You can really play Baldur’s Gate 3 the way you want. For instance, you can choose to be a badass warrior and wield humongous weapons, or you can become the most powerful wizard in the world. In any case, the game doesn’t really force you to learn a new personality. Instead, it encourages you to work on your already-learned skills. Each class offers unique attributes, abilities, weapons, and stats,
However, choosing from about 12 classes and 48 sub-classes can be a bit overwhelming for most newcomers. Moreover, the choice that you make at the start of the game determines your whole journey. Therefore, this article provides a BG3 Class Tier List, introduces all classes, and provides the overall best class for new players.
Table of Contents
All Baldur’s Gate 3 Classes Ranked:
There are 12 main classes and 48 sub-classes in Baldur’s Gate 3. Each class comes with special abilities, skills, and attributes. Moreover, you will enjoy some of the added benefits during non-combat scenarios.
For example, Warlocks and Sorcerers mainly focus on Wisdom and Charisma, giving you additional points in Persuasion, Intimidation, and Bargaining. Similarly, classes and races that focus on Strength will enjoy extra benefits in combat.
However, there are no right or wrong classes in BG3. All classes are equally balanced and will help you according to your playing style. Therefore, choosing the best class for your playstyle can make the difference between winning and dying throughout the game.
Lastly, you can always respec your stats to match your requirements, and your companion selection will make up for the flaws in your character build.
Still, some classes are far superior to the rest. So, here is the class tier list for BG3; it ranks all classes from S to C, S being the overall best category:
S-Tier:
The S Tier consists of BG3 classes that enjoy exclusive benefits. So, if you choose from this Tier, you will get higher bonuses in both combat and social encounters.
Bard Class:
- Primary Ability: Charisma
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Dexterity & Charisma
- Weapon & Armor: Light armor, simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords
- Sub-Classes: College of Lore, College of Valour, College of Swords
Bard is a special class that mainly focuses on supporting spells and non-combat abilities. It is a jack-of-all-trades class that becomes irreplaceable when it comes to supporting their teammates and social impact. Furthermore, no companions in BG3 belong to this class. So, if you are a team player, you can easily become the conductor of any orchestra.
In short, Bards aren’t as strong as Paladins or Barbarians. Still, they can truly complete a party with their supporting strategies. Furthermore, you will also get special abilities to Crowd Control and escape from isolated conditions.
Paladin Class:
- Primary Ability: Strength & Charisma
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Wisdom & Charisma
- Weapon & Armor: All armor, shields, simple and martial weapons
- Sub-Classes: Oath of Devotion, Oath of the Ancients, Oath of Vengeance, Oathbreaker
Paladins are the face of their party in any game. When you think about a Paladin class, you will start to imagine a knight in shining armor with holy blessings. Well, you are not wrong; Paladins can do all those things and can tank to become the sole shield of any party.
Furthermore, they can wield most weapons, wear all armor, and use the Holy Smite ability to increase the overall damage output. However, they are mostly effective against single targets. Lastly, you will enjoy several off-combat benefits as most of the attributes are invested in Strength, Charisma, and Constitution. So, if you are planning to become a blessed hero, you should go for the Paladin class.
Sorcerer Class:
- Primary Ability: Charisma
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Constitution & Charisma
- Weapon & Armor: Daggers, Quarterstaves, Light Crossbows
- Sub-Classes: Draconic Bloodline, Wild Magic, Storm Sorcery
Sorcerers are extremely powerful characters in Baldur’s Gate 3. What makes them different from other wizards is that they can cast upgraded versions of their unique spells. Moreover, you can get creative with your spells to get extra benefits like replicating a spell on two targets or casting Subtle spells.
In short, if your party already has versatility in other forms of damage, you can become a Sorcerer to add a powerhouse to your team. Trust me, you won’t regret starting as a Sorcerer if you love magic and playing around with spells. Lastly, Sorcerers are pretty good at navigating social encounters due to their Charisma.
A-Tier:
The A Tier BG3 classes aren’t bad in any way. However, they don’t have the same bonuses as S Tier classes. Still, suppose you prefer a complete build focusing only on a specific action like Strength or Dexterity. In that case, you won’t have any trouble with any of them.
