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Ashwini

Baldur's Gate 3 Classes: A Tier List Guide for Informed Choices

Updated: Aug 8, 2023


Baldur's Gate 3 Classes: A Tiered List Guide for Informed Choices
Image via Larian Studios

Baldur's Gate 3 players can now choose from 12 classes. Class choice is vital, impacting gameplay significantly. Our tier list, based on stats, skills, versatility, and subclasses, simplifies this process. The guide categorizes classes, highlighting their strengths.


Options in Baldur's Gate 3's vast Forgotten Realms realm range from the traditional Fighter and Wizard to the distinctive Warlock, Bard, and Druid. Unable to decide? I'm available to help. I'll go over each of the seven pre-made characters and the twelve customizable classes, describe their traits, and suggest the best one for your journey through Faerun.


Baldur’s Gate 3 Class Tiering


This extensive character class tier list covers both Origin and Custom characters and covers every class found in Baldur's Gate 3's 1.0 release.


Key Takeaways:


  • Tier Names Matter: While games with pronounced class disparities use tiers like S, A, B, C, and even D, games with balanced class strengths use tiers like SSS, SS, S, and S-.

  • Characters in the S and A Tiers excel because they are powerful despite belonging to higher-ranking classes. Discussions about skills, adaptability, and usability are sparked by tier lists.

  • Classes within the same tier, arranged alphabetically, have comparable power levels. Bard may be listed first, but that doesn't mean it is the strongest class.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Tier List


S Tier Classes: The Powerhouses of the Game


These are the most powerful and versatile classes, excelling in a variety of roles and situations. Bards, Clerics, Paladins, and Sorcerers have unique abilities that can tip the balance of battles. They are versatile and game-changing, making them valuable additions to any team.


Bard - The Versatile Virtuoso

Bard - The Versatile Virtuoso
Image via Larian Studios

Bards are masters of ranged and melee combat, spellcasting, healing, and support. Their charismatic personalities make them excellent conversationalists, and their adaptability ensures that they are welcome at any party.


Most Suited Role: Support and Utility

Most-suited Race: Half-Elf

Abilities to Focus on: Charisma, Dexterity

Best Subclass: College of Lore

Skills/Spells: Inspiring music, buffs, debuffs, ranged and melee combat, healing


Cleric - The Divine Guardian

Cleric - The Divine Guardian
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Clerics, clad in armour and armed with spells, are loyal healers and supporters. Even in the most difficult fights, their divine power and buffing talents ensure the party's survival.


Most Suited Role: Healer and Support

Most-suited Race: Dwarf

Abilities to Focus on: Wisdom, Constitution

Best Subclass: Life Domain

Skills/Spells: Healing, buffs, medium/heavy armor, a wide range of spells


Paladin - The Holy Warden

Paladin - The Holy Warden
Image via Larian Studios

Paladins are tough front-line combatants who combine strength and divine magic. They deliver massive damage, shield teammates, and have smite powers to smite down enemies, including the undead.


Most Suited Role: Tank and Offense

Most-suited Race: Human

Abilities to Focus on: Strength, Charisma

Best Subclass: Oath of Devotion

Skills/Spells: Smite abilities, healing, divine magic, two-handed weapons


Sorcerer - The Spontaneous Spellcaster

Sorcerer - The Spontaneous Spellcaster
Image via Larian Studios

Sorcerers have fewer spells, but they use each one wisely. Their natural spellcasting and metamagic talents allow them to cast spells that are both flexible and impactful, making them versatile spellcasters.


Most Suited Role: Blaster and Spellcaster

Most-suited Race: Tiefling

Abilities to Focus on: Charisma, Constitution

Best Subclass: Draconic Bloodline

Skills/Spells: Flexible spellcasting, metamagic, powerful spell choices


A Tier Classes: Strong and Reliable


These classes have strong abilities and are dependable in their assigned roles. Barbarians, Rangers, Rogues, Warlocks, and Wizards each bring their own set of advantages to the table. They excel in specific areas, providing diverse strategies and effectively complementing the team.


