Multiclass Question / Help

[Namid]

In honor of ignoring all the debates on this forum, I am looking for some ideas or suggestions for my character before full release. To start with, I REALLY love the bard class. It resonates with me on a very personal level and I'm not sure if I could enjoy the game as much without being a bard.

However I have found that my playstyle tends to lean into melee while using my companions more for support (except for Lae'zel and Shadowheart), which means the bard isn't the -best- class for it. So I was wondering if there might be a way to make her more viable in close combat? I'd prefer higher AC over more HP, if given the choice, but... any suggestions would be welcomed! (I do secretly wish I could pull off a Bard/Monk, if anyone has ideas.)

[Runic Tunic]

I'd recommend just looking up 5e bard multiclass guides online or on youtube. Whatever works for base 5e will likely work here. Probably even moreso since the builds in BG3 will be more flexible overall.

[katzenkrimis]

Multiclass question on a Bard.

I'm out.

My suggestion, keep the Bard a purebred, while you play on the front lines with a Fighter or Paladin in heavy armour, to take the heat off your Bard.

[medicinezombie]

I don't have the game, but know 5e. If the Bard "College of Swords" is in the game, then you can get Medium armor proficiency, some weapon proficiencies, a fighting style, 2 attacks at level 5, and ways to spend Bardic Inspiration in melee combat, with full Bard progression

edit: More likely would be Bardic "College of Valor", which is similar but a little less flashy, still get medium armor, shield proficiency, and extra attack

If that's not in the game then it gets more complicated lol, but probably still possible

[Yojo0o]

You already have two bard subclasses that enable the bard to engage in melee. Lean into those, and you'll be a warrior-bard. No need to multiclass to accomplish this.

[wtiger27]

Originally posted by medicinezombie:

I don't have the game, but know 5e. If the Bard "College of Swords" is in the game, then you can get Medium armor proficiency, some weapon proficiencies, a fighting style, 2 attacks at level 5, and ways to spend Bardic Inspiration in melee combat, with full Bard progression

If that's not in the game then it gets more complicated lol, but probably still possible

I think that is in the game. At least to some degree from my understanding watching developers reviews and the PFH event.

[Yojo0o]

Originally posted by wtiger27:

Originally posted by medicinezombie:

I don't have the game, but know 5e. If the Bard "College of Swords" is in the game, then you can get Medium armor proficiency, some weapon proficiencies, a fighting style, 2 attacks at level 5, and ways to spend Bardic Inspiration in melee combat, with full Bard progression

If that's not in the game then it gets more complicated lol, but probably still possible

I think that is in the game. At least to some degree from my understanding watching developers reviews and the PFH event.

Both the Valor and Swords subclasses will be in 1.9, and both enable warrior bards.

[wtiger27]

Originally posted by Yojo0o:

Originally posted by wtiger27:

I think that is in the game. At least to some degree from my understanding watching developers reviews and the PFH event.

Both the Valor and Swords subclasses will be in 1.9, and both enable warrior bards.

Good to know. OP has the answer. :)

[Namid]

Okay, so it seems the best bet is to NOT multiclass and just make a choice between Valor or Swords. I really appreciate all the quick replies!

[Yojo0o]

Originally posted by Namid:

Okay, so it seems the best bet is to NOT multiclass and just make a choice between Valor or Swords. I really appreciate all the quick replies!

Yup, should be good. Good luck!

[medicinezombie]

Originally posted by Yojo0o:

Originally posted by wtiger27:

I think that is in the game. At least to some degree from my understanding watching developers reviews and the PFH event.

Both the Valor and Swords subclasses will be in 1.9, and both enable warrior bards.

Nice, got some options then. For maxing AC, getting Shield proficiency from somewhere else, and then pairing it with Dueling fighting style from Sword Bard, and wearing halfplate, would have like 21 AC before magic items (15 half plate + 2 dex mod + 2 shield + 2 dueling fighting style).

And/or the Defensive Duelist feat, and the Shield spell, can make this even higher

[Gaius]

Originally posted by Namid:

In honor of ignoring all the debates on this forum, I am looking for some ideas or suggestions for my character before full release. To start with, I REALLY love the bard class. It resonates with me on a very personal level and I'm not sure if I could enjoy the game as much without being a bard.