Barbarian Class:
- Primary Ability: Strength
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Strength & Constitution
- Weapon & Armor: Light and medium armor, shields, simple and martial weapons
- Sub-Classes: Berserker, Wildheart, Wild Magic
Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you complete freedom when it comes to dealing with encounters. For instance, you can talk your way through an area or break everything that stands in your way. In any case, all that matters is the end result. In this regard, the Barbarian class is pretty straightforward that solves everything with Strength.
Some players even consider it as the fight now, speak later type of thing. So, if all you want is some quick action, you should definitely go with this option. The immense power and Rage ability allow you to become the frontline damage dealer of your party. In short, the Barbarian class is a pretty straightforward option for players who want to singlehandedly finish hordes of enemies.
Fighter Class:
- Primary Ability: Strength or Dexterity
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Strength & Constitution
- Weapon & Armor: All armor, shields, simple and martial weapons
- Sub-Classes: Battle Master, Eldritch Knight, Champion
Fighters are like the Special Forces in BG3. They aren’t as chaotic as Barbarians, but their Strength surely benefits all. In most cases, a Fighter can slip into any party and blend in without any problem. However, they don’t shine in the social encounters as a Paladin.
Still, if all you need is a do-it-all character specializing in melee and ranged combat, you should pick this one out. What’s even more interesting is that Fighters can turn the tide of any battle with their Action Surge ability. Lastly, you can also get a few healing bonuses as a Fighter or direct them elsewhere in the party.
Ranger Class:
- Primary Ability: Dexterity & Wisdom
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Strength & Dexterity
- Weapon & Armor: Light and medium armor, shields, simple and martial weapons
- Sub-Classes: Beast Master, Hunter, Gloom Stalker
The Ranger Class is a combination of Druid and Fighter. If you want a character that controls animals but fights like a special agent, you should definitely get this one. This class can help you become a true marksman, excel at melee encounters, and take aid from nature.
So, you can easily become the go-ahead explorer for your party or even bring along an extra animal companion. In any case, your party will truly feel your presence in every situation. However, like Fighters, Rangers also lack behind when it comes to social encounters. So, if you don’t really wish to talk your way out, Ranger is the way to go for a balanced experience.
Warlock Class:
- Primary Ability: Charisma
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Wisdom & Charisma
- Weapon & Armor: Light armor, simple weapons
- Sub-Classes: The Fiend, The Great Old One, Archfey
Warlocks are like some weird cousins of Sorcerers and Wizards. They aren’t quite as good at casting spells as their counterparts. However, they do excel in recharging their spell slots, getting Charisma bonuses, and faster healing. Furthermore, Warlocks also get the best Cantrips in the entire franchise.
In short, they don’t get as many spell options as their cousins, but Warlocks are extremely Charismatic. So, if you are looking for a face of the party type of member who keeps it rolling, you should choose to be a Warlock. Otherwise, if all you need is powerful magic stuff, you can choose to be a Sorcerer.
B-Tier:
The B Tier of classes is a bit different from the first two categories. In this category, you will find classes that don’t have as many options when it comes to dealing with a situation. Moreover, they aren’t as strong as Barbarians or as powerful as Sorcerers, but they do have their perks.
Cleric Class:
- Primary Ability: Wisdom
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Wisdom & Charisma
- Weapon & Armor: Light and medium armor, shields, simple weapons
- Sub-Classes: Life Domain, Light Domain, Trickery Domain, Knowledge Domain, Nature Domain, Tempest Domain, War Domain
The Cleric is second to Wizards when it comes to versatility. They are truly a godsend for any party in BG3. You can shape your Cleric character into a hardcore fighter, healer, and even explorer. So, if you find it hard to decide on your role or playstyle, you should definitely start as a Cleric.
The only downside of this class is that you must shape everything on your own. So, they aren’t as strong as Barbarians, as powerful as Sorcerers, or even Charismatic as Bards. Still, if you invest the right amount of effort, a Cleric can truly become the ultimate hero of your party.
