Baldur's Gate 3 class guide: who to play as

Classes in Baldur's Gate 3 - are a combination of the skills and characteristics of the characters that determine the direction of their development and behavior both on the battlefield and in dialogues. It is this parameter that partially forms the character of the hero in different situations, his main business, faith and interests. As the characters level up, they choose a subclass, it changes their specialization to a more narrowly focused one and allows them to master new abilities.

In the world of the Forgotten Realms, the archetypes and their offshoots are varied and are largely based on the 5th Edition DnD RPG. It was she who laid the foundation for the history of the class system in all games. In the article, we will highlight the main features, characteristics, skills, weaknesses and advantages of the hero archetypes, talk about the choice and features of subclasses. Read on to find out what class is suitable for beginners or experienced players, what archetypes the companions belong to, to decide on the choice of who to play Baldur's Gate 3.

In a separate guide, we made a detailed analysis of all races and subraces with a recommended choice for each class.

How the classes and subclasses of Baldur's Gate 3 work

Classes and subclasses in Baldur's Gate 3 affect the capabilities and roleplaying of the character, his abilities and the distribution of characteristics in pumping. A hero can become a paladin who abides by a set of rules, or a spellcaster who has made a contract with a magical creature. Both magical and physical archetypes wield both ranged and melee weapons.

Total in the game 12 classes и 46 subclasses. At the same time, even the same spells performed by heroes with different classes look different - the casting animation is different. Also in the game there is a system multiclasses, it allows you to create hybrid variations by combining existing classes when leveling up your character. With the help of this mechanic, you can not only compensate for the shortcomings of the chosen path, but also weaken the hero if you make the wrong choice. The game strongly encourages experimentation, but we do not advise beginners to immediately use this feature.

Subclasses in Baldur's Gate 3, you can choose either when creating a character, or when increasing its level to a specific value. Each subclass provides experience with a unique play style. For example, a druid who prefers the moon will be able to maximize the potential of his class, while mushrooms and spores will appeal more to necromancy lovers.

What is the choice of abilities

Class descriptions include basic the (primary) ability of the class in which points are to be invested, and additional buff on ability checks. Both add increased points to saving throws - the final number on the dice, which affects the success of the event. This applies to many game moments, for example, a chance to pick a lock or avoid death. The primary parameter will help you choose synergy for a multiclass and understand what to focus on when leveling a hero. The +2 and +1 stat bonus can be chosen at your discretion for any combination of race and class.

Note that the additional ability that affects the saving throw may not match the required points investment when creating a character or leveling it up. The increase in bonuses in characteristics depends on the style of play, armor, the selected subclass, the use of spells or weapons, the range when positioning in battle, the abilities and skills of other heroes in the squad.

A paladin with melee and heavy armor will need a power that affects melee damage and the maximum weight carried in the game. However, not all subclasses need to focus on the main parameters. For example, a bard in a rogue-like build would need dexterity for weapons, armor, and dodge, while a priest of the holy domain is similar to a paladin and needs strength.

Charisma affects the success in persuading the interlocutor and the prices of merchants, and dexterity increases the initiative in battle. Wisdom increases saving throws for important insight and survival skills. In addition, spells have different schools, and different characteristics are used to cast them depending on classes: intelligence, wisdom, and charisma.

You can find out more in the beginner's guide. What does each ability affect?.

What influences the choice of skills

Race, class, and lineage in BD3 allow you to choose from several different skills when creating your character. Having a skill makes them more likely to the appropriate tests, since testing for them automatically adds a few points to the result of the die roll.

