Baldurs Gate 3 Bard Build Guide Subclasses Feats Skills Spells Tier List

In Baldur’s Gate 3, one Bard subclass turns every combat into a deadly performance-charming foes to death while your party racks up kills without lifting a finger.

There’s no single best class in Baldur’s Gate 3, and the game gives you as many opportunities for creative problem solving as it does for punching. Finding the best class really just boils down to how you want to play. Even when playing solo, you’ll still manage the rest of your party, so you’ll get to experiment with multiple classes at once.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about the Bard class in Baldur’s Gate 3, and learn all about the best Bard subclass, feats, and build.

Update (April 15): Added details of the new subclass introduced in Patch 8, which also adds cross-play support and a photo mode.

Is Bard the best class for you in BG3?

Bards shine for players who favor charisma-driven spellcasting, social encounters, and crowd control over raw combat damage. If you enjoy charming NPCs, inspiring allies, and weaving illusions to turn battles, this class fits perfectly. Pick it if your campaign leans toward roleplaying and dialogue checks rather than frontline tanking or heavy melee. Swords or Lore subclasses amplify these strengths, making Bards versatile without demanding perfect min-maxing.

Bards are spellcasters with pizazz. They’re not frontline fighters, and serve much better as a support class. Dealing damage with a Bard involves a combination of a limited selection of spells and Dexterity-based attacks – with a finesse weapon like a rapier or a ranged weapon like a crossbow. Their Bardic Inspiration feature means they can support teammates in most rolls (except damage rolls – usually).

Bards thrive outside of combat. Since their spellcasting ability is Charisma, that means they’re also good with skills like Deception, Performance, and Persuasion – all of which make them useful in non-combat encounters and normal conversations.

Bards aren’t the easiest class to play especially starting out. You have to manage spells and spell slots, and they’re not the strongest fighters. However, Bards are great for when you want to flex your non-combat muscles in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Bard class features

Bards in Baldur’s Gate 3 stand out through their wide array of class features that combine combat skill, spellcasting, and support abilities. They gain access to Bardic Inspiration, allowing them to boost allies’ rolls using a limited number of charges that replenish after rest. Their spell list covers healing, control, and utility magic, while Expertise and Jack of All Trades improve skill checks across the board. At higher levels, features like Font of Inspiration and Magical Secrets expand the Bard’s versatility, making them adaptable to many party roles depending on the chosen subclass.

Hit Points

• Hit Dice – 1d8 per Bard level
• Hit Points at 1st Level – 8 your Constitution modifier
• Hit Points at higher levels – 5 your Constitution modifer per Bard level after 1st

Actions

Bards can grant allies Bardic Inspiration once per Long Rest. This works like the Guidance spell, but lets your allies roll a d6 instead of a d4.

Spells

Bards start with 2 level 1 Spell Slots per Long Rest.

Proficiencies

• Weapons – Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, Shortswords
• Armor – Light Armor
• Skills – Deception, Insight, Performance, Persuasion, Religion
• Saving Throws – Charisma, Dexterity

Bard spells

Bards wield spells that support allies and hinder foes through enchantment, illusion, and divination schools. Vicious Mockery deals psychic damage while imposing disadvantage on attacks, making it a reliable opener against any target. Healing Word revives downed companions from afar, while Faerie Fire outlines hidden enemies to grant advantage on hits. Longstrider boosts party movement speed for better positioning, and Hypnotic Pattern incapacitates groups in crowd control scenarios. At higher levels, picks like Otto’s Irresistible Dance lock down bosses, turning tough fights into manageable ones.

Bards start with 2 cantrips from the Bard spell list.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Bard cantrip list

Bards in Baldur’s Gate 3 wield these cantrips to support allies and harass foes from afar: Vicious Mockery deals psychic damage and imposes disadvantage on the target’s next attack roll; Minor Illusion conjures sounds or images for deception or distraction; Light illuminates dark areas or reveals hidden objects; Mage Hand summons a spectral hand to manipulate items at range; Friends grants advantage on Charisma checks against humanoids for a short time, though it risks enmity afterward; Dancing Lights creates floating orbs to brighten large spaces or create diversions; Message lets you whisper to a creature within 120 feet without others hearing; and Prestidigitation handles minor tricks like cleaning gear, lighting fires, or flavoring food.