Druid Class:
- Primary Ability: Wisdom
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Intelligence & Wisdom
- Weapon & Armor: Light and medium armor, shields, clubs, daggers, darts, javelins, maces, Quarterstaves, scimitars, sickles, slings, spears
- Sub-Classes: Circle of the Moon, Circle of the Land, Circle of the Spores
Druids are the ultimate conquerors of nature, especially with their shape-shifting skills. You can bend your character to transform into any animal you have seen before. Also, you can talk to animals, trees, heal yourself, or even transform your environment.
So, your party will always feel at home, even amidst thick dark forests. Furthermore, these ancient priests can deal elemental damage with their nature spells. However, their spells aren’t as effective as Sorcerers and Wizards. Still, if you are a nature lover, you should choose a Druid over Cleric.
Wizard Class:
- Primary Ability: Intelligence
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Intelligence & Wisdom
- Weapon & Armor: Daggers, darts, slings, Quarterstaves, light crossbow
- Sub-Classes: Abjuration School, Conjuration School, Divination School, Enchantment School, Evocation School, Necromancy School, Illusion School, Transmutation School
Wizard is the most versatile class in the entire game. You can start as a Wizard, play the game, and slowly shape the character to your liking. The best perk of your spell book. So, you can have the largest collection of spells by the time you reach the endgame.
However, the downside of being a Wizard is that they lack in public dealing. So, when it’s time to solve a social encounter, you will probably move to the back. Secondly, they don’t have special powerhouse skills like Sorcerers, but they do excel in the Intelligence department. In short, you can start as a Wizard if you aren’t really sure about being a Sorcerer.
C-Tier:
The C Tier of BG3 classes marks the least suitable classes for new players. However, you can create some of the strongest BG3 builds after gaining some experience in the Unforgivable Lands. So, you save or avoid these classes for your NG+ playthrough.
Rogue Class:
- Primary Ability: Dexterity
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Intelligence & Dexterity
- Weapon & Armor: Light armor, simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, rapiers, shortswords
- Sub-Classes: Thief, Arcane Trickster, Assassin
Rogue characters are known for their cunningness, stealth abilities, and sneaky strategies. They are the exact opposites of Barbarians; while the Barbarians fix everything with their might, a Rogue will stick with their brains. So, you can sneak around, explore, pick locks, and even pickpockets all the time.
Furthermore, Rogues are also good at starting fights and quickly finishing off hordes with their ambush strategies. However, they aren’t useful when surrounded or isolated in battle. So, if you are a fan of complex strategies and battle plans, you should go out as a Rogue.
Monk Class:
- Primary Ability: Dexterity & Wisdom
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Strength & Dexterity
- Weapon & Armor: Simple weapons, shortswords
- Sub-Classes: Way of the Open Hand, Way of Shadow, Way of the Four Elements
Monks can easily be the strongest class but only for experienced players. Otherwise, you will feel like you are lacking the Strength and courage to face the horrors of the Unforgivable Lands. The biggest trait of this class is its speed and mobility.
You can literally move around the battlefield, jumping from enemy to enemy without getting hits. Furthermore, the martial arts experience gives you the highest damage output in all the classes. However, they aren’t quite the first-choice material for new players. So, you should give it a try only after you have finished the game at least once.
Baldur’s Gate 3: The Best Class
As mentioned earlier, there are no bad classes in Baldur’s Gate 3. So, it all depends on your playing style, preferences, and gaming experience. For example, if you are new to the D & D franchise, you might have a hard time playing as a Rogue.
However, you can create some of the best strategies and character builds with some previous experience. Still, if you are looking for the best BG3 class for your first playthrough, you should decide whether you prefer melee combat or magic spells.
In case you prefer magic, you won’t find a better-starting class than Sorcerer for your first playthrough. Similarly, you can go for a Barbarian or Paladin character build if you prefer melee combat. Lastly, if you like to keep your options open, you can start as a Bard and then trim the build to your liking.
Lastly, you have several options if you are looking for the best class for your second or third playthrough. I suggest you try playing as a Druid or Wizard just for a change of pace. So, the general strategy is to start from the S or A Tier for the first playthrough and then gradually move down the list as you get further experience.
Conclusion:
Choosing the best class for your first Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough is a bit overwhelming. The good news is that you can customize almost everything about your character except for the race. However, the first few hours will still depend on your selection. Therefore, this article provides a comprehensive BG3 Class Tier List and the best class to choose for your first playthrough.
