Looking to find the best classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 or are you just interested in what each class has to offer? Well, look no further. This article is filled with all the knowledge you will need to make an informed choice as you venture into the world of Baldur’s Gate. Much like in the source material, Dungeons & Dragons, and the worlds of the Forgotten Realms, the choice of class you make will determine how you interact with the world around you.
As with any game that gives you a wide range of choices from the start, they can be confusing especially when you add in, which Race to pick, which stats to put points into, which background to choose, or which God to follow. This guide will give you an informed look into each of the classes and the reason behind choosing them and give you our choices for a class tier list at the end.
Within Baldur’s Gate 3, there are 12 main classes, 11 of which are accessible in the early access game. It will be hard to determine which of these will be the best classes in Baldur’s Gate 3. These classes are then split further into 46 subclasses to give you a massive variety of gameplay. In Baldur’s Gate 3 classes focus on different stat, Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Charisma, Intelligence, and Wisdom so we have included the main ability that is recommended to focus on for each class.
To break these down a little further here is a quick overview of what each of the Stat does:
Each Subclass will give you additional skills within your chosen class, with 46 subclasses total, there is an amazing amount of variation and customisation for you when trying to choose classes in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Below we will go into more detail about each class to help determine the best classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, what they do, and what to expect when you play. With Baldur’s Gate 3 being an extension of the Forgotten Realms universe all of the classes below derive from their Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition counterparts.
Barbarians are fierce warriors who can enter a battle rage. This rage sits at the centre of their kit, letting them deal bonus damage and land extra attacks. The Berserker subclass in particular leans heavily into raging and wrecking havoc among their foes. The unarmored defence feature even lets them consider not equipping armour to be more mobile in combat.
Here are the differences between the Baldur’s Gate 3 Barbarian subclasses:
Bards are versatile classes who inspire their party with words or music. Considered a support class, they have spells that primarily empower allies or weaken enemies with the aid of their high charisma. Their Bardic Inspiration class action gives ally characters an additional die to improve their odds. Pick the right subclass and you could even excel in melee combat.
Here is a list of the Baldur’s Gate 3 Bard starting instruments :
Here are the key differences between the three Bard subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3:
Clerics are divine spellcasters who act as representatives of the gods they worship. They have access to a range of utility spells, but they are not known for their melee prowess. Clerics can choose a deity to worship, which grants them even more abilities and perhaps a couple of unique quests. Players will certainly run into other devotees across their adventure in the Forgotten Realms. Cleric is high on the list of classes in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Here are the Baldur’s Gate 3 Cleric subclasses and their key features:
Druids are masters of nature magic within the spellcasting classes. They can transform into several kinds of animals with their Wild Shape ability, and their spellcasting is just as adaptive as the Wizard’s kit. If you choose the Circle of the Land subclass, you can even replenish spell slots with the help of the Natural Recovery feature.
Here are the key differences between the three Druid subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3:
Which subclass you choose will depend on your playstyle and what you want to achieve with your Druid. If you want to be a powerful shapeshifter, then the Circle of the Moon is the way to go. If you want to be a versatile spellcaster, then the Circle of the Land is a good choice. And if you want to play a Druid who uses spores to heal and harm, then the Circle of the Spores is the right subclass for you.
Fighters are masters of combat, wearing armour like a second skin and wielding weapons with unmatched skill. They are proficient in a variety of weapons and armour, making them ideal front-line fighters. Fighters can also choose from a variety of fighting styles to specialize in specific roles, such as defence or straight-up swordplay. Some Fighter subclasses even have access to spells.
Here are the Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter subclasses and how they work:
Monks are masters of manipulating the field of combat. They can use their Ki-powered punches to push, pull, and stun enemies, and they can even teleport around the battlefield. While they aren’t the tankiest class, their unarmored defence allows them to sustain injuries while they unleash powerful attacks.
Here are the Baldur’s Gate 3 Monk subclasses and how they work:
Which subclass you choose will depend on your playstyle and what you want to achieve with your Monk. If you want to be a powerful battlefield controller, then the Way of the Open Hand is the way to go. If you want to be a stealthy assassin, then the Way of Shadow is a good choice. And if you want to be a powerful elemental bender, then the Way of the Four Elements is the right subclass for you.
Paladins are a hybrid class between clerics and fighters. They are skilled in both combat and support, and they can unleash devastating blows on enemies while also providing healing and protection to their allies. However, paladins are also bound by an oath, and if they break that oath, they will become Oathbreakers, a subclass with their own unique features and skills.
There are several in-game choices that can trigger an oathbreaker transformation, such as torturing Liam at the Shattered Sanctum or killing an owlbear and her cub. Each oath has its own unique way of being broken, and if a paladin does break their oath, they can reclaim it by paying 2000 gold.
Here are the differences between the three Paladin subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3:
If a paladin breaks their oath, they will become an Oathbreaker. Oathbreakers are corrupted by their dark power, and they gain a number of new abilities, such as the ability to deal necrotic damage with their attacks, the ability to control undead, and the ability to frighten nearby enemies.
Which subclass you choose will depend on your playstyle and what you want to achieve with your paladin. If you want to be a defender of the innocent, then the Oath of Devotion is the way to go. If you want to be a protector of nature, then the Oath of the Ancients is a good choice. And if you want to be a relentless hunter of your enemies, then the Oath of Vengeance is the right subclass for you.
Rangers are experts at tracking and hunting, with a deep connection to nature. They can choose a favoured enemy to gain unique benefits, such as cantrips and spells. They can also choose between a beast companion or protection from certain elements with their Natural Explorer class feature. The Hunter subclass is particularly skilled at fighting beasts, especially large ones.
