Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - General My bard: lore or valor?

I wanted to be a bard anyway when the full game is released and the last patch convinced me even more.
Looks like they are good at everything except raw damage.
They are good skill monkeys and party face anyway.
Too bad Larian is obsessed with AoE and unavoidable damage, so concentration for buffs or CC may be hard.

I want to have high cha and dex and some con and wis. This means low str and int.
As race I would take half wood elf or drow. Half elfs get +1 stat, stealth profiency and more movement, drow have perception skill and superior darkvision.
Half elf is properly better for power gaming, but this is mostly a role playing choice for me.
Note: If the final game has rolling for stats I will do so until I like the results.

I want to focus on social and rogue skills. Lets see what combat you can avoid through talking (At least at first so you can put yourself in a better situation when you want to fight later.)
Also take a good mix of spells, including social spells ( talk with animals, detect thoughts and so on, not sure how many potions or items you find for this, like the speak with dead amulet. well you could change them at lv up.) No using todpole though.

Now comes the question: lore or valor bard?
lore gives:
- 3 skills (would be great if you could chose wich ones)
- cutting words (sounds good but I am not sure how it is done without a proper reaction system)
- 2 spells from any class at lv6
- self buff with inspiration at lv 14

valor gives:
- martial weapons (because dex I use rapier anyway, so its just for longbow or heavy crossbow, not sure if reload will be a thing)
- medium armor + shield ( I will be encumbered with low str and maybe disadvantage for stealth)
- combat inspiration (once again not sure how to use it without reaction system)
- extra attack at lv6
- attack is bonus action after casting spell at lv14

I think lore is better. With low str and high dex its better to be a casting skill monkey then a wanna be warrior.

As skilled party face with low str there will be one annoyance: shopping
I buy and sell stuff but I often have to switch inventory with my "pack mule" to do so.

As party I need:
- A wizard for those int skills (oh no, Gale is eating my loot )
- Somebody with lots of str to carry my stuff, should also be able to swing a huge sword/axe (Lae´zel battle master?)
- somebody else, a bard can replace almost everything.