In Baldur’s Gate 3, the race will determine the perks you get for the Bard class. You can create a powerful Bard build with the perfect choices. This class focuses mainly on Charisma as its main ability and is regarded as a support class, originally composed of poets and artists.
But you can use it both as an Offense and Defense option. Below are some of the best races and subraces for the Bard class.
Tiefling
Due to their unique racial bonuses and the ability to see in the dark, the Tiefling race is the best match for any Bard build. It has its own three sub-races, which have their unique bonuses. Our choice here for our College of Valor Bard build is Zariel Tiefling.
- Increased movement speed up to 9m per turn.
- Darkvision: Can see up to 12m in the darkness.
- Hellish Resistance: Resistant to Fire damage and only receive half damage from Fire attacks.
- Thaumaturgy Cantrip: You gain an advantage on Intimidation and Performance (charisma) checks for the next 10 turns.
- Searing Smite: This level 1 spell allows you to inflict bonus 1~6 fire damage to your enemies and weapon damage.
- Branding Smite: marks your target with light, which stops them from turning invisible.
High Half-Elf
The High Half-Elf is a sub-race of Half-Elf, perfect for a College of Lore Bard build. As this race provides an additional cantrip at the start, your spellcaster Bard can’t go wrong with it. The benefits you get from selecting this race are.
- Increased movement speed up to 9m per turn.
- Civil Militia: You get proficiency with Spears, Light armor, shields, Pikes, and Halberds.
- Darkvision: Can see up to 12m in the darkness.
- Fey Ancestry: You can’t be put to sleep and get resistance against being Charmed.
- Gain one additional cantrip. We recommend selecting the Friends cantrip to gain an advantage on Charisma checks.
High Elf
Elf is the most versatile race in Baldur’s Gate 3 that matches any spellcaster class and is also true for the Bard. High Elf is a sub-class that grants you additional bonuses in addition to the ones provided by its parent race.
- Darkvision: Can see up to 12m in the darkness. You can’t go wrong with this feature as it is compulsory to explore the Underdark.
- Keen Senses: you gain proficiency in Perception checks.
- Fey Ancestry: You can’t be put to sleep and get resistance against being Charmed.
- Elven Weapon Training: You gain proficiency with weapons like Longswords, Shortswords, Longbows, and Shortbows.
- Increased movement speed up to 9m per turn.
- High Elf Cantrip: You get a bonus cantrip at the start. Our recommendation remains the same: Choose Friends.
With all the bonuses mentioned above, the High Elf sub-race is a perfect match for the School of Sword Bard build.
Drow
If you are planning on creating a Bard build that is good in both spellcasting and combat, both melee and ranged, Drow is the race to go for. One of the most dominating and vicious races, you will get the following benefits from selecting Drow.
- Increased movement speed up to 9m per turn.
- Drow Weapon Training: You gain proficiency with rapiers, Shortswords, and Hand Crossbows.
- Fey Ancestry: You can’t be put to sleep and get resistance against being Charmed.
- Superior Darkvision: Can see up to 24m in the darkness.
- Keen Senses: You gain proficiency with Perception checks.
- Drow Magic: You gain dancing Lights (cantrip) at level 1, Faerie Fire (spell) at level 3, and Darkness (spell) at level 5. All these spells prove extremely useful while navigating dark areas and during stealth.
