The BEST BARD in Baldur's Gate 3 - [Updated] Detailed Honor Build Guide

Want to master the power of spell and song? Want to pass every dialogue check in the game, making friends and winning hearts wherever you go? Want to learn the magical secrets of the world and command them like no other? Look no further! This bard gets to do it all - and do it with style!
This is a simple and straightforward build guide to one of the most powerful and most fun classes in the game - serviceable in any party, from level 1-12, with extremely detailed explanation of everything you need to know!
This character uses College of Lore Bard to get unrivalled spellcasting, expertise in every dialogue skill, the best control and defensive spells in the game, and unbeatable versatility!
Full detailed level guide from 1-12, including stats, feats, items, and abilities!
0:00 Intro and Build Goals
1:13 Bard Overview
2:54 Race Selection
4:07 Attributes
5:40 Background and Skills
7:06 Level 1 Build and Spell Selection
12:24 Level 2
14:49 Level 3 and Subclass Selection
19:59 Level 4
23:14 Level 5
26:09 Level 6 and Magical Secrets
31:22 Level 7
32:25 Level 8
33:27 Level 9
34:15 Level 10 and Magical Secrets
36:53 Level 11
39:10 Level 12
39:06 Items and Gear
42:57 VERY IMPORTANT BUTTONS
43:42 Multiclassing

[@thevigilmain6628]

I really wish we could recruit Alfira man

[@roondoger]

**The dark urge would like to know your location**

[@hardgay7537]

She's cute. That means she has cute guts. Rip and tear!

[@threadbearr8866]

You can! She just arrived at my camp. I haven't long rested yet so I don't know her stats. But I'll keep you updated!

[@thevigilmain6628]

@@threadbearr8866 😭😭😭😭

[@thayanvelasquez7434]

It would be another companion for good runs that you'll lose if raid the grove, I would rather have Roah

[@KudzuHaiku]

Playing a Lore Bard right now. Stumbled into making an ice mage. Equipped Mourning Frost, and then some of the cold damage gear. She turns the battlefield into a bunch of statues and Karlach smashes them with a big-ass hammer. Mind you, this was by accident: I never expected this to work out so well or be so game-breaking on Honour Mode. With everything frozen or proned, nothing can hurt you.

[@kunalsingh4418]

Yeah same here. Except I play ice mage in every game I play, even in Skyrim where everything resisted Ice lol. It's nice how strong Ice magic is in Bg3. Prone condition simply makes it op, & Wall of Ice is probably the strongest spell in game. We get Mourning Frost early, and the only legendary staff, Markoheshvir's Frost of Dark winter favor, also supports Ice mage build super well in end game. wet is so easy to apply, plus with Water Myrmerdan, (who coincidentally are also the strongest Elemental), build is super easy even if other party members don't help with procs. Lots of fun to play Ice mage this game! Plus I am not even a sorceror, but a Wizard . Probably Draconic sorcerers would be even stronger. Although I won't respec since I love how op Wall of Ice is!

[@athytee]

Full Lore Bard was my very first Tav. Absolutely amazing experience.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Yep, mine also!

[@DamnSpiders666]

Mine too! Played as a halfling, it kinda screwed my perception of the game cause I'd almost never fail a roll. Then I tried other classes/races...

[@AlyxIsSpelledWeird]

The settings on the mic is perfect now!

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Awesome, thanks for letting me know!

[@Cautionarytale666]

I love your videos! I want to add, using “Friends” on your companions to pass dialogue checks with them will cause disapproval. I confirmed it’s a thing on as low as balanced difficulty, but I haven’t tested it more thoroughly once I became aware of it.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

True! I forgot it has that effect on lower difficulties - I definitely should remember to warn people about that

[@plainscrafter]

I love the lore bard. This is my favorite party leader.

[@unknownzero67]

To dodge downsides of casting friends you can just sneak and drop concentration in a "safe" distance from your target - after that they start looking for you just like you just stole something. 0 penalty to attitude.

