Baldur’s Gate 3 Classes: Subclasses, traits, weapons, & more

Trying to find all the classes in Baldur's Gate 3? Well, you're in the right place as we are going to take a look at the classes and subclasses on offer. Baldur's Gate 3 is the latest RPG from Larian Studios, taking inspiration from tabletop RPGs and Dungeons & Dragons.

The game offers plenty of customisation with characters, and like the source material that it is so inspired by, there will be a huge amount of variety for players to enjoy.

Let's dive into all of the classes on offer in Baldur's Gate 3, and what each class can offer each player.

• Here is a complete guide to all the races in Baldur's Gate 3, so you can fully plan your new character before you begin with both class and race picked.

How many classes are in Baldur's Gate 3? 

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In total, there are 12 classes to choose from in Baldur's Gate 3. You will want to make sure you chose the right class for how you want to play in the game, and there are plenty to choose from. We have listed all of the classes below, as well as a quick look into what each class has to offer if you're struggling to choose. 

• Rogue 
• Wizard 
• Warlock
• Sorcerer 
• Cleric
• Barbarian 
• Paladin 
• Bard 
• Fighter 
• Druid 
• Ranger
• Monk 

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes explained

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One of the most important elements Baldur's Gate 3 captures from the tabletop equivalent of the game is the customizability of player characters. From the very start, players can choose from a number of races, spells and classes. But, arguably one of the most important choices a player will make when embarking on their adventure is the class they’ll choose to play.

Their class choice will impact their gameplay as well as how they might choose to resolve certain encounters. Some classes are more suited for social encounters and interactions, whilst other classes are instead suited for combat-only. 

Although we will be going through each class in-depth, here you can find a general summary of all of the confirmed Baldur's Gate 3 classes. All the Player’s Handbook Classes have been confirmed for the Baldur’s Gate 3 full release but some subclasses have been omitted from the Early Access. 

• Keep in mind that there is a Baldur’s Gate 3 max level cap in the Early Access, which will impact the way the classes are played. 

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes: Rogue

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Rogues are the go-to for stealth and damage. Baldur’s Gate 3 rogues are lethal additions to a team, being able to Sneak Attack often leads them to dealing a substantial amount of damage on a single target. Astarion, one of the companion characters, is a rogue.

Rogues have the option between Assassin, Thief and Arcane Trickster. 

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes: Wizard

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Mages in the Forgotten Realms are either taught magic, born with it or granted it by powerful beings. Wizards are one of the classes that learn to manipulate the Weave and hone their craft in spellcasting. As such, Wizards can constantly learn new spells, and have one of the biggest spell lists they can learn from. Gale, one of the companion characters, is a Wizard. 

Wizards can choose between the Abjuration or Evocation Subclass.

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes: Warlock

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Warlocks are bestowed their Eldritch abilities by a powerful being as part of some kind of deal. Fiends, Fey or other creatures might offer their aid to an individual in return for a favour or service. They are magical and have access to the class-unique Eldritch Invocations that help create powerful mages. Wyll, one of the companion characters, is a Fiend Warlock.

Warlocks can choose their patron, and thus their subclass. Their options are Fiend, Great Old One or Archfey. 

• If you like the look of a Warlock, check out our breakdown of the best Baldur's Gate 3 Warlock build here.

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes: Sorcerer

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Born with magic, Sorcerers are powerful individuals who have magic imbued into their very blood. They are powerful mages who have access to a number of damaging spells.

Sorcerers have the choice between Draconic Bloodline or Wild Magic Sorcery as their subclass. 

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes: Cleric

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Blessed by magic from a divine being, either good or bad, Clerics are extensions of their chosen Gods. Acting as intermediates between the mortal world and the plane of the Gods. Shadowheart, one of the companion characters, is a Cleric. 

Depending on the chosen God, the Cleric will receive different abilities. Clerics are tanks, and although they primarily use spells, they have a few weapon and shield proficiencies that lend aid to being a melee class too. They can choose their chosen domain from Knowledge, Life, Light, Nature, Tempest, Trickery or War Domain.

• If you want to explore Baldur's Gate across platforms, here's what we know about whether Baldur's Gate 3 will support crossplay & cross-progression

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes: Barbarian

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Fuelled by rage and fury, Barbarians are the tank of the game. They can take a hit as well as dish it out just as well, using their strength to intimidate and overpower their foes.

Barbarians use heavy and powerful weapons to level the battlefield, and they can stomach just about any hit thrown at them. Barbarians have the choice between the Berserker or Wild Heart subclass. 

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes: Paladin

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Paladins are blessed with powers based on an oath they might take. This oath could lead them to serve a God, an organization or perhaps even themselves. Paladins are a hybrid class, using a lot of melee weapons as well as spells, they are the one class who have access to Smites. Spells that are used in addition to a melee weapon attack to deal extra damage. 

Paladins have the choice between the Devotion or Vengeance subclass. 

• Want to play with friends? You'll need to know the answer to the question, 'Does Baldur’s Gate 3 have multiplayer or co-op?'

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes: Bard

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Using magic to bolster their allies, Bards are a support class. Using their abilities, they can help their allies in more ways than just healing.

Whether they’re a scholar, poet or musician, bards use words or music to inspire their friends, demoralize foes, manipulate minds and even heal wounds. They are masters of speech and social interactions. Bards can choose between the College of Lore or the College of Valor for their subclass. 

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes: Fighter

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Fighters are the all-rounder class, they have access to all weapons and armour, and as such they can adapt their playstyle to whatever they want. Tank or DPS, the Fighter is a nice template class for anyone who might not want to focus on spells, and instead simply want to deal damage, slice through enemies and vanquish their foes. Lae'Zel, one of the companion characters, is a Fighter. 

Fighters can choose between the Champion, Eldritch Knight or Battle Master subclass.

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes: Druid

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Bridges between Man and Beast, Druids are mages who have the ability to turn into animals as well as communicate with them.

Druids can call forth the elemental forces of nature, they act as nature’s resilience, fury and cunning. They are extensions of nature’s will. Druids can choose between the Circle of Land or Moon subclass.

• If you like the look of playing a druid, check out our breakdown of the best Baldur's Gate 3 Druid build here for some inspiration to max out your character. 

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes: Ranger

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Not unlike druids, Rangers are the bridge between the natural world and civilization. They are cunning people who roam the natural world, amid forests or deserts, Rangers are careful watchers of nature and mankind. Seeing that the two can coexist in peace. Rangers can choose between Beast Master and the Hunter subclass. 

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes: Monk 

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Monks have not been added to the game just yet, but they will be available upon full release on August 31, 2023. 

Monks use the energy within their bodies to magically bolster their abilities. They are proficient in martial arts and use their bodies to strike down foes in powerful displays of prowess. They use Ki, either to defend themselves or to disrupt the natural flow of energy in someone else. Monks can choose between the Four Elements, Open Hand or Shadow Subclass. 

There you have it for the Baldur's Gate 3 classes, if you're wondering whether Articifer has been confirmed, as of yet it has not. Though, depending on the Early Access development, Larian might choose to include Artificer later.

In the meantime, take a look at everything else you need to know before Baldur's Gate 3 releases.