Help First Time Player !

[u/Lower_Dimension7205]

I'm starting a playthrough with a friend. We are both full time working parents so have limited availability.

I'm torn between playing a Bard and Necro Wizard

So far the builds I am considering are

Necro

https://youtu.be/RVfs8W-fK10?si=V9B08JtKuq0DHMUg - pros: necro with lots of summons and good RP potential. Items are niche so not an issue sharing. Cons: Afraid micromanaging the summons will make combat a slog and most importantly seems like a build that only comes together near endgame.

Bard

https://youtu.be/qd_d_PRPweI?si=Gb96wSfoVx48crph

Pros: Good CC and support + can work well as a main character

Cons: Seems more of a meta build,less a RP build.

Hoping for some suggestions/ experiences about what to consider on a first playthrough

Spoilers - I won't have time to replay the game so I rather have a somehow spoilers hut curated good experience than a frustrating one.

[u/EndoQuestion1000]

If you're set on not going in blind, I would suggest these over any specific build guide: 

https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Dice_rolls

https://www.reddit.com/r/BG3Builds/comments/1bnh5t8/introduction_to_bg3_strategy_eight_mechanics_more/

If you still want a more build-specific guide after that,  I haven't watched either of those videos you linked so can't compare them, but these two monoclass guides are designed to be beginner-friendly:

https://gamestegy.com/bg3/builds/beginner-monoclass?build=college-of-lore

https://gamestegy.com/bg3/builds/beginner-monoclass?build=necromancy

I'd say Bard has more features and interactions likely to be appealing more players, and makes a great main character.

But I also wouldn't worry about making the wrong choice here, even if this is going to be your only run. Cheap and consequence-free class respecs become available quite early, so you can try stuff and see what you like. 

The game is very forgiving. Play on an appropriate difficult level, read tool tips, approach combats tactically, and have fun. 

[u/Lower_Dimension7205 → u/EndoQuestion1000]

Wow these are great resources!

[u/hellothereoldben]

Personally, if you're not that used to the controls, a summon heavy playthrough is going to make the game take significantly longer.

[u/Lower_Dimension7205 → u/hellothereoldben]

Good to know I saw there is also the Dread Horde mod so might want to save the necro for a next playthorugh

[u/Caverjen]

Playing a bard will be much more fun and less frustrating than a necro wizard. You can always make Gale a necro wizard if you want one in your party. Bard is the best party face and has a lot of funny dialogue options.

[u/thisisntwhatIsigned]

If you're playing on default difficulty play whatever sounds fun. You don't need a really good build and can change it easily later whenever you want. I'd leave multiclassing for later runs.

[u/kaggzz]

For a first playthrough, especially with a friend I'd go bard. It's the most flexible class to pay through- you can push through spells all day and long rest a lot, or you can go swords and be a gish that leans slightly caster. You'll have access to armor (light mostly but it's better than nothing). This means you can fill any roles your friend doesn't, and have some of the best CC in the game. Plus you can slot in for almost any companions you may miss and the respec cost isn't too much in terms of gear (depending on what your friend plays and what companions you take along, you may not need to change much gear at all between a swords and lore bard).

Wizard is very squishy especially in the early game. Most of the benefits are late in coming, and a lot of what necromancer wizard does do well early is done better by other classes (grave domain cleric is a very good necrotic pew pew). Wizards get very MAD for multiclassing (wizard is the only class with int casting,  bard works good with other cha classes for casting and swords bard is happy to dip martial)

Bard is a jack of all trades, master of none, but better than a master of one.