• athletics increases physical force and resistance, affects stability when knocked back and its range when trying to push a creature away, useful when trying to climb up. Classes: warrior, barbarian, bard, monk, paladin, ranger, rogue.
• Acrobatics increases adroitness, helps to maintain balance, hold in a certain position and land on your feet. Classes: warrior, bard, monk, rogue.
• Sleight of hand will help with opening locks, disarming traps or trying to get out of them, increase the chance of successfully stealing or throwing an object to someone. Classes: bard, rogue.
• Stealth increases the chance of trying to go unnoticed and grants quiet movement. Classes: bard, monk, ranger, rogue.
• Magic associated with intelligence, useful when interacting with enchanted things, powerful spells and will help to reveal magic. Classes: bard (colleges of knowledge), druid, sorcerer, sorcerer and wizard.
• History will give knowledge about the great figures and the past of the peoples of Faerun, will allow you to recognize the connection with them of the ancient objects encountered. Classes: warrior, bard, priest, monk, sorcerer and wizard.
• Investigation will endow analytical abilities that help to discover evidence, restore events in the head or reveal secrets. Classes: bard, ranger, rogue, sorcerer, wizard.
• Nature will increase communication with flora and fauna, useful for recognizing their species and characteristics, will allow you to understand the weather and the area. Classes: barbarian, bard, druid, ranger, sorcerer.
• Religion will allow you to understand the deities, with their orders and help in conducting sacred rituals. Classes: bard, priest, druid, monk, paladin, sorcerer, sorcerer, wizard.
• Training comes from wisdom, endows with the ability to educate, understand and pacify animals, teaches them how to handle them competently in order to conquer and calm. Classes: warrior, barbarian, bard, druid, ranger.
• Insight will reveal an attempt to deceive during communication, will allow you to understand the feelings of the interlocutor and his true intentions by body language. Classes: warrior, bard. priest, druid, monk, paladin, ranger, rogue, sorcerer, wizard.
• Medicine needed to understand diseases, their symptoms and treatments. Classes: Bard, Priest, Druid, Paladin, Wizard.
• Attention extremely important skill, because it increases awareness, sharpness of feelings and allows you to detect everything unusual: someone's presence, quiet speech and steps, hidden levers, traps or treasures. Classes: warrior, barbarian, bard, druid, ranger, rogue.
• Survival associated with wildlife, will help to recognize the danger emanating from it, will give hunting skills and tracking prey in the footsteps. Classes: warrior, barbarian, bard, druid, ranger.
• Deception depends on indicator charisma and is necessary when trying to convincingly lie, manipulate people or mislead them. Classes: bard, rogue, sorcerer, sorcerer.
• Intimidation if it is necessary to make a threat, it will endow the character with a formidable aura, forcing creatures to be frightened and do what they are told. Classes: warrior, barbarian, bard, paladin, rogue, sorcerer, sorcerer.
• Execution necessary for the skill of entertaining the audience: playing musical instruments, dancing and acting. Classes: bard, rogue.
• Conviction important when negotiating and attempting a peaceful solution in dialogue, increases the charm of the hero and allows you to achieve the favor of other creatures by showing good nature. Classes: bard, priest, paladin, rogue, sorcerer.

When creating or planning a character, for convenience, you can use the table with the available skills for each of the classes:

When subclasses open

The following archetypes have a subclass selected immediately while creating character:

• witch;
• sorcerer;
• priest;
• paladin.

Available to choose from 2 level hero subclasses for:

• wizard;
• druid.

On the 3 level character opens subclasses for:

• warrior;
• pathfinder;
• rogue;
• barbarian;
• bard;
• monk.

Baldur's Gate 3 class overview

To understand which class to choose in BD3, it is important to familiarize yourself with each of the archetypes. Let's analyze their main parameters, role in battle, special features, subclasses, minuses and pluses. The skills indicated in the description of the classes are the main options inherent in the archetype, but not the only ones.

Barbarian

Class features: melee fighter and a tank that goes into a rage.

• Rating: A+
• Saving Throws: Strength (Basic), Endurance.
• Skills: athletics, intimidation, nature, training, attention, survival (2 out of 6).
• Armor: light and medium.
• Weapons: simple, combat and shields.
• Recommended Race: Dragonborn, Dwarf, Githyanki, Half-Orc, Tiefling, Human.
• Companion: Karlach.

Barbarians are savages who rely on instinct. They use brute force at close range and dive into the thick of battle. The rage mechanic increases their attack and stamina, but forbids them to use magic and concentrate during this period. In battle, barbarians push enemies off cliffs, they can throw others at each other, including partners.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Deals a lot of melee damage.	Useless at long range.
It has the highest durability and the highest health pool, as well as an advantage on tests against traps, surfaces, and spells.	It is important to manage resources, because despite the aggressive playstyle, rage is limited. One of the skills increases not only outgoing damage, but also received.
The armor depends on stamina, making it easier to build.	He does not own heavy armor, and if he does, he will not receive a movement bonus from a certain level.

Subclasses

Berserk

The barbarian berserker has rage instead of rage, is able to attack the target up to several times in one round, and can knock the enemy down. At 6th level, a character in a frenzy becomes immune to being charmed and frightened.

Wild Heart

The Wildheart Barbarian wears piercings, can talk to animals and looks like a shaman with additional active and ive abilities from totem spirits:

• eagle – the hero has dash as a bonus action, swoops down on the enemy in a rage from a height and does not take fall damage;
• moose – the character has an increased movement speed, uses a ram in a rage;
• tiger - the range of jumps increases, in a rage you can attack three enemies and cause them to bleed;
• Wolf – in a rage, an ability appears to enhance the attack of allies in melee, their movement speed increases;
• bear - a special skill in a rage restores health, and the character has resistance to all types of damage, with the exception of psychic.

At 6th and 10th level, the hero learns the aspect of the beast, adding one of ten animal abilities to choose from.

Wild Magic

The Wild Magic Barbarian, falling into a rage, randomly casts random magical effects from a certain list, which can have both a positive effect on the team and a negative one. As compensation, the character has resistance to physical damage, advantage on checks and tests for the strength parameter. From intermediate levels, he can restore spell slots to himself and allies and gain a bonus on saving throws.

