There are 12 classes to choose from in Baldur’s Gate 3. With so many interesting choices — and countless subclasses for them — players may wonder what class the best is to play in their Baldur’s Gate 3 Accounts, after all, some rise above the rest in damage output, survivability and versatility. Therefore, this is every class in Baldur’s Gate 3 ranked.
1) Cleric
When it comes to the best class in Baldur’s Gate 3, no other class comes closer than the Cleric. Clerics can fit into almost any role and excel at it. They are equipped with some of the best supportive spells in the game and can lead an attack, heal and buff the party, deal substantial damage, debuff enemies, and much more. Players can essentially become the battle medic of their dreams, or something a lot more aggressive depending on their Domain of choice.
2) Bard
Bards are not just Charisma machines but they regularly have access to some of the most creative, effective, and entertaining dialog/interaction options in the game. Charisma, Persuasion, and similar skills are a bit overpowered in Baldur’s Gate 3, and Bards are some of the absolute best conversationalists in the game. Though Bards have minimal access to traditional combat techniques, their ability to buff allies, debuff enemies, and instantly access some of the most unique utility spells in the game means that they can contribute something substantial to every form of combat in every fight.
3) Fighter
The Fighter is one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s most adaptable classes, and because of that, it can be dropped into almost any situation and come out on top. They are hosts to some substantial durability and damage output, as well as a fairly shallow learning curve, allowing players of almost any skill level the opportunity to master the class. Also, Fighters are the best “jack-of-all-trades” class, as they can both survive and excel alone, in a group, at melee range, and at long range. Perhaps their only downsides are their social and exploration weaknesses, especially compared to the abilities and characteristics of other classes.
4) Sorcerer
Although melee classes are interesting and easy to use, the spellcasters of Baldur’s Gate 3 are some of the best classes a player can decide from. A Sorcerer’s magic comes from their bloodline, allowing them to harness power to defeat their foes. What really holds the Sorcerer back from being the best classis its learning curve. The Sorcerer class is by far one of the most misunderstood classes in the game, especially for those who have little to no Dungeons & Dragons experience.
5) Paladin
As they are in most role-playing games, Paladins are holy knights who typically have high survivability due to their defensive stats and healing abilities. In Baldur’s Gate 3, they do exactly that, only they also have some of the best single-target damage in the game, thanks to their Holy Smite ability. The Paladin class is a great choice for players who are looking to stay alive and still deal some decent damage.
6) Wizard
The Wizard class is another spellcaster that has piqued players’ interest in the RPG title. Wizards have the most subclasses out of all the main classes. This is because the Wizard can focus on a certain school of magic when deciding what sort of Wizard they are going to be. While options can certainly make it a viable character for almost any situation, those options also allow other spell-casters like the Sorcerer to outshine it. Along with its limited power, the Wizard is also an extremely fragile class, so it is best suited for more experienced players.
7) Warlock
While not the most fun class to play, Warlocks can certainly be a tremendous weapon in any party’s arsenal. Warlocks typically rely on two abilities, the Eldritch Blast Cantrip for damage and Hex to debuff enemies. In addition to their potent spells, Warlocks have naturally high Charisma, which makes them indispensable for certain dialogue situations. Their weakness isn’t in their lack of power, however, but in their lack of options. They have very limited spell slots, which often leads to monotonous combat. That being said, some players may prefer this sort of simplified approach to combat.
8) Barbarian
Although Barbarian finds itself at the bottom of the list for classes, it’s still a great class for players to experience for themselves, especially if new to Baldur’s Gate. As a prominent melee class, players will be on the front lines dealing with various enemies they face head-on. Not only do they deal massive melee damage to enemies, but they also have high survivability and the highest hit dice in the game. Players will often find the Barbarian’s Rage ability to be the deciding factor in each battle, as it can often carry an entire party to victory. However, they have limited ranged options for combat, and their abilities and personality outside of combat are lacking, to say the least.
9) Rogue
Unsurprisingly, the Rogue is another tempting choice for many players in Baldur’s Gate 3. Not only does it have its uses outside of combat, such as being the best when it comes to lock picking or pickpocketing, but it also has the chance of landing plenty of critical hits to quickly deal with opponents. Unfortunately, where the Rogue falls short is in its sustained damage. In a way, it acts more as a DPS support class, as it can open a fight with some of the best early damage output in the game but struggles as battles near their end.
10) Druid
Like the Monk, the Druid is one of the most versatile classes in the game. A Druid can fill the role of tank, offensive spell-caster, or support. While a Druid is certainly a versatile class, its magic pales in comparison to other spell-casters whose main focus is spells. This is primarily where the Druid class falls short, along with other classes that share its versatility. While there are classes out there that can do what the Druid does but better, the Druid just tends to feel a bit disappointing.
11) Ranger
Rangers in the fifth edition of Dungeons and Dragons have been seen as one of the least-used, least-loved classes out of the many available.The Ranger is a sort of hybrid class that’s essentially a mixture of the Druid and Fighter classes. They excel in ranged combat, and their melee abilities and support spells make them a fairly versatile class. Additionally, they can summon beast companions to assist them in battle. But it succumbs to some significant damage falloff in the late game. Those who play as a Ranger will find the incredible damage numbers they get in the early game aren’t so incredible later on.
12) Monk
The Monk is easily one of the most fun classes to play, as its martial arts expertise makes for some exciting moments during the game. Monks are primarily a melee-range class, but they can also cast spells if necessary. But that, unfortunately, may also be their downfall. While they are one of the most versatile classes, and they can be quite powerful in Dungeons & Dragons, they have lower damage output in just about every way. On top of that, they have very limited survivability, and for being primarily a melee class, those two ingredients just don’t mix.
There is no wrong way to play Baldur’s Gate 3, but the very best classes in the game will let you get the most out of this epic RPG adventure.