The Bard

[Passier Reis]

How's the class so far?

Personally for me I've never been into support classes when you're capable to outright kill enemies in 2-3 turns

I do enjoy the idea of using witty words and fun playing with instruments but I just can't seem to move away from classes that just simply do alot of damage

Help persuade me to use a Bard (Roll Persuasion)

[Panic Fire]

While Bards were support classes in 3.5

Bards in 5e are full casters that can also fight in melee or ranged combat effencently. You can specialize in either caster or martial combat but can always do both.

The are huge skill monkeys meaning they can play the face of the party pretty much better than any class in the game especially in BG3 which likes to throw random skill checks of any kind everywhere.

Bards spell list includes Divine Cleric, Sorc & Wizard spell lists. While also having a few unique spells as well. While there main dmg cantrip is low dmg, it debuffs the enemy to disadvantage for its next attack. This of course makes it easier for the enemy to miss, but also locks out rogues from getting to sneak attack.


Bards in 5e at least are Jacks of all trades, and masters of pretty much everything.

[Dragon Master]

Bard's are effective skill monkeys. They are a jack of all trades and can fill any niche in a party. They are also the best face of the party.

They get more spell slots than warlocks, more skills than sorcerers and can help other classes excel in things they are already amazing at.

Bards can heal if you lack a healer, be a front liner if you need one (college of valor at level 3) and be effective tanks. A bard can hang back and buff/debuff to great affect.

A bard can cause distractions by performing, drawing eyes away from something you want to steal with a stealthy character like Astarion, you can earn a little extra gold with a high performance check.

The music from the instruments are also really entertaining.

And finally, there are 97 recorded insults for Vicious Mockery, a bard only cantrip. Hearing the insults is hilarious.

[WeenerTuck813]

They’re great. Arguably the best class…however it’s effectiveness is better with bigger parties so as a 4 man party they might not be as spectacular.

But they’re great.

Full casters, as good as a Wizard who can’t learn scrolls.

Skill Monkeys, as good as rogues

Charisma party face, better than Warlocks/Sorcerers.

AND they get extra abilities to support, like bardic Inspiration and cutting words.

They’re really a great class. Specifically Lore Bards, but with a level 4 cap you won’t see them really shine yet. Lore bards get to pick spells from other classes and steal them as they level, like Eldritch Blast, Fireball, Holy weapon, or even Wish at later levels.

Need a healer? Steal healing spells and your Lore bard is as good as a cleric.

Need a caster DPS? Steal Eldritch blast and fireball etc and Lore bard is as good as a Wizard (nearly! Plus they buff while they cast)

Or, dip into more buff-spells to really shine as support.

[Passier Reis]

Hmm, I see... As someone who enjoys obliterating enemies at first contact, I guess I could go for a single EA Act 1 playthrough as Bard for fun.

So I guess if I wanted a spellcasting Bard, I'd have to opt for Wisdom and Charisma then get that unique headgear that boosts your Intelligence.

I saw what the Valor subclass gave, seems underwhelming due to EA probably

Thanks for trying to persuade me.

[Heu, Iterum Id Feci]

Originally posted by SpecialSnowflake:

Hmm, I see... As someone who enjoys obliterating enemies at first contact, I guess I could go for a single EA Act 1 playthrough as Bard for fun.

So I guess if I wanted a spellcasting Bard, I'd have to opt for Wisdom and Charisma then get that unique headgear that boosts your Intelligence.

I saw what the Valor subclass gave, seems underwhelming due to EA probably

Thanks for trying to persuade me.

Bard spells do depend on Charisma as spellcasting stat. Wizard is the only one based on int.

Bard, Sorc, Warlock = Charisma casters
Druid, Cleric, Pala, ranger = Wisdom casters
Wizard = Int caster

Also all classes in general only start to really shine at levels 5+. The best range to play d&d 5e is usually considered 5-12. In that range you first start to get the really interesting class features etc, but aren't so strong that you need stupidly powerful enemies yet or threats that threaten whole continents or even worlds.

[Absinth Minded]

Originally posted by SpecialSnowflake:

Hmm, I see... As someone who enjoys obliterating enemies at first contact, I guess I could go for a single EA Act 1 playthrough as Bard for fun.

So I guess if I wanted a spellcasting Bard, I'd have to opt for Wisdom and Charisma then get that unique headgear that boosts your Intelligence.

I saw what the Valor subclass gave, seems underwhelming due to EA probably

Thanks for trying to persuade me.

Spellcasting Bard just needs charisma. Every Bard spell you cast has charisma as it's modifier. After that get the standard +dex, +con or go for the stuff that you want to fill as a role. Walking encyclopedia +int, spotter +wis, etc.