Bard

Class Features: A musician caster who buffs allies and debuffs enemies.

• Rating: A+
• Saving Throws: Charisma (primary), Agility.
• Skills: 3 to choose from a total of 18 (priorities are attention, execution and persuasion).
• Armor: light.
• Weapons: simple, one-handed crossbow, long and short sword, rapier.
• Recommended Race: Elf, Half Elf, Halfling, Tiefling, Human, Drow.
• Companion: none.

The charismatic lover of playing musical instruments is good at a little of everything. At 10th level, "magical secrets" give him access to any spell of another class of his choice. Persuasive in dialogue, can use deceit, insults or jokes even in battle. The bard solves problems with words and looks for alternative ways out of dangerous situations. In battle, he can inspire and heal teammates, as well as impose control on enemies and demoralize them, spending the “bardic inspiration” resource for powerful skills.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Can avoid combat through dialogue, sometimes in rather unexpected ways.	Doesn't do much damage in combat, especially if you choose a more ive fighting style.
Ideal for the role of the leader of the group and will provide an interesting gaming experience.	Reveals slower than other classes, can be difficult to master.
It has many spells of different types for all situations and a unique gameplay. In particular, one of them adds one short rest.	Some spells require concentration, and a large arsenal can confuse the gameplay.
Has more available bonuses (skills) in skills compared to other classes.

Subclasses

College of Knowledge

The bard of the College of Knowledge relies on sleight of hand, intimidation, and magic. He can choose spells of any class as early as 6th level instead of 10, and his Sharp Words skill imposes a penalty on enemy attack rolls (makes an enemy miss or, conversely, helps an ally hit).

Board of Courage

Bard Colleagues of Courage is the most popular and reliable subclass in DnD, proficient in medium armor, shields, and combat weapons. His bardic inspiration buffs allies' attack more heavily, but the subclass no longer has the traits.

College of Swords

The bard of the College of Swords has access to medium armor, scimitar, and strokes when using weapons. The character can increase walking speed after an attack, perform an additional attack, and choose a fighting style: duelist or dual wielding.

Priest

Class Features: A spellcaster with divine abilities, including and healing.

• Rating: S+
• Saving Throws: Wisdom (primary), Charisma.
• Skills: Insight, Religion, History, Medicine, Persuasion (2 out of 5).
• Armor: light and medium.
• Weapons: simple and shields.
• Recommended Race: Elf, Half-elf, Gnome, Dwarf, Halfling, Half-Orc, Tiefling, Human, Drow.
• Companion: Shadowheart.

Priests are able to hit back the enemy, and at the same time they are among the best healers. They not only have spells tied to a specific domain, but also worship one of the deities, endowing them with its power, for which they have access to the renewable resource "energy channeling". Counter, depending on the faith, may perceive the priests differently. Vicars of the gods have a buff to allies on checks. At certain levels, priests master a spell to turn undead and deal radiant damage to them.

Advantages	Disadvantages
A tenacious, powerful and versatile healer, able to fulfill different roles.	Little focused on huge or explosive damage (you will have to line up the build in this direction).
Buffs the chance of allies on a successful die roll.	The deity cannot be changed.
Possesses a wide range of auxiliary spells.	It has a limited number of spell slots, which are important to prepare in advance in order to use them in combat.
At 10th level, the priest has access to "divine intervention" with one of several extremely powerful spells to choose from.	Divine Intervention can only be used once per game.

Subclasses

Knowledge domain

Priests of the Knowledge Domain have access to the "Knowledge of the Ages", which allows you to gain a skill in all skills of the selected characteristic. One of the more popular subclasses in DnD, learning additional spells from the Charm, Evocation, and Polymorph schools.

Domain of life

The Priest of the Life Domain revives allies, perfectly heals them and can revive them. He wears heavy armor with no spell penalties, and has Preserve Life as a subclass spell, restoring health to all allies in a large area around him. At 6th level, when healing an allied hero, the priest heals himself.

Domain of light

The Priest of the Domain of Light copes with the healing worse than the Domain of Life. It is a mixture of a priest and a wizard using the powers of light: vision in the dark, disadvantage on an enemy attack roll, ignite, summon a fireball, and dispel any magical darkness.

Deception Domain

The Priest of the Domain of Deception relies on illusory copies, charm, disguise, and stealth. From higher levels, he has the spells of movement in space and polymorph, but these spells are available, for example, to the bard and the wizard, so in the end the subclass is only recommended for roleplaying the character.

Domain of nature

The Priest of the Domain of Nature gains proficiency in Training, Nature, and Survival, wears heavy armor, is able to enchant animals and plants, and uses nature magic. His club or staff with the Shillale focus cast becomes a magical weapon that gets stronger based on the Wisdom modifier.