Barbarian - The Frenzied Fighter

Barbarian - The Frenzied Fighter
Image via Larian Studios

Barbarians are primitive melee destruction forces, charging into battle and unleashing deadly strikes. In close battle, their toughness and resistance to harm make them dangerous opponents.


Most Suited Role: Melee Damage Dealer

Most-suited Race: Goliath

Abilities to Focus on: Strength, Constitution

Best Subclass: Totem Warrior

Skills/Spells: Melee damage, rage abilities, resistance to damage


Ranger - The Nature's Warrior

Ranger - The Nature's Warrior
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Rangers excel at ranged combat and have a natural affinity for nature magic. They can track down foes, use Hunter's Mark to improve their attacks, and even summon an animal companion to help them fight.


Most Suited Role: Ranged Damage and Support

Most-suited Race: Wood Elf

Abilities to Focus on: Dexterity, Wisdom

Best Subclass: Hunter

Skills/Spells: Ranged combat, nature spells, animal companion


Rogue - The Stealthy Specialist

Rogue - The Stealthy Specialist
Image via Larian Studios

Rogues are quick and adaptable, relying on stealth for burst damage and utility. With lock-picking abilities and the ability to manoeuvre in surprising ways, they flourish both in and out of combat.


Most Suited Role: Scout and Skill Monkey

Most-suited Race: Halfling

Abilities to Focus on: Dexterity, Intelligence

Best Subclass: Thief

Skills/Spells: Stealth, burst damage, utility skills, ranged attacks


Warlock - The Pact-bound Magician

Warlock - The Pact-bound Magician
Image via Larian Studios

Warlocks use dark and eldritch magic, concentrating on a small handful of powerful spells. Their Eldritch Blast is a versatile ranged strike, and they can even wield melee weapons with care.


Most Suited Role: Ranged Spellcaster

Most-suited Race: Tiefling

Abilities to Focus on: Charisma, Constitution

Best Subclass: Fiend Patron

Skills/Spells: Eldritch Blast, powerful spellcasting, melee combat


Wizard - The Knowledgeable Mage

Wizard - The Knowledgeable Mage
Image via Larian Studios

Wizards are arcane knowledge and magic masters, with a comprehensive spellbook and a wide range of spells at their disposal. Their utility and crowd control abilities make them effective spellcasters.


Most Suited Role: Versatile Spellcaster

Most-suited Race: High Elf

Abilities to Focus on: Intelligence, Constitution

Best Subclass: Evocation

Skills/Spells: Diverse spellbook, utility spells, crowd control


B Tier Classes: Flavorful Choices


Although these classes might not have the same level of raw power as higher tiers, they add variety and flavour to the game. Despite having intriguing skills like shape-shifting and martial arts, druids and monks may not have the same impact as higher-tier classes. For those looking for distinct gameplay experiences, they can still have a place.


Druid - The Shapeshifting Sage

Druid - The Shapeshifting Sage
Image via Larian Studios

Druids use nature's power to shapeshift into various forms and cast spells. They provide adaptability through shape-shifting and a repertory of nature-based magic.


Most Suited Role: Support and Shapechanger

Most-suited Race: Half-Orc

Abilities to Focus on: Wisdom, Constitution

Best Subclass: Circle of the Moon

Skills/Spells: Shapeshifting, nature spells, versatility


Monk - The Agile Martial Artist

Monk - The Agile Martial Artist
Image via Larian Studios

Monks rely on quickness and martial arts to deliver accurate punches and stun their opponents. Their agility and special powers set them apart, despite the fact that they typically engage in melee combat.


Most Suited Role: Melee Damage Dealer

Most-suited Race: Tabaxi

Abilities to Focus on: Dexterity, Wisdom

Best Subclass: Way of the Open Hand

Skills/Spells: Martial arts, mobility, stunning strikes


These class descriptions effectively summarise each tier while also offering unique perspectives on each class's advantages, roles, races, skills, and spells. Always keep in mind that class effectiveness can vary depending on playstyle and party makeup, so it's crucial to find what best suits your preferences and tactics. Also Read our full Baldur's Gate 3 Guide for Beginners.


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