Bard

From Baldur's Gate 3 Wiki
Class Bard Badge Icon.png
Bards know music is more than idle fancy - it is power. Through study and adventure, these travelling troubadours master song, speech, and the magic within.

Bard is a class in Baldur's Gate 3. Bards are expert storytellers, artists, and performers. Bards channel their power through song, speech, or performance to cast Spells. Bards use Charisma as their primary ability score.

The Bard Subclasses are:

Class information[edit | edit source]

Bard's default armour
Hit points
At level 1: 8 + Constitution icon.png Constitution modifier
On level up: 5 + Constitution icon.png Constitution modifier
Key Ability Scores
Charisma icon.png Charisma for improved spell's DC and Attack Rolls with spells.
Constitution icon.png Constitution for more Hit Points and better Concentration Concentration checks.
Dexterity icon.png Dexterity for higher Initiative and Armour Class.
Saving Throw proficiencies
Dexterity icon.png Dexterity, Charisma icon.png Charisma
Equipment proficiencies
Simple weapons, Hand Crossbows Hand Crossbows, Rapiers Rapiers, Longswords Longswords, Shortswords Shortswords
Light armour
Skills with proficiency (Choose 3)
History History, Insight Insight, Medicine Medicine, Persuasion Persuasion, Religion Religion, Deception Deception, Intimidation Intimidation, Performance Performance, Acrobatics Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand Sleight of Hand, Stealth Stealth, Animal Handling Animal Handling, Arcana Arcana, Investigation Investigation, Athletics Athletics, Nature Nature, Perception Perception, Survival Survival
You receive a bonus to every Skill that you are Proficient in. At character level 1 the Proficiency Bonus is +2.
Starting Equipment
Hand Crossbow, Simple Jerkin, Leather Boots, an Instrument chosen during character creation

Spellcasting[edit | edit source]

For a list of spells available to the Bard, see: Bard/Spells.
Spellcasting Ability
Charisma icon.png Charisma
Known spells
Bard Spells are Always Prepared. In exchange, Bards know fewer Spells at low levels.

Level progression[edit | edit source]

Through experience, you acquire new power. You gain the following traits.

Level 1

Bardic Inspiration Bardic Inspiration
Inspire an ally to go beyond their capabilities with your performance. They can add a D6 Physical.png+1d6 bonus to their next Attack Roll, Ability Check, or Saving Throw.
Bardic Inspiration Charges: 3
Recharge: Long rest
Spellcasting
2 Level 1 Spell Slots.png Level 1 Spell Slots Unlocked: 2
You gain two Level 1 Spell Slots
Cantrips Known: 2
Choose 2 Cantrips from the Bard Spell List.
Spells Known: 4
Choose 4 Spells from the Bard Spell List.
New Cantrips Available
New 1st Level Spells Available

Level 2

Song of Rest Song of Rest
You and your allies are revitalized as though you had taken a Short Rest.
Jack of All Trades Jack of All Trades
Add half of your Proficiency Bonus (rounded down) to Ability Checks that you are not Proficient in.
Spellcasting
3 Level 1 Spell Slots.png Level 1 Spell Slots Unlocked: 3
You gain an additional Level 1 Spell Slot.
Spells Known: 5
Choose 1 additional Spell from the current Bard Spell List.
Replacement Spell (Optional)
Choose 1 known Spell and replace it with another Spell in the current Bard Spell List.

Level 3

Spellcasting
4 Level 1 Spell Slots.png Level 1 Spell Slots Unlocked: 4
You gain an additional Level 1 Spell Slots.
2 Level 2 Spell Slots.png Level 2 Spell Slots Unlocked: 2
You gain two Level 2 Spell Slots.
Spells Known: 6
Choose 1 additional Spell from the current Bard Spell List.
Replacement Spell (Optional)
Choose 1 known Spell and replace it with another Spell in the current Bard Spell List.
New 2nd Level Spells available

Select a subclass[edit | edit source]

Level 4

Spellcasting
3 Level 2 Spell Slots.png Level 2 Spell Slots Unlocked: 3
You gain an additional Level 2 Spell Slot.
Cantrips Known: 3
Choose 1 additional cantrip from the Bard Spell List.
Spells Known: 7
Choose 1 additional Spell from the Bard Spell List.
Replacement Spell (Optional)
Choose 1 known Spell and replace it with another Spell in the Bard Spell List.