Storm domain

Storm Domain Priest is heavily armored, relies on lightning and sonic damage, and repels enemies with magic. From the second level, he can deal maximum damage with thunder and lightning, but a limited number of times.

War domain

The Priest of the War Domain wears heavy armor and gains bonus attacks or increased inspiration damage in combat for spending a special class charge. The spells of this subclass are directly related to damage or are aimed at its buffs.

Druid

Class features: werewolf, hybrid DPS with natural spells for survivability, and control.

• Rating: B
• Saving Throws: Wisdom (primary), Intelligence.
• Skills: nature, training, magic, religion, insight, medicine, attention, survival (2 of 8).
• Armor: light and medium.
• Weapons: club, dagger, pilum, mace, combat staff, scimitar, sickle, spear and shields.
• Recommended Race: Elf, Half Elf, Gnome Dwarf, Halfling, Githyanki, Tiefling, Human.
• Companion: Jaheira.

Druids are continuously connected with nature and animals, with their mysteries and power. They inflict buffs on allies, debuffs on enemies, and retain the ability to speak while in bestial form. Due to their wild appearance, they have increased survival, because after death they turn back into a person. Any subclass can turn into a badger, spider, wolf and cat, deep rote, panther, bear, dilophosaurus.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Unique mechanics of turning into animals.	Not all wild forms are always useful, and the resource for transformation is limited.
Versatility: melee, spells, .	Has an average amount of damage and armor.
Due to the wild form is not so dependent on spells.	A class can be specific and difficult to play.

Subclasses

Earth circle

The druids of the Circle of the Earth devoted themselves to rites and arcane lore. Natural Restoration allows them to restore 1 spell slot with meditation. Choosing a place of initiation bestows special spells of 3-5 levels. At 6th level, a druid suffers no more penalties when moving through difficult terrain, of which there are many in the world, and at 10th level, he can no longer be frightened, charmed, poisoned, or infected with disease.

moon circle

Druids of the Circle of the Moon have an enhanced wild form, at the initial levels they can transform into a bear and a raven, and later into a saber-toothed tiger and an elemental. Lunar healing helps them regenerate health in bestial form. The most popular subclass, gaining an additional attack while in wild form at level 5 beyond level 10. Such a hero is able to ignore immunity to physical damage and instead perform magical attacks.

Circle of spores

Druids of the Circle of Spores believe in the unity of life and death, find beauty in decay, and use necrotic magic. By spreading spores, they raise corpses and deal damage in an area.

Martial Artist

Class Features: Simple physical DPS with an extensive arsenal of weapons and armor, survivability and high damage.

• Rating: S
• Saving Throws: Strength (Basic), Endurance.
• Skills: athletics, intimidation, acrobatics, history, training, insight, attention, survival (2 of 8).
• Armor: light, medium and heavy.
• Weapons: simple, combat and shields.
• Recommended race: any.
• Companion: Lae’zel.

A good and tenacious class for melee play. A versatile warrior who can handle any type of armor and weapon, can buff allies, weaken enemies, heal himself and gain extra moves. Despite being easy to learn in the beginning, it remains powerful in the later stages of the game.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Robust and varied in weapon, armor, and subclass options.	There are no spells.
The second in of health, hardy.	Equipment dependent.
The class is simple and good for beginners.	Outside of combat, it's not particularly useful, and can be boring.

Subclasses

Battle Master

The Warrior Battlemaster is a popular and most versatile subclass that rolls superiority dice to buff allies or own damage with a variety of attacks, learning more maneuvers as you level up.

Otherworldly Knight

Warrior Knight Beyond has magical powers and imbues weapons with them to fight from a longer distance than other subclasses. Due to the use of spells in pumping, you will definitely need intelligence.

Champion

Warrior Champion is pure physical strength with powerful hits and critical damage. The simplest subclass, gaining a jump bonus on Strength, Dexterity, and Endurance checks when no skill is in the skill.

Paladin

Class Features: Divine tank and melee healer.

• Rating: S+
• Saving Throws: Strength (basic), Wisdom, and Charisma.
• Skills: Intimidation, Persuasion, Athletics, Religion, Insight, Medicine (2 out of 6).
• Armor: light, medium and heavy.
• Weapons: simple, combat and shields.
• Recommended Race: Dragonborn, Dwarf, Githyanki, Half-Orc, Tiefling, Human.
• Companion: Minthara.

A charming paladin is good both as a melee warrior, and as a healer, and as a team . He copes with both control and destruction of enemies. The choice of oath affects the roleplaying and available spells of the paladin, and his sacred damage will help the team deal with the undead. Its damage depends on strength, and the spell modifier depends on charisma, which should be taken into when leveling a paladin.

Advantages	Disadvantages
A survivable class with heavy armor.	Weak in ranged combat.
With sufficient damage, it can heal itself and allies.	Choosing an oath obliges you to adhere to its rules in dialogues, which will make it difficult for beginners.
Possesses the ability to control enemies.	Limited spells and their slots.

