Baldur’s Gate 3 – Best Race for Each of the 12 Class

The Best Races For Every Class in Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 starts out during an invasion of Faerûn. You, as the evil mind flayers’ unwilling puppet, have an illithid tadpole writhing inside your head. Escape is only the beginning as you crash back into Faerûn, determined to rid yourself of the sinister parasite. Along the way, you’ll encounter a myriad of intriguing characters, each with their own tales and abilities.

The massiveness of Baldur’s Gate 3 can be daunting, especially during character creation. Your race and class choices significantly impact your strengths and weaknesses, shaping your gameplay. Unlike many D&D-based games, this one allows flexible race/class combos and respeccing options, making almost any race viable in any class. While the best choice depends on your preference, some combos offer a slight edge over the others. Here are our picks for the top race options for each class, starting with the Barbarian. 

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Aggressive Classes

If you’re a first-timer in the world of D&D, the aggressive class is probably best for you. It aligns with the protagonist approach that most gamers are familiar with.

Barbarian – “A fierce warrior of primitive background who can enter a battle rage”

If you’re considering playing as a Barbarian, you can choose between two great Barbarian class options: the Half-Orc and Shield Dwarf. If all you want is to focus on crushing your foes in straightforward combat, the Shield Dwarf is a perfect choice! On the other hand, if you prefer a Barbarian with added mobility and versatility, then you should choose the Half-Orc. With increased movement and Intimidation benefits, you’ll have an edge in battle.

However, if you’re a more magic-oriented Barbarian (like me), consider the Dragonborn. Their Breath abilities enhance Dexterity and Constitution, crucial attributes for leveling up your Barbarian. Not only that, but Dragonborn also have a striking appearance.

Rogue – “A scoundrel who uses stealth and trickery to overcome obstacles and enemies”

If you’re a sneaky player who loves daggers, bows, and thievery (like me), I find Rogues to be the perfect class for you. High Elves are an excellent option for Rogue builds with their balanced stats and bow proficiency. However, if I want to delve into the mystical side of being a Rogue, I might consider the Drow for long-term magical benefits. Another underrated choice for Rogues is Deep Gnomes. Their Stone Camouflage ability is one of the best racial skills, perfect for staying hidden, especially in dark environments. With their generous stat distribution that aligns well with Rogue needs, Deep Gnomes are definitely worth considering.

Monk – “A master of martial arts, harnessing the power of the body in pursuit of physical and spiritual perfection”

If you’re playing Baldur’s Gate 3 and want a unique and powerful melee class, the Monk is a great choice. You’ll blend potent magical attacks with impressive hand-to-hand moves, setting yourself apart from others. As a Monk race, you might consider the Githyanki, excelling as both Fighters and Monks. But if you want even more advantages, go for the Wood Half-Elfs. They offer easy movement, dark vision, and natural magical shields, perfect for challenging situations, and their stat spread fits the Monk class well. Halflings are also a solid option.

If you’re into sneaky gameplay and prefer the Way of the Shadow Monk, the Drow is a perfect fit. They embody the Rogue archetype and bring a range of useful skills to the mix. Whether you’re drawn to Githyanki’s versatility, Wood Half-Elfs’ mobility, Halflings’ unique abilities, or Drows’ sneaky skills, Monks offer a diverse and exciting array of playstyles for you to explore.

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Defense Classes

BG3 doesn’t have a linear storyline. While some might find that tiring, others take advantage of that by immersing themselves in the side quests and playing the defense class, as that opens up a lot of possibilities.

Paladin – “A holy warrior bound to a sacred oath”

In Bladur’s Gate 3, you have thrilling race options to explore in the Paladin class. If you prefer a “pure” Paladin, the Gold Dwarves are an excellent choice. They are tough, excel in melee combat, and have powerful defensive/support spellcasting abilities, making them more than just tanks.

On the other hand, if you lean towards a darker Paladin role and want to follow the Oathbreaker route, Tieflings become a compelling option. Their unique mix of stats and racial abilities allows you to create a sinister and formidable Paladin persona. So, whether you seek to be a valiant defender or a menacing Oathbreaker, the game offers exciting possibilities.

Fighter – “A master of martial combat, skilled with a variety of weapons and armor”

If you’re looking to play as a Fighter, Githyanki would be a perfect fit for you. They possess strength, agility, and even some magic abilities, which can be great if you’re interested in multiclassing with spellcasting. On the other hand, Half-Orcs may not be as versatile, but they have immense raw power, making them formidable tanks when the situation demands it.

Similarly, Shield Dwarves are the best tank race in the game, thanks to their resilience to physical damage and racial bonuses that suit most Fighter playstyles. However, if you want to add some magical flair to your Fighter class, Githyanki remains an appealing choice worth considering.

Ranger – “A warrior who uses martial prowess and nature magic to combat threats on the edges of civilization”

As a Ranger, whether you prefer sniping enemies from afar or unleashing nature’s might, these race choices offer fantastic gameplay. When picking a race to play as a Ranger, Wood Elves are a great option because they are well-suited to the role and allow for a wide variety of builds. In addition, they provide role-players with enticing thematic benefits.

