The Best Build in Baldur's Gate 3 | Bardadin Build Guide

[@SirCharles12357]

Excellent job! Love how you include the location of all the gear choices and you discuss it by acts. This is definitely one of the top power builds in the game!

[@searching4god]

Thank you for the feedback! I was worried that the video was too long when recording, glad to know the information is relevant!

[@antoniomaurtua230]

yes is the best part, youtube is full of builds videos, this is complete, sry for my english xd@@searching4god

[@VesperYTU]

​@@searching4godsorry, but I did not get it? Why should we respec to 1rst pal level, not just multiclass to it? Is there something that I will miss if I will just multiclass? Thank you for future answer, your video is really nice, btw.

[@SeK114]

​@@VesperYTUi believe the "1st lvl" of a given class comes with a whole pack that isnt the same. He respec because pal at lvl 1 gives heavy armor while pal at higher lvls doesnt

[@georgekalimeris6134]

This has to be one of the best build guides I've come across in all my time in bg3. Your showcase, explanation and in depth analysis of the build itself is very very well thought out. The only note that I have is that you didn't mention the possibility of this build also working as a lockdown cc-er as well with the ring that lets you cast illusion/ench spells as a bonus action and the helmet of arcane acuity. I have been running your setup with that alteration and it's even more fun imo because it can now literally do everything. And to take that one step further, if given the dark urge cloak (which can only be acquired by playing as dark urge) you pretty much never have to worry about losing concentration on anything because you're invisible all the time. All in all thank you very much for this guide, spectacular job and this has got to be one the best builds I've tried thus far in bg3!

[@searching4god]

Wow thank you for the high praise! Glad you enjoyed it

[@OrpheusOverdrive]

Lots of good information other than build information. Being able to twin cast the Glaive buff would NEVER have occurred to me. Thanks! Bonus points for going through best in slot and alternates on equipment for every act as well. Very thorough and well done guide!

[@searching4god]

Thank you for the feedback! Glad you enjoyed it

[@rosarioguglielmino3380]

This is easily the best guide about bardadin so far, great job

[@searching4god]

You guys are moving me to tears in the comments, thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it!

[@Kong-kg6ij]

I have spent a lot of time reviewing the build guides on KZbin and by far yours are the best. It is the way you explain them that is far superior to the others who just tell you what to do. Keep it up and please come out with an optimal Honor party guide.

[@vitormolinari6180]

Amazing video!! Great audio quality, very direct and concise. Please more builds!!!

[@searching4god]

Thank you so much for the feedback ❤️ More to come :)

[@Willmtlk]

One of the best guides I’ve seen so far. Just got BG3 and been looking for a solid template on my first play through and this was an amazing place to start. Thanks!!

[@searching4god]

Thank you so much, sincerely!

[@Denny-Thray]

The only thing I'd change is that this is the perfect character, IMO, to use the Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength. It frees up an elixir slot and allows you to use the Bloodlust Elixir. And an extra action far outpaces the DPS from the Helldust Gloves and 4 extra strength from the Cloud Giant Elixir.

[@searching4god]

This is exactly what I had in mind when recommending it as an alternative - especially since you practically never miss attack rolls in late game, Bloodlust Elixir >>>

[@tjsymon4667]

Excellent write-up, I've been toying with a Bardadin build throughout my current run, but your in depth and professional vid gave me the confidence to switch to a dual wield version of it. The crit-fishing aspect that dual wield supports, along with the synergies you lay out into the ACTIII gearing section... really good stuff. I'm surprised I haven't heard of your channel before, but I'll be watching from now on.

[@searching4god]

Thank you for this comment, sincerely!

[@ltarmenia4ever]

UNATCO theme track from Deus Ex playing in the background recognized - making this build truly the best in-game.

[@searching4god]

Game recognize game

[@SkyNinja759]

14:25 I'd say oath of vengence is the weakest pick of the three choose-able subclasses. Oath of the ancients being easily the best. You're costing a bonus action to do +2 radiant damage with attacks for the turn and one turn after. While giving up the bonus action attack to do it. So you're at absolute max, with flourishes, doing +18 damage without crits; while realistically you're going to get maybe get probably ~+8, which is what you'd get by just attacking with the offhand weapon anyways. The utility of oath of the ancients' heal pulse means you can AoE heal the team and pick them up as a bonus action that turn as well as the turn after for free. Really good if for some reason someone goes down, it saves a healing word spellslot and gives you a bit more adventuring day longevity. There's even a tiny bit of value from oath of devotion's feature, where if you're mobbed by trash enemies you can pop it and get a tonne of reflect damage. Not useful 99% of the time like vengence's but a few combats will spawn in a horde that can rack up small damage bites on a character. Like the dire ravens and rat encounters. Not a big fan of vengence for the level 1 in particular. The subclass is really carried by vow of enmity with it's cast on self cheese at level 3, which we don't get to in this build guide.

[@east__]

you are severely underrated, been using this build and it’s great. Insane quality on the video aswell man keep it up.

[@searching4god]

A thousand thanks!

[@eetuantola2519]

I put together a similar build where I went 6 bard, 3 paladin and champion fighter to further amp the burst crit playstyle of the build. Very nearly one shot Ansur's first 600hp phase (I missed one of my 6 attacks). Certainly one of the most fun and op builds and might just have to give your version a go on my next playthrough. Thanks for the vid :)

[@TheMissing8]

Really solid in depth guide. Thank, man! Would love to see more in the future. Also, " if you have an archer in your party the game is just over actually and you've won Bg3." Made me lol. 🤣

[@searching4god]

Thank you so much

[@Byneford]

Absolute legend for this video, incredibly well put together. Subbed bud 🙌

[@searching4god]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed, more to come :)

[@ayedrein]

Amazing work! Thank you for detailing the build for all the acts!!!! Going to try this one out on my next play through,

[@searching4god]

Tysm

[@sasukegre]

I restarted my run from Warlock to this build. That says it all.

