Class-building is easily amongBaldur’s Gate 3’s greatest strengths. Indeed, one can theoretically extract hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of valuable, varied gameplay by toying around with different builds, archetypes, and abilities—this flexibility and potential for player expression are just some of the reasons whyBaldur’s Gate 3is so replayable.
Even so, newcomers toBaldur’s Gate 3, or DnD in general, might gravitate toward some familiar favorites. Broadly speaking, the more straightforward warrior-and-mage-related classes tend to get the most attention from players, as they have obvious utility within the game’s combat sandbox. And while this is sensible, and someone can certainly have a great time playingBG3as any class, it’s worth it to get a little experimental, especially for repeat playthroughs. WithBaldur’s Gate 3turning two this year, and many gamers considering starting a new run, the Bard class ought to get more time in the sun, if only for one major reason.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Bard Class Has an Underrated Ace Up Its Sleeve
The Jack of All Trades Ability Is Among Baldur’s Gate 3’s Most Overlooked
EveryBaldur’s Gate 3classcomes with a slew of different perks and exclusive abilities, and Bards are no different. But the Jack of All Trades passive ability rises head and shoulders above the rest of the Bard’s toolkit, as it has the potential to transform a Bard from a charming but weak support character into a master of the battlefield—both the literal and figurative ones.
With the Jack of All Trades ability, which Bards unlock at level 2, players can add half their proficiency bonus to any skill check that they aren’t proficient in.Baldur’s Gate 3players can be proficient in certain skills, which allows them to tack on a number of points (which increases as the player progresses) to any dice roll for a relevant ability check. For instance, if a Bard has a +4 proficiency bonus in Persuasion, and they roll a 15 for a Persuasion check, they will actually get a 19. But with the Jack of All Trades passive, that same Bard character would get a +2 proficiency bonus for all other ability checks, giving them a better chance at success across a wide range of activities.
At first, this proficiency bonus is paltry: players will only get a +1 Jack of All Trades bonus until they reach level 9, since the bonus rounds down instead of up. But even this single extra point can offer a significant benefit over time, especially when considering just how many ability checks there are over the course of atypicalBaldur’s Gate 3campaign. The Jack of All Trades ability is akin to putting pennies in a jar over the course of a year: it won’t seem like a lot for a while, but when one looks back at all the pennies they’ve amassed over so many months, it’s clear to see that the little things do in fact add up.
Unfortunately, the Jack of All Trades passive doesn’t apply to Initiative rolls, meaning that Bards won’t get any special advantage when entering battles for the first time.
It helps that there are ample opportunities to use the Jack of All Trades bonus throughouta givenBG3playthrough. Not only will the bonus apply to every standard skill check, but also for a number of environmental checks as well. This means that Bards with this passive have a much better chance at passing Survival, Perception, and Nature skill checks when traversing the game world, giving them a massive advantage over time. These benefits, coupled with bonuses for myriad other skill checks like Slight of Hand and Athletics, mean that Bards with Jack of All Trades can become truly formidable characters indeed.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
