Character creation is the first tough boss battle to beat in Baldur’s Gate 3. If this is your first time jumping into Baldur’s Gate 3, you may not fully understand what each class does and what would be best for you which is why I’ve created this guide to help.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Which class is best to choose?
In total, Baldur’s Gate 3 includes 12 unique classes from the Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition rulebook. Picking the best class for your custom or Dark Urge character can be a difficult choice if you don’t know what each one does. I’ll quickly list which class you should choose in Baldur’s Gate 3 based on party composition. Then we’ll dive into each class and what their playstyle is.
Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 class tier list (BG3) – Best classes, subclasses, and races
- Druid
- Paladin
- Ranger
- Sorcerer
- Bard
- Monk
This shortlist is based off of classes I think would meld well with the companions you can recruit early on. I recommend choosing a class that differs from a companion, but of course, this may not bother you. If so, just ignore that list and get to the nitty-gritty details of which class you should choose in Baldur’s Gate 3.
All of the classes listed above are very fun and very different from what you’ll see with the Origin character companions you find along the way whose classes include Cleric, Rogue, Wizard, Barbarian, Warlock, Fighter, Paladin, Druid, and more. To help you make your decision, here is more information on each class in BG3.
Barbarian
If you’re looking to make a character who likes getting up close and personal with enemies, this may be your thing. They have unbridled Strength, and they use their Rage ability to their benefit in combat. They also have great Constitution, which gives them a decent health buff. Choose a Barbarian if you want to have plenty of health and you wanna inflict painful hits on the enemy.
Just keep in mind that Barbarians, while they can wear Light and Medium Armor, have Unarmored Defense. This allows them to add their CON modifier to their Armor Class if they are unarmored. If you don’t increase both their Strength and Constitution every few levels, you’ll typically have a low AC. On the plus side, using Rage will give you buffs like extra damage, or other cool bonuses depending on your subclass.
Druid
My personal favorite is the Druid, not just because I finished an entire playthrough as one. Their connection with nature offers them some incredible spells, and they also can transform into beasts. From level one to 12, you’ll unlock an array of Wild Shapes that not only give you entirely different HP levels, but interesting abilities both in and out of combat.
You’ll want to become a Druid if you like casting spells, but you also from time to time enjoy getting into melee combat in Wild Shape. Transformations range from Bear, Owlbear, Panther, and even a literal dinosaur! They can also act as the party healer, which makes them an extremely well-rounded class for your first playthrough. You can eventually recruit two Druids named Halsin and Jaheira, but I still think Druid is a great class to choose.
Fighter
Similar to the Barbarian, if you want to play a character who’s highly skilled and well-trained in combat, choose the Fighter. While the Barbarian typically stays unarmored, your Fighter can wear any type of armor, use both Simple and Martial weapons, and learn some very useful fighting styles.
Fighters are some of the most reliable and versatile classes in the game. If you’re someone who wants to make more than just one move in combat, consider a Fighter. Lae’zel, one of your possible companions, is a Fighter, but I still think Fighter is a great class. You can have high AC (Armor Class), make quite a few attacks in one turn with extra attacks and Action Surge, and dish out incredible combat maneuvers. It may sound like a boring class, but it’s far from it.
Ranger
Rather than fighting in melee range, why not be a Ranger? Not only are Rangers skilled with ranged weapons, but they can have a Favored Enemy. This allows them to be well-trained in fighting certain types of creatures, which gives them an advantage in specific fights. Also, your Natural Explorer ability can give you certain skills or resistances.
Rangers also get certain spells that aid them in ranged combat. If you don’t want to fight alone, Rangers can choose the Beast Master subclass to summon an animal companion to help you in battle. There’s only one Ranger companion you can recruit, but it’s late into Act Three, so I believe Ranger is a great choice for your character.
Rogue
Want to stick to the shadows and strike twice as hard? Rogue is a great pick for players who like playing stealthy characters. You’ll also need to pick a ton of locks in Baldur’s Gate 3, and doing that as a Rogue will make it more likely to succeed. If you also plan to do some pickpocketing, Rogue is probably a good choice.
The companion Astarion is a Rogue, so if you plan to have him in your party, you may not want to be a Rogue. Nevertheless, choose a Rogue if you want that extra Sneak Attack damage, or if you like the idea of hitting an enemy, and then Disengaging from the fight without taking a hit. My friend plays a a Rogue in our party and he very often one-shots enemies from the shadows.