[@searching4god]

I can guarantee you won't regret it!

[@sasukegre]

@@searching4god I haven't so far. I am really enjoying the versatile gameplay a lot. Less thinking to enter fights. I was with a Warlock eldritch blaster deep in Act 2 and it was boring as hell. I think Warlock makes a lot of sense as a companion, not a main character - at least for me.

[@thisisaloadofbarnacles9122]

21:24, you can simply stop concentrating on the banishing portion of the spell Banishing Smite after using it to allow yourself to keep hitting an enemy.

[@searching4god]

Although true, in which case you could use it as a high damaging ranged “attack”, it still requires breaking any active concentrations to cast (i.e., Haste, Spirit Guardians, HoH…) to deal less damage than a Divine Smite of equivalent level would. Not bad, but not better than the other options!

[@ammd1234]

This build looks killer! Love the content, can't wait to try this build in my next playthrough

[@searching4god]

Thank you! Besides all the minmaxxing the build is incredibly fun, enjoy!

[@haustek9341]

34:20 Also using the shapeshifter boon ring, that give's a 1d4 to all checks when transformed or shapeshifted

[@searching4god]

Good shout, absolutely. That ring is great in general on face characters

[@mightbecursed]

39:07 Divine smite is capped to 5d8, so using a spell slot above 4th spell level adds no further damage.

[@searching4god]

Thanks for pointing that out, it slipped my mind completely during editing. You should be treating 5/6 lvl spell slots as more lvl 4 smits, that is what I meant to say :P

[@Swink0990]

bro, 5 minutes in and Im saying to myself. Wow this is actually well put together.

[@searching4god]

Hahaha thank you! My first time making videos so hoping to get even better each upload :)

[@jaxsonfanta5420]

This was an amazing video man! Thank you for your hard work in editing and for how thorough you were, I very much appreciate it and hope your channel blows up! I thought you did such a good job you got a subscriber! Well done man.

[@searching4god]

Thank you so much for the kind words

[@Panda-pt8sg]

I love that you sepperate the gear by acts and I currently have a honor run we’re I am using all 3 of the builds you have done so far just for it keep it up

[@VictorMartinez-me7tl]

I hardly ever chime in on comments for videos but I wanted to say this is a well done video. Very clear and simple to follow. I don't get people that say this is "wrong or right" as it is just one way to play a class in a game for fun. One thing i was curious about is the shadow blade ring on this build. Since you suggested going for the resonance stone it made me think about this ring. I haven't made it to the part of act 2 yet where we pick it up (the stone) but I threw this ring on with a strength pot and it was 8-25 psychic damage before the stone in the main hand. I will continue my game and see how this works out (hopefully don't die as it's honor mode) when i get it. Thank you for this build and I am enjoying it whether it's right or wrong...please make more videos!

[@searching4god]

Thank you! The ring interaction sounds fun and viable in place of other rings if they are contested by other party members. Meta-gaming generally brings out an elitist attitude in people which is why you see all the authoritative comments about what the correct choice was :/ In many other games I'd even understand, but Baldur's Gate 3 is not that game.

[@obergruppenfuhrersang-froi8203]

I've been using this build video as a template for my first bard. It is excellent in every way. The issue I'm having now in act 3 is the option to use the helm of arcane acuity/ring that allows illusion and enchantment spells on bonus action. I'm finding that they are two very different builds. I can't really have the best of both worlds. With two weapon figting, my bonus action is spoken for. My advice is to stick with this build if you have another party member that can reliably hold person/monster. This build is superior.

[@politecat9207]

A good move is to always leave the crowd control spells to SH and Gale, while your Tav and another char dish out damage. Most enemies won't save a spell coming from those two companions.

[@Aurora_Lightbringer]

You seem to have been the Divine intervention I needed to finally decide on what my bards name is. I thought "Hannah Montana" since she's a blonde bard living a double life (Durge) and thought it would be funny. I was humming the song, turn on my phone to check what I should do at lvl 2 and see you also saying the "best of both worlds" Thanks for miraculously confirming the name.

[@TheFeanor74]

I've watched a few Bardadin guides and yours is definitely one of the best. Great job and thank you! Kudos for advocating the DEX Paladin. I think there are so many reasons to go this route instead of STR - even if you don't drink elixirs and go with a finesse longsword like Phalar Aluve. High Dex combined with medium armor with full Dex modifier and wearing a shield is very close to going heavy armor with damage reduction and a two-hander (plus you get the added bonus of better initiative, which can be HUGE). I think the main "problem" of this build is the leveling order. I agree with you that a respec is unavoidable. - Your solution is going 6 swords bard first, then respec at level 7. I think this is a solid option. My main problem is this doesn't "feel" like the build that I want to play - What do you think about going 5 (or 6) paladin and respec? You get 2nd attack at level 5 but totally miss on bard skill proficiencies and expertise, flourishes and level 3 spells. If you go for example oath of vengeance, you get Vow of Enmity for nice advantage on attack. Does that compensate for what you are giving up on the bard side? After the respec at level 7, I totally agree with you, so I really only want to hear your opinion on the leveling order before the respec. Pity that the "most optimal power game" solution is to go 6 sword bard (as you suggested), but play as a ranged dual hand crossbow build because of extra bonus attack and ranged flourishes. This is so OP early on. But I already have played this build and I want to stick to melee this time.

