Bard

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.

“

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.

„

The Bard Subclasses are:

•  College of Lore
•  College of Valour
•  College of Swords

Bard Class Progression						Spell Slots per Spell Level
Level	Proficiency Bonus	Features	Bardic Inspiration Charges	Cantrips Known	Spells Known	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th
1st	+2	Spellcasting,  Bardic Inspiration ( d6)	3	2	4	2	-	-	-	-	-
2nd		Song of Rest,  Jack of All Trades			5	3	-	-	-	-	-
3rd		Choose a subclass,  Expertise			6	4	2	-	-	-	-
4th		Feat		3	7	4	3	-	-	-	-
5th	+3	Improved Bardic Inspiration ( d8),  Font of Inspiration	4		8	4	3	2	-	-	-
6th		Countercharm,  Subclass feature			9	4	3	3	-	-	-
7th		-			10	4	3	3	1	-	-
8th		Feat	5		11	4	3	3	2	-	-
9th	+4	-			12	4	3	3	3	1	-
10th		Improved Bardic Inspiration ( d10),  Expertise, Magical Secrets		4	13	4	3	3	3	2	-
11th		-			14	4	3	3	3	2	1
12th		Feat			15	4	3	3	3	2	1

Note: Proficiency bonus is based on character level, not class level. It's included in the table for convenience.

Class information

Hit points

At level 1: 8 +  Constitution modifier

On level up: 5 +  Constitution modifier

Key Ability Scores

 Charisma for improved spell's DC and Attack Rolls with spells.

 Constitution for more Hit Points and better Concentration checks.

 Dexterity for higher Initiative and Armour Class.

Saving Throw proficiencies

 Dexterity,  Charisma

Equipment proficiencies

Simple weapons,  Hand Crossbows,  Rapiers,  Longswords,  Shortswords

Light armour

Skills with proficiency (Choose 3)

 History,  Insight,  Medicine,  Persuasion,  Religion,  Deception,  Intimidation,  Performance,  Acrobatics,  Sleight of Hand,  Stealth,  Animal Handling,  Arcana,  Investigation,  Athletics,  Nature,  Perception,  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

For a list of spells available to the Bard, see: List of Bard spells.

Spellcasting Ability

 Charisma

Known spells

Bard Spells are Always Prepared. In exchange, Bards know fewer Spells at low levels.

Level progression

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

Level 1

 Bardic Inspiration

Inspire an ally to go beyond their capabilities with your performance. They can add a +1d6 bonus to their next Attack Roll, Ability Check, or Saving Throw.

Bardic Inspiration Charges: 3

Recharge: Long rest

Spellcasting

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

•  Blade Ward
•  Mage Hand
•  True Strike 
•  Friends 
•  Dancing Lights 
•  Light
•  Minor Illusion 
•  Vicious Mockery

New 1st Level Spells Available

•  Animal Friendship
•  Bane 
•  Charm Person 
•  Cure Wounds
•  Disguise Self 
•  Dissonant Whispers
•  Faerie Fire 
•  Feather Fall 
•  Healing Word
•  Heroism 
•  Longstrider 
•  Sleep
•  Speak with Animals 
•  Tasha's Hideous Laughter 
•  Thunderwave

Level 2

 Song of Rest

You and your allies are revitalized as though you had taken a Short Rest.

 Jack of All Trades

Add half of your Proficiency Bonus (rounded down) to Ability Checks that you are not Proficient in.

Spellcasting

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

• Gain  Expertise in 2 Skills you are Proficient in.

Spellcasting

Level 1 Spell Slots Unlocked: 4

You gain an additional Level 1 Spell Slots.

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

•  Blindness
•  Calm Emotions 
•  Cloud of Daggers 
•  Crown of Madness 
•  Detect Thoughts  
•  Enhance Ability 
•  Enthrall
•  Heat Metal 
•  Hold Person 
•  Invisibility 
•  Knock
•  Lesser Restoration
•  Phantasmal Force 
•  See Invisibility
•  Shatter
•  Silence  

Select a subclass

College of Lore	College of Valour	College of Swords
Cutting Words Gain Proficiency in 3 Skills	Combat Inspiration Gain Proficiency in: Medium armour Shields Martial weapons	Blade Flourish  Defensive Flourish (Melee)  Defensive Flourish (Ranged)  Slashing Flourish (Melee)  Slashing Flourish (Ranged)  Mobile Flourish (Melee)  Mobile Flourish (Ranged) Fighting Style (Choose 1):  Duelling  Two-Weapon Fighting Gain Proficiency in: Medium armour  Scimitars

Level 4

• Choose a Feat.

Spellcasting

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

You regain all of your Bardic Inspiration Charges after a Long or Short Rest.

 Improved Bardic Inspiration

Your Bardic Inspiration dice are now d8

Spellcasting

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

•  Bestow Curse 
•  Fear 
•  Feign Death
•  Glyph of Warding
•  Hypnotic Pattern 
•  Plant Growth
•  Speak with Dead 
•  Stinking Cloud 

Level 6

 Countercharm

You and any allies within  Range: 9 m / 30 ft have Advantage on Saving Throws against being  Charmed or  Frightened.

Spellcasting

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

College of Lore	College of Valour	College of Swords
Magical Secrets	Extra Attack	Extra Attack

Level 7

Spellcasting

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

•  Confusion 
•  Dimension Door
•  Freedom of Movement
•  Greater Invisibility 
•  Polymorph 

Level 8

• Choose a Feat.

Bardic Inspiration Charges: 5

You gain one charge Recharge: Short rest

Spellcasting

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

Level 4 Spell Slots Unlocked: 3

You gain an additional Level 4 Spell Slot.

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:

•  Dominate Person 
•  Greater Restoration
•  Hold Monster 
•  Mass Cure Wounds
•  Planar Binding 
•  Seeming 

Level 10

• Gain  Expertise in 2 more Skills you are Proficient in.

 Improved Bardic Inspiration

Your Bardic Inspiration dice are now d10

Magical Secrets

Learn 2 non-Bard Spells from the Magical Secrets list

Spellcasting

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

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

•  Eyebite 
•  Otto's Irresistible Dance 

Level 12

• Choose a Feat.

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

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

Notable bards

• Alfira
• Quil Grootslang
• Lady Croup
• Roah Moonglow

See also

• List of all Bards

External links

Bard on the Forgotten Realms Wiki