Best Starting Classes For ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’
If you’re just getting started with Baldur’s Gate 3, the right class can make all the difference. Here are some of the best!
Baldur’s Gate 3 has taken Steam by storm. And it’s little wonder why; an expansive single-player game that you can seamlessly play with your friends. A rich immersive world full of quests and discoveries around every corner? The horniest cast of companion NPCs on this side of a Dragon Age? That and more awaits.
Of course, diving into the expanse of Baldur’s Gate 3 can be tricky. The game can be quite surprising—the difficulty can creep up on you, and before you realize it, those harpies you thought were going to be an easy fight have killed you three times, and you keep running out of revivify scrolls.
And that’s before we even get into Tactician mode, which ups the difficulty for real. More on that in another article, I’m sure. For now though, if you’re looking to just get started with the game, we’re here to help you find the best starting class.
Bards Will Help You Pass All Those Conversation Skill Checks
One of the most frustrating things in Baldur’s Gate 3 is not knowing what lies on the other side of a rolled d20. You will feel the sting of having a +3 and failing to hit a DC 10 time and again. Especially since there are so many fun options that crop up on the other side of a Persuasion, Deception, or Intimidate check.
Bards are masters of all things skill related. Not only will you be able to pick up Expertise, but you’ll also get half your proficiency bonus in skills you’re not proficient in at all fairly early on. Which will help you take a chance on those skill checks way more often.
On top of all that, Bards also get a ton of helpful magic spells which can make the powerhouses in conversation as well as combat. If you want to be a social character, Bards are the way to go,
Paladins Have That Main Character Energy
Look, Paladins come with main character syndrome built into the class. They have lots of hit points, are good in melee, can cast spells, and are special little beans who swear oaths to do good, party, be good at sports, or hit really hard. They are one of two “ultimate himbo” classes, and their class features make managing your party even easier. There’s not a character class/archetype they don’t support.
And that’s before you start layering in feats and smites and other things to support you. Plus, the Paladin-exclusive dialogue options are good clean fun.
Pick a Paladin if you want to feel like the center of attention. You’ll have a built-in roleplay angle, and a ton of powerful attacks to take on those real tough encounters. Just be mindful that not all the party members will appreciate you if you’re too much of a goodie-two-shoes.
Clerics are the Multitools of D&D
Clerics are an incredibly strong option for both the new player and the die-hard optimizer. Pick a playstyle, there’s probably a Cleric build for it. From melee specialists to spellcasting blasters, to weird aura effect dealers who amp up the whole party for those big tough fights, to healers, there’s plenty to see when you scratch the surface.
Clerics are fairly robust, so they’re easy for new players. They can be competent in a number of arenas, you just have to decide where you want to focus. And they’ll help you keep your NPC companions alive (or at least make it easier to bring them back from the dead).
Barbarians Have All The Hit Points and are So Hard to Kill
Barbarians have the most hit points out of any single class in the game. And that alone might make them a good candidate for one of the best starting classes in Baldur’s Gate 3. But, add to that the damage reduction that they get when enraged, the ability to wear medium armor (and even use a shield if they want), and they can be hard(ish) to hit, and take very little punishment when they do get hit.
They also aren’t slouches in the damage department. Sure it falls off at higher levels, but that won’t matter when you pick up and throw your enemies across the room.
Warlock Go Brrrrrrrrrrr
Warlocks make a pact for power and boy does that power really help them out. By the time you hit level 2, you already have one of the best-ranged attack spells in the game (and this is a game that very much rewards ranged attacks and spells), but then on top of that, you have Charisma which is one of two stats that basically lets you do whatever you want in the game.
You can use Charisma for everything. Like spellcasting. And talking to people. Or talking to people and then casting spells at them!
What are you playing first in Baldur’s Gate 3?