Subclasses

Oath of the Ancients

A paladin with Oath of the Ancients wields a ward aura that allows him to block some of the incoming damage. Drawing strength from nature, he creates immobilizing vines, teleports with a miststep spell, and heals nearby allies.

Pledge of allegiance

A paladin with an Oath of Allegiance wields a sacred weapon, protects from the unclean, is able to "hang" a counterattacking or protecting aura on an ally.

Oathbreaker

The Oathbreaker paladin has necrotic damage, the ability to control enemy and friendly undead, and the ability to frighten nearby enemies.

Oath of Vengeance

A paladin with an Oath of Vengeance has advantage in attacks, frightens enemies and increases his speed, has a misty step to teleport to any visible and unoccupied point.

Pathfinder

Class Features: A hybrid melee and ranged DPS related to nature, magic and beasts.

• Rating: B
• Saving Throws: Dexterity (Basic), Strength.
• Skills: Attention, Stealth, Survival, Athletics, Investigation, Nature, Training, Insight (3 out of 8).
• Armor: light and medium.
• Weapons: simple, combat and shields.
• Recommended race: any.
• Companion: Minsk.

The Pathfinder easily survives in the wild and uses it to his advantage. Choosing a nemesis allows him to wear heavy armor, grants new spells or skills. Determining the location of the scout's adaptation will increase his resistance or endow him with a feature. The hunter has many abilities, such as summoning a familiar or stealth for the team, as well as a choice of fighting style.

Advantages	Disadvantages
High mobility and invisibility spell.	Few spells and slots on them.
Strong damage from a distance.	Some abilities require concentration.
Interesting mechanics of animal companions.	Weak in the late game, vulnerable to CC in melee. The rest of the classes will do better with almost everything that a ranger can do.

Subclasses

Hunter

The Hunter Pathfinder is an the base version of the class with the ability to choose one more buff to deal additional damage or counterattack, and from level 6 also for defense.

Beastmaster

The Beastmaster Pathfinder has a more unique playstyle with enhanced pet companions that are useful both outside of combat and in combat. Animal Companions grow with their master, have armor and abilities like dash, retreat, assist.

Alley Hunter

Pathfinder The Alley Hunter is the most popular subclass, having a stealthy combat style, high initiative, and increased movement speed. During the first attack, he also conducts an additional one, is endowed with special dark vision and is effective in dungeons. Such a hunter is able to become invisible already at level 3.

Dodger

Class Features: Stealth DPS and Hack Master.

• Rating: B
• Saving Throws: Dexterity (basic), Intelligence.
• Skills: sleight of hand, stealth, acrobatics, deception, athletics, investigation, insight, attention, intimidation, execution, persuasion (4 out of 11).
• Armor: light.
• Weapons: simple, crossbow, rapier and sword.
• Recommended race: any.
• Companion: Astarion.

Specialist in stealing, disarming traps and opening locks, as well as in finding enemy weak points. The rogue takes risks and stealth kills, which gives him an advantage in stealth attacks. As he levels up, he gains evasion and reduced incoming damage. From level 11, the rogue die cannot roll less than 10 if there is a skill in the skill to check.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Suitable for any team due to important skills outside of combat.	There can be problems if the rogue does not kill the target on the first try - the class is risky and situational.
Huge critical damage.	Low health and light armor.
A large number of bonus actions.	There are few spells and there is no particularly noticeable development, which is why it is more beneficial for multiclassing.

Subclasses

Mystic Trickster

Rogue The Arcane Trickster is a popular and hybrid subclass with spells, but not very profitable. It's a mixture of wizard and rogue, using charms, illusions, and a magical hand to carry things.

Assassin

Rogue Assassin can be called a killer due to critical damage in the back against enemies caught off guard. He leaves the shadow, makes an attack and returns to the darkness, and at the beginning of the battle he restores action points.

Thief

Rogue Thief is the most useful subclass outside of combat, has resistance to fall damage and an additional point on the second bonus action.

Wizard

Class Features: DPS caster with knowledge of metamagic.

• Rating: S
• Saving Throws: Charisma (primary), endurance.
• Skills: Magic, Persuasion, Religion, Insight, Deception, Intimidation (2 out of 6).
• Armor: none.
• Weapons: dagger, combat staff and light crossbow.
• Recommended Race: Elf, Half Elf, Gnome, Halfling, Githyanki, Tiefling, Human, Drow.
• Companion: none.

The sorcerer is persuasive in conversations and possesses magical powers by pedigree or receives them as a gift. A metamagician can change how spells work by modifying their range, duration, or effect (rolls). Sorcery points help him recover spell points and vice versa.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Powerful class with massive area of ​​effect damage.	Owns a small number of weapons and basic spells.
Due to charisma, he can be the leader of the team.	Resources of sorcery points are limited.
The most tenacious among magicians.	Still fragile and unprotected.
Flexible class with spell modifications and spell slots.

