The Bard class has access to a wide range of features inBaldur’s Gate 3, making it a great choice for multiclassing. In particular, it combines well with the three other Charisma-based spellcasting classes: theSorcerer, Warlock,andPaladin. Of these three, it’s the Paladin that can offer the Bard the most power and synergy inBaldur’s Gate 3, either in a 2/10 or 6/6 combination.
This combination, known as theBardadin(a portmanteau of Bard and Paladin) is one of the mostinteresting multiclass buildsinBaldur’s Gate 3. This is because it’s not just about being powerful in combat, but also comes with useful support abilities and skills that can help the party both in and out of battle.
Best Bard Multiclass Build: The Bardadin Levels 1-8
Players looking to build a fun and powerful Bardadin inBaldur’s Gate 3shouldstart as a Paladin for Levels 1 and 2.This will give them access toHeavy Armor Proficiencyright from the start of the game, as well as the Divine Smite feature. Divine Smite allows the Bardadin to convert spell slots into extra radiant damage when they land a melee weapon attack. This ability will benefit hugely from the extra spell slots that the Bard provides as a full spellcaster.
This build focuses heavily on Strength, Charisma, and Constitution, with Strength being the highest priority. This means it can be played with any ofBaldur’s Gate 3’s playable races. Players should also feel free to pick their skills and their Paladin Oath as they wish. While the restrictions of their chosen Oath will have big repercussions for a player’s roleplaying, it won’t make a huge difference to how their Bardadin plays.
After their initial two levels in Paladin, players should take six levels in Bard. This will be enough to pick upthe College of Swords subclass, Skill Expertise, Song of Rest, a Feat, Bardic Inspiration, Extra Attack, as well as plenty of Spell Slots. This combination of features and abilities makes for a character that is tough enough to survive on the front lines, can support their party, deals incredible burst damage, and has a wide variety of skills and spells to use outside of combat.
The Bardadin Levels 9-12
After unlocking their full synergy at level 8, Bardadin players can continue to build their characters in two very different ways.
First Option: Spellcasting Focus
Players who want to focus on spellcasting and plentiful Divine Smites shouldcontinue with the Bard all the way to max level, gaining more Expertise, higher level Spells, and Magical Secrets along the way. This combination will create a hybrid of martial expert and spellcaster asstrong as any Eldritch Knight, or any type of Fighter/caster multiclass.
Second Option: Martial Focus
However, players who would rather focus on the frontline strength and passivesupport of the Paladin classcan insteadcontinue as a Paladin from levels 9-12. This will give them access to more Oath Abilities and the powerfulAura of Protection, which grants the Paladin and all nearby allies a boost to their Saving Throws. Unfortunately, the Extra Attack feature doesn’t stack, so 6/6 Bardadins will remain limited to two attacks despite picking up the feature twice. Despite this, the combination of the Paladin’s staying power with the Bard’s high skills and versatile abilities should be more than enough to conquer everything thatBaldur’s Gate 3has to offer.
Baldur’s Gate 3is out now on PC, PS4, and Xbox Series X/S.
