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Baldur's Gate 3 character class screen
Screenshot by Dot Esports

Baldur’s Gate 3 class tier list

Some are definitely better than others.

Players have plenty of options to choose from in their adventures across the world of Baldur’s Gate 3, with several classes that can be selected. Whether choosing the roles for your companions or a class to play as yourself, classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 are an important choice as the wrong team composition can quickly turn the tide against you in battle.

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Classes also have their strengths and weaknesses outside of combat, allowing access to different routes in dialogue that can change your journey significantly, and the right balance is crucial to success.

S-Tier

Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3, recognisable by red skin and demon features.
Barbarians like Karlach are great. Image via Larian
  • Bard
  • Cleric
  • Ranger
  • Barbarian

Bard

Bard is an excellent support class, benefitting from several proficiencies that allow you to pass skill checks regularly, but the biggest boost is the Bardic Inspiration unique action, which grants bonuses to an ally’s rolls, ability checks, and saving throws. However, they lack survivability.

Cleric

Like Bard, Cleric is another strong support class that provides healing, as well as decent damage output. They’re also capable of taking more hits than the Bards due to their armor proficiencies and are a strong addition to any team.

Ranger

Rangers have plenty of options in fights, either up close or from a distance, and can call upon animal companions to help in battles. Familiars are useful to debuff enemies, opening the door for teammates to capitalize. This is the class I use, and I love it, but I’m a fair and impartial tier list judge, so I didn’t put it top.

Barbarian

The Barbarian class is the perfect powerhouse to add to any party, utilizing Rage or Frenzy to gain improved offense and defense. Reckless Attacks can inflict serious damage, though the best feature is being able to throw enemies, or allies, as weapons.

Related: Best starting classes to use in Baldur’s Gate 3

A-Tier

The companion Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3.
Rogues like Astarion excel in stealth. Image via Larian Studios
  • Paladin
  • Sorcerer
  • Wizard
  • Fighter
  • Rogue

Paladin

Paladins do not have as many spells as Clerics but are able to use heavy armor, allowing them to take more hits, and have several Smites that can apply additional damage or effects. The Healing Radiance spell is particularly useful, healing your party once cast and again at the start of a round.

Sorcerer

Sorcerers, unsurprisingly, benefit from a wide range of spells and you can modify each spell, like making them hit two enemies instead of one or making a spellcast a bonus action, which allows you to attack twice in your turn.

Fighter

The biggest asset for a Fighter is Action Surge, allowing you to attack twice in your turn, and Manoeuvres, which allows you to push or trip foes. This is particularly useful when you’re up high, as you can push an enemy over an edge to inflict significant damage or kill them. I love watching foes plummet to their demise.

Wizard

Like Sorcerers, Wizards can cast a vast number of spells and have more available to them than any other class, though the Sorcerers Metamagic feature makes them slightly stronger. Still, you can customize your Wizard’s arsenal in a variety of ways to fit exactly what you want.

Rogue

Finally, Rogues are great for initiating combat with their Sneak Attacks, though their use is limited. Thankfully, the Rogue is able to fight up close or from a distance, which provides them with a bit more variety, and they’re great for moving around the field of battle.

Related: What are saving throws in Baldur’s Gate 3?

B-Tier

The druid Halsin from Baldur's Gate 3 speaking on a mountainous background
Druids like Halsin may feel sub-par. Image via Larian Studios
  • Druid
  • Monk
  • Warlock

Druid

Druids offer quite a lot but are not great at anything, with an extremely limited list of spells to choose from. Shapeshifting is the best ability available, however, and can fill the role of tank expertly in any group. That being said, if you’re interested in romancing bears, maybe Druid is the class for you.

Warlock

Warlocks can use Hexes to debuff hostiles and open the door to attacks, while Eldritch Blast is a great attack that you’ll likely see enemies using on you regularly. The downside, however, is a more limited list of spells.

Monk

Lastly, the Monk class has a decent premise but lacks survivability or a specialty, though can be a decent option for role-playing.

Others Asked

What are some challenges players face when choosing to play as a Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3?

One challenge players face when choosing to play as a Cleric is the presence of many sub-classes, making it difficult to find the best one, requiring extensive research on equipment, items, stats, races, and sub-classes, which might lead players to skip picking Clerics altogether.

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What are some class changes suggested by players for different characters in Baldur's Gate 3?

Players suggested changing Astarion into a Bard, Karlach into a Monk or an Eldritch Knight, and Shadowheart into a Light Cleric.

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How many classes and subclasses are available in Baldur's Gate 3?

Baldur's Gate 3 has 12 classes and 46 subclasses.

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Author
Image of Josh Challies
Josh Challies
Staff Writer. Professional writer since 2014. Pokemon, Marvel, Star Wars and overall geek. Previously wrote for Yahoo Sport, Stats Perform and online news publications.