However I have found that my playstyle tends to lean into melee while using my companions more for support (except for Lae'zel and Shadowheart), which means the bard isn't the -best- class for it. So I was wondering if there might be a way to make her more viable in close combat? I'd prefer higher AC over more HP, if given the choice, but... any suggestions would be welcomed! (I do secretly wish I could pull off a Bard/Monk, if anyone has ideas.)

It never crossed my mind (because I feel pure bards are outright awesome, specially college of lore bards), but you could possibly try a bard/warlock with pact of the blade (it gives you the ability to use CHA as your melee attack stat instead of STR or AGI).

About hte bard monk, it would be completely MAD (as in multiple attribute dependant). Bards require CHA for spellcasting, their class mechanics and being a party face, DEX for ranged and melee combat, some CON, and monks require WIS. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, but it sure wound't be for the power.

[Yojo0o]

Originally posted by Gaius:

Originally posted by Namid:

In honor of ignoring all the debates on this forum, I am looking for some ideas or suggestions for my character before full release. To start with, I REALLY love the bard class. It resonates with me on a very personal level and I'm not sure if I could enjoy the game as much without being a bard.

However I have found that my playstyle tends to lean into melee while using my companions more for support (except for Lae'zel and Shadowheart), which means the bard isn't the -best- class for it. So I was wondering if there might be a way to make her more viable in close combat? I'd prefer higher AC over more HP, if given the choice, but... any suggestions would be welcomed! (I do secretly wish I could pull off a Bard/Monk, if anyone has ideas.)

It never crossed my mind (because I feel pure bards are outright awesome, specially college of lore bards), but you could possibly try a bard/warlock with pact of the blade (it gives you the ability to use CHA as your melee attack stat instead of STR or AGI).

About hte bard monk, it would be completely MAD (as in multiple attribute dependant). Bards require CHA for spellcasting, their class mechanics and being a party face, DEX for ranged and melee combat, some CON, and monks require WIS. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, but it sure wound't be for the power.

This sort of thing works better with one level of hexblade, if hexblade were in the game.

As it stands in 1.0, three levels is too deep an investment to achieve SAD scaling. Hell, that's almost an entire ASI anyway, which could go towards strength or dex, and it delays bard spell progression far too much.

[Aria Athena]

If Hexblade Warlock makes it in the game, you can go 1 lvl Hex and then College of Swords. My understanding is that they are modifying Pact of Blade to be like Hexblade, but I do not know the details.

[Foolswalkin]

Originally posted by medicinezombie:

I don't have the game, but know 5e. If the Bard "College of Swords" is in the game, then you can get Medium armor proficiency, some weapon proficiencies, a fighting style, 2 attacks at level 5, and ways to spend Bardic Inspiration in melee combat, with full Bard progression

edit: More likely would be Bardic "College of Valor", which is similar but a little less flashy, still get medium armor, shield proficiency, and extra attack

If that's not in the game then it gets more complicated lol, but probably still possible

Unless they changed it, Swords and Valor colleges get an extra attack at 6, not 5.

Paladin 2 is the MC I’m going for. Smites add a lot of damage when backed up with full caster levels, and Bard is missing good damage options in its base kit (without considering Magic Secrets).

[medicinezombie]

Originally posted by Foolswalkin:

Originally posted by medicinezombie:

I don't have the game, but know 5e. If the Bard "College of Swords" is in the game, then you can get Medium armor proficiency, some weapon proficiencies, a fighting style, 2 attacks at level 5, and ways to spend Bardic Inspiration in melee combat, with full Bard progression

edit: More likely would be Bardic "College of Valor", which is similar but a little less flashy, still get medium armor, shield proficiency, and extra attack

If that's not in the game then it gets more complicated lol, but probably still possible

Unless they changed it, Swords and Valor colleges get an extra attack at 6, not 5.

Paladin 2 is the MC I’m going for. Smites add a lot of damage when backed up with full caster levels, and Bard is missing good damage options in its base kit (without considering Magic Secrets).

lol you are correct, extra attack at level 6, not 5. Bard/Paladin is a strong combo too, you can do everything - melee combat, spellcasting, social stuff. And depending on how the game does class restricted content/dialogue, getting 2 classes on 1 character might be good for that too