to the battlefield. This article explores why the Bard class is considered the best for support, examining their abilities, strengths, and optimal gameplay strategies.
The Versatile Bard
A Master of Many Trades
Bards are often described as jacks-of-all-trades, capable of fulfilling multiple roles in a party. This versatility makes them invaluable, especially in a support capacity. Bards can heal, buff allies, debuff enemies, and even hold their own in combat when necessary. This multifaceted nature allows them to adapt to any situation, ensuring that the party remains effective and resilient.
Spellcasting and Inspiration
Central to the Bard’s support capabilities are their spellcasting and Bardic Inspiration features. Bards draw from the Bard spell list, which includes a variety of spells designed to aid allies and hinder foes. Their spellcasting ability is based on Charisma, making them natural leaders and faces of the party.(Read Too: Baldur’s Gate 3 Barbarian Class – The Best Class for Mele Weapon)
Bardic Inspiration
Bardic Inspiration is a key feature that sets Bards apart from other spellcasters. By using a bonus action, Bards can grant an Inspiration die (a d6, which increases with level) to an ally. This die can be added to an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check, often making the difference between success and failure. The versatility and immediate impact of Bardic Inspiration make it a cornerstone of the Bard’s support arsenal.
Healing and Buffing
Bards have access to numerous spells that enhance their support role. Healing spells like Cure Wounds and Healing Word allow Bards to restore their allies’ hit points during combat, ensuring they can continue fighting. Buffing spells like Heroism, Enhance Ability, and Aid bolster the party’s capabilities, providing temporary hit points, improved abilities, and increased resilience.
College Choices: Specializing Support
At level 3, Bards choose a Bard College, which further refines their abilities and playstyle. Two of the most notable colleges for support are the College of Lore and the College of Valor.
College of Lore
The College of Lore focuses on expanding the Bard’s spellcasting repertoire and enhancing their ability to control the battlefield. Key features include:
- Additional Magical Secrets: Lore Bards gain access to spells from any class’s spell list, allowing them to cherry-pick the best support spells available.
- Cutting Words: This feature allows Lore Bards to use their Bardic Inspiration to subtract from an enemy’s attack roll, ability check, or damage roll, effectively debuffing foes and protecting allies.
College of Valor
The College of Valor enhances the Bard’s combat support capabilities, making them more robust in battle. Key features include:
- Combat Inspiration: Valor Bards can use their Bardic Inspiration to add to an ally’s damage roll or to their AC, providing both offensive and defensive boosts.
- Extra Attack: This feature allows Valor Bards to make an additional attack, ensuring they can contribute meaningfully in melee combat while still providing support.
Battlefield Control and Debuffs
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Spells for Battlefield Control
Bards excel at controlling the battlefield, ensuring that allies have the upper hand in combat. Spells like Hold Person, Hypnotic Pattern, and Fear can incapacitate or disrupt multiple enemies, turning the tide of battle. These control spells, combined with the Bard’s ability to cast them at higher levels, make them formidable support characters.
Debuffing Enemies
In addition to direct control spells, Bards can debuff enemies, weakening their attacks and defenses. Spells like Bane and Bestow Curse reduce the effectiveness of enemies, making them easier targets for allies. Cutting Words, a feature of the College of Lore, further enhances the Bard’s ability to debuff foes, subtracting from their rolls and mitigating damage.
Social Savvy and Roleplaying
Charisma and Social Interaction
Bards are naturally charismatic, often serving as the face of the party in social interactions. Their high Charisma allows them to excel in persuasion, deception, and intimidation, making them effective negotiators and leaders. This social savvy extends beyond combat, enriching the roleplaying experience and opening up new avenues for problem-solving and storytelling.
Versatile Skills
Bards have access to a wide range of skills, thanks to their Jack of All Trades and Expertise features. Jack of All Trades adds half the Bard’s proficiency bonus to all ability checks they are not proficient in, while Expertise doubles the proficiency bonus for selected skills. This skill versatility ensures that Bards can contribute in almost any situation, both in and out of combat.
Optimizing Your Bard
Attribute Allocation
When creating a Bard, prioritizing Charisma is crucial, as it fuels their spellcasting and social abilities. Dexterity should be the secondary focus, improving the Bard’s AC, initiative, and attack rolls with finesse weapons or ranged attacks. Constitution is also important, as it boosts hit points and concentration checks for maintaining spells.(Read Too: Baldur’s Gate 3 Classes – How to Chooses the Best Class)
Equipment Choices
Equipping your Bard with the right gear can enhance their effectiveness. Light armor and a shield can improve their AC, while a rapier or a shortbow allows them to contribute in combat. Magical items that enhance Charisma or provide additional spell slots can also be valuable, ensuring that the Bard can support their allies more effectively.
Party Synergy
Bards shine in parties where they can complement the strengths and cover the weaknesses of their allies. Pairing a Bard with a tanky frontline character allows them to focus on healing and buffing, while a partnership with a spellcaster can create powerful control and debuff combinations. The Bard’s versatility ensures that they can fit seamlessly into any party composition.
Conclusion
In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Bard class stands out as the best choice for a support role. Their unparalleled versatility, powerful support spells, and unique features like Bardic Inspiration make them invaluable to any party. Whether you choose the College of Lore for expanded spellcasting options or the College of Valor for enhanced combat support, the Bard’s ability to adapt and excel in various situations ensures that they will always be a cornerstone of your team – Baldur’s Gate 3 Bard Classes – The Best Class to be a Support
