Baldur’s Gate 3: All classes & subclasses explained

Baldur’s Gate 3 offers several classes to build your main character and explore the Forgotten Realms while also letting players choose among various subclasses depending on their play style. Here’s every class and subclass explained in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a rich variety of classes and subclasses for you to choose from. Each one has a special connection to the lore and a set of unique skills that require skillful use. To have a successful adventure in the Forgotten Realms, you need to select a class that suits your build.

Larian Studios, the developers of Baldur’s Gate 3, have revealed 12 classes that you can play in the game. But that’s not all: you can also customize your class with 46 different subclasses, which depend on how you allocate your points on basic abilities.

Here’s everything you need to know about classes in the game.

• List of available classes
• How to choose a character’s subclass?
• Cleric class & subclass explained
• Fighter class & subclass explained
• Ranger class & subclass explained
• Rogue class & subclass explained
• Warlock class & subclass explained
• Wizard class & subclass explained
• Druid class & subclass explained
• Sorcerer class & subclass explained
• Bard class & subclass explained
• Paladin class & subclass explained
• Monk class & subclass explained
• Barbarian class & subclass explained

Every Baldur’s Gate 3 available class

Baldur’s Gate 3 has 12 major classes and 46 subclasses that impact your gameplay. Before picking one, it’s better to consider which play style you are more comfortable with, from ranged to melee or spell-casting.

Any class you pick can be reworked as you gain points to upgrade your abilities, but its main class determines the character’s main strengths (Intelligence, Wisdom, Constitution, Dexterity, Strength, and Charisma).

Each character also has additional perks granted by their background and race. They can be combined to empower the main aspect of the 12 major classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, which are:

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

Baldur’s Gate 3: How to choose a character’s subclass

Some classes in BG3 require you to pick your subclass while in character creation, and others need you to decide as you are leveling up.

If you chose a game style that needs you to pick right from the beginning, it’s better to combine the perks that your race and background give you with the abilities earned through your subclass.

In the case that you’re given the choice of choosing your subclass as you’re leveling up, focus on the narrative you wish to roleplay and which skills you would like to develop as you play.

There are 46 subclasses that you can pick from in Baldur’s Gate 3. This means that each class has a specific subclass that can be trained by leveling up, which grants modifiers and skills that alter your whole gameplay experience.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Cleric class & subclass explained

Clerics in Baldur’s Gate 3 draw their magic force from the divinity they are devoted to. Clerics’ primary ability is Wisdom, and leveling up this stat gives them the power to learn new skills from sacred scrolls and religious prayers. Another good ability to spend points on is Constitution, since it boosts your character’s life and improve its skill to cast longer spells without getting interrupted.

The Cleric class begins the game with proficiency with Light and Medium Armor, Shields, and Simple weapons. This class has to pick a subclass immediately when creating a character which can be the following: Life Domain, Light Domain, Trickery Domain, Knowledge Domain, Nature Domain, Tempest Domain, and War Domain.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Fighter class & subclass explained

The Fighter is a class whose primary ability is Strength. It’s a good class for beginners since leveling up its skill tree is quite straightforward. Fighters are masters of combat and allow players to choose their favorite fighting style among Two-Weapon Fighting, Great Weapon Fighting, Protection, Duelling, Defense, or Archery.

The Fighter class is excellent for Tank builds, since they have proficiency with Simple weapons, Martial Weapons, Light Armor, Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, and Shields. At Level 3, you’ll need to choose a Fighter subclass to start gaining specific perks. You can choose between Battle Master, Eldritch Knight, and Champion.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Ranger class & subclass explained

Rangers are versatile characters with a lot of utility that are perfect for ranged combat and archery in Baldur’s Gate 3. Their primary ability is Dexterity, although you should consider increasing their Wisdom stats as well because Rangers can cast simple spells. This class has proficiency with Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, Shields, Light Armor, and Medium Armor.

Keep in mind that as a Ranger you’ll need to pick your Favored Enemies, which allows the character to gain certain Proficiency or learn new spells. The list you’ll have to pick from is the following: Bounty Hunter, Keeper of the Veil, Mage Breaker, Ranger Knight, and Sanctified Stalker.

When you reach Level 3 with your Ranger character, you’ll be able to choose from three subclasses: Beast Master, Hunter, or Gloom Stalker.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Rogue class & subclass explained

BG3 presents a quite simple Rogue class but equipped with their classic treats, they’ve got great competence with stealth abilities and can sneak out from any situation. Their primary ability is Dexterity, which makes them inclined to master skills such as Trap setting, Lock picking, and even Sneak Attacks.

Since the beginning of the character’s creation, they’ll have proficiency with Simple weapons, Hand Crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, Shortswords, and Light Armor. After getting your Rogue to Level 3, you’ll need to choose between three different subclasses: Thief, Arcane Trickster, or Assassin.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Warlock class & subclass explained

Warlocks in Baldur’s Gate 3 are gifted powers bound by a pact with a supernatural entity. This is also a good class for beginners who want to start playing a spell-casting character. Its primary ability is Charisma and they have proficiency with Simple weapons and Light Armor.