[@searching4god]

Thank you sincerely! I completely understand how you feel about the early game of this build and was even expecting more people to comment about how it only "becomes" a Bardadin halfway into the game. Unfortunately, and as you mention, there is just no way to incorporate both classes into the build in the early game - BUT, that isn't to say you can't start with EITHER class. Starting out with and taking Paladin until the respec is perfectly viable, strong even. Of course you miss out on the dual xbow + flourish value but Paladin is strong in it's own right. The Vow of Enmity interaction is fantastic, Smites are great for action economy, heavy armor immediately is preferable, and you get your extra attack earlier. Had this been a guide for the Sorcadin (for example), I would suggest taking Paladin first and foremost and later incorporating Sorcerer. Without a doubt a solid choice - just remember to keep in mind the Bardadin items to be able to pivot in Act 2 :)

[@maciejmalatynski486]

Nicely done buddy thank you , looking forward for more content from your side , subscription added

[@slender7999]

best guides on youtube, thanks

[@questimegaming]

21:00 You forget the fact that you can CRIT with your Banishing Strike. The Banish part is unimportant 5d10 = 50 dmg*2 = 100 dmg and if they still survive with less than 50 hp they disappear ! Scaling for Smite stops at Lvl4 so you don't get anything extra from it in Lvl5

[@searching4god]

The point remains, it is less about what Banishing Smite can do and more about what it can't do - using magical secrets on dealing incrementally more damage as opposed to gaining utility is redundant, especially with how much damage you are dealing by that point. You are right about the scaling, I misspoke in the video! I meant to say that level 5th and 6th spell slots can and should be used as additional level 4 (max lvl) smites, which are otherwise limited per long rest. Thank you for watching both of my guides! Please consider subscribing

[@vernadithsedillo5126]

this build works better with a big fat two handed weapon imo, huge dmg burst with smite spell. also as secret way to go is elemental to be upcast to level 6 for summon a myrmidon..and misty step for mobility is priceless esp on honour...

[@toneskatsu]

Thank you for the build. I just lost my HM run due to Philomeen not starting the conversation and just blowing up. What builds can you recommend for the rest of the party with this? Also, why Astarion?

[@icetrail180]

Happy bonus (+1 to hit/sv and heal) and possible ascension late game to deal more necrotic dmg

[@searching4god]

I'd be lying if I said Philomeen's barrel hasn't cost me a run as well, except I blew it up myself and underrated the blast radius, it really is a mini nuke... icetrail180 is exactly right - Happy is the best early game "ability/buff" in the game and does wonders for your accuracy, and an additional 1d10 Necrotic damage on EVERY weapon attack (when he is Ascended in Act III) is an incomparable damage increase compared to all the other races and companions. Karlach and Minthara are also great with their Soul Coins and Soul of Branding (respectively), but Vampire Ascendant Astarion is something else...

[@toneskatsu]

@@searching4godThank you for the reply! I will restart my HM run again. What builds for the companions would you recommend?

[@MrVad3r]

great guide. thanks.

[@darxiide]

great video!! would you be open to making a build planner for these and linking it in the description so that we can follow the build without needing to skip to different parts of the video? it would help for things like being able to level while still knowing what gear to aim for and what proficiencies to take and what not. just a suggestion, still a dope guide and I'll be watching the rest of your guides as well.

[@searching4god]

Thank you! Do you mean the BG3 Build Planner by EIP Gaming? If so, sure I'll look into it :)

[@darxiide]

sweet, yeah that's the one!!

[@axotical8682]

Great video.

[@aberryth]

Don't bother saving your levels to refresh shops, you don't HAVE to use camp supplies to long rest (you just won't regain health or spell slots)

[@searching4god]

True, but it is a much more tedious process with the loading times etc.

[@jimjasutis5046]

Really enjoyed the video. Did I miss the spot where you explained why Astarion was the right choice for the character?

[@searching4god]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! I definitely should have mentioned it, I cut it out because I realized in post that I talked about it for an ungodly amount of time 😭 I reccomend Astarion because Happy (his bite passive) is the best early game "ability/buff" in the game and does wonders for your accuracy, and an additional 1d10 Necrotic damage on EVERY weapon attack (when he is Ascended in Act III) is an incomparable damage increase compared to all the other races and companions. Karlach and Minthara are also great with their Soul Coins and Soul of Branding (respectively), but Vampire Ascendant Astarion is something else...

[@Zem4ro]

@@searching4god How do you respec Astarion from Rogue to Bard at the character creation screen?

[@searching4god]

@@Zem4ro You can't, I had just filmed that portion of the video in Act 3 after respecing with Withers

[@darxiide]

RIP to the backpack barter exploit🕊️ gone but never forgotten

[@jakeparkinson8929]

another crazy pally build, 5/5/2 barbarian/abjuration wizard/pally: -Certain spells can be used as a reaction while raging. -Raging resets empty arcane ward stacks -Tigers bloodlust can be used to smite multiple enemies.

[@sandymitra3152]

Wouldn't say it's that crazy; don't you only get third level spell slots at max level? Besidebargain. T1 like a wizard to cast buffs and raging with a small handful of reactions, what actually makes it competitive with sorcadin/lockadin/bardadin?

[@monsandreasnyquist8444]

This is an excellent build guide, really thorough and comprehensive. I was just wondering about the stat allocation: why do you need 16 dex when it is, as you yourself point out, strength that is added to attack rolls?

[@cyborgtemplar1989]

Few minor questions 1. when does the build actually come online in melee? a. in the first 3-4 levels before hand crossbows the extra attack from dual blades did fairly well, but even at level 6 the melee spike is quite weak. I'm doing far better even with 2H xbows and taking advantage of Slashing Flourish Ranged (even without sharpshooter or titanstring longbow as my astarion has those, it outperformed alot.) 2. Are there any options to address the early game until you reach moonrise. I have a few considerations that my manage it and not sure how viable they are a. 2H + GWM till 7-8?. this spikes the moment you get the feat. as you can get growling underdog very early for advantage, and swinging an everburn blade/githyanki greatsword with GWM using slashing flourish (melee) seems like a solid potential option. and opens up your bonus action to be paired with boots of speed, or enhanced leap to help close the gap. likely being able to just delete 2 people before you hit 4. as you get the +10 to each hit of that swing (and any damage riders + higher base). which is often close to dual wield at this point in the game but slashing flourish (melee) severely tilts in favor of GWM for the extra 20 damage. b. use the level 4 feat, for war caster. or respec into it at level 7 when you go to paladin. As strange conduit ring, and thorn blade both require concentration. and being in melee it's easy to drop without warcaster. c. if you have no rogue, you can stay with a titanstring longbow as you are already building with str elixers in mind. that bow + slashing flourish (ranged) will usually murder people. Until you acquire the swords and extra accessories with damage riders d. Broodmothers Revenge, an extra d6 of poison damage is tramendous. and if you have shadowheart, she can easily toss a heal on you every 3 turns to maintain it. which applies to each flourish attack, and gives your damage a 2d6+7 (1d6 base + 1d6 poison + 2 acid + 5 str). which would allow it to come closer to GWM approach due to the extra attack having enough damage riders. e. Are there any weapon poisons available early game? Wyvern toxin doesn't seem to be very available until a good bit later. but would work both with a 2H xbow + ranged flourish, or melee setup.

