Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and challenging game, and one of the most important decisions players can make upon starting the game is choosing their class and being sure they have the Baldur's Gate 3 best builds for all classes. Each class in Baldur's Gate 3 has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best build will depend on a player's preferences.
Whether one is a fan of melee combat, ranged combat, or spellcasting, there's a build for every player in Baldur's Gate 3. In this article, we'll be covering everything from the classic ranger to the powerful warlock, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each builds.
So whether you're a seasoned Baldur's Gate veteran or a new player just starting out, this article is for you. By going over the Baldur's Gate 3 best builds for all classes, we'll help you choose a character for your playstyle as you strive to survive the dangers of Faerûn.
Baldur’s Gate 3 best builds for all classes
The game currently features 11 classes and developer Larian Studios is renowned for adding more classes in future. So below is an overview of the best builds for all classes in Baldur's Gate 3.
Cleric Build
Clerics are a force to be reckoned with in Baldur's Gate 3. They are not only some of the best healers in the game, but they also pack a punch in combat. With their ability to wear medium armour and shields, they are surprisingly durable for a spellcaster. And the Guidance cantrip is a game-changer, giving them a significant edge in any non-combat encounter.
Subclasses:
- War Domain
- Tempest Domain
- Life Domain
The Life Domain is the best Cleric subclass in the game as well. It's a close call between this and the Light Domain, but the Life Domain's healing abilities are simply unmatched. With the Life Domain, you can heal your allies for more hit points, and you can also revive them from the dead more easily.
Ranger Build
Rangers are a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, they get a lot of abilities to choose from, like Favoured Enemy, Natural Explorer, and Fighting Style. These abilities can be fun and useful in certain situations, but they're not exactly game-changers. On the other hand, the Ranger's spellcasting is a bit underwhelming as the spell list is small and situational with few spell slots.
Subclasses:
- Hunter
- Druid
- BeastMaster
As a result, Dexterity is your bread and butter as a Ranger. You'll want to focus on increasing your Dexterity score and using your weapons and skills to fight your enemies. The Beastmaster is the best Ranger subclass in the game because it offers a unique and fun play style. With the Beastmaster, you can summon a loyal animal companion to fight alongside you. This companion can provide you with a variety of benefits, such as extra damage, tanking, and utility.
Rogue Build
Rogues are more of a double-edged sword. They have a lot of mobility and can use Cunning Action to dash around the battlefield but their sneak attack is not as deadly as it used to be. This means that if you fail to kill an enemy with your first attack, you're likely to be in trouble. Rogues also have low health and AC, so they're not well-suited to taking a lot of damage. Also, they are often tasked with scouting ahead, which can be a risky proposition.
Subclasses:
- Thief
- Assassin
- Swashbuckler
The Thief is the best Rogue subclass in Baldur's Gate 3 because it offers the most utility. The Thief's Fast Hands ability allows them to take an extra bonus action on their turn, which can be used to do a variety of things like disarm traps, pick locks, or even throw a dagger as a bonus action. This ability makes the Thief incredibly versatile and allows them to be a valuable asset to any party.
Wizard Build
Wizards can do a little bit of everything, from blasting enemies with powerful spells to supporting their allies with healing and buffs. And although they're not as specialised as other spellcasters like sorcerers or warlocks, they're more versatile. They can learn a wider variety of spells and they can even learn new spells permanently by spending 50gp over a spell scroll. This makes them incredibly powerful and adaptable, and they can be a valuable asset to any party in the game.
Subclasses:
- Abjuration
- Conjuration
- Evocation
Both the Evocation and Abjuration are viable options for Wizards in Baldur's Gate 3, but the Evocation offers a few key advantages like the Overchannel ability that allows you to cast evocation spells without harming your allies, which can be a lifesaver in tight situations. With that said the Evocation's Empowered Evocation ability gives you a chance to increase the damage of your evocation spells, which can make them even more powerful.
Warlock Build
Warlocks are the jack-of-all-trades of the magical world. They don't have the same specialisation as other spellcasters like wizards or sorcerers, but that also means they're more versatile. They can wear medium armour, use medium weapons, and cast a variety of spells. They also have a unique ability called Invocations, which can give them a variety of powerful bonuses. This makes them incredibly adaptable and able to fill a variety of roles in a party.
Subclasses:
- Friend
- Great Old One
- Celestial
The Fiend is the best Warlock subclass in the game because it is the only one that is fully implemented. The Great Old One subclass is still missing some key features, so it is not a viable option at this time. The Fiend, however, offers a number of powerful abilities, including the ability to drain temporary HP from your enemies. This ability can help to offset the Warlock's lower survivability, making it a valuable asset.
