Baldur’s Gate 3, developed by Larian Studios, offers a rich and immersive role-playing experience set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. One of the most versatile and charismatic classes you can play in the game is the Bard. Among the Bard subclasses, the College of Lore, also known as the “Nocturne” in some role-playing circles, stands out for its unique blend of magic, music, and cunning.
Overview of the Bard Class
Role: Support, Utility, Damage Dealer
Primary Abilities: Charisma, Dexterity
Hit Dice: d8
Armor Proficiency: Light armor
Weapon Proficiency: Simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma
The College of Lore (Nocturne)
The College of Lore focuses on knowledge and versatility. Bards of this college use their skills to uncover secrets and weave magic into their performances, providing both support and offensive capabilities.
1. Bonus Proficiencies:
At 3rd level, you gain proficiency with three skills of your choice, enhancing your ability to adapt to different situations and aiding in role-playing versatility.
2. Cutting Words:
Starting at 3rd level, you can use your wit to distract, confuse, and sap the confidence of others. When a creature you can see within 60 feet makes an attack roll, ability check, or damage roll, you can use your reaction to expend one use of Bardic Inspiration, rolling a Bardic Inspiration die and subtracting the number rolled from the creature’s roll. This feature allows you to mitigate damage and control the battlefield.
3. Additional Magical Secrets:
At 6th level, you learn two spells of your choice from any class. These spells count as Bard spells for you and are included in the number of spells you know. This feature greatly increases your versatility and allows you to tailor your spell list to the needs of your party.
4. Peerless Skill:
Starting at 14th level, when you make an ability check, you can expend one use of Bardic Inspiration, rolling a Bardic Inspiration die and adding the number rolled to your ability check. This feature ensures that you can excel in critical moments, making you invaluable in both combat and social interactions.
Playing the Nocturne Bard
1. Spellcasting and Support:
- Healing and Buffs: Use spells like Healing Word, Cure Wounds, and Heroism to support your allies.
- Crowd Control: Spells like Sleep, Hold Person, and Hypnotic Pattern can turn the tide of battle by incapacitating enemies.
- Damage: Offensive spells like Dissonant Whispers, Vicious Mockery, and Thunderwave allow you to contribute to damage output.
2. Skill Versatility:
- Skill Checks: With proficiency in multiple skills and the ability to enhance them with Bardic Inspiration and Jack of All Trades, you can handle a variety of non-combat challenges.
- Social Encounters: High Charisma and spells like Charm Person and Suggestion make you a master of persuasion and deception.
3. Battlefield Control:
- Cutting Words: Use this feature to protect allies and disrupt enemy actions.
- Positioning: Take advantage of your mobility and light armor to position yourself strategically on the battlefield.
Tips for Role-Playing a Nocturne Bard
- Charismatic Leader: Embrace your role as the party’s face. Lead negotiations, gather information, and sway opinions with your charm.
- Knowledge Seeker: Leverage your extensive knowledge and additional skills to uncover secrets and lore. Use this information to your advantage in both combat and storytelling.
- Performances: Incorporate musical performances and storytelling into your role-playing. Use these moments to inspire your allies and entertain NPCs.
Example Build
Race: Half-Elf (for bonus Charisma and additional skill proficiencies)
Background: Entertainer (for proficiency in Acrobatics and Performance)
Skills: Persuasion, Deception, Acrobatics, Perception, Arcana, History
Spells: Healing Word, Vicious Mockery, Dissonant Whispers, Charm Person, Sleep, Detect Magic, Heroism, Cure Wounds
Conclusion
The Nocturne Bard in Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a rich and multifaceted playstyle that balances combat prowess, support capabilities, and role-playing opportunities. By combining the Bard’s innate charisma with the College of Lore’s versatile abilities, you can shape the narrative and control the flow of battle, making you an indispensable member of your party. Whether you’re enchanting your allies or confounding your foes, the Nocturne Bard brings a unique blend of magic and melody to the adventure.
