What Is The Strongest Baldur’s Gate 3 Bard Subclass?

Bards in Baldur’s Gate 3 can go in two different directions, based on the subclass that players choose. They are full spellcasters, and can lean hard on their charisma-based magic abilities. But they are also quite adept with melee and ranged weapons, and certain bard builds can be better than martial classes in combat.

Of the three bard subclasses, two aim to improve the bard’s fighting skills, while one enhances their magical and communicative features. The three options are valor, swords, and lore, and each provides abilities at levels three and six. The bard is a go-to choice for Baldur’s Gate 3 players, given its versatility with skill checks and fun dialogue options, but some players may wonder if any of these subclasses could be called the strongest.

What Does Each Bard Subclass Do?

The Bard Gets Less Here Than Other Classes

Most classes get three or more features from their subclass: one when they choose it early on, another in the mid-game, and one more at high levels. The bard gets noticeably less, but the features they do get matter more in defining their play style. Each builds off of abilities that bards already have, giving a specialization to this jack of all trades.

Each subclass gets a level-three feature that either augments their bardic inspiration or provides a new way to use it. Later on, each gets a feature that pertains to either their spellcasting or martial strength. Unlike with other classes, where the strength levels of the subclasses are very up to interpretation, the bard has some clear winners and losers when comparing power.

The Unmatched Magical Power Of The Lore Bard

This Bard Applies the Class’s Versatility To Its Spell List

The lore subclass is the only one that focuses on spellcasting, so it is good that it provides such powerful boosts. At level three, lore bards get three additional skill proficiencies, which really enhance the utility of this character. But more importantly, they get cutting words, a new way to use their bardic inspiration to affect enemies.

Cutting words applies a debuff to an enemy attack roll, ability check, or saving throw. The debuff is equal to a roll of their bardic inspiration dice, meaning it gets better at higher levels. This is great for causing enemies to fail spell saves from the bard’s own magic, causing them to miss allies, or failing at athletics checks to shove them. Having the choice to use inspiration to help allies or hurt enemies gives the bard more utility in combat.

At level six, the lore bard gets magical secrets, an ability usually reserved for bards at level ten. Essentially, it lets bards add two spells of a level they cast from any spell list in the game to their list. This is an amazing feature at level ten and even better at level six. There are many spells bards can’t get that they would benefit greatly from: Shield, misty step , counterspell , and so on. Getting two more magical secret spells at an earlier level really helps the lore bard become a master caster.

Swords Versus Valor Bards: A Clear Victor

One Martial Subclass Is Enough For The Bard

The valor and swords bards are the martial options available for this class, and while both provide seemingly similar features, there is a clear choice for the better option. At level three, both provide some additional weapon and armor proficiencies. The swords bard gets medium armor and scimitars , while the valor bard gets medium armor, shields, and all martial weapons. However, the swords bard also gets to choose a fighting style, while the valor bard does not.

The real imbalance comes from the ways these subclasses let the bard use their inspiration. The valor bard gets combat inspiration, which they can give to themselves or allies, and can use it add to their AC or weapon damage (in addition to the typical inspiration uses). Meanwhile, the swords bard gets weapon flourishes, enhances versions of attacks that use inspiration, deal extra damage, and have some other effects. They can knock enemies back, hit two at once, or raise their own defenses.

The swords bard’s flourishes can do more for an attack than the valor bard’s combat inspiration, with the penalty that they can only apply it to themselves. This makes the bard more self-focused than normal, but that can be a good thing since it makes them adaptable damage dealers in combat. The swords bard also benefits massively from how their flourishes can be used with ranged weapons, mainly hand crossbows , to make a ton of attacks each turn.

Which Is Better Between Swords And Lore?

Is The Pen Truly Mightier Than The Sword?

Between these two subclasses, players really can’t go wrong. The bard is already insanely powerful as a class, and both of these options take their features to the next level. Honestly, since swords and valour bards don’t get extra attack until sixth level, later on than other martials, it might be fair to say that lore bards are better earlier in the game.

Lore bards are also better when it comes to things outside of combat, since the swords bard doesn’t get anything to help with that, and the lore subclass offers additional skill proficiencies. However, just considering raw damage output, the swords bard at higher levels can regularly outperform the lore bard in Baldur’s Gate 3. That does depend on which magical secrets the lore bard picks, but the swords subclass offers consistent and powerful weapon buffs that are hard to beat.