Druid Build
Druids are a versatile class that relies on two key abilities: spells and wild shape. Wild Shape allows druids to transform into animals, which can be used for a variety of purposes, such as scouting, tanking, or dealing damage. Druids also have a good selection of spells that aren't quite as powerful as the spells of other classes. However, druids can use their spells to buff their allies or debuff their enemies, which can be very effective in combat.
Subclasses:
- Circle of the Moon
- Circle of the Land
The Circle of the Moon is the best Druid subclass in Baldur's Gate 3 as it enhances the Wild Shape ability just right. Wild Shape is arguably the most powerful ability in the Druid's arsenal, and the Circle of the Moon subclass makes it even stronger. This subclass gives you the ability to transform into larger and more powerful animals and also gives you the ability to maintain your Wild Shape for longer periods, making the Circle of the Moon subclass a valuable asset to any party.
Barbarian Build
Barbarians are the hulking, untamed warriors of Baldur's Gate 3. They are masters of the frontline and can tear through enemies. However, their focus on combat comes at the cost of versatility. They also lack the skills and abilities to excel in other areas, such as stealth or diplomacy. Fortunately, their high durability means they can survive most failures. This makes them ideal for players who want to play aggressively and take risks.
Subclasses:
- Berserker
- Wild Heart
The Berserker Barbarian is the ultimate expression of raw, unbridled fury. When you enter a frenzy, you become a whirlwind of death and destruction, capable of unleashing devastating attacks. The Frenzy ability allows you to make an extra attack as a bonus action each turn. This means that you can potentially make three attacks in a single round, or even four if you use the Great Weapon Master feat.
Bard Build
Bards are the life of the party, both in and out of combat. They are charming, charismatic, and versatile spellcasters who can support, heal, and control their allies. They may not have the most powerful damage-dealing spells, but they can often avoid fighting altogether with their sweet words and bewitching effects. They are also intelligent and resourceful, and can often find alternative paths through dangerous situations.
Subclasses:
- College of Love
- College of Valor
- College of Whispers
The College of Valor is the best Bard subclass because it offers a more versatile and reliable set of abilities than the College of Swords. While both subclasses offer ways to buff allies and debuff enemies, the College of Valour's Combat Inspiration is simply more useful in a wider range of situations. Combat Inspiration allows you to give your allies a temporary bonus to their attack rolls, damage rolls, or AC.
Fighter Build
The Fighter is a versatile class that can be built in a variety of ways, depending on your playstyle. However, they are not the most versatile class in the game and they can struggle to contribute outside of combat. If you already have a Fighter in your party, such as Lae'zel, you may want to consider choosing a different class.
Subclasses:
- Battle Master
- Eldritch Knight
- Champion
The Battle Master Fighter subclass is the best because it offers a more versatile and reliable set of abilities than the Eldritch Knight subclass. And while both subclasses offer ways to buff allies and debuff enemies, the Battle Master's Combat Superiority manoeuvres are simply more useful in a wider range of situations.
Sorcerer Build
Sorcerers are a powerful but fragile class that derives their power from an inherited bloodline. This makes them more focused and less versatile than Wizards, but it also gives them access to some unique abilities. One of the most significant advantages of being a Sorcerer is that your spells are derived from your Charisma score. This means that you can also be the party's “Face," using your charisma to persuade, deceive, and intimidate others.
Another advantage of being a Sorcerer is that you can modify your spells with Metamagic. This allows you to change the range, duration, or effect of your spells, giving you a great deal of flexibility in combat.
Subclasses:
- Draconic Bloodline
- Wild Magic
- Storm Sorcery
The Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer subclass is the best because it offers a more reliable and versatile set of abilities than the Wild Magic Sorcerer subclass. While both subclasses offer ways to boost your survivability, the Draconic Bloodline's Draconic Resilience feature is simply more useful in a wider range of situations.
Paladin Build
This is a class that can fill a variety of roles in a party. They are skilled warriors who can hold their own in melee combat and also have access to a wide range of spells that can be used to heal, support, control, or even obliterate their foes. Paladins are also known for their high Charisma scores, which makes them naturally charming and persuasive.
Subclasses:
- Oath of the Ancients
- Oath of Vengeance
The Oath of the Ancients Paladin subclass is the best for this build because it offers a more versatile and reliable set of abilities than the other Paladin subclasses. While all of the Paladin subclasses offer a variety of powerful abilities, the Oath of the Ancients's Channel Divinity: Warding Aura ability is simply more useful in a wider range of situations.
Monk Build
While they're not yet available for use in the game, Monks are martial artists who use the energy within their bodies to bolster their abilities. They are proficient in unarmed strikes and can use their bodies to strike down foes in powerful displays of prowess.
They also use Ki, a magical energy, to defend themselves or disrupt the natural flow of energy in someone else. Monks can choose between the Four Elements, Open Hand, or Shadow subclass.
That's everything you need to know about the Baldur's Gate 3 best builds for all classes. Read more of our tips and tricks on the game for more.