Baldur’s Gate 3 has had a monumental welcome to the world of RPGs. But one of the most complicated parts of the game are the Baldur’s Gate 3 classes. Committing to a 100-hour playthrough isn’t exactly ideal if you start out with the wrong build.

You’ll need to find the best way to fit your own playstyle and build your party. But finding out the Baldur’s Gate 3 best class for you isn’t as easy as it looks, which is why we’ve put together the ultimate guide.

Source: Larian Studios

Baldur’s Gate 3 All Subclasses

There’s even more to think about than just choosing one of the 12 classes too. Every class in the game has at least 3 subclasses to choose from that will define the skills and fighting style your character has.The subclasses are important because they’ll really define your character. Whether your Rogue can cast spells or whether your Paladin keeps their Oath can make a huge difference to your playthrough.

Barbarian

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 BG melee class and can withstand a lot of damage.

Barbarian Features

Primary ability
Strength

Saving throw proficiency
Strength and constitution

Weapon proficiences
Simple weapons, martial weapons, light armor, medium armor, shields

Special features
Rage and Unarmored Defense

Subclasses
Berserker, Wildheart and Wild Magic

Tips

Companion Karlach is a Barbarian but you’ll have to wait a while to recruit her
Reckless attack will give you advantage (a better chance to hit) on your next attack
Put your skill proficiencies into strength and constitution based skills

Source: Larian Studios

Bard

If you want to know what classes are in Baldur’s Gate 3 for those wanting to speed run 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.

Bard Features

Barbarian Primary ability
Charisma

Saving throw proficiency
Dexterity and charisma

Weapon proficiences
Simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords and light armor

Special features
Bardic Inspiration

Subclasses
College of Lore, College of Valor and College of Swords

Tips

Use Vicious Mockery like it’s going out of fashion
Make use of healing spells
Use your Bard to ensure successful interactions with their high charisma

Cleric

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.

Cleric Features

Barbarian Primary ability
Wisdom

Saving throw proficiency
Wisdom and charisma

Weapon proficiences
Simple weapons, light armor, medium armor and shields.

Special features
Domain spells that are always prepared

Subclasses
Life, light, trickery, knowledge, nature, tempest and war domains

Tips

Companion Shadowheart is a trickery domain cleric. You can recruit her from the beach you initially land on
Take the Guidance spell to give buffs to your cutscene rolls
Choose a domain that reflects what role you need the cleric to fill. Light domain clerics are amazing healers whereas War domains are better fighters

Source: Larian Studios

Druid

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.

Druid Features

Primary ability
Wisdom

Saving throw proficiency
Intelligence and wisdom

Weapon proficiences
Simple weapons, light armor, medium armor and shields

Special features
Wildshape

Subclasses
Circle of the Moon, Circle of the Land, Circle of Spores

Tips

Companions Halsin and Jaheira are Druids but you’ll be several hours into the game before you can recruit him
Take Circle of the Moon to get the bear wildshape for early damage
You can’t cast spells while in wildshape but can control existing spells like Moonbeam

Source: Larian Studios

Fighter

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 class for beginners, there’s not much more than weapons to contend with.

Fighter Features

Primary ability
Strength

Saving throw proficiency
Strength and constitution

Weapon proficiences
Simple weapons, martial weapons, light armor, medium armor, heavy armor and shields

Special features
Second wind and fighting styles

Subclasses
Battlemaster, Eldritch Knight and Champion

Tips

Githyanki companion Lae’Zel, Minsc and Jaheira are Fighters. If you want them in your party, you may want a different class for your PC
Use Action Surge once per short rest to deal 4 attacks in 1 turn
Customize your fighting style with the special features

Source: Larian Studios

Monk

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 deal massive martial damage though, this is the class for you.

Monk Features

Primary ability
Dexterity and wisdom

Saving throw proficiency
Strength and dexterity

Weapon proficiences
Simple weapons and shortswords

Special features
Flurry of Blows, Ki points and unarmored defense

Subclasses
Way of the Open Hand, Way of Shadows and Way of the Four Elements

Tips

Focus your build into dexterity to maximize your damage
Keep track of your Ki points, but remember to use them as well! 
Monks don’t have armor proficiency

Paladin

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.

Paladin Features

Barbarian Primary ability
Strength

Saving throw proficiency
Wisdom and charisma

Weapon proficiences
Simple weapons, martial weapons and all armor and shields

Special features
Channel oath, Lay on Hands and Divine Sense

Subclasses
Oath of Devotion, Oath of the Ancients, Oath of Vengeance, Oathbreaker

Tips

Companion Minthara is a Paladin. You can recruit her in the Goblin Camp in Act 1.
After level 5, Paladins get 2 attacks but can only cast 1 spell per action
Be careful not to act against your oath, unless of course you’re an Oathbreaker

Source: Larian Studios

Ranger

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.

Ranger Features

Primary ability
Dexterity

Saving throw proficiency
Strength and dexterity

Weapon proficiences
Simple weapons, martial weapons, shields, light armor and medium armor

Special features
Favored enemy and natural explorer

Subclasses
Beastmaster, Hunter and Gloom Stalker

Tips

The Beastmaster subclass allows you to summon animals
The natural explorer feature makes traversing the environment much easier
Rangers make excellent ranged weapon attackers and lack the HP to tank

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Rogue

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.

Rogue Features

Primary ability
Dexterity

Saving throw proficiency
Dexterity and intelligence

Weapon proficiences
Simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords and light armor

Special features
Sneak attack (ranged and melee)

Subclasses
Arcane Trickster, Thief and Assassin

Tips

Companion Astarion is a Rogue, you’ll get to choose his subclass
Use sneak attacks against surprised and flanked enemies for huge damage
Gear your build towards dexterity, those Sleight of Hand checks will really come in..handy

Source: Larian Studios

Sorcerer

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.

Sorcerer Features

Primary ability

Charisma

Saving throw proficiency
Charisma and constitution

Weapon proficiences
Daggers, quarterstaves and light crossbows

Special features
Sorcery Points

Subclasses
Draconic Bloodline, Wild Magic and Storm Sorcery

Tips

You can convert your sorcery points into more spell slots
Many spells will rely on a spell save DC instead of rolling to hit
Use a balance of damage and utility spells

Warlock

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!).

Warlock Features

Primary ability
Charisma

Saving throw proficiency
Wisdom and charisma

Weapon proficiences
Simple weapons and light armor

Special features
Eldritch Blast

Subclasses
The Fiend, The Great Old One and the Archfey

Tips

Companion Wyll is a Warlock – you can meet him and his patron on a journey that starts in the Emerald Grove
Eldritch Blast is one of the most broken spells. Use it often!
Choose The Fiend as your pact master for the most versatile build

Source: Larian Studios

Wizard

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.

Wizard Features

Primary ability
Intelligence

Saving throw proficiency
Intelligence and wisdom

Weapon proficiences
Daggers, darts, slings, quarterstaves and light crossbows

Special features
Arcane recovery

Subclasses
Schools of abjuration, conjuration, divination, enchantment, necromancy, illusion and transmutation

Tips

Companion Gale is a powerful wizard worth having in your party, if you can give him enough magic items
Be careful of area of effect (AOE) spells that can hit your allies
Wizards don’t have armor proficiency, you’ll need to be creative to boost your AC!                                                      

Source: Larian Studios