Baldur’s Gate 3 has had a monumental welcome to the world of RPGs. But one of the most complicated parts of the game is the BG3 classes. Committing to a 100-hour playthrough isn’t exactly ideal if you start out with the wrong build from the offset!
You’ll need to find the best way to fit your own playstyle and build your party. But finding the best Baldur’s Gate 3 class for you isn’t as easy as it looks, which is why we’ve put together the ultimate guide!
Source: Larian Studios
All Baldur’s Gate 3 Classes
All of the BG3 classes have their ups and downs. The game is extremely well-balanced, so you can complete a playthrough with any of the Baldur’s Gate 3 classes as long as you build correctly. Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about every class in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Barbarian
Credit: Daniel Morris
- Subclasses: Berserker, Wildheart, and Wild Magic
- Proficiencies: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, Light Armor, Medium Armor, and Shields
- Primary Attributes: Strength and Constitution
- Special Abilities: Rage and Unarmored Defense
Barbarians are perfect on the list of Baldur’s Gate 3 classes for those who love getting up close and personal with their opponents. They’re the definitive BG3 melee class and can withstand a lot of damage.
If you bring Karlach into your party, she begins as a Barbarian. If you’re looking for a solid melee soldier, then the Barbarian might just be the best Baldur’s Gate 3 class for you.
Bard
Credit: Daniel Morris
- Subclasses: College of Lore, College of Valor, and College of Swords
- Proficiencies: Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, Shortswords, and Light Armor
- Primary Attributes: Charisma and Dexterity
- Special Abilities: Bardic Inspiration
If you want to know what classes are in Baldur’s Gate 3 for those wanting to speedrun charisma, Bard is the way to go. These performance and music specialists are charming and seductive and perfect for players who like to stand at the back of a fight and cast spells to support their team.
Sometimes, being a Bard can be the best way to avoid a fight altogether. Their high Charisma means they can often talk their way out of many precarious situations, making it one of the most useful BG3 classes. It’s perfect for those who want to explore what Baldur’s Gate 3 offers outside of combat.
Cleric
Credit: Daniel Morris
- Subclasses: Life Domain, Light Domain, Trickery Domain, Knowledge Domain, Nature Domain, Tempest Domain, and War Domain
- Proficiencies: Simple Weapons, Morningstars, Light Armor, Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, and Shields
- Primary Attributes: Wisdom
- Special Abilities: Domain Spells that are Always Prepared
Clerics are the best among the healers in the list of Baldur’s Gate 3 classes. They use their faith and divine magic to cast powerful spells and guide their allies. They are versatile and can be skilled for fans of magic and melee fighting styles.
Frankly, of all the BG3 classes, Clerics are the most comically overpowered when built correctly. Bring Shadowheart along for the journey and you’ve already got the perfect Cleric. Even if just for Guidance alone, it’s worth having one on your adventure.
Druid
Credit: Daniel Morris
- Subclasses: Circle of the Moon, Circle of the Land, and Circle of Spores
- Proficiencies: Clubs, Daggers, Javelins, Maces, Quarterstaffs, Scimitars, Sickles, Spears, Light Armor, Medium Armor, and Shields
- Primary Attributes: Wisdom
- Special Abilities: Wild Shape
Druids use their knowledge of nature to turn it into a powerful magical weapon. They have a close bond with the plants and animals in their world. This class is perfect for versatile players who love a combination of magic and fighting ability.
For a true Druid companion, bring Halsin or Jaheira along for the ride. You won’t meet both immediately, but they’re the best this BG3 class has to offer. Wild Shape is quite overpowered, essentially giving you a second set of HP to drain during combat. We love the versatility of Druids, and think they could be one of the best Baldur’s Gate 3 classes overall.
Fighter
Credit: Daniel Morris
- Subclasses: Battlemaster, Eldritch Knight, and Champion
- Proficiencies: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, Light Armor, Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, and Shields
- Primary Attributes: Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution
- Special Abilities: Action Surge and Second Wind
As the name suggests, Fighters are the ultimate… well… fighters. They are a fantastic tank class who like to stand at the front of the fight and deal huge damage in multiple attacks. This is the perfect Baldur’s Gate 3 class for beginners, as there’s not much more than weapons to contend with.
Your Githyanki companion Lae’zel is great if you want to add a Fighter to your team. Action Surge is easily one of the most broken abilities in the game, allowing you to slaughter hordes of enemies in a single turn. A slightly boring choice among the other BG3 classes perhaps, but it gets the job done.
Monk
Credit: Daniel Morris
- Subclasses: Way of the Open Hand, Way of Shadow, and Way of the Four Elements
- Proficiencies: Simple Weapons and Shortswords
- Primary Attributes: Constitution, Dexterity, and Wisdom
- Special Abilities: Flurry of Blows, Unarmoured Defence, and Ki Points
Monks use an odd combination of martial and magic techniques to fight. They’re one of the more uncommon Baldur’s Gate 3 classes and not really suitable for beginners. If you’re comfortable with spending your Ki Points and want to deal massive martial damage, this is the class for you.
As you move into the late-game with a Monk, if you build correctly, it becomes one of the most powerful BG3 classes. There’s something so innately satisfying about dealing enormous damage with nothing but your fists of fury, and none of the other Baldur’s Gate 3 classes can provide that.
