Baldur's Gate 3
Class Selection Guide for Every Playstyle
Choosing the right class in BG3 shapes every hour of your 100+ hour experience. Here's everything you need to know before you commit to a character.
The 12 Classes at a Glance
BG3 offers 12 base classes with subclasses unlocked at level 3. Full multiclassing support means the theoretical build space is enormous. For a first playthrough, single-class builds with a clear role are strongly recommended. The game is generous — even suboptimal builds can complete the campaign on Balanced difficulty. On Tactician and Honour Mode, class choice matters significantly.
Best Classes for Beginners
Fighter is universally recommended for newcomers — high survivability, straightforward mechanics, and Second Wind provides reliable self-healing. Battle Master subclass at level 3 adds tactical depth through manoeuvres. Paladin is equally beginner-friendly: Divine Smite delivers satisfying power spikes that make combat feel rewarding even before mastering positioning. Oath of Devotion is the most straightforward subclass for new players.
Spellcaster Overview
Sorcerer is more immediately powerful than Wizard, trading spell variety for Metamagic flexibility. Draconic Bloodline is the most beginner-friendly sorcerer subclass. Cleric is arguably the strongest class in the game — Light or Life Cleric can solo most encounters on balanced difficulty. Bard's Jack of All Trades makes every skill check easier, ideal for players who prioritise exploration and dialogue over combat.
Multiclassing: When and How
The classic Paladin 2 / Sorcerer 10 Sorcadin build is one of the game's most powerful configurations, but requires understanding both class systems before attempting. On a first run, stay single class. On a second run, multiclassing opens extraordinary build space. The general rule: don't multiclass before level 5 — most classes receive their most important features at levels 4-6.
Honour Mode Tier List
S Tier: Paladin, Cleric, Wizard. A Tier: Druid, Sorcerer, Bard. B Tier: Fighter, Warlock, Rogue. C Tier: Monk, Ranger, Barbarian. This reflects solo-clear potential on the hardest difficulty. In party play, all classes contribute meaningfully — the ranking collapses when you have a well-balanced group of four.
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