[@itsthatoneguy_93]

Pardon my ignorance I’m still new to this game as a whole despite knowing about a few things I’ve either learned via resources like this and just learning things on my own through the first almost complete playthrough, got a good ways through act 3 but then stopped playing it completely outright and then came back about a month or so ago but started a fresh playthrough because I was able to start modding the game, but what is the reason for wanting to respec after a certain point in multiclass builds, specifically to just simply switch the order of what your starting class of your multiclass is? Do you only get the proficiency bonuses of the base class when you multiclass and not both? Because up to this point I was led to believe that didn’t really matter, I thought all the proficiencies stacked in a multiclass build

[@hansfranzwilli1958]

As a 'Do it all' type build what about the ‚Mask of soul Persuasion‘ for some higher Attack Rolls, A good boost to initiative and of course the Perception check +2?

[@mrbones123]

Please please make a throw barb guide formatted exactly like this i followed your sorlock and gloom videos with huge success in HM best bg3 build guides out there

[@Spacecowboy2086]

Hi, thank you for the guide. Does this build rely on elixirs? I don’t enjoy that mechanic so I try to avoid it

[@AZIANKIDTV]

Awesome video!! Just a quick question. What do you think about using Broodmother’s revenge amulet in act 1 instead?

[@kamikazaye6855]

Can you use a one handed rapier for this build? The rapiers you get in act 3 are really nice and i just like the aesthetic of using one sword and dueling but if its not viable for higher difficulties then i understand 😁 thanks for this build guide!

[@d2w7]

Why not going 6lvls in Swordsbard, then 2 lvls in Paladin & after that the rest in the swordsbard? Why respecing? Whats the benefit of respecing? Whats the difference between 6B+2P+4B against 1P+6B+1P+4B? By the way, great background music. Deus Ex 4ever

[@redeemr]

you get heavy armor proficiency for starting as paladin which is useful before you get the bhaalist armor plus paladin probably has better starting proficiencies too

[@searching4god]

Sorry for the late reply! It is exactly as @redeemr mentioned, your starting class (lvl 1) influences your armor and skill proficiencies, so we respec to start Paladin for relevant saving throw and heavy armor proficiency!

[@Dremen]

Couple questions, just curious about a couple things: When going over the act 3 gear you have 18 dex. Where did thr extra 2 points come from? During the level guide it seemed to cap at 16. Where is the ac of 22 from? Bhaalist armor is 14. 4 from the 18 dex. And 1 each from cloak of protection and evasive shoes. That's only 20. Sorry just trying to figure out what I missed. Great build! Can't wait to try it. It's exactly what I was looking for.

[@searching4god]

Hey! Of course, always glad to help: - It's 18 because in this playthrough I had given Astarion the Hag's Hair (+1 Dexterity) to round his Dexterity to 18 from what was initially 17 at character creation - The AC breakdown is as follows: 14 Base (Bhaalist Armor) + 4 Dexterity Modifier + 1 Cloak of Protection + 1 Evasive Shoes + 1 Defense Fighting Style (Fighter) + 1 Orin's Off-Hand Dagger Thanks for watching

[@Dremen]

@@searching4god thanks so much for the reply!

[@insidealloy6226]

Awesome Video! I'm about to run this in my next playthrough, can I ask why we go 17 dex (when using the hags hair) and not 17 charisma?

[@searching4god]

Thank you! The increase to our Dexterity is both more valuable (initiative, Armor Class, Dexterity checks…) and more flexible if you ever choose to respec this character entirely (some classes need Charisma, all classes need Dex!) Charisma isn’t a bad choice considering this would be the face character, but we already have so many bonuses to our Charisma checks through proficiencies, enhance ability, jack of all trades (etc) that I don’t think there is much value in choosing Charisma. Additionally, most of our spells either don’t deal damage or scale with Charisma.

[@insidealloy6226]

@@searching4god so if we use the mirror on this character and the hags hair would both be used for dex?

[@searching4god]

Yes, that is what I'd recommend. Although I think you can get a bonus to both Charisma and Dexterity from the Mirror of Loss, I might be mistaken. If not, Dex takes precedence @@insidealloy6226

[@eb9782]

great build! maybe you can help me out - i am having a bitch of a time landing these melee slashes. The build honestly still destroys at max level even without the flourishes, but would obviously like to use them to double up on attacks when possible. The problem: however I set my guy up - on top of enemies, a bit back, a bit left or right - I miss 100% of the time with the slash, even when I see the enemies both sitting clearly inside the slash arc. And it isn't just inaccuracy, these are full misses as in the game doesn't detect that I am even attacking the enemies. Obviously I am doing something wrong - how do you use the melee slashing flourish?? The ranged double tap is a no-brainer but I literally have never landed a single melee flourish, and can't find any basic video that shows how to just, you know, use the thing! Thanks in advance -

[@searching4god]

Thanks for the comment! As for the flourish issue, I can only imagine one reason that is not just a game bug: that you are potentially targeting inanimate objects (or friendlies) that are next to the enemies you are trying to flourish - I sometimes have issues hitting both enemies that are inside the flourish "zone" because there are objects (e.g., baskets, chests) or friendly characters that take precedence of the hit. It COULD also be that there are obstacles in the way? Perhaps a wall that "cuts off" the flourish? Other than that I would assume it to be an issue with the game, as it sounds like you are doing everything right!

