I will be playing as a bard, what team mates should I choose?

[X Lord X]

Hi i haven't played game yet but will on launch. I want to make a lore bard I think, but what classes would acompany the bard well? since he's a jack of all trades support, i'm guessing a Tank (fighter?) and cleric is essential.

Is rogue the best fourth option to have a fairly balanced play through where I can get to experience most content? I probably won't play multiple times. Only problem is that using magic is pretty cool and i'll miss out on seeing some of the cool spells available without a proper spell caster/mage character.

[hoot hoot]

If you avoid harder difficulties, generally you can roll with whatever you want. I'd suggest just going with the characters you enjoy rather than focusing on their classes.

If you want to optimize, a charismatic leader (bard is perfect), a tank, a healer, and someone who can crowd control/lockpick is probably ideal.

[X Lord X]

Well it's also about experiencing what the game has to offer, like secret loot, getting into secret areas, i'm guessing a rogue will allow me to experience more of the game than a mage as my fourth char?

[SerraShaar]

well yeah, a rogue is useful for opening chest or locked door. Don't forget you can Multi-class as well....so you can maybe make a ranger with Lock pick + Spell+ Archery?

[seandeven]

Don't forget backgrounds. An Urchin or Charlatan Bard have some nice skills.

[SerraShaar]

Originally posted by seandeven:

Don't forget backgrounds. An Urchin or Charlatan Bard have some nice skills.

Didn't know about those...thats nice :))

[hoot hoot]

Originally posted by Nevzat:

Well it's also about experiencing what the game has to offer, like secret loot, getting into secret areas, i'm guessing a rogue will allow me to experience more of the game than a mage as my fourth char?

In some cases, but not all. There are areas in just the EA where you need a mage who can get you across long gaps or slow fall to get around. Of course, there are also locked doors, speaking to animals, ability and skill checks. No matter what you roll with, some things will be closed to you.

If you're making a bard, I think you could take sleight of hand yourself and not need a dedicated rogue for lockpicking.

[fulf]

Bards aren't shabby healers especially when you add in Song of Rest and the way Larian has homebrewed it, but a Cleric is never a bad idea to have around.

You can get away without a Rogue. Bards (especially Lore) already make good skill-monkeys. Can't remember whether the Knock spell is in EA or will make it into the full game but that'd make it even less important if so.

Personally I'd probably go with Lae'zel (or Karlach, or even Wyll multiclassed into Paladin after picking up Pact of the Blade) as the melee tank, then Shadowheart and Gale.

You don't need to commit hard, though, there's gonna be respec and whatnot yadda yadda ya

[Beavor]

As I understand, many of bard's resources recover on a short rest, so it goes well with others who do the same - like battlemaster fighter and warlock.

[Metallicus]

Shadowheart can do all the things you’d need a rogue for as far as lockpicking etc.

[X Lord X]

Originally posted by Metallicus:

Shadowheart can do all the things you’d need a rogue for as far as lockpicking etc.

Is that true? So I can skip the rogue then and just take a mage as my 4th char?

[Recjawjind]

Originally posted by Nevzat:

Is that true? So I can skip the rogue then and just take a mage as my 4th char?

Guidance + prof in slight of hand + blessing of the trickster for stealth, shadowheart does just fine in an "off-rogue" role.

[Muppethero]

Bardic magic is so impressive in this game. The musical stings with casting and instruments. Just top notch

[seandeven]

Originally posted by Nevzat:

Originally posted by Metallicus:

Shadowheart can do all the things you’d need a rogue for as far as lockpicking etc.

Is that true? So I can skip the rogue then and just take a mage as my 4th char?

It is a possibility, Shadowheart. I use her as a backup thief if I have a bard with a background.
I agree with this so much.... "Bardic magic is so impressive in this game. The musical stings with casting and instruments."

[jonandbeth]

I think Im going bard too. Really fun in EA.

I'll probably need a tank, mage, and cleric. Boring, but covers a lot of my skill and magical needs/wants.

Really wish there was a 5th character ,so I could have a "wild card", but it is what it is. Id love to use Wyl's character, but not sure who to leave out then.

[Satori]

I think i am also gonna play Bard. Maybe druid. Same roles/utility, kinda.
Party:
My Bard/Druid: Jack off all trades. Control, Support/buff, some dmg later. If Bard, also lockpick/steal etc. Would like Dual wield+Lore, but not sure how to fit that in. Can i?
Shadowheart: Tank, some Support/heal. Bit unclear for me how to build her. Think ill look into another subclass for her.
Lae'zel: Melee Damage. I just focus battlemaster dmg.
Wyl or Gale: Caster dmg, some control. Wyl would fit best i guess because of the bardr song of rest:regain spellslots. Ill pick the one i will like most. dunno yet.

Think it has a nice balance and i like shadowheart and Lae'zel a lot. Balancing these two for dialogue/choices seems like a challenge.