Learn about the best classes from the tier list in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Baldur’s Gate 3, the popular C-RPG based on Dungeons & Dragons, has been on fire for the past few weeks. With multiple outcomes, thousands of options, and 12 classes, it makes sense that one would end up anywhere in this story. Start with creating the best-suited character for your taste, which will ultimately have its own advantages and disadvantages.
As BG3 features this wide variety of classes, in this guide, we will be focusing on bringing out the best of them. We will be considering everything from damage-dealing capabilities to supporting the whole party and much more. However, as all the classes have different views and abilities in which they excel, we kept that in mind as well while building this tier list. And without further ado, let’s jump right into it.
Best Class Tier List in BG3
As already mentioned, this tier list from Baldur’s Gate 3 took various factors into account, such as AP, HP, utility, and other itsy-bitsy things. This will definitely be of service when you plan to build the best party composition.
| Tier | Character |
|---|---|
| S-Tier (Best) | Bard, Sorcerer, and Paladin |
| A-Tier (Good) | Warlock, Barbarian, Fighter, Ranger |
| B-Tier (Average) | Cleric, Druid, and Wizard |
| C-Tier (Okay) | Rogue, Monk |
S-Tier
Bard
Bards are incredibly talented characters who, obviously, excel at playing music, weakening opponents, and uplifting their teammates. They’re absolutely amazing at a multitude of things, including spellcasting, providing exceptional support, and showcasing incredible general skills. However, their fighting effectiveness may gradually decrease over time. Even though that can be seen as an opportunity for growth and improvement, This ultimately makes them a class with unique strengths.
Bards have an incredible range of spells at their disposal and excel at enhancing their allies’ rolls. Although they may not focus on dealing massive damage or being exceptionally durable, they bring unique strengths to the table. They require mental effort, which enhances their capacity to focus on one effect at a time. Bards, even with these restrictions, are an absolutely fantastic class in Baldur’s Gate 3. You will find BG3 to be an entertaining and distinctive support class for a wide range of interesting stories and conversation choices.
Paladin
Paladins are the second-most powerful class you can count on in Baldur’s Gate 3. Paladins come with a divine connection and a variety of powerful spells and abilities. They excel at close-quarter combat and can heal themselves and others as well. To start off, you will be getting Extra Attack, which will let you do more actions per turn. Their incredible gameplay experience includes the Divine Smite, rejuvenating healing spells, and protection powers that boost Allies.
Paladins can heal themselves and others using their hit points, making them self-sufficient and resilient. And this resilience comes from their strong AC and ability to equip heavy armor. Paladins can exhibit their limited but promising spellcasting powers. Additionally, their unshakeable dedication to following the code of conduct guides them to honor and righteousness. On top of that, these restrictions can improve roleplaying and stimulate character choices.
Sorcerer
Sorcerers possess innate magical abilities that allow them to perform spellcasting without external components. They can tailor and amplify their spells through special sorcery points and metamagic choices, providing extraordinary flexibility.
Sorcerers have the edge over other classes due to their metamagic skills, which allow them to modify and improve spells by increasing their effective range and performing additional spells. They can cast spells for longer periods without taking long breaks and can swap spell slots for sorcery points. However, the Sorcerer class has fewer spells than the Wizard class, making them less robust and challenging for newbies to Baldur’s Gate 3.
A-Tier
Barbarian
The Barbarian class is renowned for its exceptional strength, durability, and damage output. Its rage and frenzy abilities, impressive hit points, and formidable melee attacks make it an unstoppable force on the battlefield. Barbarians receive Extra Attack, allowing them to have an abundance of actions per turn, resulting in even greater damage.
Their Rage feature boosts their strength and damage resistance, making them an unstoppable force against enemies. Moreover, Barbarians also possess an impressive hit point pool and resistance to specific types of damage while raging. That in term, makes them withstand enemy attacks and remain resilient in combats.
They are optimistic, straightforward, and unarmored in defense, using their Dexterity to calculate their armor class. Barbarians excel in close-quarters combat and in situations without relying on spellcasting abilities. However, their rage duration is finite, with a restricted number of daily usages.
Fighter
The Fighter class is a popular choice for players who want to deal significant damage. Moreover, it will feel like hitting the jackpot if it comes with extra durability. Furthermore, it comes with a considerable hit point pool that you can use to equip various armor and weaponry. Moreover, fighters excel at weathering combat situations. Their stash includes skills like Action Surge and Second Wind, which enhance their damage infliction. Furthermore, the Extra Attack enhances the Fighter class’s uncomplicated mechanics. This allows for a maximum of five actions in a single turn.
The Fighter class’s versatility in both close-quarters and long-range fighting is due to their mastery of weapons. They possess the second-highest health points compared to other classes, reinforcing their overall resilience. However, Fighters have limitations in their magical abilities, as they cannot cast spells, which may become an issue, but not that much. Their usefulness and adaptability in non-combat situations might drop a bit. However, the effectiveness of Fighters relies heavily on the quality of their equipment, emphasizing the importance of upgrading gear to maintain their combat efficiency.
