Baldur’s Gate 3 classes

Despite the game not releasing in full until August 2023, there’s already a wide range of Baldur’s Gate 3 classes for players to choose from in its early access version.  Right now, there are ten BG3 classes in total, each with two to three subclasses to pick between.

The currently available version has about 30 hours of content, allowing you to explore a good chunk of the game as a whole host of DnD classes and DnD races. In a Reddit AMA, Larian said that every 5e class in the Player’s Handbook – that’s 12 total – will be found in the game when the Baldur’s Gate 3 release date rolls around. There’s also expected to be 5e multiclassing and plenty of options for crafting the perfect DnD character build in the game come release day.

This guide will walk you through all the Baldur’s Gate 3 classes and subclasses, including their DnD armour, DnD weapons, and DnD skill proficiencies. Note that in character creation you’ll pick your class right away, but the chance to specialise into a subclass will come a little later – one you’ve got some DnD level ups under your belt.

Here’s the Baldur’s Gate 3 classes:

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

Barbarian

The Barbarian class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is an angry type, who charges into combat ready to hack and slash with nature’s rage. Their Rage ability allows them to deal additional damage with melee weapons, improvised weapons, and thrown objects ranging from chairs to goblins.

For more on the tabletop version of the Barbarian 5e, stomp on over to our complete D&D guide. 

Bard

Able to cast spells through playing an instrument, bards excel at hampering foes with debuffs, and strengthening allies. Bards have the ability Jack of All trades, allowing them to add half their proficiency bonus to skill checks they’re not proficient in. They can also grant their party the effect of a short rest with the Song of Rest action.

At third level, a bard can choose to specialise in one of two subclasses or colleges. The College of Lore grants a grab bag of proficiencies – intimidation, arcana, and sleight of hand – as well as a unique debuff action, Cutting Words. The College of Valor is more martial focused, granting medium armor, martial weapon and shield know-how, as well as the Combat Inspiration ability.

Learn more about what the final BG3 Bard might look like in our DnD Bard guide. 

Cleric

The Cleric class in Baldur’s Gate 3 picks a deity to worship upon character creation, which means they chose their subclass immediately. They can heal their party or hamper their foes with divine spells, and can cast three cantrips, prepare three level one spells and get two subclass spells at first level.

Here’s our Cleric 5e guide for a deeper look at the class’ spells and domains.

Druid

The Druid class in Baldur’s Gate 3 can turn into an animal, and wield a range of nature-themed spells – some offensive, some defensive or healing. They start the game with two cantrips and four spells to pick between.

Gather round for a full look at this class in the DnD Druid guide. 

Fighter

The Fighter class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the more straightforward classes you can pick. They are great with all kinds of weapons and armour – you can kit them out in leather with a dagger, or in plate mail with a giant axe, whatever you prefer. Their Second Wind ability lets them regain HP in combat.

Here’s our Fighter 5e guide for a full look at the class in the tabletop game.

Ranger

The Ranger class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a wildsman that knows the terrain and excels at hunting their chosen quarry. At first level, Rangers select a favoured enemy and natural explorer type. Both of these options can grant the character additional spells, proficiencies, and resistances.

If Ranger sounds like the class for you, you might enjoy this comprehensive DnD Ranger guide. 

Rogue

The Rogue class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the sneakiest option you can pick – as you might expect. It can take out enemies with stealth using Sneak Attack abilities, and excels at picking locks and disarming traps.

Our Rogue 5e guide can tell you more about this class’ subclasses and what tricks it has up its sleeves. 

Sorcerer

The Sorcerer class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is an atypical kind of spellcaster that’s naturally massively magically talented, and starts out as either a Wild Mage, or with a Draconic Bloodline. At level one you get four cantrips and two level one spells.

Here’s a complete DnD Sorcerer guide if you can’t wait ’til launch day for a full version of the class. 

Warlock

The Warlock class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a spellcaster whose supernatural abilities come from some eerie, powerful being known as a patron. You pick your subclass at level one, along with two cantrips and two level one spells. Several Warlock spells are unique to a particular subclass.

Ready to make the pact? Time to swing by our full Warlock 5e class guide. 

Wizard

The Wizard class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is your more bog standard magical class – if such a thing is possible. You can’t use armour, or most weapons, but you trade that up for potent magical powers. At level one a Wizard gets three cantrips and an impressive six level one spells. Their Arcane Recovery ability lets them regain expended spell slots, helping them stretch this even further.

Here’s a complete list of Wizard 5e subclasses in our comprehensive D&D guide. 

Paladin

Paladins are one-part divine magic users and one-part hefty sword-slingers. In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Paladin class is bound by a moral code – and they take it pretty seriously. You can choose whether you want to play by the rules, of course, but breaking promises might turn you into an Oathbreaker. This is a hidden subclass exclusively for Paladins who have fallen from grace.

Looking for more Paladin power? Our DnD Paladin guide can help you out.