[@kristijanzikic1970]

Bard so OP I did a 4 bard run. Multiclassed, but still. Fun times, when in doubt, just go with the bard, the more the merrier. Good in everything. But, on top of everything, you get a literal travelling band, hours and hours they played for the crowd in different places.

[@sneezyfido]

Bardcore Metallocalypse!

[@mikedickens848]

Totally gonna try this.

[@thomasrosendahl2783]

@@kristijanzikic1970 Bard is only class that can pass all the dialogue checks and skill checks with lockpicking and pickpocket etc.

[@KudzuHaiku]

Greater Invisibility on a Deep Gnome bard is practically cheating. With a Trickster cleric, you can get up to some pretty intense shenanigans and do awful things, all without being seen. The sheer amount of balls-out chicanery is just hilarious.

[@sneezyfido]

But but but... With greater invisibility active the only way to know that the balls were out is by touch. Did the deep gnome bard make tea?

[@diddle783]

Thxs for all the build, also happy that you explained the build up for beginners of the game ;)

[@thenameiswater2921]

So fun fact, your old version of this build has gotten me through both tactician and honour modes. I love the new flavour it brought to my character too of just. Desperately praying to keep people alive and thus Corellon being like “…eh alright fine” That one level dip was just a nice little boost that really helped.

[@michaeltromer9003]

I just started my first HM as a lore bard and you released this video. Thank you! Also, I never thought about dropping glyph spell on enemies instead of leaving it on a ground 😂 Genius

[@NightOps222]

Love this channel! Great job as always.

[@NathanT_Performer]

Amazing! Love your content!

[@omgopet]

If you don't take cleric (2 lvls into wizard works very well too) as your first char level, then it will make your scrolls and items cast spells with wis (or int) instead of cha, which is a terrible idea.

[@michaeltromer9003]

I always thought it’s the LAST class level that determined which attribute will be used, not the first one. For example if we are at 3rs lvl and we go as follows: 1st lvl wizard, 2nd cleric, 3nd sorcerer then CHA should be a stat used for spell throws. Am I wrong?

[@ProbeAway]

@@michaeltromer9003it’s the last class in which you took a 1st level. So Bard 1, Wizard 1 and then the rest Bard will use INT

[@Mystra]

Thanks for this ❤

[@zedkrueger3125]

amazing guide thank you

[@TeaGarrison]

Perfect timing. Just started a Bard run

[@PhlegethonianStream]

I had a build idea today for Wild Magic Barbarian. Asmodeus Tiefling for Hellish rebuke at lvl 3 and wild magic sorcerer dip at lvl 6 for true wildness. You can cast hellish rebuke and shield while raging and can even go further into sorcerer for counterspell if you want. Wild Magic Barb is a subclass you haven't made a video for yet so I thought I'd mention my idea. Best regards

[@kato0122]

10 Lore Bard/2 Divination Wizard is now my favorite “battlefield commander” build ever. You can stop everything bad from happening. I just entered Act 3 on honor mode and have only had ONE total death.

[@ecbrown6151]

I’ve been spoiled by my 8 Bard/ 4 Wiz build (headband) I love having 7 flexible spell slots and scribing every scroll I find, and summons of course. Like this build though, I will give the lore bard a look on one of my future play throughs.

[@babis2661]

I love your vids. Will you make a Tier list for Weapons and Armor?

[@DamnSpiders666]

Going 2 lvls of life cleric gives Preserve Life (AoE heal), which only uses a divinity charge, which recharge on short rest. Synergizes very well with bard Song of Rest, and you still get to enjoy the full 10 lvls of lore bard for Magical Secrets

[@Vandar85]

Quick comment here, because I heard multiple times that you suggest picking religion for a mirror. I've done around 10-15 playthroughs when game got relized and came up with fool proof plan for a mirror. Respec you character, go for rogue with reliable talent and expertise in religion/arcane, 20 int, dip 1 lvl into bard for inspiration and 1 lvl into cleric for guidance(or use pendant from act 1). Come to a mirror with a party of 4 such characters and you get guaranteed success on check(if I recall correctly it should be something like 10+4+4+5+1d6+1d4) which gives you minimum 25 for religion/arcane checks. Thanks for your work, haven't played a game in couple of months, but your videos keep me entertained and actually gave me idea for a party for new playthrough.

