Baldur’s Gate 3 Classes and Subclasses (Explained)

Starting out your Baldur’s Gate 3 journey and want to learn about all the classes in the game? Well, we are here to help. I mean, you are going to play this RPG game based in the Dungeons & Dragons world for years to come, so picking the right class is essential to your in-game experience. That said, we played the early access for Baldur’s Gate 3 and compiled this guide listing all the classes and subclasses, which are based on DnD’s rules.

As of writing this article, Baldur’s Gate 3 early access features almost every planned class for the game. Each of these classes will determine how your character behaves and what skills they will have. Currently, Baldur’s Gate has 11 classes and numerous sub-classes, each offering a different playstyle. That said, let’s look at all the available classes and subclasses.

Barbarian

Barbarians are one of the oldest classes in DnD, and as an extension, they return for Baldur’s Gate 3. These classes are proficient in brute strength and constitution. Their go-to equipments are a simple weapon, martial weapon, light armor, medium armor, and a shield. We would also like to point out that Barbarians in Baldur’s Gate 3 have high hit points, so they can attack opponents efficiently.

For people who prefer going up in the face of their enemies, Barbarian is the best go-to character class in the game. Barbarian comes with three subclasses:

• Wildheart: This subclass enables Barbarians to take inspiration from the nature and beasts around them. This allows them to style themselves after an animal, granting them additional abilities based on the chosen one. Furthermore, you will be able to talk with animals. And let’s be honest, I like my DnD characters having the option to converse with animals.
• Berserker: The Berserker subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 favors players who opt for an aggressive playstyle. It places extra emphasis on Barbarians channeling their rage in combat.
• Wild Magic: Currently no information is available. Will update.

Druid

A personal favorite of mine, warriors of the Druid class in Baldur’s Gate 3 are closer to nature compared to other characters. Not only that, Druids use elemental magic at their disposal to fend against their enemies. Additionally, you can also transform into an animal, preferably a werebear, at any time. Druids are proficient in Wisdom and Intelligence.

Druid comes with three subclasses:

• Circle of the Land: This subclass helps Druid become specialized in spell casting. As players keep leveling up, they will gain access to a bouquet of spells for usage in various situations.
• Circle of the Moon: Druids belonging to this subclass aren’t adept at spellcasting, but are proficient in animal transformation. This is perfect for players that want to enjoy playing as an animal.
• Circle of the Spores: Currently no information is available. Will update.

Fighter

The Fighter class in Baldur’s Gate 3 refers to traditional warriors in any fantasy RPG setting. They utilize their knowledge of martial arts to assist their allies and subdue their opponents. It’s one of the classes that is proficient in strength and constitution and prefer using simple weapons, martial weapons, and every type of armor and shield. The Fighter class has three subclasses in the game:

• The Eldritch Knight: In addition to their expertise in martial arts during encounters, the Eldritch Knights also possess the unique ability to harness arcane powers, further enhancing their combat skills. Those using this class are bestowed with extraordinary spells employed by the Wizards, relying on their intelligence for their spellcasting proficiency. Their blend of martial prowess and arcane mastery sets the Eldritch Knights apart, making them formidable adversaries in any battle.
• Battle Master: While Eldritch Knights utilize arcane magic along with martial arts, Battle Master relies on pure, unadulterated martial arts skills to valiantly support their allies on the battlefield and become a menace for the enemies.
• Champion: Currently no information is available. Will update.

Ranger

Rangers are your standard mixed attribute class in Baldur’s Gate 3, where a player can prefer close or ranged combat. This class uses both magic and weapons and while the popular bow ranger build is one which players often opt for, you can experiment modestly with a ranger. Rangers prefer simple weapons and light and medium armor and are adept in Strength and Dexterity. Rangers have the following sub-classes in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Beast Master: As the name tells, classes opting for this particular subclass are closer to their beast compatriots. They can summon an animal to assist them in combat and exploration. Thanks to the summon companion ability, you can call forth the assistance of a bear, a boar, and other stronger animals.
• Hunter: If you are someone who wishes to deal high damage to the enemies no matter the result, Hunter is the perfect subclass for you. Depending on what subclass ability you pick, you can riposte incoming attacks, deal additional damage, or even simultaneously attack two enemies. Hunter is all about being efficient in fighting your enemies.
• Gloom Stalker: Currently no information is available. Will update.

Rogue

Rogue is another of my favorite classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 and RPG games, in general. I even ran the best Rogue builds in Diablo 4. Rogues can efficiently sneak around, preferring stealth over frontal attacks. Furthermore, Rogues are adept in the art of deception, so whether you want to pickpocket someone effortlessly, or just use shadows to your advantage, players of this class can do that.

This class prefers simple weapons, crossbows, long and short words, and light armor. Rogues are proficient in Dexterity and Intelligence as well and support the following subclasses:

• Arcane Trickster: This subclass has some skills akin to spellcasting that assist with stealth. You can do this by damaging enemies exponentially when they least expect or by supporting the teammates with buffs. You also can summon a magic hand that allows you to manipulate objects from a distance. That alone makes this a great sub-class.
• Thief: Thief is the simplest subclass in the game, and those playing it gain nifty bonuses such as an additional action each turn and fall damage resistance. These two things can change the gameplay in the blink of an eye.
• Assassin: Currently no information is available. Will update.