Here are the Baldur’s Gate 3 Ranger subclasses and how they work:
Here’s how the Hunter subclass features work:
Rogues are stealthy, skilled, and death-defying. They can use their versatility to get the upper hand in almost any situation. Their Sneak Attacks are deadly as they wreck through unsuspecting foes. They can also use Dash to double their movement to switch positions or retreat with ease.
Here are the Baldur’s Gate 3 Rogue subclasses and how they work:
Ultimately, the best Baldur’s Gate 3 Rogue subclass for you will depend on your playstyle and what you are looking for in a character. If you want to be a stealthy and mobile rogue, then the Thief subclass is a good choice. If you want to combine the skills of a rogue with the magic of a spellcaster, then the Arcane Trickster subclass is a good choice. And if you want to focus on dealing damage to enemies, then the Assassin subclass is a good choice.
Sorcerers are natural spellcasters who draw on inherent magic from a gift or bloodline. They have access to powerful elemental spells, and their subclasses are also well-developed. The Draconic Ancestry subclass in particular lets you pick from a list of resistances and elemental attacks. However, they are also relatively squishy, so be careful not to get hit too hard.
Here are the differences between the Baldur’s Gate 3 Sorcerer subclasses:
Here are the skills that the Draconic Ancestry Sorcerer has access to at level 6:
As you can see, each Sorcerer subclass has its own unique strengths and abilities. The Wild Magic subclass is a great choice for players who want to add a bit of randomness and excitement to their games. The Draconic Ancestry subclass is a good choice for players who want to focus on elemental damage and survivability. And the Storm Sorcery subclass is a good choice for players who want to be able to move around the battlefield quickly and deal a lot of lightning/thunder damage.
Ultimately, the best classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 should include a Sorcerer subclass for you, this will depend on your playstyle and what you are looking for in a character. If you want to add a bit of randomness and excitement to your games, then the Wild Magic subclass is a good choice. If you want to focus on elemental damage and survivability, then the Draconic Ancestry subclass is a good choice. And if you want to be able to move around the battlefield quickly and deal a lot of lightning/thunder damage, then the Storm Sorcery subclass is a good choice.
Warlocks are magic-users who have made a pact with an otherworldly being, called a patron. In exchange for power, the warlock must serve their patron’s interests. Warlocks have a wide variety of spells and abilities, and they can be very versatile in combat and as such are a great contender for one of the best classes in Baldur’s Gate 3.
The Baldur’s Gate 3 Warlock subclasses have unique spells and abilities that reflect the nature of their patron. The Fiend subclass, for example, gains the Dark One’s Blessing feature, which allows them to regain hit points when they reduce an enemy to 0 hit points. The Great Old One subclass, on the other hand, gains the Awakened Mind feature, which allows them to telepathically communicate with other creatures.
The Archfey subclass is a good choice for players who want a warlock with a strong focus on social interaction and deception. The Fey Presence feature allows them to charm or frighten creatures in a 10-foot radius, and the Misty Escape feature allows them to teleport away from danger.
Here are the features of the Baldur’s Gate 3 Archfey Warlock:
As you can see, the Archfey Warlock has a number of features that can be useful in social situations. The Fey Presence feature can be used to charm or frighten enemies, which can give the warlock an advantage in negotiations or combat. The Misty Escape feature can be used to escape from danger or to reposition yourself in a fight. The Beguiling Defenses feature makes the warlock very difficult to charm, which can be a valuable asset in a world full of deception and betrayal.
Ultimately, the best Warlock subclass for you will depend on your playstyle and what you are looking for in a character. If you want a warlock with a strong focus on social interaction and deception, then the Archfey subclass is a good choice. If you want a warlock with a more combat-oriented playstyle, then The Fiend or Great Old One subclasses may be a better fit.
Wizards are magic users who have studied the arcane arts for years. They specialize in a particular school of magic, such as abjuration, conjuration, divination, enchantment, evocation, necromancy, illusion, or transmutation. This specialization gives them access to powerful spells and abilities that are unique to their school.
As you can see, each wizard subclass has its own unique strengths and abilities. The best wizard subclass for you will depend on your playstyle and what you are looking for in a character. If you want a wizard who can protect themselves and their allies, then the Abjuration subclass is a good choice. If you want a wizard who can summon creatures and objects to aid them in battle, then the Conjuration subclass is a good choice. And if you want a wizard who can deal a lot of damage to enemies, then the Evocation subclass is a good choice especially when looking for the best classes in Baldur’s Gate 3.
You can also pair your best classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 class with a race to further enhance your character’s abilities. For example, the Life Domain Cleric would pair well with the Dwarf race, as the Dwarf’s Dwarven Resilience ability grants resistance to poison damage. Here is our class tier list:
Here are the two classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 we suggest as the top-tier classes and the best Classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 to play through:
These are just a few of the best subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3. There are many other great options available, so it is important to choose the one that best suits your playstyle.
The Draconic Ancestry Sorcerer would pair well with the Dragonborn race, as the Dragonborn’s Draconic Ancestry ability grants resistance to one of the five elemental damage types. And the Oath of the Ancients Paladin would pair well with the Half-Elf race, as the Half-Elf’s Skill Versatility ability lets them choose two skills from any class’s list.
Cleric and Bard are considered the best classes.
12 and they are: 1 – Barbarian 2 – Bard 3 – Cleric 4 – Druid 5 – Fighter 6 – Monk 7 – Paladin 8 – Ranger 9 – Rogue 10 – Sorcerer 11 – Warlock 12 – Wizard