Paladin
Credit: Daniel Morris
- Subclasses: Oath of Devotion, Oath of the Ancients, Oath of Vengeance, Oathbreaker
- Proficiencies: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, Light Armor, Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, and Shields
- Primary Attributes: Strength, Charisma, and Constitution
- Special Abilities: Channel Oath, Divine Sense, and Lay on Hands
A classic, and for a reason. Paladins use the ultimate combination of magic and weaponry to be the most formidable class in the fight. If you can’t decide between fighting styles, Paladins are all-rounders. They’re casters, fighters, and healers rolled into one.
Minthara is a Paladin, but you’ll have to make some tough choices in Act 1 to get her on your side. The Oath restrictions offer some interesting roleplay potential for Paladins, too.
Ranger
Credit: Daniel Morris
- Subclasses: Beastmaster, Gloom Stalker, and Hunter
- Proficiencies: Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, Light Armor, Medium Armor, and Shields
- Primary Attributes: Constitution, Dexterity, and Wisdom
- Special Abilities: Favoured Enemy and Natural Explorer
Rangers are truly at one with their environments. They’re a great all-rounder class and simple enough for a beginner to get to grips with. You’ll be able to control a variety of animals if you take the Beastmaster subclass, giving a great advantage to your gameplay.
Because the Ranger is designed with beginners in mind, you won’t always deal damage with this BG3 class. Still, you can make it a powerful playthrough if you take a sneaky approach.
Rogue
Credit: Daniel Morris
- Subclasses: Arcane Trickster, Assassin, and Thief
- Proficiencies: Simple Weapons, Hand Crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, Shortswords, and Light Armor
- Primary Attributes: Dexterity
- Special Abilities: Expertise, Sneak Attack (Melee), and Sneak Attack (Ranged)
Sneaky Rogues exist in the shadows of battle. While capable of dealing some pretty massive damage, you’ll need to understand mechanics like the flanking rule to get it. Rogues are perfect for unlocking all those chests throughout the game too.
If you want a Rogue without making one of your own, bring Astarion along to your party. He’s one of the best companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, and being a Rogue gives him a sneaky edge in combat. Focus on Dexterity for big boosts to Sleight of Hand checks with a Rogue.
Sorcerer
Credit: Daniel Morris
- Subclasses: Draconic Bloodline, Wild Magic Bloodline, and Storm Sorcery Bloodline
- Proficiencies: Daggers, Quarterstaffs, and Light Crossbows
- Primary Attributes: Charisma
- Special Abilities: Sorcery Points
The difference between Sorcerers and Wizards is simple. Whereas a Wizard learns magic from books, a Sorcerer’s is innate. They’re the definition of a glass cannon, phenomenal cosmic power, itty-bitty HP pool.
If you’ve got a team of tanks to defend you, Sorcerer can be absolutely broken compared to other BG3 classes. If you like variety in your spellbook, the Sorcerer is the way to go, with enormous damage output to boot. Probably not for beginners, but a ton of fun if you can make it work.
Warlock
Credit: Daniel Morris
- Subclasses: The Fiend, The Great Old One, and The Archfey
- Proficiencies: Simple Weapons and Light Armor
- Primary Attributes: Charisma
- Special Abilities: Warlock Spells
Warlocks aren’t quite their own people. They gain their power from a pact made with a patron. That power often comes with a price though, which certainly makes for some interesting gameplay and interactions in the game (no spoilers!).
Companion Wyll is a great Warlock. He’s not the most popular companion in the game, but Eldritch Blast alone can justify him a slot in your party.
Wizard
Credit: Daniel Morris
- Subclasses: School of Abjuration, School of Conjuration, School of Divination, School of Enchantment, School of Evocation, School of Illusion, School of Necromancy, School of Transmutation
- Proficiencies: Daggers, Quarterstaffs, and Light Crossbows
- Primary Attributes: Intelligence
- Special Abilities: Arcane Recovery
Wizards are the most diverse and interesting casters in the game. You’ll really need to spend some time reading spells (if you’re not familiar already!) to get the right balance. Wizards are perfect for creative players who aren’t the focus in battle.
If you want to see a Wizard in action, Gale is a great option, provided you can find him some magic items in the early game. Beware, though. Wizards have no armour proficiency, so you’ll likely take a bunch of damage compared to other Baldur’s Gate 3 classes.
Will BG3 add more subclasses?
Credit: Larian Studios
After you’ve completed a few playthroughs of the game, you may be left wondering, will BG3 add more subclasses? Well, the unfortunate answer to that question is no. Larian Studios has confirmed that it won’t be releasing any DLC for Baldur’s Gate 3, leaving the possibility of adding more subclasses extremely unlikely.
Luckily, that doesn’t mean you can’t add more subclasses via other means. The modding community for Baldur’s Gate 3 is extremely active, and there are already plenty of mods you can download that add more BG3 classes and subclasses. So while no official Baldur’s Gate 3 subclasses will be added, the community has your back on this one.
What BG3 class am I?
Credit: Daniel Morris
If you’re new to the game and haven’t paid too much attention, you may ask yourself, what BG3 class am I? The good news is that it’s extremely easy to find! Simply open your inventory, and your Baldur’s Gate 3 class will be on the left side of the screen, as seen in the image above.
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