[@alexmashkin863]

Can you make a valor bard build? Something that uniquely utilizes and amplifies what valor bard is supposed to be, maybe not the most optimal but still good. Or is it completely overshadowed by other two subclasses?

[@annemowdy391]

They're not awful, but they are just worse than the other 2 subclasses.

[@kristijanzikic1970]

@@alexmashkin863 Overshadowed. Not bad, but outclassed hard by sword and lore.

[@bsly137]

I'm a fan of taking a 2 level warlock dip with this build. it's not my primary damage class but with 24 charisma and potent robes, 3 bolts of EB is a nice backup damage source. It still gets all the other goodies except level 6 spells and it loses a feat. You can also go fiend for command.

[@Funky_Ghost]

Duergar also get Enlarge which can be useful too for a build that dumps Strength, especially on a solo run.

[@braules]

I really like your voice it’s so pleasant to listen to

[@Obileo346]

My first tav was a valor bard. Easily my favorite mc to far. Going to do a rerun of her once we get working mods for console.

[@dugusmc]

Smuggler ring off the skeleton in Act 1 is nice.

[@thiagomelro2905]

If I had money I would transfer it to you now! thank you for your videos

[@antoniohristov8729]

10 lore bard/2 divination wizard. I love this build

[@bryanallman4680]

Perfect timing, I was just getting ready to retry BG3 and was looking for a Lore Bard build. I'm also looking for a Sword Bard build to pick between, any suggestions for a guide as good as this? Edit 2 minutes later: Ahh, and I just found The BEST CHARACTER Swords Bard video in the suggestions on the right! LOL

[@tomdowney37215]

Sounds good today

[@DeathsOrigin]

I need therapy, I just lost Isobel on my Bard Honor mode playthrough. Ruined everything. Send cookies

[@usssztorm1410]

🫂

[@DeathsOrigin]

@@usssztorm1410 Bro thank you so much for the hug. I'm back in Act 2 and saved Isobel. Honor mode be hard

[@GanttFive]

I'm surprised you didn't mention sanctuary as a magical secrets option. Ultimate panic button.

[@jjsquidbeard4831]

I'm currently playing through the game on Tactician with four bards. Three swords, one lore. I've made a lot of mistakes, but Bard is just busted. The only thing that could improve them IMO is if Larian implemented Magical Secrets as it exists in 5e, where you can actually learn any spell of 3rd or lower/5th or lower.

[@randomequinox]

Thank you for providing so many guides and tier lists for Baldur's Gate 3. I can't tell you how often I've gone back to your videos, as the level of detail and the explanations you provide are truly outstanding. As the playthrough that has made the most progress was influenced by your Lore Bard/Life Cleric video a while back, I did have a question: should the Cleric dip be at level 1 or (as you recommend) level 2? Skill/weapon/armor proficiencies aside, I've read conflicting information on how items and spell scrolls interact with character class levels and I don't know if the order you take them makes any difference. Again, I really appreciate all the work you've done.

[@cannyvalley8522]

What kind of conflicting information did you read? Items and spells cast from scrolls use spellcasting ability of latest NEW class taken. So if you start as bard and take cleric dip at level 2 that will be WIS. If you go back to bard at level 3 it will not matter, as it's not new class.

[@cannyvalley8522]

When people give advice to take first level in bard they usually mean better skill access, but cleric has relevant skill for tav/durge as well (insight, persuasion) and gives you wis save proficiency.