Sorcerer
This spellcasting class is perfect for your character if you know their magic comes from their bloodline. Sorcerers innately know how to cast spells, no matter which subclass you choose. Their primary ability is Charisma, so if you plan to persuade and deceive characters a lot, this is a perfect class.
Related: Best Baldur’s Gate 3 multiclass builds, ranked (BG3)
I also think that Sorcerer is a great pick for your character because no companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a Sorcerer! It’s untouched territory, and you get the chance to learn tons of unique spells. Sorcerers also have Sorcery Points, which do tons of things. You can convert Sorcery Points into Spell Slots, and vice versa. Also, you can spend them to buff your spells, like hit more than one enemy, or double its distance.
I like the Sorcerer class a lot, especially because the subclasses are very different and fun. One lets you have Wild Magic which can shoot out any random spell that may hurt or help you and another is centered around becoming a master of Storm which allows you to fly and roleplay as a channeler of lightning.
Bard
The Bard is another Charisma-based class, and they’re highly talented at playing musical instruments. Bards are great support classes who can heal, buff their allies, and cast useful spells. Although most Bards rely on spells, certain subclasses still allow you to wield melee weapons and wear armor.
This class is another great choice, simply because you don’t gain any Bard companions throughout the game. Play a Bard if you plan on inspiring and healing your allies, while also helping deal damage once in a while. I play Bard in my current party and it’s extremely fun to buff my allies with heals, debuff my enemies with taunts, and also have plenty of big magic attacks hidden up my sleeves.
Monk
Want to play a class that deals devastating unarmed blows, and can dexterously dodge enemy hits? Monk is a very fun class that supports a melee combat playstyle with three unique subclasses. You get two primary abilities, which are Dexterity and Wisdom. Monks also gain Unarmored Defense, and they can add their DEX modifier to their AC.
Seeing as none of your companions are Monks, you should consider playing a Monk. You can get into the fray of battle to deal heavy hits, but you’re also not playing a tank. This class spends Ki Points, which allows them to enact unique combat moves. Sure, you can use certain weapons as a Monk, but your best weapon is your fist. I played Monk on my first playthrough and found it to be very fun. There is a subclass that basically lets you become the Avatar from Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Warlock
Another spellcasting class is the Warlock, who earned their magic powers from a pact with a powerful patron. This is another Charisma-based class that has one very important Cantrip: Eldritch Blast. As a high-level Warlock, this simple spell can hit more than once, and can even shove enemies backwards.
You get some very interesting spells as a Warlock that can prove useful in combat. In all honesty, since your companion Wyll is a Warlock, and I found that he ran out of Spell Slots fast, I’m not sure if I can recommend a Warlock on your first playthrough. Yes, Eldritch Blast is a Cantrip, but there are tons of other Warlock spells that I didn’t get much time with since Wyll would run out of slots quickly. However, Warlocks are the only class that gets their Spell Slots back on Short Rest.
Paladin
The Paladin is a great choice for your character. This class has an Oath to uphold, each with its own rules to follow. Unfortunately, if you don’t follow them, you’ll become the Oathbreaker subclass, so as a new player you may find it hard to follow your Oath.
Related: How to break all Paladin subclass Oaths in Baldur’s Gate 3
If you’re ready for the responsibility, Paladins are exceptional fighters and supports. They can both heal their allies and play a tanky fighter as well. Depending on your Oath, you have unique spells that both aid allies and damage enemies. None of your companions are Paladins either, so consider taking up the mantle yourself.
Cleric
Another central healer class is the Cleric. This class is also devoted to a god or deity, and they wield divine magic to heal and harm. If you typically play support characters in games, consider the Cleric, as they’re the best at that job.
Although Shadowheart, one of your companions, is a Cleric, there are so many different subclasses that it doesn’t matter. And don’t just think that Clerics are only good at buffing and healing. My high-level Shadowheart not only aids the party but can cast powerful AoE spells and deal incredible damage with spells like Inflict Wounds. With seven unique subclasses available, I think Cleric is a great choice for your class.
Wizard
The last class in this list, but not the least, is the Wizard. They’re the only class based on Intelligence, and they’re the only class that can learn new spells from Spell Scrolls. Wizards can add any spell to their arsenal just by spending some gold and reading a Spell Scroll, which can make your Wizard very versatile.
Your companion Gale is a Wizard, but seeing as they also have many subclasses like Clerics, I believe playing a Wizard is a good choice. This made Gale join my party in all my most serious fights, as Counterspell came in clutch when I didn’t want the enemy to cast a devastating spell. Choose to be a Wizard if you want to collect all the coolest spells possible.
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