[@Thatoneguy-wf8ej]

So i got a question for the community, im bardadin and i just got the Knife of the Under mountain king... but i cant decide between it or the two perma flameblades im rocking that roll 10-25 per hit vs 10-15 is the reduction of crit by one worth it? At least till act 3 or is render + knife better in act 2?

[@Silvamesta07]

You should totally play de Trials of Tav mod, it really tests the power and durability of your builds.

[@searching4god]

Dope idea, although the way you approach the Trail of Tav's is completely different being that the loot is randomly generated. Still might give it a go and see what I can cook.

[@bastiphantasty7147]

best companions to use with this build?

[@gnorizon]

Dumb question for you. I platinumed BG3 a while back, prior to the new patches and Honor Mode, and am thinking of jumping back in. I've seen a few videos with the background area you're in, looks like a fancy house. Is that some kind of specific location or camp setting?

[@searching4god]

Good stuff! Yeah it is a camp you can "buy" in Act III inside the Elfsong Tavern - it sets your camp to the second floor of the tavern for the rest of your playthrough when you get it

[@mikeyp5722]

loved both this and the ranger build. what companions and classes did you use for the rest of the party?

[@searching4god]

Thanks for watching! The rest of my party was a Sorlock (planning to make a guide) and a Light Cleric. Usually I think "healer" type classes are bait but the fundamental principles in building team comps are: - As little competition for gear as possible (light armor, heavy armor, no armor, different weapons etc) - Some form of party buff and CC (guidance, Heroes Feast, Aid etc.)

[@mikeyp5722]

@@searching4god thanks for the reply. Loving both your builds for my third honor mode run as dark urge. Would love to see a sorclock build

[@theopinson3851]

“If you land Hold Monster…” my dude, it’s called Arcane Acuity.

[@sasukegre]

Something I don't understand. Should I use the Enhance Ability on "Strength" instead of "Dex" if I am using the Strength Elixir with my finesse weapon, or should I stick to "Dex"?

[@searching4god]

I think there is a slight misunderstanding, Enhance Ability pertains to ability checks of a chosen attribute and usually has very little to do with combat; so for example, if you enhance ability on "Charisma", you will roll all your Charisma checks (usually dialogue in the form of persuasion, deception etc.) with advantage. The same will go for all other attributes for all other checks - if you enhance ability "Strength" it will only apply to Strength checks, which, unless otherwise and explicitly stated, are usually limited to shoves and resisting being shoved, not very useful! In general I would recommend using enhance ability reactively - once you face or are about to face a check of a certain ability you need to pass (e.g. Wisdom for an Insight check as I mention in the video, Charisma for a Charisma check that is important etc.), use Enhance Ability accordingly!

[@devduttupadhye578]

Excellent build! Would the Deva mace be useful here? I know we miss out on the off hand attack, but we can then use a shield to bump up the ac and the 4d8 from the mace sounds good on a smite build.

[@searching4god]

Although it's very strong it is still weaker than the dual-wield daggers by quite a margin - since the mace deals bludgeoning damage it wouldn't benefit from the piercing vulnerability of the Bhaalist Armor and the off-hand attack is a smite as well as an attack (that we miss out on)

[@devduttupadhye578]

​​@@searching4godThanks for the response! I agree, after getting the armor and orins daggers it's not really a contest. I haven't reached orin yet, still enjoying the build with the mace. Any other suggestion besides the mace till I get the daggers would be much appreciated! Look forward to more build guides from you 😊

[@andrewkennedy4206]

What party would you guys recommend playing with this build

[@jameskelsea6048]

excellent video - I am level 5 and have not decided if I want to dual wield or use Spar's Spear of Evening and go GWM. Thoughts?

[@searching4god]

Dual wielding plays into our strengths better as taking GWM would negate the Bard fighting style(s) completely (as it does not synergize with Dueling or TWF) - dual wielding also weaponizes our bonus action and gives us another smite on top of our main hand flourishes, I would vouch for that!

[@jameskelsea6048]

@@searching4god thanks I had just seen a video with Shars spear giving advantage and extra damage on every attack and blinding enemies with farkness I think they used bonus actions for control spells with band of mystic scoundrel Yours has more pure smite potential vs control like hold person I guess

[@wesley77909]

If I don't use the elixir, will the building still be viable at the beginning of the game? I'm a bit of a newbie and I'm doing my first run, so I didn't want to do the elixir farming process mentioned in the video just for the sake of immersion on my first time playing Greetings from Brazil!

[@searching4god]

I completely understand not wanting to use elixirs, even for me after hundreds of hours it is still a super tedious process. The build is perfectly viable without them, if but only for a slight decrease to your accuracy - it does not change any of the core mechanics and can even allow you to take other elixirs you stumble across. Chama! :D

[@KamilKraz]

Hey. Great video! What is your party comp that you running with a bardadin? You stay with Karlach - barb, wyll - warlock and Sh - priest?

[@searching4god]

Thank you! I usually try to build my party in a way where any 2 builds either a) do not fulfill the same role or b) do not compete for gear, so an example of a party comp I made around this build that I found success with is: Astarion/Tav/Minthara - Bardadin (face character, high charisma, 2 target/cleave damage, heavy armor, light weapons) Karlach - 9 Open Hand Monk / 3 Thief Rogue (single target damage, no armor/monk exclusive armor, no weapons) Gale/Wyll - 10 Evocation Wizard 10 / 2 Tempest Cleric (AoE lightning damage, light armor/robes, ability to learn powerful spells from scrolls, staves and shields) Shadowheart - 12 Light Cleric 12 Life Cleric (damage mitigation, party buffs (Aid, Heroes' Feast), crowd control, medium/heavy armor, Phalar Aluve and shields) As I mention in the video, you can also substitute any of these builds for an Archer (my go to is 5 Gloomstalker Ranger / 4 Assassin Rogue / 3 Champion Fighter) to have another high damage dealer to benefit from the piercing vulnerability granted by the Bhaalist Armor.

