A Breakdown of All the 12 Classes in Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is almost perfect, with its only downside being minor bugs. Of which, one bug won’t let players enjoy the autosave feature. That said, there are 12 classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, so there’s one more class present here. At least in comparison to Baldur’s Gate 2. Under those 12 classes, the game boasts 46 subclasses for gamers to pick from.

These 46 subclasses are individually unique, having different applications in combat and beyond. Luckily for players, there’s no wrong choice here because each class has its strong and weak points. So, it all boils down to how you want to play the game.

Also Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 Review Scores: Best PC Game Ever

Classes Are Strong Outside of Combat

While your character’s class is mainly combat-oriented, the class heavily relies on Ability Scores, which are: 

• Dexterity. 
• Strength. 
• Constitution. 
• Intelligence. 
• Wisdom. 
• Charisma. 

Your character’s total Ability Score will be calculated based on the factors above. A character class that scores many points in the Charisma department will be able to persuade, fool, or intimidate the residents of the Forgotten Realms. On the other hand, a class like Cleric, who ranks high in Wisdom, is quicker to sense ambushes.  

The 12 Classes in Baldur’s Gate 3

There are 12 classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, so for new beginners, it’ll be hard to pick one. While players can merge two classes, you’ll still be stuck with one from the onset. This list breaks down all the classes in Baldur’s Gate 3. 

#1: Barbarian

Barbarians are the heavy hitters out of all the 12 classes in Baldur’s Gate 3. They thrive in combat, so naturally, they’re equipped with the best armors and shields in the game. Though, in the beginning, you’ll only have access to Light and Medium Armors. For weapons, you can pick from battleaxes and warhammers; The point is that you hit them fast and hard. On reaching level 3, you can choose from three Barbarian subclasses, which are: 

• Wildheart: Wildheart allows you to modify your Rage ability. 
• Wild Magic: Wild Magic adds a random magical effect to your attacks.
• Berserker: Berserker just boosts your attack damage. 

#2: Fighter

Fighters get all the best armors, shields, and weapons because they’re extremely strong. Besides that, Fighters can heal in combat, so you won’t have to rely on the party’s healer. Get to level 3, and you get even more options. You can approach combat as a Champion, Battle Master, or Eldritch Knight. As a Fighter, you also get a Superiority Dice that lets you control the flow of combat. The strongest class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is Fighter Battle Master. 

#3: Monk

Monks are agile and fast warriors who are better suited for assassinations, surprise attacks, and ambushes. They’re in the Dexterity department, so they’re martial artists rather than sword fighters. If you choose this class, you won’t get any armor and the list of weapons you can access will be limited. At level 3, the Monk subclasses you can choose from are:

• Way of Shadow: This subclass lets you sneak up on enemies like a ninja.
• Way of the Four Elements: This subclass adds elemental effects to your attacks.
• Way of the Open Hand: This subclass lets you knock enemies back. 

#4: Paladin

Paladins are incredibly powerful warriors because they can use both melee attacks and magic spells. They’ve got access to great shields, armors, and weapons. Compared to other classes that prefer melee attacks, Paladins have access to more devastating magic spells. On getting to level 3, you can choose from three subclasses, which are: 

• Oath of Devotion: This subclass adds magic spells that let you defend your collection.
• Oath of the Ancients: This adds healing magic spells to your repertoire. 
• Oath of Vengeance: This subclass adds more offensive spells to your library. 

#5: Ranger

Rangers are hunters who are extremely agile due to their animal nature. They perfectly blend stealth, melee, magic, and skills to become one of the best supporting classes in Baldur’s Gate 3. Rangers can also pick a preferred quarry, a Favored Enemy, and an environment that boosts their magical prowess. At level 3, you can select from three subclasses, which are: 

• Gloom Stalker: This is the best subclass for players who prefer using stealth to win fights.
• Beast Master: Gives you an animal that’ll help you in combat. 
• Hunter: Hunters get boosted melee capabilities. 

#6: Rogue

If you prefer to be sneaky, then Rogue is another class for stealth-focused gamers. You only get Light Armor, but being Dexterity-based certainly has its perks. You can move faster than other classes, retreat, or even sneak away to a hiding spot if the fight gets too tough. However, the Rogue class shines the brightest when you unlock its three subclasses. 

• Arcane Trickster: You get access to magic spells. 
• Assassin: You can surprise unprepared opponents.
• Thief: You get a bonus action. 

