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00:00:00 – 00:16:48
The video offers an in-depth exploration of creating an effective College of Swords Bard build in Dungeons & Dragons, with tips adaptable to both pen-and-paper versions and Baldur's Gate 3. Key points discussed include initial ability choices such as Bardic Inspiration, Vicious Mockery, and initial stat allocation focused on Dexterity and Charisma. As the Bard levels up (1-12), the creator recommends spells like Healing Word, Thunderwave, Hold Person, Greater Invisibility, and Banishing Smite for utility and combat effectiveness. They emphasize the importance of certain bardic features, ASI improvements, and the use of powerful equipment like Birthright and the Cloak of Elemental Absorption.
The creator illustrates how to maximize damage with dual hand crossbows, slashing flourishes, and potent spells like Oto’s Irresistible Dance and counterattacks such as banishing smite. Strategic gameplay is demonstrated, including battlefield control using abilities like Hold Person and various flourishes, leveraging Dexterity for survivability, and boosting AC with defensive flourishes. The overall build allows for significant damage output, effective healing, and support through Bardic Inspiration and Song of Rest. The video concludes by encouraging viewer feedback for further build optimization.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, the creator discusses their favorite Bard subclass in Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur’s Gate 3—the College of Swords Bard. They detail their build from levels 1 to 12, focusing on combat strength and selecting specific items to enhance the build.
Key points include:
– Starting as a Bard at level 1, highlighting initial abilities like Bardic Inspiration and recommended cantrips such as Vicious Mockery and Light.
– Suggested first level spells include Healing Word, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter, Thunderwave, and Fairy Fire.
– Recommended starting instrument and stat allocation (8 Strength, 16 Dexterity, 14 Constitution, 10 Intelligence, 10 Wisdom, and 16 Charisma).
– Proficiency choices and the benefits of Jack of All Trades and Song of Rest at Bard level 2.
– The importance of the Sleep spell at early levels.
– At Bard level 3, selecting Hold Person for spells and specializing in the College of Swords, gaining medium armor proficiency and flourishes.
– The value of the slashing flourish with dual hand crossbows, and the dueling fighting style for additional damage while wielding a one-handed weapon and shield.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker outlines the progression and spell choices for a Bard character from levels four to ten. At level four, the Bard takes “Mage Hand” and “Knock” or “Heat Metal” for spells, and increases Charisma via an ASI. By level five, the Bard gains “Font of Inspiration” and “Glyph of Warding” for area damage. At level six, “Counter Charm” and the extra attack are added, alongside “Plant Growth” for enemy movement reduction. Level seven introduces “Greater Invisibility” for protection. At level eight, the Bard acquires “Stinking Cloud” and an ASI to increase Dexterity. By level nine, they gain a fifth-level spell slot and choose “Mass Cure Wounds” for healing. Finally, at level ten, the Bard improves their Bardic Inspiration and selects a new cantrip and additional spells.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the narrator discusses several recommendations and strategies for character spell selection and equipment upgrades as the character progresses in levels. At level 10, the focus is on magical Secrets, with a strong suggestion to take Banishing Smite due to its rarity outside of paladin levels and its powerful effect of dealing significant damage and potentially banishing targets. The narrator also recommends Fire Shield for additional utility.
Moving to level 11, the spell Oto’s Irresistible Dance is highlighted for its effectiveness in incapacitating enemies without a saving throw, making it useful against any opponent. At level 12, the narrator advises selecting a lower-level spell like Silence due to limited spell slots, and prioritizing increasing the character’s Dexterity to the maximum of 20.
For equipment, the narrator suggests several items to enhance the build’s effectiveness, including:
– Birthright for Charisma enhancement.
– The Cloak of Elemental Absorption for resistance and additional damage.
– The Black Guard Greaves for Athletics bonuses and Longstrider.
– Hell Dust Gloves for bonuses to spell attacks, spell save DC, and additional fire damage on weapon attacks.
– Medium armor, specifically Armor of Agility, to boost AC to 22 and increase saving throws.
– A melee weapon, K and Czer, which deals high damage.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker demonstrates a combat build involving dual hand crossbows and various damage types like slashing, acid, and fire. They start by discussing the weapon stats and how they pair with specific abilities like plant growth to slow enemies, although fire interference negates this effect. Instead, they pivot to using bardic inspiration to boost allies. The speaker also uses fairy fire to reveal invisible enemies, allowing them to be targeted. A notable tactic involves using a ranged melee flourish that can damage multiple targets and synergizes with the crossbow. The combination of these techniques results in significant damage output, capable of eliminating one or two enemies per round.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the narrator demonstrates how to perform a series of strategic actions in a combat scenario. They start by executing a slashing flourish to take out a Barbarian, noting that the Barbarian takes reduced damage due to raging. They then discuss the option to heal or perform a ranged off-hand attack. Despite missing due to high-ground rules, the narrator emphasizes the possibility of making almost five attacks per round.
Next, the video showcases using a defensive flourish with a melee attack, boosting their Armor Class (AC) to 26. They attempt another main hand attack with banishing smite at the highest level but miss, following it up with a critical off-hand attack. The narrator highlights effective battlefield control by casting Hold Person, which immobilizes enemies and ensures melee attacks become guaranteed critical hits.
The segment further explains maximizing damage with fighter abilities, such as using Great Weapon Master. The narrator elaborates on conserving utility items while focusing on damage output, without employing spells like Sleep or Glyph of Warding. They demonstrate a fire version of Glyph of Warding, showcasing its high damage potential and flexibility in using bonus actions even after casting.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the speaker explains a basic Bard sword build for beginners in a gameplay context. Key points include using flourishes with hand crossbows to deal significant damage, managing the battlefield with control spells like Hold Person, and utilizing Bardic Inspiration and Song of Rest for healing. The build allows for multiple attacks per round and effective battlefield control. The speaker encourages viewers to provide feedback and suggestions for enhancing the build and to support the channel by subscribing and liking the video.