Summary
InBaldur’s Gate 3, Bards enjoy a massive power leap when they unlock Magical Secrets and claim some of the strongest spells from every spellcasting class. Whether players opt forthe Lore Bard’s strategic head start—gaining two Magical Secrets at Level 6 and another two at Level 10—or empower the already strong Swords Bard with two Magical Secrets at Level 10, these choices transform the Bard from a support role into a versatile powerhouse.
For Lore Bards, Magical Secretsbridge some small gaps in their spellbook, adding devastating control and damage options. On the other hand, Swords Bards become even more versatile, gaining tools to shut down spellcasters or control the battlefield. Even the often-forgotten Valor Bard can leverage Magical Secrets to achieve surprising viability. Here are thebest Magical Secrets for Bards inBaldur’s Gate 3—spells that elevate them into masters of control and transform them into indispensable party members.
8Counterspell
Shuts Down Enemy Spellcasters
College of Lore Bards can learnCounterspellthrough Magical Secrets when they reach level 6,making them excellent allies alongside magesto counter most enemy spellcasters in late Act 1 and throughout Act 2.
Counterspell scales cleanly with a Bard’s level progression. At level 12, mono-class Bards can effectively upcast Counterspell using a 6th-level slot, countering the most powerful endgame enemies. Additionally, Bards benefit from their Jack of All Trades passive ability, which can occasionally help them succeed Intelligence checks when attempting to counter a higher-level spell.
7Banishing Smite
Swords Bards Best Single Target Burst
Banishing Smiteis a spell that canonly be learned by Warlocksand Bards, with Bards gaining access to it through Magical Secrets. This spell offers thehighest single-target burst damage that melee or ranged Bards can output, dealing an extra 5d10 force damage and potentially banishing a target below 50 HP for two turns.
However, Banishing Smite consumes both an Action and a Bonus Action, so it’s best reserved for enemies who pose the greatest threat to the party. Swords Bard Archers can deal a serious amount of damage with Banishing Smite, especially if their next hit is a critical.
6Hunger Of Hadar
AoE Summon That Blinds & Damages Enemies
Hunger of Hadaris among the rarest spells inBaldur’s Gate 3, with only Warlocks and Bards able to learn it. It isa level 3 concentration spellthatcreates difficult terrain in a 20-foot radius, blinding everyone within. Whenever a creature inside the spell’s affected area takes a turn, it suffers 2d6 cold damage, and creatures that end their turn there must make a Dexterity saving throw or take 2d6 acid damage.
Hunger of Hadar complements the control playstyle that Bards typically enjoy. While most crowd control spells for Bards rely on Spell Save DC, Hunger of Hadar does not, making it a solid pick for consistent damage and control.
5Command
Crowd Control Without Concentration
Commandis one of thestrongest control spells available to Clerics, Warlocks, and Paladins. While Bards are masters of crowd control, they don’t learn Command naturally as they level up, leaving them to rely on concentration-based crowd control spells likeHypnotic Pattern,Hold Person/Monster, andConfusion.
However, Bards can select Command as one of their Magical Secrets spells,filling a minor gap in their already strong spellbook. Despite being a level 1 spell, upcasting it with a 6th-level spell slot canpotentially incapacitate six enemies without requiring concentration, making it a valuable option for Bards who want to maximize their versatility.
4Conjure Elemental
Summon An Elemental Ally To Fight On The Bard’s Side
Bards gain tremendous versatility when selectingConjure Elementalas one of their Magical Secrets spells, allowing them to bolster their party with asummonable ally that lasts until a long rest. Bards can use a 5th-level spell slot to summon one of the four elementals (Air, Earth, Water, or Fire) to meet specific combat needs.
Conjure Elemental is an excellent choice for Lore Bards, who typically lack martial prowess, as it grants them a powerful frontline ally. Upcasting Conjure Elemental with a 6th-level spell slot allows one to summon a powerful elemental variant known as Myrmidon.
3Magic Missile
Break Concentration Of Enemy Spellcasters
Even thoughMagic Missileis a level 1 spell, its efficiency at disrupting enemy spellcasters cannot be understated. The late-game inBaldur’s Gate 3introduces powerful enemy spellcasters who can disrupt even the strongest parties with debilitating concentration spells.
When enemy Warlockscast Hunger of Hadar or high-Charisma Sorcerersor Bards threaten the party with Hold Person orDominate Person, Magic Missile becomes a reliable tool for breaking their concentration. Each Magic Missile dart forces the target to make a Constitution saving throw,increasing the chances of disrupting their spell. Moreover, upcasting Magic Missile with a 6th-level spell slot increases the total dart count to eight, making it much harder for enemies to maintain concentration.
2Fireball
Essential AoE Damage For Bards
Bards typically lack strong AoE damage spells, with the closest option beingGlyph of Warding, makingFireballa compelling choice when gaining access to Magical Secrets. Fireball deals 8d6 fire damage when cast with a standard level 3 spell slot, but upcasting it with a higher-level slot increases its damage by an additional 1d6 for each level above three.
Lore Bards hugely benefit from picking Fireball at level 6, improving their viability in Act 2. They can also combine items likeSpellmight Glovesto deal additional damage or theHat of Fire Acuityto stack Arcane Acuity.
1Spirit Guardians
Damaging Radiant Or Necrotic Aura That Complements Martial Bards
Spirit Guardiansredefines melee combat for Swords and Valor Bards, allowing them to weaponize their movement as they defend the front lines. Bards can combine a variety of gear, like the Luminous Armor andCallous Glow Ringto take advantage of Spirit Guardians and stack Radiating Orbs on enemies that approach them.
Sincemono-class Bards gain access to 6th-level spells, they can upcast Spirit Guardians todeal an additional 2d8 radiant or necrotic damage, maintaining pressure on high-health targets.
