Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - General How do I create Bilbo from LotR?

Because I can't help myself: Bilbo theme build. I would actually not do a rogue. That is what Gandalf sold him to the dwarves as, but not really his original skillset. He was actually more of a goofball that tried talking his way out of things in his younger years, then as time went on he was corrupted by the ring, so I would do a bard with a sprinkle of warlock near the end. He taunts and distracts enemies in a way that I would say fits with the Lore Bard's Cutting Words ability. (think about it as his taunts giving a penalty to Smaug being able to find him; in DnD that would be a perception check)

Also, the lore bard gets extra skills at level three, and I think that is when you pick up the more thiefy stuff as his adventure goes on and he becomes more competent.

Build:
Lightfoot Halfling
Hermit background - it comes with herbalism "toolkit" in the books and he is a homebody.
Lore Bard
Str 8
Dex 16
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 10
Cha 16

Honestly his stats would be worse than that, but you may as well use what they give you.

Racial skills: Stealth
Hermit skills: 'Medicine' (hehe) and religion (which doesn't quite fit, but oh well)
1st Level Skills: Insight, Perception, and Persuasion/Deception (whichever you like more)
3rd Level skills: Acrobatics, Slight of Hand, and whichever of the Charisma one you didn't pick at 1st level

For spells, definitely pick up the Vicious Mockery cantrip at 1st level and probably Heroism for when he musters his courage. Invisibility at level 3 (and maybe detect thoughts since he is always listening in to conversations). Definitely Feign Death at 5th level. Other than those, I'd just pick up a couple damage dealing spells and whatever seems fun.

Taking some Warlock levels is optional to give it some flavor, but not needed. By the time you hit the higher levels you'll have a better idea of how you want to approach things, but a fiend or great old one would be good. And while I doubt they'll have it, the Pact of the Talisman would be a perfect fit as it could be the one ring

This is a really cool take, but sadly, there is no Hermit background currently present in the game! They removed it several patches ago.

Yeah they took it and Sailor out, probably because it was hard to plan for inspiration. I suspect that they will have sorted that out by now.

I think this is a much better build tbh. Not only because you can still be a pretty good burglar with expertise, but the reactivity with a halfling bard will be off the scale. You have lots of calming 'let's talk about this' options as a halfing and the charisma and proficiency to back it up. Plus bards get to do lots of cool stuff you just can't with a rogue.

Lore bards don't get to pick their skills at level 3 though. They get arcana, sleight of hand and intimidation automatically.

I'm hoping they fix that to match real rules where you get to pick three. Especially because in EA you get screwed if you already have one of those skills and that is a really bad player experience.

If you wish to make it Bilbo crazed by the ring ...
Make him with Dark Urge.

And pretend that he thinks, that everyohe have his ring!

Chopping gales hand off because he wants his ring

I've spent sooo long reading about this game and D&D, I'm slowly but surely coming to terms with the rules and stuff! 😆 Haven't got a PC so I'll have to wait and plan my character until September haha! Thank you all again for your help, I'll get everything I can take haha! 🙏

Hey again! This might be a silly question, but does my character (Bilbo) necessarily have to fight? Or can I let my party do the hard work?

I'm thinking this might be more fitting, and allow Bilbo to be more of the 'talker'. 😀

No problem with Bilbo being the "face" of the party, the rest being dimwitted bruisers - so much like in The Hobbit
Bilbo need not fight - he can taunt the enemy (remember ettercaps in Mirkwood?), throw rocks, etc.
Here Bard would be the best class. As Bilbo should have "Noble" as background "entertianment skills" senso largo are up his alley. Story telling, singing, playing an instrument - that's what the aristos do when they meet for tea, scones, tarts and plotting the subjugation of the working masses.

Ah okay, that sounds really interesting! A lot of people suggested rogue as Bilbo's sneaky, but as I don't really want him to fight, bard would be better yes? A more supportive role? 😀

A sneaky burglary Bard is very much possible.
A Bard is - and aways has been - a supportive class.
Look at the Order of the Stick comic (a humorous view of RPG) - the party fights while the Bard, Elan, stands in the back, plonks his lute and sings "smite, smite the evul stinky goblins, have your +1 to hit, smite, smite ...".

That sounds quite fun, especially since Hobbits are known for being jolly and musical haha! I love that I don't have to make him fight, exactly what I was hoping for! Any idea on a build? I have no idea haha, I love learning about this game! 😊

If anyone could suggest a bard build for Bilbo, that would be fantastic! This community is amazing, thank you all in advance! ❤️

Gandalf explicitly labels Bilbo "Burglar" and if anyone anyone should know what class someone is it would be him.

With regard to bard, Bilbo is the only member of the company who does NOT play an instrument! Pippin can sing, and is perhaps the most bard-like hobbit. He is also the most foolish, and that is also a trait associated with bards.

Thats harsh... Bards are just actor mostly. Playing a fool is actually smart!
But I'd make Bilbo a thief rogue as well, because Bard in DnD is connected with magic and as far as I remember, Bilbo was not capable of it. Yes, he had some magical/rare artefacts in his disposal, but thats it.

Gandalf is also known to have a similar attitude towards truth as Obi-Wan or Yoda. He has "read the portents" and decided that the Dwarrow never do wells and misfits NEED Bilbo, regardless of their views on the matter.

Yes and no - we are trying to shoehorn a character from one "system" into another - the fit need not be perfect. A rogue with bardish overtones, or bard with rogue skills - either will fit. As I regard a Thief to be more "in your face" (or rather - in the back) than a Bard hence my leaning towards a Bard. But see previous sentence.
BTW - Bilbo was scholarly - College of Lore it is, then
That gives him Epertise in Sleigh of Hand and Deception ...

Hmm, I see what you mean! Can I play a rogue and not kill though? A college of lore bard seems interesting as mentioned in Buba's newest comment (as I don't mind bending the rules a little as it's a different universe); I could even merge a few hobbits to create a character of my own! Wwww I'm even more excited now haha! Thank you all again!

Is it possible to play a bard rogue kinda class? How would I build that? 🤔

I don't remember Bilbo not killing things. Especially spiders, but I'm pretty sure he downed a couple of goblins too.

But to play a bard rogue, you just multiclass bard/rogue.

Woah, I never knew that was a thing! 😲 So, I'm thinking maybe I start the game as a jolly bard, and then when I reach a level I can multiclass (what level is that haha?), I'll combine with rogue! I'm learning so much haha!