Bards also start with two level 1 spell slots per long rest. They know four spells out of the list of 15.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Bard spell list

Bards in Baldur’s Gate 3 draw from a focused spell list that mixes arcane tricks with support magic. Core options like Vicious Mockery and Healing Word shine early, while Longstrider and Faerie Fire boost mobility and reveal foes. At higher levels, Hypnotic Pattern controls crowds, Counterspell blocks enemy casters, and Otto’s Irresistible Dance locks down threats. This selection prioritizes buffs, debuffs, and battlefield control to keep allies safe and enemies off-balance. Pick spells that fit your playstyle, such as more illusions for deception or summons for extra damage.

Bard subclasses

Bard subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3 each bring unique strengths and playstyles to support your party or dominate the battlefield. The College of Lore focuses on versatility, granting extra skill proficiencies and cutting words for tactical flexibility. The College of Valor turns Bards into frontline supports, enabling them to wear medium armor and use shields while inspiring allies in melee. The College of Swords favors agility and flair, allowing for powerful weapon maneuvers and stylish combat. Choosing a subclass depends on whether you prefer spellcasting versatility, melee prowess, or balanced support abilities.

At level 3, Bards can choose a subclass (called a College).

College of Lore

College of Lore Bards love stories – both hearing them and telling them. You gain Proficiency in the Arcana, Intimidation, and Sleight of Hand skills, as well as getting Cutting Words (use a Bardic Inspiration die and subtract the number rolled from an enemy’s roll).

College of Valor

College of Valor Bards are a bit more heroic. Bardic Inspiration die can now be added to damage rolls as well.

College of Swords

The College of Sword Bard fights as well with a weapon as they do their instrument. They can choose:

• Slashing Flourish (melee) – attack up to two creatures at once
• Defensive Flourish (melee) – attack defensively, increasing your AC by 4 if you hit
• Defensive Flourish (ranged) – attack defensively, increasing your AC by 4 if you hit
• Mobile Flourish (melee) – thrust your weapon with enough force to push your target back 20ft. Afterwards, you can teleport to the target.
• Mobile Flourish (ranged) – Shoot a target with enough force to push your target back 20 feet. Afterwards, you can teleport to the target.
• Slashing Flourish (Ranged) – attack up to two creatures at once

College of Glamour

Added in April 2025’s Patch 8, this is a subclass with a big command and charm focus. Mantle of Inspiration not only gives your allies five hit points for a short period of time, but any enemies who then attack will be charmed. Any charmed enemies can then be commanded with Mantle of Majesty to drop their weapon, flee, freeze, or move around.

Best Bard subclass and build in BG3

The College of Lore stands out as the best Bard subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3, offering unmatched versatility through additional skill proficiencies and early access to powerful Magical Secrets. This build excels in mixing support, control, and utility, allowing your Bard to adapt to nearly any situation. Focus on Charisma and Dexterity for optimal performance, take the Moderately Armored feat for better defense, and consider Alert or Resilient (Constitution) to keep concentration spells active. Equipping gear that enhances Charisma or boosts spellcasting turns your Lore Bard into a confident leader and a dependable backbone of any adventuring party.

Baldur’s Gate 3 races don’t really have any direct impact on your class, but certain races and subraces come with features that play well with certain classes like extra movement or proficiency with certain weapons. For Bards, it’s best to focus on padding out your spell list:

• High Elves and High Half-Elves get the Fire Bolt cantrip
• All three of the Tiefling subraces get a cantrip – Produce Flame, Mage Hand, and Thaumaturgry respectively
• Both subraces of Drow get the Dancing Lights cantrip

When you’re creating and leveling up your Bard, Charisma (for being Charming) is your most important stat followed by Dexterity (for dealing damage). Make Charisma your highest stat and Dexterity your second highest.