[@randomequinox]

​@@cannyvalley8522, maybe I misspoke, but the possible contradiction for me lies in the replies you provided. I was also given to understand that if you go Bard first before Cleric (in this case), you get better skill access but the items and spells cast from scrolls would use the Cleric spellcasting ability (Wisdom). If I go Cleric before Bard, then the items and spells cast from scrolls would use the Bard spellcasting ability. I was just wondering when you'd prioritize one path over the other (which you've also hinted at). Thanks for your replies!

[@jbisthedj]

The mic sounds great in this video

[@adityaflashraj]

I wish you would make some videos specially for solo honour mode as lots of issues that are not important in a party are important while playing solo like out of combat conversations and stuff.

[@mikedickens848]

Not sure I can do a build without truestrike. But I like it.

[@thomasrosendahl2783]

I have played BG3 all the way through 9 times currently, with all the playthroughs over 120 hours. Bard is the only class that can be the face of the party, while pass all the dice rolls and ability + Skill Checks. Lastly pick Halfling with extra luck.

[@jejo63660]

One item I never hear recommended for Lore Bard - Duelist’s Prerogative! 2 reactions a turn is amazing for Lore Bard, as Cutting Words is so good that you would like to use it twice a turn on reducing enemy saving throws against your CC spells if you could. Plus, Cutting Words + Counterspell (which a Lore Bard is extremely likely to pick up via Magical Secrets) is probably the best combo of reactions any character can have, and being able to use both in one turn is a big advantage for this character.

[@FinalOven_Mint]

I’m using it with a lore bard/ancients Paladin and it’s excellent with the bhaal armor

[@user-kk9yu3md6b]

Bards cannot merely do everything, they can also do everyone. also, would love to see a speedy soldier run.

[@bkg5494]

loving the content! what do you think is the best build for a solo honor mode run?

[@onyourleft5648]

Convince me I’m wrong the ideal party after countless KZbin videos and my own experience is something tav ranged swords bard fighter dip skill monkey, laezel swords bard paladin, sorcerer to twin haste. Tempest cleric for guidance, spirit guardians as well as late game buffs to make your main duo unkillable on bad initiative rolls Tav as ranged swords bard with 2 level fighter dip that gets the broken helmet of arcane acuity and scoundrel ring. Gets titan bow, Ethel hair to dexterity club of giant hill strength and in act two pick but shield with +3 alertness, but in offhand put crit+1 knife, alert then sharpshooter. Respec when you the bow that adds dexterity twice to drop alert for an asi and put on initiative shield with the crit knife armor of agility the rest of the gear is cake and already metaled out the point is this build uses ALL casts on hold person or hold monster after a few bow shots to get arcane acuity and the hold person or monster buffs all other melee damage (and this character functions as melee while hold person is active to get the crit damage) magical secrets on counterspell and elemental (only lvl 5 but still very good) La’zel as the swords bard paladin. The best skill bonus to a bard is a second bard, 2/10 paladin swords bard. Bardic secrets to banishing smite and conjure elemental use the max level slot on an elemental/banishing smite for the rest of high slots on banishing smites. Gloves of dexterity here so we can build in strength, but the perma strength potion here in act two, use the best two hander until the gith sword from creshe, initiative bow from act 1, then the +3 intitiave bow act 3. Feats before respec are alert, and asi to strength. Respec when you get the trident and bhallist armor, drop alert as you already have +9 to initiave(+4 gloves, +2 bhallist, +3 bow) add great weapon master now both you and swords bard do 44-80 depending on crits. With hold person you crit automatically meaning smites do another 8 d8 with GWM feat rerolling that’s an additional average 5.25*8 or 42 more per basic smite. Any sorcerer build to be twin haste bitch pure fire sorc personally because I want a full cleric for lvl 6 cleric spells. I think your lightning lord or even just a basic 2 cleric tempest and draconic lightning sorc or ice sorc or fire sorc, they are here mostly to cast twin haste and the occasional lvl 4, 5, or 6 damage spell then hide in a corner. If hold person not possible from the bard twins then you step in instead of hasting by casting it If you dipped cleric and got guidance on the sorc then my suggestion here depends on two things have they patched the final fight for throwing weapons? If so pop on a generic thrower that does piercing damage …lol I know. Are you using camp casting? If the answer to both questions is no Go full tempest cleric. Use spirit guardians to clear act two for your whole team while the paladin is still coming online, use radiant gear to shut down all encounters before act 3. Use anything to get a second lvl 6 spell to get a deva, and the buff spell, lvl 5 aid to make all party members have over 100 hp. Boots with the dash are bis as it makes spirit guardians land on all enemies every encounter this character is final insurance on hold person. Every character has 16 dexterity or gear that makes it so and takes alert until they have enough initiative to be +8-10 without it. Fun fact when a bard casts inspiration on another bard the receiver regains a bardic inspiration to cast itself that it can use while maintaining the buff from the original bard, mean that on perception checks or anything else you can use bard pairs to play off each other and not use up all your inspiration points in the process by consistently alternating which bard walks forward in a say a trap filled room. Essentially two bards make a band that play better together I’m so sorry

