Bards bring gusto, style, and panache to your combat encounters, mixing magical, martial, and supportive abilities. They enjoy equipment that boosts their Bardic Inspiration since they can be quite squishy. Powerful finesse weapons don’t hurt, either. Here’s my list of the best Bard gear in Baldur’s Gate 3.
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What is the Best Bard Gear in Baldur’s Gate 3?
10. Cap of Curing
One of the earliest Bard-specific items is the Cap of Curing. It’s located in a chest near Alfira, just above the Druid Grove circle on a cliff. It synergizes directly with Bardic Inspiration and heals allies by 1d6 points when you inspire them. It’s a must-have item in the early to mid-game to support your allies even better.
9. Blazer of Benevolence
Volo gives you the Blazer of Benevolence after you rescue him from the Goblin Camp. It’s a decent light armor for the early game with defensive ability. Each time you inspire an ally using Bardic Inspiration, you receive 4 temporary HP. There are better armors as you progress through BG3, especially for Valor and Swords Bards, but this is a great option as you finish up the Golbin Camp and defeat the three bosses.
8. Phalar Aluve
Phala Aluve is a powerful Finesse weapon sword for your Swords and Valor Bards if you choose the Underdark path during Act 1. It’s just in front of the Selunite Fortress, to the left as you enter the Underdark. You must either circle back for it or go through the trap in front of the fortress gate. It’s found at an altar impaled in stone. You must pass a Religion or Strength check to get it.
Phalar Aluve is iconic for Bards. It’s a singing sword with the ability to AoE buff your party’s attacks or debuff your enemies by imposing extra damage. Plus, it increases your Performance skill and comes with a +1 weapon enhancement.
7. Wondrous Gloves
Another Bard-specific magic item, Wondrous Gloves increases your AC by +1. It also gives you an extra use of Bardic Inspiration or Blade Flourishes for Swords Bards. It’s found as a drop from a Mimic in Grymforge.
Go up the stairs to the left of the Duergar merchants and climb down a cracked wall. There are a few chests. All of them are mimics that you’ll need to defeat. I recommend positioning your melee combatants in front of the chests before starting the fight.
6. Boots of Brilliance
The Boots of Brilliance are found later in Baldur’s Gate 3, in a chest north of where you fight Yurgir the Orthon in the Gauntlet of Shar. Their ability is similar to Wondrous Gloves. They restore one use of your Bardic Inspiration charges. You can use this ability once per Long Rest.
5. Thorn Blade
Thorn Blade is another great finesse weapon for Swords and Valor Bards, and Dammon sells it. Since you mix spells and melee attacks, casting some sort of concentration spell seems logical. I recommend Hold Person, Faerie Fire, and Hypnotic Pattern. Later on, use Spirit Guardians through Magical Secrets.
While you’re concentrating on a spell, the Thorn Blade does an additional 1d4 poison damage on each hit with a +1 weapon enhancement bonus that’s always active. Moreover, you get access to the Ensnaring Strike spell to immobilize your enemies and grant yourself and your allies Advantage on attacks if the spell succeeds on an enemy.
4. Birthright
Birthright is a no-brainer item that all Bards will appreciate. It boosts your Charisma by +2. Lorroakan at the Sorcerous Sundries in Baldur’s Gate sells. Increasing your Charisma benefits both your spells and your melee abilities if you multiclassed into Pact of the Blade Warlock.
3. Harmonic Dueller
The Harmonic Dueller is a powerful +1 enchantment weapon in Act 3. Entharl Danthelon at the Dancing Axe in Wyrm’s Crossing sells it. The gear piece scales directly with your Performance skill; succeeding on a check with the weapon’s Mellow Harmony ability increases your melee attack damage equal to your Charisma modifier. I love to combine this with Birthright and the Shield of Devotion for a powerful frontline Bard.
2. Elven Chain or Yuan-Ti Scale Mail
These two gear pieces are great options for Bard armor. For Lore Bards, the Elven Chain drastically increases your defenses and grants you +2 to Initiative and Dexterity saving throws. Exxvikyap at the Rivington General sells it.
Moreover, the Yuan-Ti Scale Mail is excellent for Swords and Valor Bards with Medium armor proficiency. It’s the only Medium armor in BG3 that allows for a full Dexterity bonus to AC. You can buy it from Talli in the Last Light Inn.
1. Spellcrux Amulet
The Warden in Moonrise Towers drops Spellcrux Amulet. It’s something all Bard subclasses can appreciate. Wearing it gives you a powerful Bonus Action that allows you to regain a spell slot of any level. However, the ability is only available once per long rest. This item is much better than other magic items that restore spell slots because it’s a Bonus Action, making it viable in combat.
That concludes my list of the best Bard gear in Baldur’s Gate 3. For more BG3 tips, check out our top 10 light armor options and best early-game spells.
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