You’ll pick your Bard subclass at level 3. College of Valor is the way to go – you’ll get an extra attack each turn, proficiency in more weapons and medium armor, and your Bardic Inspiration becomes even more helpful to your allies. This will let you play your Bard a little less as a support character and more as an all-around fighter.

Best Bard Feats in BG3

Feats can greatly enhance a Bard’s versatility and power in Baldur’s Gate 3. Ability Score Improvement is a safe early choice to boost Charisma for stronger spellcasting and social checks. War Caster proves valuable for maintaining concentration on key spells like Hold Person or Heat Metal. Inspiring Leader fits the Bard’s supportive role, granting temporary hit points to the party. Lucky offers flexibility for rerolling missed attacks, failed saves, or poor ability checks, which aligns well with the Bard’s adaptable style. Finally, Performer adds flavorful roleplay depth while complementing skills in persuasion and performance.

Every four levels, you’ll get the option to either increase your stats or choose a Feat. Feats are special talents that add features to your character. If you’re happy with your stats and start taking Feats, Bards can benefit from:

• Actor. Your Charisma Increases by 1, to a maximum of 20. Your Proficiency Bonus is also doubled for Deception and Performance Checks.
• Crossbow Expert (If you fight with a crossbow). When you make crowssbow attacks within melee range, the Attack Rolls do not have Disadvantage. Your Piercing Shot also inflicts Gaping Wounds for twice as long.
• Defensive Duellist. When attacked while wielding a Finesse Weapon you’re Proficient with, you can use a reaction to add your Proficiency Bonus to your Armor Class, possibly causing the attack to miss.
• Performer. You gain Musical Instrument Proficiency, and your Charisma increases by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• Sharpshooter. Your ranged weapon attacks do not receive penalties from High Ground Rules. Ranged weapon attacks with weapons you are Proficient with have a -5 penalty to their Attack Roll, but deal an additional 10 damage.

Which Bard subclass is best for solo playthroughs

College of Swords excels as the best Bard subclass for solo playthroughs in Baldur’s Gate 3 due to its melee focus, medium armor, and Extra Attack, enabling self-sufficient damage and survival without party support.​

Why Swords Over Others

Swords Bards gain Blade Flourish for burst damage and mobility, plus Fighting Styles, making them durable frontline fighters who still cast spells like Invisibility or Greater Invisibility for solo stealth and control. College of Lore suits support but lacks melee power for solo; Valour adds minor martial boosts but falls short of Swords’ full kit.​​

Solo Build Adjustments

Prioritize Dexterity/Charisma, use rapiers or scimitars, and feats like Ability Improvement (+2 CHA) and War Caster for concentration on solo buffs like Haste via Magical Secrets.[conversation_history] Medium armor and short rests for Bardic Inspiration sustain long fights alone.

Key Spells for Solo

• Vicious Mockery and Dissonant Whispers for psychic damage.

• Healing Word for self-revive; Hold Person for crowd control. Greater Invisibility at higher levels ensures safe kiting and positioning.​

Which Bard spells are essential for solo survival

College of Swords Bard remains ideal for solo playthroughs, and essential spells focus on self-healing, invisibility, crowd control, and buffs to ensure survival without allies.[conversation_history]​

Healing and Sustain

Healing Word provides bonus action self-healing to recover from near-death, while Longstrider boosts speed for kiting enemies during solo fights. Aid increases hit points across short rests, sustaining you through prolonged encounters without companions.​

Stealth and Evasion

Invisibility or Greater Invisibility lets you vanish mid-combat to reposition or escape overwhelming odds, crucial for avoiding detection in solo runs.[conversation_history] Feather Fall prevents fatal drops in exploration-heavy areas like the Underdark.

Control and Damage

Dissonant Whispers forces enemies to flee, granting free opportunity attacks, while Hold Person paralyzes key threats for safe kills.[conversation_history] Hypnotic Pattern disables groups, buying time to pick off foes one by one.