[@darthTrufa]

Very cool. What is your opinion: Could a "full skillmonkey" lore bard (1;thief,1knowledge cleric,10 bard) work in Honour? IT can theoretically obtain every skills. With 8 mastery (2of them int skill) (thief start in creche total lvl 7 mag secret, early act 2 the cleric, rest H.L.bard) 8/8/16/8/15/17 H.G.club for str 19 (athletic) Gloves of dex for dex 18 Headband for int 17

[@thegimel]

Thanks for the great video, I love playing lore bard in my playthroughs. Just one question, why did you mention that a dip in cleric should be taken at second level as opposed to sorc?

[@pjoterem141]

hell yeah

[@serdarmirzaseyyar3218]

Man you are on fire jeez sleep some

[@andyspillum3588]

Just one little nit pick, I have found that I get so many invisibility potions that using both a spell slot and a spell known is a waist, especially on my favorite class/subclass that only (outside of magical secrets) gets one per level. I would (and do)100% go with hold person there. But like I said just that one little thing.

[@skywares]

Yessss

[@morganwells1984]

I was curious about your thoughts on valour bard, do you think it would still be underpowered if swordsbard didn’t exist? Or is it just that it’s outclassed?

[@msr0685]

Hi, Ceph. Which build would you recommend for the first playthrough for a person who just wants to get through the story and potentially is not the biggest fan of the D&D mechanics like spell slots and long rests and stuff. More specifically, I'm looking for a build that requires the least amount of game knowledge and resource management. Just a build that can consistently hit stuff forever with their attack and still be good enough without worrying about running out of stuff constantly. Bonus points if the build also has good accuracy and doesn't miss often

[@Cephalopocalypse]

If you want to play a ranged character I'd recommend a Gloomstalker Ranger - you can find my build under "the best ranger in bg3 [updated]." For a melee character, a battle master fighter ("the best fighter in bg3") is my usual suggestion - it's powerful but has a couple fun options as you get more familiar with the game - but if you really want to not have to worry about *any* resources, a champion fighter is as basic as it gets - just use the same build but take champion instead of battle master at level 3

[@Tszyu01]

What would be a good non honor mode team with a lore bard? Should you still have a cleric on the team? Would lore bard, oath of vengeance paladin, wizard/sorcerer and cleric makes sense?

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Sure, that comp sounds excellent!

[@thwater]

Song of rest does not replenish everything that a short rest does in my multiplayer game

[@noahtewell5030]

Can we get a full lore friendly party build?

[@SergiusXVII]

Do you play with Karmic dice on or off?

[@jrtomlin1805]

I so wish people would publish a written version. *sigh*

[@ith77]

Can you update the paladin/lock build plz?