Lightfoot Halflings, whose traits, similar to those of excellent Rogues, make them exceptional Gloom Stalker Rangers. If you’re more interested in the “Beast Master” path, though, Forest Gnomes are a good alternative to consider. Their skills are fitting for a Druid-type that defends from a distance. 

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Caster Classes

D&D games owe half their charm to caster classes. The spell casting abilities differentiate games like BG3 from other CRPGs. 

Wizard – “A scholarly magic-user capable of manipulating the structures of reality”

In the world of wizards, there are a lot of different things to look into. If you choose to play as a Half-Drow, you’ll have access to skills that are a unique mix of elf and drow abilities. This will set you up for a unique journey. High Elves have the best natural spellcasting skills (as usual), but Drow have powerful natural skills that aren’t far behind. 

Also, don’t forget the Rock Gnomes! Even though they’re incapable of necromancy, gnomes are known for having strong natural shields and a strong tendency to use magic. As the Wizard class, you will often find yourself in tough situations when conversing with people. This is when the Artificer’s Lore skill of gnomes can really help you out, giving you useful advice. 

Sorcerer – “A spellcaster who draws on inherent magic from a gift or bloodline”

When it comes to the Sorcerer class, they tap into innate or primal magic, granting unique abilities that go beyond direct damage. Take the Half-Drow; it’s a winning package with the strengths of High Elves and pure Drows combined. And then we have Tieflings, which are interesting as they come with high Charisma, making them perfect for most challenges.

You can also check out the Dragonborn, especially if you want to excel as a Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer. Sure, the early game might be a bit rough, but trust me, in the long run, Dragonborns turn into powerful Sorcerers, and that makes them a choice worth considering. Make your pick wisely, as each race brings distinct advantages to your magical adventure in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Druid – “A priest of the Old Faith, wielding the powers of nature— moonlight and plant growth, fire and lightning— and adopting animal forms”

As a Druid, you can tap into remarkable shapeshifting and spellcasting skills, making you a versatile hero. You have great race options to choose from. If you prefer a mix of skills and role-playing, the Wood Elves are an excellent choice. They are well-suited for magic-based Druids.

On the other hand, if you want to bolster your defensive abilities alongside strong spellcasting, consider going with the Gold Dwarves. They provide excellent defensive benefits. For a more unique experience, you might want to try the Githyanki. With their high base Wisdom stat, they offer exploration of melee and other combat options that many other Druid builds might overlook.

Warlock – “A wielder of magic that is derived from a bargain with an extraplanar entity”

Warlocks are charismatic conjurers who practice the dark arts and whose spells can deal damage over time or conjure creatures from the depths of the underworld. You can count on their magically augmented charms regardless of your physical appearance.

Choose Tieflings and Drow for your Warlock characters. They can quickly adjust to the demands of the Warlock class, and their inherent magical powers and racial bonuses provide ample support for a variety of specializations. Even more so if you intend to dabble in multiclass choices, humans, with their well-rounded statistics, make fantastic Warlocks. They enable Warlocks to expand their horizons beyond the realm of traditional magic.

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Healer Classes

The Healer class may sound boring at first. However, their storylines become more and more gratifying once you advance through the later stages.

Cleric – “A priestly champion who wields divine magic in service of a higher power”

I used to think that Clerics were supporting characters because of their healing abilities. However, they’re so much more than that. You have the option of playing as either Wood Elves or Gold Dwarfs as your Cleric, and each race comes with a unique set of abilities to choose from.

The Wood Elf is a superb spellcaster, and their incredible speed in battle makes them an invaluable asset to any team. Gold Dwarfs, on the other hand, have a substantial boost to their Wisdom and may make good use of the Strength and Defense options because of this. Think about the intriguing Drow, who are incredibly useful in battle thanks to their resistance to multiple types of magic. In addition, the race-specific powers endow them with supplementary utility skills that aid them in navigating hostile and shadowy environments. 

Bard – “An inspiring magician whose power echoes the music of creation”

You can do more with the Bard class than just supporting others. If you understand its mechanics, Bards excel at handling role-playing challenges uniquely. If you focus on Charisma, consider choosing High-Elves or Half-Elves. They have high Charisma and magical abilities that align well with Bard skills.

High Elves even have the exclusive “Friends” cantrip for added charisma benefits. For something different, you might want to try a Tiefling Bard. They naturally have high Charisma, and Mephistopheles Tieflings possess offensive and defensive arcane abilities that suit the Bard’s playstyle. If you’re interested in exploring the Bard’s offensive powers, Tieflings are among the top choices.

Conclusion

Baldur’s Gate 3 has a fascinating set of races and subraces in its latest rendition. And even though I’ve stated my opinion on which race goes best with which class, the fun of BG3 is that any race and any class can pair together to create an awesome gaming experience. So, my suggestion to you is, keep playing whichever character feels right to you. Our choices are more of a pros/cons list, and gaming is anything but.