InBaldur’s Gate 3, players have a nearly unlimited amount of options for creating their character. Between customized appearances, backgrounds, and classes, each playthrough can be an entirely new experience. One of the best ways to mix up a playthrough is to dip intomulticlassing, by adding on levels in other classes besides the one they started in.
For theBard class, there are several different, effective options to choose if you want to step away from just music and magic. Instead, taking a fewdip levels(one to four levels) orsplitting(five or six levels) can create powerful synergies that work with your favorite aspects of the Bard class. Here are the eight best classes to multiclass with when playing a Bard.
8Wizard
Become An Encyclopedia Of Spells
Wizardsare an extremely powerful spellcasting class, but at first glance, they seem like they don’t synergize well with Bards. Unlike Bards,Wizards rely on their Intelligence ability, which usually is ignored entirely for most Bards. However, the Wizard’s ability tolearn spells from scrollsmakes this class surprisingly useful for any other spellcaster, including Bards.
While the Wizard class is not good to split into for a full multiclass, a small dip of a single level is enough to get thespell transcription ability. You can learn these spells up to the maximum level of your highest casting class, not just the Wizard class. However, Intelligence is needed to cast these spells, which can result in low DCs or Attack Rolls. Adding an INT increasing item, such as theWarped Headband Of Intellect, can help land more hits.
Further levels into Wizard are not recommended. Any further levels will decrease your effectiveness with Bard, and there are better multiclass options for a true spellcaster split.
However, consider focus more onutility spells, such asLongstrider, Enhance Leap, orFeather Fall. These spells do require spell slots, but you’re able to use the Bard spell slots to cast them. You can also dip further into Wizard in order to pick up a School and its level two passive, such as theSculpt Spellspassive from Evocation Schools, which allows your allies to safely be inside the area of Evocation spells without taking damage.
7Cleric
More Support And Healing For The Party
Clerics, like Wizards, require a different casting ability than Bards, needingWisdominstead of Charisma. However, the spells provided from dipping into the Cleric class can greatly increase survivability for your party, especially for dangerous scenarios or harder difficulties. Some of these options, likeBless,Healing Word, andSanctuary, can be viable without needing any additional levels in Wisdom.
Like Wizard, it’s only recommended to dipone or two levelsinto a Cleric multiclass. The damage drop off is far too high for it to be a viable split.
Dipping into Cleric also gives you the ability to donheavy armorwithout taking penalties to spellcasting. The additional subclasses can also help you specialize further into support by using the Life class or doubling down on damage with War.Each subclass can provide a different benefitdepending on what you’re looking for, so be sure to check them out to see which works best for you.
6Druid
Embracing Fungi For Damage Boosts
TheDruidoption for multiclassing is where there starts to be some significant benefits and synergy with Bard. Unfortunately, theMoon and Land Druid subclassesdo not work well with Bard, but the Spore Druid is particularly powerful. Spore druids focus on spellcasting while having several offensive features. The Wisdom casting ability can mostly be ignored for this multiclass, so no adjustments to ability scores are needed.
The primary feature of this multiclass is theSymbiotic Entityaction, which grants four temporary hit points. Though these hit points are not very much in the late game, while they are present, players gain anadditional 1d6 Necrotic damagefor weapon attacks. When paired with the Sword Bard subclass and a ranged build, players can take multiple shots per round, up to four shots at later levels, and apply necrotic damage each time.
To make this work, you’ll need tomake sure you have a high ACto reduce the chances of getting hit. Once the temporary hit points are gone, the additional damage stops being applied.
This class works best as atwo-level dipin order to get the effects of the Spore Druid subclass. However, higher splits can work if you intend on splitting into more classes. This requires careful planning to ensure the split increases effectiveness, so sticking with a two-level dip is most useful in general.
5Sorcerer
High Synergy & Spell-Slinging
ASorcerer and Bard multiclassis powerful and combines well due to the use ofCharismafor each class’s main casting ability. This one allows you to be the “face” of the party to handle any and all diplomatic situations while also being equipped with powerful spells. When things go south, you’ll be able to easily jump into the fray with aFireballto get things started.
Sorcerers have strong subclasses that allow additional utility, such as theStorm Sorcery subclasswhich allows you to fly as a Bonus Action without receiving any opportunity attacks. For a Bard needing to support other party members or reach a safe space, being able tofly away from dangeror to a downed companion is extremely valuable.
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The other primary benefit is theSorcerer’s Metamagic features, which allow you to add enhancements to your spells. The best two for a Bard multiclass are theTwinned SpellandHeightened Spelloptions, which allow you to target an additional creature or impose disadvantage on saving throws for spell targets, but other features may have utility depending on how you want to play.
This is the first class worth fully splitting into rather than just dipping a few levels in. You can put as many as five or six levels into Sorcerer and still have a viable Bard multiclass build. However,it’s recommended to respec at Withersand start as a Sorcerer, as this will grant an additional Constitution Proficiency. This will allow you toconcentrate betteron spell effects.