[@thomasrosendahl2783]

7 Oathbreaker Paladin 3 Great old one Warlock and 2 War Cleric for extra attack and guided strike.

[@cannyvalley8522]

@@thomasrosendahl2783 Looks nice on paper but the game won't let you use warlock spell slots for smites until expended all normal spell slots

[@SkwillyMode]

What armour is that, weirdly enough I haven't seen it before?

[@Cephalopocalypse]

The Elven Chain, I think with the Harlequin Black and White dye applied though I don't remember 100%

[@scottrackley4457]

pure lore bard + shadow monk ast = win. It's just too easy on any level

[@Moonsofdawn]

is this ok to use this build for solo tactician or honor mode ?

[@Cephalopocalypse]

I wouldn't really recommend this build to solo with - it's possible of course, but you'll be lacking sustained damage which can make some encounters very difficult. A sword bard is much better suited to solo play imo

[@Moonsofdawn]

@@Cephalopocalypse I look for your sword bard guide then thank you !

[@BilliamTorpedo]

5 minutes ago, dats 🅱️razy

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Nice!

[@jakeparkinson8929]

the most horrible build is a sorc-enchantment wizard with magic initiate bard to stack twinned metamagic and split enchantment on vicious mockery. Insulting 3 enemies per action, combine with haste and thats 6 enemies per turn. Its weak, requires spiteful thunder ring with reverberation gear to inflict daze on opponents to give them disadvantage on the save against VM. I tried to make it viable lol.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

That is very funny and I may steal that idea

[@jakeparkinson8929]

​@@Cephalopocalypse I doubt you can improve it, split enchantment requires 10 levels in enchantment wizard. You could go a level into bard and a level into warlock to get access to enchantment spells that the wizard class doesn't have access to. i.e dissonant whispers, command. But doing that means your useless for 90% of the game. You can't go tomb warlock since that needs 3 levels in warlock. Basically, I think 2 sorc makes the most sense with one feat into magic initiate bard. Basically stat-max the rizz with poor brains, use the intellect band until you have the dex gloves and can swap stats around. Have standard reverberation gear + the illumination daze stuff (its been a while!) and the thunder acuity hat + phallar aluve for shriek. Probably best to go storm sorc for bonus action flying. The VM cantrip does inflict a status, so it can give stacks of reverberation from the boots of stormy clamor, reverberation deals thunder which gives acuity. Thunder inflicts daze status which gives disadvantage on the wisdom saves for vicious mockery. I've thought about it. But because the UUID's for some stuff on the wiki are incorrect, I can't cheat it all in to test it.

[@alex1sandulache]

34:53 Do you even find this funny anymore? Or are you just going through the motions?

[@AlyxIsSpelledWeird]

FINAL day of pitching my favorite BG3 creator a new series idea: building a viable honor mode party where all characters have the same Base Class You can do a lot with not only restricting yourself by you trying to use every subclass at least once (except for wizards and clerics lol), but also maybe even having an interesting thematic element for example your four bars could be fitting into the Beatles archetype, and you have to challenge yourself by using a Valor bard when either of the subclasses would probably do better This would also give you an awesome opportunity to talk about what strengths and weaknesses each class brings and how for example some subclasses might be great do better / worse whenever surrounded by other similar team members, finally at the end maybe at the end of each video or after you finish a series you could do a tier list ranking which of them would be the most viable in which of them would be the least viable Thanks for taking the time put of your day to read this, you're a wonderful resource to a lot of people, and I hope you consider this idea as it's one id be super interested in seeing you tackle

[@AidenKelley-ih4ep]

Masochist + Pacifist Please

[@dangr123]

I'm going to have to take issue with you recommending 'Friends' on a charisma based character. I think it's a bit overkill. I've never had to use it on my sorcerer.

[@steveherman9419]

I agree. He should have taken True Strike

[@wladib8770]

​@@steveherman9419Agree. True Strike is actually very strong.

[@CMiY0]

You’ve just gotten lucky. Friends is needed to avoid rerolling using inspiration unless you’re running a halfling which would be overkill. Nat 1s will sneak up on you when you need to avoid them the most.