[@JamesJeong-d6m]

Infernal Iron ....for the flawed helldusk set .... I think he was thinking of infernal alloy

[@pietro8748]

Quick question since im playing with friends and we long rest alot i cant really afford elixir. We are in act 2 atm so i was wondering will i be fine just going 18 dex and 8 str?

[@searching4god]

Yes by no means are strength elixirs a requirement, 18 Dexterity should still be consistent in terms of hit chance. There are others ways to increase your accuracy like the risky ring, weapon oils or the Gloves of the Automaton if you find that you are missing too often. Strength is otherwise a completely useless stat for the build, we only drink the elixirs because it brings our Strength higher than our Dexterity which forces our weapons to scale with our Str instead of Dex

[@pur3xd]

I'm a complete noob to 5e and BG3, but I have played through D:OS2 a lot - just got 1 question. Would longswords ever be viable, or would it ruin some part of the build?

[@searching4god]

No worries, prior to Baldur's Gate I had never played 5e or D:OS2, so I was beyond noob haha By default you can only dual - wield light weapons (Short Swords, Daggers, Scimitars and Sickles), so unless you have the Dual Wielder feat you actually cannot use 2 longswords (and therefore cannot benefit from our Two Weapon Fighting Style). However, you can actually justify taking Dual - Wielder instead of Alert or Savage Attacker and then duel wield 2 Versatile weapons (Longswords). I don't as there are plenty of strong light weapons that synergize with what we are trying to accomplish with this build, BUT, there are just as many if not more longswords that have similarly great effects (Phalar Aluve comes to mind). It is perfectly reasonable to take Dual Wielder and dual wield longswords if that is what you want to do!

[@Ileqium]

would this build work even as an oathbreaker?

[@Payatown]

Does Banishing function the same way as DnD? As in, if you banish a creature who is from a different plane of existence (fiends, fey, etc.), does it permanently remove them?

[@searching4god]

Unfortunately not, which is why it's such a bad control spell in BG3 - regardless of the enemy type, it only temporarily removes them from combat

[@bluejays8050]

Ah I was going to use the risky ring on my gloomstalker Tav, could this build do without it? 😅 Great video though 😊

[@searching4god]

Of course! It is probably even better than that the gloomstalker gets it as it helps negate the penalty from Sharpshooter. This build has really high accuracy regardless as it does not suffer form any attack roll penalties (like Sharpshooter or GWM)

[@edwardalyassin7887]

Is it not worth it to take 3 assassin instead of the last 3 bard levels? Feels like autocrit on every attack and an extra action/bonus action on entering combat would be pretty nuts even if you miss out on a few spell slots.

[@searching4god]

It is by no means a bad idea, however, surprising enemies is really inconsistent in this game, such that it is probably not worth sacrificing the spell slots and magical secrets you get at Bard 7 - 10 for a 3 dip into Assassin. Generally speaking, your crit range is so low that you don't need the guaranteed critical at the cost of other synergies, I would argue that critical hits are a great addition but never a necessity!

[@edwardalyassin7887]

Oh yeah, I kinda forgot that you stack crit chance in this build. But if you wanna have pretty consistent surprise use invis attack with shovel the cheeky quasit. That little boy basically won me the entire honor mode run because enemies can't talk to him, so he can't trigger the arresting dialogues. Only enemies that have Alert feat won't be surprised. I was able to even surprise general keths mininions and clean them up before doing shars temple, so later when i came back he was alone. Added benefit is if you botch something shovel will die and its not a big deal since the rest of your team will be off somewhere in stealth.@@searching4god

[@Eoj-wi1qf]

the skyrim soundtrack was a nice touch.

[@Willmtlk]

If I wasn’t going to farm elixirs since it’s my first play through and just kinda wanna play.. would you change stat distribution at the start or will it be fine still?

[@searching4god]

You'd be absolutely fine without changing anything - the elixirs are out of convenience rather than necessity, light weapons will scale with dexterity if it is higher than strength, so just go all in on Dex!

[@Doug4130]

can you play this effectively without the strength elixir abuse? For some reason that sucks the fun out the game for me

[@searching4god]

Of course, the build already (technically) assumes that you don't use elixirs anyway, choosing to scale its light weapons with Dexterity. Strength Elixirs just make the early game easier where your hit chance is the lowest

[@NAUploads]

What weapon and armor do you recommend if not going the evil route for the Bhaal gear?

[@searching4god]

Probably the Armor of Persistence sold by Dammon to maximize your AC and defenses, and for weapons simply Orin's daggers!

[@WaldemarLubecki]

Divine smite doesn’t scale up above lvl4 spell slots, so lvl5 slot is a waste

[@searching4god]

I should have definitely mentioned the level cap in the video, but the 5th and 6th level spell slots are essentially additional 4th level smites, which are otherwise limited to 3 per long rest. If that seems wasteful, you can always use them to upcast a magical secret that does scale past 4 (e.g. spirit guardians, fireball etc.) or take a 2 dip into fighter for action surge (as I did in my Sarevok solo video)

[@alexanderzi2311]

Why in act 2 the dwarven splint mail is better than Admantine Splint armor? its maybe better by 1 AC but the Admantine have better stats

[@searching4god]

Almost entirely because it gives you +1 Constitution, but you are right that the Adamantine Critical Hit negation is still really nice

[@sephacebedo]

What background is recommended?