4Fighter
Finesse For Ranged Assaults
Fightersare one of the most commonly multiclassed choices due to theAction Surgeability, which is a free action that allows you to take another action in the same turn. Action Surge is good for any class, including spell-focused Bards, but is exceptionally useful for Sword Bards. Dipping into Fighter will give you an incredibly powerful opening to fights.
By using the Slashing Flourish (Ranged) enhancement, Bards can attack up to two separate enemies at once. At level six, you’ll also gain access to an Extra Attack, doubling this. Then, when combined with the Action Surge, you’ll be able to fire atotal of eight arrowsin a single opening round. Needless to say, this is one powerful combination.
Players only needsix levels in Bard and two levels in Fighterto achieve the opening eight arrows. Because of this, there are four more levels that players can use to multiclass into a third option if they wish.
Taking levels inFightercaps off at about level four as far as viability goes. The different subclasses can achieve different things, but Champion with its reduced number to critical hit tends to be higher damage overall. Thematically, you could also choose Eldritch Knight for some additional spells. Anything beyond four levels of Fighter does not benefit either Bard or Fighter in this multiclass.
3Paladin
Packing In Power With Smite
Besides synergizing with the Charisma casting of Bard,Paladinsaddfighting styles, spell lists, heavy armor, and smites. If you’re using a Sword Bard and primarily holding spells for utility or healing, using additional spell slots forDivine Smitewill drastically increase your damage output.
Alternatively, Paladin’s defensive features allow Sword Bards to take on a more melee-focused role, if desired. The Defensive Flourish from College of Swords increases your AC by an additional four points if you are hit. Combined with heavy armor, it can equal a ridiculously high AC.
The subclasses for Paladin are all useful in their own right, and the choice depends on what you want to do. TheOath of Vengeancegrants additionalRadiant damageequal to your Charisma modifier, which can increase your damage output further and Daze enemies for two turns.Devotion Paladinsare similar, but impose1d4 Radiant damageto those who hit them with a melee attack, which is unlikely due to the high AC.Oath of the Ancientsis a support option, allowing you to heal yourself and nearby allies for a decent amount of hit points, both on the turn cast and on the following turn.
2Warlock
Eldritch Power At Your Fingertips
TheWarlock and Bard multiclassis by far my favorite, and for one simple reason:Eldritch Blast. If you want to play a more pure spellcasting class, this option is the best for you as it allows you to use Eldritch Blast in place of weapon attacks each turn. Scaling off of Charisma, Warlock spells are equally as strong as Bard spells, allowing you to switch between the two at will.
Bards have a particular feature, theSong of Rest, which grants an additional Short Rest. This is very useful for the Warlock multiclass, asthey recover their spell slotswith either a Short or Long Rest.
Besides an extensive spell list, Warlocks also bring subclass options that can lean further into spellcasting or dip back into Sword Bard options. ThePact of the Tomegrants several great coverage spells, such asGuidancefor parties who are missing it.Pact of the Chainis less useful as it only provides the ability to find and use a familiar, though it does allow for anImp or Quasit familiar.
ThePack of the Bladeallows you to synchronize well with the Sword Bard builds, especially due to pact weapons using your Spellcasting Ability Modifier. You’ll also gain another extra attack at level five Sorcerer, giving you three attacks per action. Like the Fighter, this can then be doubled using the Slashing Flourish for a total of six attacks.
1Rogue
High Damage Tricksters
If you want to load up on skills, be the face of the party, and deal massive amounts of damage, there is no better multiclass than a Bard mixed withRogue. Respeccing into Rogue first allows you to choose upwards of10 different skills to start with, and six further expertise to add to the Bard’s already exceptional skill spread.
Doing a full level split into Rogueallows you to choose a subclass, each of which has utility.Thiefallows you to have an additional bonus action each round, which is hard to beat. TheAssassinallows you to use stealth to avoid and ambush enemies for increased damage, but isn’t the most effective mixed with Bard.Arcane Tricksterlets you do, essentially, more Bard things with a thievery flair by using a Mage Hand to disarm traps or pick locks. While not especially powerful, it’s still a thematic choice.
The best way to maximize this build is with theBand of the Mystic Scoundrel. This ring grants the ability for the wearer to cast either illusion or enchantment spells as a bonus action after hitting a creature with a weapon attack. A Sword Bard using this item while being a Thief Rogue means not only can you attack and use the bonus action to cast a spell such asFearorHold Person, you can do this twice each turn.
In general, aBard and Rogue multiclassis powerful by doing what each class does best. Combining these two lets you become a primary face for the party,handle almost all skill checks, and still deal high amounts of damage. Each of these classes inBaldur’s Gate 3hasits merits, but with experimentation, any combination is possible. Try these multiclasses and see what works best for you!