Subclasses

wild magic

The Wild Magician unleashes chaotic spell waves with a chance to randomly empower them, which can either work in your favor or result in a problem due to lack of control. Its trait allows it to gain a bonus on saving throws, but it can cause havoc.

Descendant of dragons

Arcanist Dragonspawn is the most versatile and durable subclass, thanks to health gain without the use of armor. Picking a buff from an ancestor will endow it with traits.

Storm Enchantment

The Storm Enchanter draws strength from lightning (electricity) and thunder (sound), sticks to melee combat and, with the help of magic, is able to fly away to the side without provoking enemies. This mage is resistant to lightning and thunder damage.

Witch

Class Traits: DPS Caster with Magic Familiar

• Rating: A
• Saving Throws: charisma (basic), wisdom.
• Skills: Magic, Intimidation, History, Investigation, Nature, Religion, Deception (2 out of 7).
• Armor: light.
• Weapon: simple.
• Recommended Race: Elf, Half-elf, Dwarf, Gnome, Halfling, Githyanki, Tiefling, Human, Drow.
• Companion: Wyll.

The sorcerer gets ancient knowledge from powerful creatures: fairies, demons, hags and devils. At 3rd level, he can choose between a contract of chain (familiar), blade (weapon), or tome (grimoire of spells). By making a pact with a familiar, he can summon it without spending a spell slot. In dialogue, the sorcerer is more formidable than the sorcerer, and in combat he has more powerful skills than the wizard, but at the same time less of them.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Unique gifts of the pact and interesting power-ups.	A limited number of spells and slots for them, which results in monotonous gameplay.
Restores spells during a short rest.	Dependence on Otherworldly Discharge after spending spell slots, which can be boring.
Due to charisma, he can be the leader of the team.	A magician who fights at a short distance.

Subclasses

Beast

The sorcerer Bestia has a ive ability to gain temporary HP when killing enemies. From level 6, it can add a bonus when checking characteristics, and from level 10 it becomes resistant to the selected type of damage.

Great Ancient

The sorcerer Great Ancient is aimed at spells with control. Enemies that take a critical hit have a chance to gain a fright debuff. From level 6, the enemy can receive interference when attacking a sorcerer, and from level 10, the magician is resistant to psychic damage and reflects part of it.

archithea

Archfey Sorcerer has an action with a chance to charm or frighten enemies. With an increase in the level, he can become invisible, and at level 10 he is immune to charm.

Wizard

Class Features: DPS caster with a huge amount of knowledge.

• Rating: A+
• Saving Throws: Intelligence (primary), wisdom.
• Skills: Magic, Insight, History, Investigation, Religion, Medicine (2 out of 6).
• Armor: none.
• Weapons: dagger, combat staff and light crossbow.
• Recommended Race: Elf, Half Elf, Dwarf, Halfling, Tiefling, Human, Drow.
• Companion: Gale.

The wizard has a ton of spells and a lot of development options, but he is very thin - of all classes, he has the highest probability on a death roll and the least HP growth. Depending on the pumping, it can serve as both a and a source of damage, however, if not careful, its power can be dangerous for allies. The wizard can learn new spells from scrolls for a gold fee.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Greater adaptability due to the highest spell variability.	Despite the huge number of spells, they need to be prepared before the battle, moving to the in advance, since the slots are limited.
Good crowd control.	Due to the importance of positioning and spell combinations, it can be difficult to master in combat and requires experience.
Spells expire slowly in combat due to the high number of slots.	The only magician without charisma, bad in dialogues.
Has a lot of damage.	The most fragile class.

Subclasses

obstruction

Hurdle Wizard specializes in a magical ward that protects the team and blocks incoming damage, both personal and allied.

evocation

The Wizard of Evocation has the highest area of ​​effect damage, but Spell Sculpting may not hit allies, creating safe areas for them. If the enemy checks successfully, the spell will still work for half its power, and the mage will also buff allies' saving throws.

Necromancy

The wizard of necromancy manipulates the energy of living organisms, restoring health from slain enemies, raising corpses, and gaining resistance to necrotic energy.

Embodiment

The avatar wizard creates objects, matter, and creatures. At no cost, a spell slot can cause rain, teleport to a point, or swap places with an ally. When pumping does not lose concentration.

Charm

The Charm Wizard hypnotizes creatures and redirects the enemy's attack to the nearest target. Instead of charming one target, the mage can subject two enemies to this effect at once.

Divination

The wizard of divination sees through time and space: he has heightened perception, is able to replace roll values ​​with an omen, see in the dark, and reveal the location of invisible creatures.

Illusion

The wizard of illusion uses a bonus action to create realistic decoys to distract, copy, or protect. He can detect invisible creatures, and at a later level, such a magician can put an illusion between him and the enemy.

