Playing a Bard/Cleric multiclass in Baldur’s Gate 3, I frequently utilize Cutting Words. If you’re looking to grasp what Cutting Words entails in BG3 and how to utilize it effectively, you’re in the right place.
How to unlock Cutting Words in Baldur’s Gate 3
To acquire Cutting Words in Baldur’s Gate 3, you must reach level three as a College of Lore Bard. While I believe the College of Lore offers more than just Cutting Words, this ability alone justifies choosing this subclass.
Cutting Words proves beneficial as a ranged Reaction, consuming one Bardic Inspiration to impose a -1d6 penalty on the attacker’s Attack Roll, Ability Check, or Saving Throw. With an 18m range, it activates when an enemy targets one of your characters. At level five, the penalty increases to -1d8, and at level 10, it rises to -1d10.
How to use Cutting Words in Baldur’s Gate 3
I recommend employing Cutting Words whenever an enemy tries to attack you or your allies. By using Cutting Words, you compel the enemy to reroll their Attack, potentially causing them to miss entirely. Essentially, Cutting Words serves as a means to negate damage effectively.
Particularly when the check, displayed on the Reaction page, is almost successful, it’s wise to use Cutting Words. At level five, your Bardic Inspiration replenishes on Short Rest, making the use of Cutting Words even more convenient.
The only instance I advise against using Cutting Words is when allies or enemies are applying a status effect. While it can be challenging to discern whether the Reaction page pertains to the Attack Roll, Ability Check, or Saving Throw, if a status effect like poison is being applied, it’s safe to assume it’s not worth expending a Bardic Inspiration. Status effects often pale in comparison to negating direct damage, which Cutting Words excels at.
That’s the essence of using Cutting Words in Baldur’s Gate 3. I appreciate Cutting Words as it enables me, the group’s resident healer, to mitigate damage, allowing me to focus more on dealing damage rather than healing my team. Healing has its limits, which is why having the best Astarion build on your team is essential.