[@SkyNinja759]

8:16 There's an argument for going 17 charisma (or just an odd number like 15) to prep for taking actor as a first feat. Using the smuggler's ring until then for the stealth and sleight of hand bonuses in the super early game as this build pumps dexterity as well; Roll compressing your lockpicker and face characters. Actor is a huge boon for face builds, I would definitely recommend it for anyone who's making a main character and isn't feat hungry for GWM, Alert, etc and is just taking the +2 charisma ASI anyways. Expertise in deception and performance is a lot better than one might think. If you don't have profiency in those skills the feat directly upgrades you to expertise, allowing you to use two of your inital level 1 profiencies anywhere else. Think if it as giving x4 your profiencies modifer (profient then expert) into specifically deception and performance, then the value of freeing up two level 1 choices for additional bonuses. This is epecially good for a bard since they really want the charisma profiencies and can put their profiencies anywhere on the board; freeing up choices to take the highly sought after sleight of hand and stealth skills without sacrificing getting all the charisma based skills. It's only a half-feat as well, you still get a +1 to charisma to bump it into an even number. Getting an 18(+4) charisma, qctor for expertise (+4 early game), guidance (1d4), and running the shapeshifter ring (1d4), it's nearly impossible to fail a performance/deception check. Even just normal intimidation and persuasion checks are trivialized without giving up much if at all with actor. Once you see the skill monkey bard, it's hard to go back to normal bard. They're set up far to well not to be a MC.

[@itzdizzyxd8008]

Im using this build right now,im level 5 in act 1 and i am really weak right now, when do i start dealing some damage?

[@drunemeton]

Next level (6) you get Extra Attack, which should help. Remember that Flourish can hit the same creature twice!

[@buneymisyaboyle7203]

yeah its weak in early game when u get ur smites from paladin thats when u get the huge powerspike

[@korra142]

what is the best companion builds to support this bardadin?

[@searching4god]

The other builds on my channel work well with it and don't compete too hard on gear, otherwise a Tempest Wizard and Open Hand Monk also pair perfectly with this build

[@quaffie]

havent really played paladin. how does breaking your oath affect your build?

[@searching4god]

Actually not a lot since we only have 2 levels in Paladin (and therefore, no subclass). I don't think breaking your oath affects your gameplay at all, as the only benefit we want from Paladin are smites anyway

[@jurandspychow3766]

Is this stronger than the terminator bard build ?

[@rams321]

This act 3 gear... I mean, at that point you are going to finish the game with orin dead and Raphael as well, so only gortash is missing so what is the point of act 3 gear?

[@searching4god]

When I get to Act 3, the first thing I do, even before completing the quests in Rivington, is get the best in slot gear available to most of my party members. Depending on what you prioritize, the Act 3 gear could last you the entirety of Act 3 minus the bosses you killed to get them

[@rams321]

@@searching4god Hello! I am actually currently using the build in your guide and its awesome!. My comment was mostly nitpicking that at that point there isn't much else you can kill off with the type of gear they drop, there should be more content or a DLC to take advantage of this gear and builds.

[@gritz2983]

Where is the 1d10 necrotic weapon damage coming from?

[@searching4god]

My glorious king Astarion's ascension bonus =')

[@Cartujo_]

why astarion? XD serious answer; nice build btw

[@josebeltrant.7913]

Does this build act more like a solo dps or more like dps/support oriented?

[@searching4god]

Although Bard can usually be a LOT more utility/support oriented, the decisions I've made in this video lean mostly towards solo dps

[@RumAndCokeToGo]

how have you got the 1d4 lightning damage on all your weapons, I'm probably being blind but i dont see whats giving that.

[@RumAndCokeToGo]

Ah the draconic element nvm XD

[@searching4god]

@@RumAndCokeToGo remember to use a sorcerer to cast it with Twinned Spell to get it on both weapons, otherwise it only works on one :)

[@diskuslars7527]

Wondering you doesnt Mention the Phalar Aluve....Shriek is a extremely good Feature

[@searching4god]

Unfortunately Phalar Aluve is not a light weapon and cannot be dual wielded without the Dual Wielder feat, otherwise it is absolutely one of the best weapons in the game!

[@diskuslars7527]

@@searching4god you are Right...i missed that cause i Play the Bardadin as a Sword and Shield with Phalar and Guardian....completely Overpowered Build ..with Arcane Acuity and Mystic Scoundrel you Just CC everything and finishes even Raphael Turn 1 Like a Sandbag Nevertheless a really good Buildadvice Not Like many Others WHO only Show Lvl12 Gear which is nuts cause at this Point you have all Your Tools Act1 and 2 are way more important in Honourmode 👍

[@bastiphantasty7147]

What type of Attribute to take from ethels hair?

[@searching4god]

I usually take Dexterity to round it from 17 to 18 - Charisma is also acceptable

[@bastiphantasty7147]

@@searching4godin this vid his dex is only at 16. wheres the 1 point coming from?

[@bastiphantasty7147]

@@searching4god ?

[@MrFuggleGuggle]

>get all this baller gear for a huge epic final battle to finally beat Honour Mode >end up just 'invisibility potion running / flying' to the trunk of the brain before the final fight >gale decides to 'help' me win without fighting anything >none of the damage or theorycrafting actually matters, if you just remember to keep Gale around and don't show him any love or concern Great guide, but, there's certain realities about this game - and Act 3 - that make some of all this rather tedious. There's way too many 'optional' fights in Act 3 that don't really need to do, have almost no achievements tied to them (currently), and because you probably hit level 12 cap loooong before finishing even half the optional Act 3 content - it all feels so inconsequential. Only fight you 'need' to do is Orin to beat the game, even on Honour Mode difficulty, if you know what you're doing. And even then, she can be an easy 'toss' if you know I mean.