Different from Sorcerers or Wizards, Warlocks have limited spells but with a high impact from the beginning. When you gain a level with your character, you’ll be able to choose one of the Warlock’s spells you know and replace it with another from your spell list.

Warlocks have to pick a Subclass immediately upon Character Creation. If you’re creating this type of character, you can choose from The Fiend, The Great Old One, and Archfey subclasses.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Wizard class & subclass explained

Baldur’s Gate 3 offers different types of spellcasters, one of them being Wizards. This class’s primary ability is Intelligence, and they specialize in the arcane by individual schools of magic which you can choose from. As soon as you begin creating your Wizard, you’ll have to pick two of the following skills to start with; Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, and Religion.

Regarding armor, Wizards are proficient with Daggers, Darts, Slings, Quarterstaves, and Light Crossbow. Keep in mind that this class usually can’t handle Heavy armor protection, so they rely on their allies to keep them at a safe distance from enemies.

When they reach Level 2, Wizards have to choose between different schools that act as their subclass. These are Abjuration, Evocation, Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment, Necromancy, Illusion, or Transmutation school. As you level up, you’ll progressively gain benefits from those subclasses on top of the features that all types of Wizards get.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Druid class & subclass explained

Druids in Baldur’s Gate 3 channel elemental forces of nature and usually can shapeshift into wild animals with a skill called Wild Shape. Their primary ability is Wisdom, and they are proficient in Light and Medium Armor (non-metallic), Shields (non-metallic), and Simple Weapons.

This class usually makes great support characters along with Clerics and can cast both defensive and healing spells. While in their wild form, they’ll have different skills and can also speak to animals to help with quests.

Druids have to choose a subclass when reaching Level 2. In Baldur’s Gate 3, they’ll have the option to belong to the Circle of the Land, Circle of the Moon, or Circle of Spores, which gives them different spells and skills.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Sorcerer class & subclass explained

Sorcerers are natural spell casters, drawing on inherent magic from a gift or a bloodline. Their primary ability is Charisma, and they have proficiency with Daggers, Quarterstaves, and Light Crossbows.

This class is one of the few in BG3 that have to choose their subclass immediately when creating the character and can’t be changed later. This means that from Level 1, Sorcerers have to decide to belong either to Wild Magic, Draconic Bloodline, or Storm Sorcery subclass.

According to Larian Studios’ developers, Sorcerers are an OP class that can “break the game” with a feature called Meta Magic. This skill allows them to customize certain aspects of their spell as they level up and sort of counter their lack of Armor proficiency.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Bard class & subclass explained

In Baldur’s Gate 3, Bards are a class known for casting magic through music. Their primary ability is Charisma and have proficiency with Simple weapons, Hand crossbows, Longswords, Rapiers, Shortswords, and Light Armor. 

Bards have to pick a starting instrument at Level 1. They’ll be able to choose from a Hand Drum, Flute, Lute, Lyre, or Violin which influences the animation and soundscape when casting spells. At Level 3, this class also has to choose between College of Lore, College of Valour, or College of Swords, which are subclasses exclusive to this type of character.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Paladin class & subclass explained

The Paladin is a class in Baldur’s Gate 3 that is fuelled by a sacred Oath. Their primary ability is Strength and are proficient with Simple weapons, Martial weapons, and every Armor and Shield. 

Players have to pick a subclass upon character creation, which plays out as choosing the Oath they want to fulfill as Paladins. They’ll be able to choose between the Oath of Devotion, the Oath of the Ancients, Oathbreaker, or the Oath of Vengeance.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Monk class & subclass explained

The Monk is one of the latest added classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 and it wasn’t available in the early access of the game. Their primary ability is Dexterity and Wisdom and have proficiency with Simple weapons, Shortswords, and Hand-to-hand combat.

Monks and Barbarians share the unique feature of Unarmored defense, which makes their bodies as resilient as any armor.

While Larian Studios’ devs confirmed that their Monks are inspired by different Kung Fu abilities, their styles vary according to the subclass players choose. These subclasses are the Way of the Open Hand, Way of the Shadow, and Way of the Four Elements.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Barbarian class & subclass explained

The Barbarian is a class in Baldur’s Gate 3 described as a character with primal physicality and, of course, unlimited Rage. Their primary ability is Strength, and they have proficiency with Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, Light Armor, Medium Armor, and Shields. 

Barbarians are well-known for their ability to deal high damage in combat, especially when fueled by Rage. At Level 3, these characters have to choose between the Berserker, Wildheart, or Wild Magic subclass.

That wraps up everything you need to know about Baldur’s Gate 3 classes and subclasses system. To know more about Larian Studios’ latest game, be sure to check out our guides below:

Is Baldur’s Gate 3 crossplay? | All Baldur’s Gate 3 voice actors | Baldur’s Gate 3: All editions & preorder bonuses | Baldur’s Gate 3 PC system requirements | How to defeat Auntie Ethel in Baldur’s Gate 3 | When to Long Rest in Baldur’s Gate 3 | How to craft Potions in Baldur’s Gate 3 | How to help the Local Rat & open The Pantry Chest in Baldur’s Gate 3