Transformation

The Transformation Wizard changes the structure of substances from one to another, creates a unique stone with various buffs, and at later levels can turn into a blue jay capable of flight. When crafting alchemical extracts when ing a medicine check, instead of one potion, creates two.

Monk

Class features: mobile melee fighter.

• Rating: A
• Saving Throws: Dexterity (basic), Wisdom.
• Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, History, Insight, Religion, Stealth (2 out of 6).
• Armor: none.
• Weapons: simple and short swords.
• Recommended Race: Elf, Half-elf, Gnome, Dwarf, Dragonborn, Githyanki, Half-Orc, Tiefling, Human.
• Companion: none.

A monk is a master of battle who has achieved inner harmony and manipulates chi energy. He uses melee strikes, is able to perform many strikes in one move, has jerks and jumps in his arsenal. Its bonus attack is based on Strength or Agility (if higher), and its Armor is based on Agility and Wisdom.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Consistent damage and good survivability.	Weak in ranged combat and has less damage than the same warrior, barbarian or sorcerer,
Speed ​​and mobility.	Qi energy has a limited supply and needs to be restored.
Explosive in the mid and late stages of the game.

Subclasses

The path of the open hand

A Monk of the Path of the Open Hand relies only on close combat, chain reactions, and “puts” chi marks on enemies. He is also capable of delivering a flurry of blows, knocking opponents down or pushing them away. At the sixth level, it becomes more profitable for him to fight with his fists, since the ability to deal necrotic, radiant and psychic damage with melee attacks appears.

shadow path

A monk of the Way of the Shadow is stealthy and cunning, often making it difficult to spot himself and slipping past opponents. The ninja has a shadow step, a bonus action for teleporting out of the dusk, followed by an attack with advantage on the roll. At 11th level, a stealth action can teleport to an enemy and attack them with psychic damage.

Path of the Four Elements

The monk of the Path of the Four Elements has interesting spells that are unique and borrowed from other schools. The elements for him are an extension of the body, but using elemental skills in close combat can be problematic. Out of combat, he restores some of his chi points, and from level 9, some of his spells receive special buffs.

Tier list of Baldur's Gate 3 classes: who is the best and most powerful

It is impossible to unequivocally name the strongest BD3 class, since this is influenced by the choice of subclass, individual pumping and team composition. In addition, the class system in the game is quite balanced. With a bad build and a specific subclass, an S-rank archetype can perform worse than a well-built B-rank one. For a general understanding, here is a tier list based on the uniqueness, usefulness of the character in and out of combat, class flexibility and comparison with analogues.

Each subclass in Baldur's Gate 3 is strong and has strengths. The tier list is considered specifically from the point of view of how good the class is in different aspects: beneficial in ing content, original and versatile in gameplay, beneficial in and out of combat.

• S - universal archetypes that will definitely suit any squad and are able to perform well in several roles. Priest с paladin especially strong both in a certain period of the game and outside of it, good for multiclasses. Both classes will deal damage, can tank and heal. sorcerer can be called the most profitable, balanced and exciting of magicians. Bard offers a highly original gaming experience that is incomparable to anything else, can be both and damage. Martial Artist и barbarian roughly the same both in of subclasses and mechanics, stable in damage and will become a strong part of the team.

• A - The following classes have great potential, but require more effort to maximize power. The listed archetypes still have unique differences, but they will not be more powerful than the alternatives or may seem specific. Wizard extremely versatile with subclasses, but bad at conversations and basically only deals damage. Witch close to melee and limited in spells. Monk in BG3 it is more elaborate and more powerful than in DnD, however, it still cannot be compared in strength with the classes from the shooting gallery above and is not suitable for everyone.

• B - these classes cannot be called weak, but some have notable flaws, may be more boring than analogues or not arouse interest. Dodger will be on many teams, since no one can handle a hack and a quick kill better than him, but along with pathfinder it is much more beneficial when used for multiclass. Druid more suitable for amateurs despite unique mechanics and could be stronger, which is also corrected by a combination of archetypes.

What class to play in Baldur's Gate 3

When asked what is the best Baldur's Gate 3 class, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Choose the character that you like best and with whom you would like to be in the world of the Forgotten Realms. At least in the first playthrough to get the maximum amount of impressions. In the game BG3, not only the strength of the hero is important, but also his interaction with the outside world and creatures.

The paladin and the warrior will become universal among the physical type and melee. The destructive magic classes are the sorcerer and wizard. Bard in Baldurs Gate 3 is revealed much more interesting than in other games, therefore it will be an excellent option for first playthrough. A Priest will come in handy, and if you like following in the shadows, getting single target kills, and picking locks, pick a rogue.

What class to choose for a beginner in Baldur's Gate 3

The best class for a beginner in Baldurs Gate 3 is warrior due to its undemanding nature and the ability to choose any weapon and armor. Also suitable barbarian in berserk using rage. Close and physical combat will require less knowledge of positioning and mechanics.

