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00:00:00 – 00:15:02
The YouTube video provides an in-depth guide to the Bard class in Baldur’s Gate 3, focusing on optimal character creation, progression strategies, and subclass choices. At its core, Bards are versatile characters who excel in support roles, combat, and spellcasting, with key attributes being Charisma and Dexterity. They initially generate without a subclass but later choose among College of Lore, College of Valor, and College of Swords, which cater to different playstyles.
Character creation emphasizes high Charisma and Dexterity, with suitable race choices tailored to each subclass for additional benefits. Progression highlights include skill selections like persuasion and the significant upgrades of Bardic Inspiration, Song of Rest, and various spells and feats at higher levels. By level 12, Bards access formidable level 6 spells and gain substantial enhancements to their abilities.
College of Lore Bards focus on extensive spellcasting, while College of Valor and College of Swords Bards incorporate more combat prowess with unique abilities such as "cutting words" for College of Lore and combat flourishes for College of Swords. The video also explores multi-classing strategies, suggesting combinations with Paladins, Sorcerers, and Warlocks to maximize effectiveness.
Ultimately, the guide encourages players to experiment with Bards, leveraging their flexibility and broad skill set to enhance gameplay in Baldur’s Gate 3.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, the creator offers a comprehensive guide on the Bard class in Baldur’s Gate 3, touching on its subclasses and basic functionalities. Bards are versatile, excelling in support roles, dialogue, lock-picking, disarming traps, melee, ranged combat, and casting offensive spells due to their high Charisma and Dexterity. They do not choose a subclass at creation, but can later select from College of Lore for more spellcasting, College of Valor, or College of Swords for martial prowess.
The video advises on character creation, emphasizing prioritizing Charisma (16) and Dexterity (16) for effectiveness, with Constitution (14) for survivability and concentration. It recommends suitable races based on the chosen Bard subclass: githyanki, elf, or half-elf for College of Lore, and half-orc, half-elf, or human for College of Swords and College of Valor, highlighting their unique advantages such as armor proficiency, perception skills, and dark vision.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the discussion revolves around the progression and features of Bards in a role-playing game, focusing on optimal strategies and skill selections. Key points include the selection of skills such as persuasion, intimidation, and deception, enhancements from backgrounds like Charlatan or Guild Artisan, and the benefits of Bardic Inspiration at level 1. The video highlights how Bards can use Vicious Mockery cantrip, the proficiency bonus at level 2, and the Song of Rest feature enhancing party resilience. At levels 3, 4, and 5, the Bard gains higher-level spells, expertise, feats, and the choice of subclasses, impacting their abilities. Notable mentions are the advantages of certain feats like Warcaster for concentration checks and the significant upgrades with Bardic Inspiration at higher levels.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the discussion revolves around the progression and abilities of bards at various levels in a gameplay context. Key points include:
– At level 7, bards can affect allies within 9 meters by causing Charmed or frightened conditions and gain access to level 4 spells.
– Level 8 introduces another feat choice, with options like enhancing Charisma, resilient Constitution, or warcaster.
– At level 9, they gain access to level 5 spells and slots.
– At level 10, bardic inspiration improves to a d10, and bards gain expertise in two more skills and can learn two spells from other classes.
– Level 11 sees access to level 6 spells, the highest spell level for bards, and the ability to choose another feat at level 12.
In terms of equipment, it depends on the bard type – most use light armor, a ranged weapon, and a finesse melee weapon. Specific subclass recommendations include:
– College of Lore: Light armor, ranged weapon for attacks when not casting spells.
– College of Valor: Medium armor, shield, and a melee weapon like a rapier or short sword.
– College of Swords: Medium armor with two finesse melee weapons, and a ranged weapon.
The choice of subclass depends on whether one prefers more spell casting (College of Lore) or a mix of combat styles (College of Valor or College of Swords). Subclasses gain unique features at levels 3 and 6. Specifically:
– College of Lore at level 3 includes proficiency in Arcana, Intimidation, and Sleight of Hand, along with the ability ‘cutting words’ to impose penalties using bardic inspiration as a reaction.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the focus is on the features and advantages of the different Bard subclasses in a game. The College of Lore Bards gain additional Magical Secrets at level 6, allowing them to learn two additional spells of level 3 or lower, providing versatility in spell casting compared to other Bard subclasses.
The College of Valor Bards at level 3 receive medium armor proficiency, shield proficiency, and martial weapon proficiency, as well as expanding Bardic Inspiration to combat uses at this level. They gain extra attack at level 6, enhancing their combat capabilities.
The College of Swords Bards, at level 3, gain similar proficiencies but also benefit from racial weapon proficiencies, such as longbows for elves, and must choose between dueling or two-weapon fighting styles based on their needs. They also gain flourishes, special attack actions tied to Bardic Inspiration, at this level. At level 6, like Valor Bards, they gain an extra attack in combat.
The segment then discusses multi-classing Bards in the game, suggesting the best points for multi-classing are after level 3 or level 6 to maximize their subclass benefits and overall effectiveness.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses multi-classing options and strategies for Bards after reaching level 10. They highlight that Bards gain magical secrets, expertise in two more skills, and an improvement in Bardic inspiration. The video suggests that Paladins, Sorcerers, and Warlocks are good choices for pairing with Bards due to their use of Charisma for spells.
Specific multi-class combinations are explored:
– Two levels of Paladin with ten levels of Bard are recommended for armor and shield proficiency and enhanced use of Divine Smite.
– Six levels of Paladin and six levels of Bard offer Aura of Protection and an extra attack.
– Three levels of Bard and nine of Sorcerer (especially with College of Valor or Swords) for medium armor proficiency and increased spell Firepower.
– Three levels of Bard with nine levels of Warlock to use Eldritch Blast in melee with Charisma, benefiting from Warlock’s spell slot replenishment on short rest.
– Alternatively, nine levels of Bard and three of Warlock provide additional advantages like Pact of the Blade and extra attacks.
The speaker suggests it’s better for Bards to dip into martial classes rather than martial classes taking levels in Bard. Examples include two levels of Fighter for armor proficiency and Action Surge, or three levels of Thief for an extra bonus action.
The video wraps up by encouraging players to try playing a Bard in the game and inviting them to share tips and questions in the comments.