Baldur’s Gate 3 Bard Build: Strumming the Strings of Victory

Baldur’s Gate 3, the highly anticipated CRPG, is just around the corner, and fans of the series are itching to dive back into the world of Faerûn. One of the most versatile and exciting classes in the game is the Bard. With their ability to mix and match various spells, weapons, and abilities, they can be tailored to fit any playstyle. In this article, we’ll explore a unique and powerful Bard build that’s sure to strike a chord with fans of the class.

The Siren’s Call: A Musical Build

Our Bard build, dubbed “The Siren’s Call,” focuses on the Bard’s natural charisma and magical abilities to create a mesmerizing soundtrack that overwhelms enemies and charms allies. With a mix of spells, instruments, and abilities, this build is perfect for players who love to experiment with different playstyles and leave a lasting impression on the battlefield.

Ability Scores:

To create a well-rounded Bard, we’ll want to focus on high scores in Charisma, Dexterity, and Intelligence. Here’s a suggested ability score spread:

• Charisma: 16 (+3)
• Dexterity: 14 (+2)
• Intelligence: 14 (+2)
• Strength: 12 (+1)
• Constitution: 10 (+0)
• Wisdom: 12 (+1)

Class Features and Abilities:

To take full advantage of The Siren’s Call build, we’ll want to focus on the following class features and abilities:

• Cantrips: Choose the following cantrips to provide a solid foundation for our Bard’s spellcasting: Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, and Shield.
• 1st Level Spells: Focus on spells that provide crowd control, charm, or damage; include Magic Missile, Shield, and Charm Person.
• Instrument: Choose the Lute as our primary instrument; its high Charisma-based damage output and ability to provide buffs and debuffs make it an excellent choice for a Siren’s Call build.
• Performance: Use our Bard’s performance ability to deal damage, charm enemies, and grant allies advantages. Consider taking the following performance options: Persuasion, Intimidation, and Perception.
• Inspire: Whenever we use our instrument, we’ll want to take advantage of the Inspire ability to apply our desired effects (e.g., charm, damage, etc.).

Equipment:

To optimize our Bard’s abilities, we’ll want to focus on the following equipment:

• Lute: As mentioned earlier, the Lute is our primary instrument and deals significant Charisma-based damage.
• Robes: Wear robes that provide additional Charisma-based damage output or resistance to various elements.
• Shield: Carrying a shield provides additional defense and can be used to block or deflect incoming attacks.
• Amulet: Consider equipping an amulet that provides additional Charisma-based damage or resistance to charm effects.

Tactics and Strategies:

To make the most of our Siren’s Call build, we’ll want to focus on the following tactics and strategies:

• Crowd Control: Use our spells and performance abilities to charm and disrupt enemy formations, limiting their ability to attack or move effectively.
• Area Control: Use our instrument to deal area of effect damage and control large groups of enemies.
• Support: Use our performance abilities to grant allies advantages, such as increased damage output or resistance to damage.
• Dodge and Weave: Use our Dexterity and Reflexes to avoid incoming attacks and exploit enemy openings for counterattacks.

Conclusion:

The Siren’s Call Bard build is a unique and formidable playstyle that leverages the Bard’s natural charisma and magical abilities to overwhelm enemies and charm allies. With a focus on crowd control, area of effect damage, and support, this build is perfect for players who love to experiment with different playstyles and create a lasting impression on the battlefield. As Baldur’s Gate 3 approaches, we can’t wait to see how this build plays out and what exciting strategies we’ll discover as we navigate the world of Faerûn.