Level 5

Bardic Inspiration Charges: 4
You gain one charge Recharge: Short rest
Font of Inspiration Font of Inspiration
You regain all of your Bardic Inspiration Charges after a Long or Short Rest.
Improved Bardic Inspiration Improved Bardic Inspiration
Your Bardic Inspiration dice are now D8 Physical.png d8
Spellcasting
2 Level 3 Spell Slots.png Level 3 Spell Slots Unlocked: 2
You gain two Level 3 Spell Slots.
Spells Known:8
Choose 1 additional Spell from the Bard Spell List.
Replacement Spell (Optional)
Choose 1 known Spell and replace it with another Spell in the Bard Spell List.
New 3rd Level Spells available

Level 6

Countercharm Countercharm
You and any allies within  Range: 9 m / 30 ft have Advantage on Saving Throws against being Charmed Charmed or Frightened Frightened.
Spellcasting
3 Level 3 Spell Slots.png Level 3 Spell Slots Unlocked: 3
You gain an additional Level 3 Spell Slot.
Spells Known:9
Choose 1 additional Spell from the Bard Spell List.
Replacement Spell (Optional)
Choose 1 known Spell and replace it with another Spell in the Bard Spell List.

Subclass features[edit | edit source]

College of Lore College of Valour College of Swords

Level 7

Spellcasting
1 Level 4 Spell Slots.png Level 4 Spell Slots Unlocked: 1
You gain a Level 4 Spell Slot.
Spells Known: 10
Choose 1 additional Spell from the Bard Spell List.
Replacement Spell (Optional)
Choose 1 known Spell and replace it with another Spell in the Bard Spell List.
New 4th Level Spells available

Level 8

Bardic Inspiration Charges: 5
You gain one charge Recharge: Short rest
Spellcasting
2 Level 4 Spell Slots.png Level 4 Spell Slots Unlocked: 2
You gain an additional Level 4 Spell Slot.
Spells Known: 11
Choose 1 additional Spell from the Bard Spell List.
Replacement Spell (Optional)
Choose 1 known Spell and replace it with another Spell in the Bard Spell List.

Level 9

Spellcasting
3 Level 4 Spell Slots.png Level 4 Spell Slots Unlocked: 3
You gain an additional Level 4 Spell Slot.
1 Level 5 Spell Slots.png Level 5 Spell Slots Unlocked: 1
You gain a Level 5 Spell Slot.
Spells Known: 12
Choose 1 additional Spell from the Bard Spell List.
Replacement Spell (Optional)
Choose 1 known Spell and replace it with another Spell in the Bard Spell List.
  • New 5th Level Spells available:

Level 10

Improved Bardic Inspiration Improved Bardic Inspiration
Your Bardic Inspiration dice are now D10 Physical.png d10
Magical Secrets
Learn 2 non-Bard Spells from the Magical Secrets list
Spellcasting
2 Level 5 Spell Slots.png Level 5 Spell Slots Unlocked: 2
You gain an additional Level 5 Spell Slot.
Cantrips Known: 4
Choose 1 additional Cantrip from the Bard Spell List.
Spells Known: 13
Choose 1 additional Spell from the Bard Spell List.
Replacement Spell (Optional)
Choose 1 known Spell and replace it with another Spell in the Bard Spell List.

Level 11

Spellcasting
1 Level 6 Spell Slots.png Level 6 Spell Slots Unlocked: 1
You gain a Level 6 Spell Slot.
Spells Known: 14
Choose 1 additional Spell from the Bard Spell List
Replacement Spell (Optional)
Choose 1 known Spell and replace it with another Spell in the Bard Spell List.
New 6th Level Spells available

Level 12

Spellcasting
Spells Known: 15
Choose 1 additional Spell from the Bard Spell List.
Replacement Spell (Optional)
Choose 1 known Spell and replace it with another Spell in the Bard Spell List.

Notes[edit | edit source]

  • Bardic Inspiration Charge increases are not yet noted in the level up UI.

External links[edit | edit source]

Bard on the Forgotten Realms Wiki