Sorcerer

Sorcerers in Baldur’s Gate 3 are charismatic magic casters that can channel their magical abilities to assist their teammates in various encounters or annihilate enemies. With Baldur’s Gate 3 including a variety of spells, sorcerer is one of the most versatile class. Characters belonging to this particular class are proficient in dexterity, charisma, and constitution.

Additionally, sorcerers class prefer using daggers, quarterstaffs, and light crossbows. Players can choose between the following subclass:

• Wild Magic: Do you enjoy chaos and creating the same? the Wild Magic subclass deals with that. Whenever you cast a spell, there is a chance that your magic will surge and produce random effects. Sometimes, these can benefit you during the encounters. Other times, this will work against you. If you enjoy absolute uncertainties during your gameplay, this sub-class is perfect for that.
• Draconian Bloodline: In the lore, some sorcerers have dragon ancestry, giving them resistance and special abilities. This depends on your dragon ancestors and provides you with a passive skill called Draconic Resilience. This ability increases your hitpoints by one point per level and provides a +13 dexterity buff to the armor class.
• Wild Magic: Currently no information is available. Will update.

Bard

While it is not common to find classes where you take on the role of a performer, you have the opportunity to fulfill that fantasy by selecting the Bard class in Baldur’s Gate 3. Bard players are spellcasters who use their voices and performances to motivate their companions to excel in various situations. Bards excel in agility and charm. They typically rely on straightforward weaponry such as simple weapons, hand crossbows, rapiers, and light armor. Bards are divided into the following subclasses:

• College of Lore: This sub-class places higher importance on spell casting. Furthermore, you employ the singing prowess of the Bard to debuff the enemies.
• College of Valour: If you choose this subclass, the bard becomes efficient in martial activities. They become proficient with weapons and can tank attacks accordingly.
• College of Sword: Currently no information is available. Will update.

Warlock

Warlocks are the lightest among every other class in Baldur’s Gate 3. The reason for that is they make a pact with a powerful entity in exchange of magical powers. As such, they gravitate towards casting magic during enemy encounters. Warlocks are proficient in Charisma and Wisdom and prefer simple weapons and light armor for their arsenal. Warlocks have the following subclasses:

• The Fiend: Fiend Warlock trades their souls with malevolent entities, like demons. This gives them access to sinister destructive powers.
• The Great One: Warlocks belonging to this subclass attain their power from higher Eldritch beings. They specialize in magic that allows the manipulation of minds, through enchantment or confusion. This is the closest players can get to becoming a mad Cthulu-worshipping character.
• Archfey: Currently no information is available. Will update.

Paladin

In the melee-based class, Paladins focus on wielding weapons against their foes in Baldur’s Gate 3. But, they are not exclusively restricted to them, as they gain various forms of magic with each level. They’re proficient in wisdom and charisma and prefer using simple weapons, martial weapons, and light, medium, and heavy armor. The following subclasses are available:

• Oath of the Ancients: Paladins belonging to this subclass have a deeper connection with the real world. As such, they can heal their allies using nature, provide buffs to them, and more through the oath spells and abilities.
• Oath of Devotion: Paladins from this subclass focus on the defensive abilities of themselves and their allies. They come with various protection-based abilities.
• Oathbreakers: This subclass is unlocked when a player performs an action that breaks their oath. Oathbreakers can control undead enemies, and use necro-based abilities to reach their end goals.
• Oath of Vengeance: Currently no information is available. Will update.

Cleric

Pivoting towards blessings and religion, the Cleric class in Baldur’s Gate 3 utilizes their faith in religion to become a formidable opponent on the battlefield. They are proficient in wisdom and charisma and prefer using simple weapons, light and medium armor, and shields. If you plan on choosing cleric, here are its subclasses:

• Life Domain: These clerics are great at healing magic, becoming a great support character. They can also give support boons to the party, such as extra hit points, etc.
• Light Domain: These clerics are great at destroying the undead and clearing darkness, of any form. Naturally, each spell focuses on these tasks.
• Trickery Domain: Trickery Domain Clerics worship mischievous deities, and are bestowed with combat abilities reflecting the same. On top of this, these clerics are great at stealth and illusion magic.
• War Domain: Currently no information is available. Will update.
• Knowledge Domain: Currently no information is available. Will update.
• Nature Domain: Currently no information is available. Will update.
• Tempest Domain: Currently no information is available. Will update.

Wizard

Finally, Wizards know arcane skills and can cast numerous spells to disarm and destroy enemies or assist teammates. They are proficient in intelligence and wisdom and prefer using daggers, quarterstaffs, and light crossbows. Wizards in Baldur’s Gate 3 do not like using any form of armor and have the following subclasses:

• Evocation: Wizards belonging to this sub-class are proficient with offensive magic and have such a great understanding that they can prevent the magic from damaging their teammates.
• Abjuration: Wizards belonging to this sub-class are more defensive than their other counterpart, and focuses on magic assisting with the same.
• Conjuration: Currently no information is available. Will update.
• Divination: Currently no information is available. Will update.
• Enchantment: Currently no information is available. Will update.
• Evocation: Currently no information is available. Will update.
• Necromancy: Currently no information is available. Will update.
• Illusion: Currently no information is available. Will update.
• Transmutation: Currently no information is available. Will update.

It does not end here, as the final launch of Baldur’s Gate 3 will likely add more classes to the game and even more subclasses. So which one of these are you planning on beginning your journey with? Let us know in the comments below.

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