What class should you choose in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Baldurs Gate 3 drops you into the character creator after the opening cinematic where you’ll pick your character’s race, background, and class. The class you choose will determine how well your character fights, but it is not the only factor. There are 12 different classes. — and 46 subclasses total across them all — it’s not really an easy decision. Here’s what to know about choosing a class in Baldur’s Gate 3.

There’s no wrong choice

Classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 — and in pen-and-paper D&D, for that matter — are all fairly well-balanced. There is no class that’s better in general than any other. Instead, it’s really a question of How to get started you want to play — and, more specifically, how you want to fight.

Pick Fighter if you’re overwhelmed

Nothing against Fighters here, but they’re the easiest class to wrap your head around. You’re not going to need to manage spells or Ki Points. Instead, you’ll see a baddie and then you’ll stab said baddie.

Fighters get more complicated when you get to subclasses at level 3 (one subclass does get spells), but it’s the most straightforward class to play when you’re first starting out.

Beyond combat: Think about it

Your character’s class is mostly about combat, but the underlying Ability Score that it relies on effects the other skills you’ll use to interact with the world. Baldur’s Gate 3 assigns your Ability Scores automatically (though you can tweak it in the character creator), so each class’s primary ability will be your highest score.

Both Bards & Sorcerers, for instance, are based on Charisma. A high Charisma also makes them better at Persuasion skills, deception and intimidation. They will also be more adept at persuasion, deception and lies outside of combat. Clerics and Druids, which are wisdom-based classes, will have a better understanding of the world around them.

Which class is best for me?

Distinctions like caster vs. puncher or melee vs. ranged don’t really work for Baldur’s Gate 3 (or D&D). There’s a lot of overlap in the classes — especially as you level up. But it’s also a good place to start. Are you going to concentrate on your magic or weapons?

I want to focus on weapons and…

• …hitting What is the best way to get in touch with you?, really hard. Choose a Barbarian.
• …controlling the battlefield. Select a Fighter.
• …quick, nimble attacks. Select a Monk.
• …meting out divine justice. Choose a Paladin.
• …I also want an animal friend. Choose a Ranger.
• …being both sneaky and stabby. Select a Rogue.

I want to focus on magic and…

• …look good doing it. Choose a bard.
• …don’t mind being the healer. Choose a Cleric.
• …also I want to shapeshift into a wolf. Choose a Druid.
• …I don’t know where it comes from. Pick a Sorcerer.
• …I don’t care where it comes from. Choose a warlock.
• …my Trapper Keeper had color-coded tabs for each subject. Pick a Wizard.

More information about the courses in Baldur’s Gate 3Consult our guides on Barbarians, Bards, Clerics, Druids, Fighters, Monks, Paladins, Rangers, Rogues, Sorcerers, Warlocks, and Wizards.