Pathfinder does not have strong problems with survivability, suitable for lovers of ranged combat and summoning animals. Priest life domain can be pumped into a good healer or tank to the group.

If none of the above classes fits, then rogue is the traditional archetype of the assassin and rogue in many games. Magic classes are not recommended for beginners, but among the three it is wizard closest to standards.

Multiclasses in Baldur's Gate 3: the best combinations

Multiclass in BG3 is a combination of 2 or more archetypes in one hero. It is most advantageous to combine classes with the same main ability, for example, combine charismatic archetypes: paladin, bard, sorcerer, sorcerer. Level of for each class is calculated separately and does not equal the general lvl of the character, which is why it is usually advantageous to combine only two archetypes with each other. The maximum character level in Baldur's Gate is 12, but the classes have:

• at level 2-3 there may be a choice subclass;
• at levels 4 and 8 it is possible to add traits;
• at level 5, there is often a peak in strength in the form of additional attacks or spells 3rd round;
• appears at high levels of some archetypes especially strong skill, because of which it is more profitable not to mix a class with another.

When compiling a multiclass, you will have to sacrifice something, and therefore, for a competent decision, it is important to understand different archetypes. For example, classes that add bonus skills at low levels, such as rogue, ranger, bard, will be useful for mixing. A lvl 1 wizard will allow you to learn any spells from scrolls, but in such cases, do not forget that each magic skill is modified from a certain characteristic.

If you want to teach a character to wear heavy armor and add a second paladin class to him, then first check whether this skill will be added when mixing archetypes. When folding magical archetypes, it is important to know that the number of spell slots will not be more, but, on the contrary, may become less. The usual additional attacks from physical fighters received at 5 levels also do not stack.

Due to the peculiarities of leveling a character, it is usually beneficial to combine 3 + 3 levels of two archetypes or learn the second only after 4/5/6 lvl after acquiring an important ability. Basically order like this: first class up 5 level and only after that add another archetype. Here are some strong and interesting options for multiclassing in BG3:

• Paladin (oath of retribution) and witch (pact of the blade). Using sorcerer spell slots activates divine punishment, which makes the combination of these archetypes, especially subclasses, quite powerful.
• Wizard (Archifeya) and witch (book contract). Thanks to metamagic, such a character is able to use an otherworldly discharge several times per battle and turn into a kind of magic cannon. A pure sorcerer will still deal more burst damage, but in a multiclass with a sorcerer, he will be more focused on protracted fights.
• Bard (College of Courage/Swords) and rogue (mystical trickster/thief). A large number of skill skills with a high modifier on saving throws.
• Bard (any) and wizard (prophecy). Add 2 divination wizard levels to a bard to use his dice-reroll omens and learn spells from scrolls. If you need intelligence for wizard skills, you can get a special headdress for +17 intelligence by killing ogres in the Extinct Village.
• Bard (valor) and paladin (any). Powerful buffs for allies combined with medium/heavy armor, shield, personal damage from physical weapons and paladin auras. The only downside is the late expansion of the multiclass.
• Bard (any) and wizard (necromancy). A fun build that doesn't require you to go above 10 intellect, since the power of the undead is independent of the ability score.
• Dodger (assassin) and tracker (Alley Hunter) Huge advantage on the first turn with high critical damage, initiative, invisibility mechanics and vision in the dark.
• Barbarian (totem warrior, bear) and Druid (circle of the moon). Easy assembly into a durable tank with damage and resistance to it. Especially good with the two-handed weapon master trait.
• Barbarian (berserk) and warrior (champion). A powerful fury melee build that combines the best features of the two classes.
• Martial Artist (otherworldly knight) and wizard (storm spell). A melee fighter with high enemy control. Get 4 lvl warrior, 6 sorcerer and you can add 2 lvl storm domain priest to fully master the power of storms and hurricanes.
• Monk (shadow path) and rogue (assassin). Monk's dexterity complements the rogue's high crits perfectly. You can finish off a couple of levels of the ranger or replace the rogue with it for the sake of the hunter's mark and focus on shooting.

In a separate guide, the main aspects were described in detail. multiclasses in BG3 and presented the best builds.

Is it possible to change character class

Upon reaching a certain plot point, it becomes possible change character class in Baldur's Gate 3. Moreover, this applies not only to the original and main character, but also to companions, including their subclasses (according to the latest information, in this case, their tags will disappear in the dialogues, and this may also affect the tasks of companions). To change the class, find the Withered in the camp, for gold you can change the class of the hero and reconfigure him. In a separate guide, they showed and told in detail how to change class and reset skills.

We hope that our guide helped you decide on the choice of class in Baldur's Gate 3. If you have any questions, then ask them in comments - The author of the article will try to help. Share your opinion about the classes and who you started playing for. In the relevant section of our website you can also find other game guides.