Ranger
Rangers excel at locating and pursuing targets, using natural forces to their advantage. They gain the Extra Attack ability at higher levels, increasing their damage output. However, their effectiveness in terms of damage declines as they progress further. They are also proficient in nature skills such as survival, tracking, and engaging with the natural environment. Including the Hunter’s Mark enhances their combat prowess by allowing them to choose specific targets and deal more damage.
One of the advantages of the Ranger class is the ability to form a connection with animals, gaining a loyal companion and additional strategic options. On the downside, Rangers may underperform compared to other classes at higher levels. They also have a limited stash of spells and fewer spell slots than some other spellcasting classes. Additionally, their nature-oriented skills may be less effective in urban environments, which, in term, can reduce their efficacy in certain campaigns.
Warlock
Warlocks possess significant magical abilities, acting as middlemen between supernatural creatures and themselves. They also have various incantations and slots for casting spells, resulting in a tendency towards repetitiveness during battle scenarios. This varies greatly when they mainly rely on the Eldritch Blast cantrip. Nevertheless, this class possesses several advantages, most notably its remarkable adaptability.
Warlocks possess the ability to restore their spell slots by means of short periods of rest. One potential drawback of this class is its comparatively limited allocation of spell slots, which can restrict the extent of their spellcasting capabilities. Moreover, their limited range of fighting methods indicates a lack of versatility.
B-Tier
Cleric
Clerics have a diverse range of abilities. In the realm of divine spellcasting, they can be identified by their unwavering devotion to a particular deity. Their exceptional proficiency in offering assistance to the group using healing, support spells, and offensive aptitudes is by far the best among the other classes. Clerics make use of a diverse array of weaponry that, in terms of adaptability and versatility, exhibits a high degree of adaptability. Their domain abilities augment their proficiency and adaptability.
Nevertheless, it is worth reminding ourselves that their offensive skills are somewhat constricted, potentially leading to a reduced focus on doing effective damage compared to other classes specializing in spell casting. Although Clerics may not possess the most prominent damage output, they serve as invaluable support classes capable of significantly aiding a team.
Druid
Druids in BG3 are spellcasters with a solid connection to nature, giving them a wide range of spells and abilities. They can transform into different animal forms, which provides unlimited strategic advantages. Moreover, they excel at support roles, crowd control, and summoning, making them valuable assets to any team.
Being a versatile Druid can be a fulfillment to multiple roles, including melee combat, spellcasting, and support. Their shape-shifting ability allows them to adapt to different situations and enhance their tactical prowess. They can also manipulate the environment and heal allies with their spells. However, they have limited options regarding weapons and armor, which can limit their combat effectiveness. On top of that, they cannot access light and medium armor. Moreover, the complexity of their spellcasting and the specific challenges associated with their nature-based abilities can be challenging for newbies.
Wizard
The Wizard class demonstrates remarkable versatility along with proficiency in spellcasting, particularly in the domain of spells that target a large crowd. Additionally, Wizards can manipulate the environment, which provides an advantage over utility and control.
As wizards, they get more powerful as they advance in levels. However, they remain vulnerable due to low health and lack of armor competence. There is an inherent risk here, but there is also an opportunity for gain. Wizards can learn various spells, giving them an edge in multiple situations. Arcane Recovery allows them to regain spell slots, and crowd control abilities make it difficult for their foes to move or attack. However, it is not easy to learn the complexities of spellcasting, as the process of preparing a spell involves careful selection and arrangement.
C-Tier
Rogue
Rogues are for highly competent and adaptable players. Specifically, those who seek stealth, cunning, and pinpoint attacks. Their Sneak assault skill lets them deliver considerable damage with a single assault, and they excel at both close-quarters and long-range combat. Rogues are helpful in various contexts due to their proficiency in combat and non-combat settings.
Rogues’ ability to deal significant damage can bring valuable non-combative experience to the team. But unlike fully armored characters, Rogues don’t have much resistance to damage. Moreover, lacking the ability to cast spells also restricts their potential. In addition, Rogues rely significantly on advantage to increase their damage output, which might be difficult to acquire in some situations. Even though their gameplay is simple and intuitive, it nevertheless requires a careful strategy to overcome the downsides.
Monk
The Monk class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is widely known for its martial arts and enlightened outlook. They are highly mobile and proficient in hand-to-hand close combat. Monks can control large crowds, cast spells, and perform various tasks. However, they are not very good at surviving on their own and instead rely significantly on others.
The Monk’s reliance on Dexterity can make it difficult to maximize their spellcasting or melee damage. Newbies may find it difficult to master the complex movement mechanics necessary to bring out the full potential of the Monk.
UPDATE: PATCH #01 (25.08.23)
Astarion and the Zhentarim have improved the game, enhancing story flow, dialogue, and UI menus. Players can interact with Astarion and the Moonrise Towers, and the Zhentarim at Goblin Camp are more tolerant. The Digital Deluxe DLC has been updated, improving visuals, character models, and gameplay.
