Ranger or Bard

[Adam__86]

What is your preferences? I always struggle choosing myself - I love the RP of Bard but struggle with the support role, especially as the MC. I enjoy the flexibility of range and melee with Ranger but the pet system in BG3 is more annoying than fun thus stuck between sniper and pseudo thief

[Gob]

How about sword bard and use a bow for a ranged option? No need for any points into ranger.

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Adam__86:

Ranger or Bard
What is your preferences? I always struggle choosing myself - I love the RP of Bard but struggle with the support role, especially as the MC. I enjoy the flexibility of range and melee with Ranger but the pet system in BG3 is more annoying than fun thus stuck between sniper and pseudo thief

Bard.

Ranger is not weak, but feels rather bland to play no matter the subclass, while Bard seems endlessly versatile. It is hardly any weaker either in any of the Bard schools.

[Dizzy Ladybug]

Go Swords Bard if you don't want support. They're offensive Bards with their Flourish's

[Kafik]

I just cannot ever bring myself to play a bard character. I've always hated the class. I know how good it can be in this game but I don't care.
Ranger is much better imo and if you want to be a total kill machine go Gloomstalker or Gloomstalker / Assassin (rogue) multiclass.

[Pathfinder Serza]

Gloom Stalker Ranger, hands down.

I finished the game on regular mode without summoning a pet.

[Sol]

Of the two? Honestly Ranger. But I'm incredibly biased since I play summoners/engineers in every game that has them.

[seeker1]

I like them both, I have a Tav Bard and a Tav Ranger, so I never had to choose.

The Tav Ranger is now a Drakewarden, and the Tav bard is dabbling in College of Creation (I liked College of Spirits but hated the "random factor" for the Tales you got). Requires mods.

The main thing College of Creation can do, besides it seems creating some pillars that keep you from being polymorphed, is conjure a singing, dancing sword. It's basically spiritual weapon, but a bit cooler.