[@omgopet]

16:40 (+ gear selection) - The build is "correct" and I agree that this is the best build, but I believe you are misunderstanding why and how to play it. This should not be a smiter build, if you just want to smite things, you should go fighter or warlock (+ pala, obviously), you will do much more damage and have access to your auras, which is the best thing about paladin. This is a bard first and foremost, with the 2 pala levels being just something that gives you extra damage and proficiency. Therefore, you should typically not be spending your higher level spell slots on smites. The point of swords bard instead of lore bard or sorc is that you can stack acuity really efficiently through flourishes, after which you fire off your big control spell like upcasted hold person or confusion/hypno. After that, it mostly doesn't matter what you do, mop up with low level smites or let your party's TB char click on things. This is also the reason you go dex instead of str as your weapon stat. Str (or just max cha + elixirs) would be more efficient, but dex lets you switch to ranged attacks if you are out of position in the first round. With that in mind, your gear for act2 onward is wrong. The main thing you need as soon as you get to act2 is fire acuity hat + fire gloves (before act2 it's best to just play as a paladin or whatever). I'm also not a fan of savage attacker after your first respec. Your typical first round should be spd pot -> as many attacks as you can get off -> control spell on biggest threats. Hold person/monster is best because it gives you free crits, confusion or hypnotic pattern work great for mobs. Only then do you run up to things and smite them with lvl 1-2 slots because there is not much useful there. If you intend to rest after every fight, you can use high level smites, but that defeats the purpose of a bard. Your inspirations are expendable, your spell slots are not. At lvl 10 I would even respec back into pure bard to get counterspell and hunger earlier and because at that point I no longer need heavy armor prof.

[@searching4god]

I appreciate that you are telling me how I got my own build and choices "wrong" as if the builds and classes in the game are one dimensional. If you are playing the Arcane Acuity Bard dual crossbows are better and stack it faster. Aura's are not the best part of being a Paladin, for this build it is the action economy of smites applied with cleave. Fighter/Warlock + Pala lands you a whopping 2 level 2 spell slots per long rest. You spell slots are quite literally expendable. This build is not "wrong" because it doesn't do what another variation of a Bard can do. The notion that there are "correct" builds is wrong. I hope to one day have the confidence and conviction to be able to explain why people's builds are wrong in a cRPG. I look forward to your comprehensive and correct guide on the only way to play Bard! :)

[@marcorossoni7425]

Tiefling or drow for this? Cant decidee

[@searching4god]

Either or, no discernable difference - pick whatever you'd like :)

[@ironbar2009]

Can u make the control ranged build guide at some point as well? I refuse to play melee builds nowadays lol

[@zasuke3639]

Ur guide is so good should and can i use as main character

[@searching4god]

Thank you! Of course, I would even argue that this is the best build to use on your main character, the Bard exclusive dialogue is both hilarious and allows you to entirely bypass difficult Charisma checks

[@zasuke3639]

Can you also talk about why u have dex start and use str elixir rather than other people str start and dex glove

[@searching4god]

@@zasuke3639 Sure, the reasoning is twofold: 1. There are other gloves you will want to wear over the gloves of Dexterity, i.e., the flawed helldusk gloves, growling underdog etc that have relevant abilities you want to benefit from. In contrast, there are not that many elixirs that you want to use and that have a plentiful supply - so our elixir slot is less valuable than our glove slot 2. The strength elixirs bring our strength higher than we could bring our dexterity - since light weapons scale with whichever is higher, we want to force them to scale with the attribute we can scale highest. The hill giant elixir brings your strength to 21 whereas the gloves of dex bring your dex to 18, and later on in the game, the cloud giant elixir brings your strength to 27 whereas even if you ASI to 20 Dex and get full benefit from Mirror of Loss, you can only bring Dex to 22 As a side note you get the Gloves of Dex semi-late into Act I, and until then you would much rather have high Dex and low Str (better initiative, better AC, better Dex checks) as opposed to high Str and low Dex

[@zasuke3639]

you are amazing dude thanks for typing this long

[@thiagomelo3930]

Sorcadin or bardadin honour mode? And why?

[@searching4god]

I actually finished my first honor mode with Sorcadin, but I still lean towards Bardadin: - Sorcadin uses slashing damage and GWM which do not benefit from the piercing vulnerability of the Bhaalist Armor - Bardadin has better spell slot progression and access to more and higher divine smites per long rest - Despite Sorcadin having Aura's, I would still argue that Bardadin is a better pick for group utility (Bardic inspiration, longstrider, magical secrets...) - Bard has some of the best dialogue in the game :) Really the only advantages of the Sorcadin are twinned haste and Aura's, even then haste is arguably worse than potions of speed as they require concentration and can make you lethargic.

[@gial27]

more importantly what is that cloth called youre wearing on shadowheart at 34:30

[@searching4god]

Absolutely the most important part of the video, it's from a mod on Nexus called "Scantily Camp Outfits"

[@vidonatto]

Balladin!!

[@nenoeclipse9497]

Why is viego on the thumbnail

[@keithwin3449]

Don’t forget smites cap at level 4 spells higher spell slots are a waste on smites

[@searching4god]

Yep yep I misspoke in the video, but they aren't useless! They are essentially extra level 4 divine smites, which we want the most of

[@keithwin3449]

@@searching4god fair but I feel like those higher level spells or even up acting like hold person blindness or command are better

[@fractionofstuff]

lockadin is simply just better than bardadin on tactition mode and below for the 3 attacks no?

[@searching4god]

God I love that build but not necessarily: - Lockadin only gets access to a couple level 3 smites per long rest, spell slot progression favors the Bardadin (4th, 5th, 6th level spell slot smites) - Lockadins usually use 2H with GWM, which will mean slashing damage, which will not benefit from the piercing vulnerability of the Bhaalist armor - On the topic of 2H's, Bardadin can close the action economy (attack) gap with their bonus action off-hand attack (and smite) and "technically" with their slashing flourish multiple times a turn That being said the Lockadin is still super strong on Tactician>, the aura's are really nice and Balduran's Giantslayer is arguably better than any of the Bardadin weaps.