#7: Bard

Bards have a lot of charisma, which doesn’t only make your spells look better but also lets you persuade or trick opponents. A Bard’s skills are useful both in and out of combat, which is why they’re one of the best classes in the game. This class doesn’t thrive on the frontlines, but it’s a great supporting character because of its three subclasses. 

• College of Valour: It boosts your companions’ attack damage. 
• College of Lore: This subclass opens up new abilities that aren’t combat-oriented. 
• College of Swords: You can flamboyantly slay enemies. 

#8: Cleric

Clerics are the healers of the team, so if you don’t pick a class with access to healing magic spells, you need a Cleric as a supporting character. They can access Light and Medium Armors, plus a diverse selection of spells for healing their teammates and for combat encounters. The Cleric shines even more because of seven subclasses, namely:

• Life Domain: Life focuses on healing. 
• Light Domain: Light increases your aptitude for creating fires.
• Trickery Domain: Trickery lets you sneak around the battlefield. 
• Knowledge Domain: You acquire some brain-based spells in this subclass. 
• Nature Domain: This lets you play like a Druid. 
• Tempest Domain: Tempest lets you unleash lightning on your enemies. 
• War Domain: It’s a subclass focused on combat. 

#9: Druid

Druids are more focused on animal and nature-themed magic spells than any other class on the list. While they’re limited to Light and Medium Armors, the ability to shape-shift into ferocious animals like a badger, wolf, spider, or cat is invaluable. The three subclasses that are available after upgrading your Druid to level 3 are: 

• Circle of the Moon: This subclass lets you shape-shift into a bear. 
• Circle of the Spores: This adds fungus and decay-based magic spells to your collection. 
• Circle of the Land: You get extra magic during the day. 

#10: Sorcerer 

The Sorcerer class is the best at casting magic spells in the game, and the evidence is the large number of spells it can access. They’re extremely charismatic beings, so they dominate dialogue-focused encounters and events. Sorcerers also don’t get any armor, unlike the other classes in the game. 

• Draconic Bloodline: You can use dragon-based magic. 
• Storm Sorcery: This lets you levitate when you use a spell.
• Wild Magic: You can use untamed magic. 

#11: Warlock

Warlocks are focused on magic rather than melee attacks, so they’re similar to Sorcerers. They can only access Light Armors though they’re quite proficient with academic Skills. The three subclasses for Warlocks are: 

• The Great Old One: You can use horror-themed magic, reminiscent of Lovecraftian horrors. 
• The Archfey: You now draw power from a Fey being.
• The Fiend: You can use hell-themed magic spells. 

#12: Wizard

Wizard is also a magic-based class, but they have the highest number of spells because of their high Intelligence stat. They also have the most magic slots, though they don’t get any armor. Wizards are memorable because players can choose from eight subclasses, namely:

• Abjuration: It offers protection against damage. 
• Conjuration: You can create something out of nothing. 
• Divination: You can predict future rolls and even influence them. 
• Enchantment: You’ll be able to charm and manipulate minds. 
• Evocation: You can now shape and control spells. 
• Illusion: This is the best subclass for players who want to trick their opponents. 
• Necromancy: You have dominion over life and death. 
• Transmutation: It lets you use alchemy. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How Many Classes and Subclasses Are Available in Baldur’s Gate 3?

There are 12 classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, which include Paladin, Bard, Monk, and Fighter. Under all 12 classes are 46 subclasses, which provide a variety of distinct skills and powers for players to pick from. The most balanced class is Paladin, but for frontline warriors, Fighters are the best class to choose because of their mastery over different types of weapons. 

What Is the Easiest Class in Baldur’s Gate 3?

There are many easy classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, so we’re recommending multiple classes for you to try out. Our list of the easiest classes in the game includes:

• Cleric.
• Barbarian.
• Druid. 
• Ranger. 
• Rogue. 
• Wizard. 

Don’t forget that Baldur’s Gate 3 is built for controllers too, not only a keyboard and mouse. You can learn about setting up a controller for the game here. 

What Is the Best Main Character in Baldur’s Gate 3?

The best main character in Baldur’s Gate 3 has to be Lae’zel, followed by other equally-powerful characters. After Lae’zel, our list of the best main characters in the game includes: 

• The Dark Urge.
• Shadowheart. 
• Karlach. 
• Wyll. 
• Astarion. 
• Gale.