Baldur's Gate 3: Master the Art of Multiclassing with this Ultimate Guide

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The Hazards of Multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3

Benefits of Multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3:

Baldur's Gate 3, a CRPG developed by Larian Studios, faithfully recreates the rules of Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. This allows players to bring their beloved tabletop characters into the digital world. Alongside the inclusion of Feats and Proficiencies, Baldur's Gate 3 also offers the exciting feature of multiclassing.

Multiclassing has been a part of Dungeons & Dragons since its inception, allowing players to deviate from standard class limitations and create characters that defy traditional archetypes. In Baldur's Gate 3, multiclassing enables players to merge the game's 12 classes, resulting in countless distinctive combinations.

Nevertheless, while multiclassing grants players unparalleled flexibility in character design, it can also ensnare the unprepared, resulting in weaker creations that struggle to match the prowess of their single-class counterparts.

How to Multiclass in Baldur's Gate 3

Multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3 closely adheres to the rules of Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition, with one notable change. In Fifth Edition, players need a minimum of 13 in their new class' key Ability Score to multiclass into it, such as Charisma for Sorcerers or Intelligence for Wizards. However, Baldur's Gate 3 eliminates this requirement, allowing players to freely multiclass without concern for their Ability Scores. Although seemingly minor, this change grants players full flexibility to explore multiclassing options as they progress through the game, rather than having to plan their class changes during character creation.

Without the aforementioned rule, multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3 becomes as simple as selecting to gain a level in another class when the player character levels up. This choice unlocks all the class features available at the chosen level of the new class. However, there are some limitations to consider. Multiclassing does not grant new Saving Throw Proficiencies and reduces the range of Weapon and Armor Proficiencies. Additionally, only the Rogue, Ranger, and Bard classes provide an additional Skill Proficiency when multiclassing.

The Hazards of Multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3

Multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3 can be done easily, but it is not always advisable. When multiclassing, it is crucial to consider the character's Ability Scores and the recommended scores for the desired new class. Although it is technically possible to multiclass into a Wizard with an Intelligence score of 8, it is not recommended unless following specific builds that do not heavily rely on the Wizard's primary Ability Score. For most builds, attempting to be a Wizard with low Intelligence would result in disastrous accuracy and weak spell outcomes.

Another drawback of multiclassing is the risk of missing out on significant power advancements that occur at specific levels in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. While gaining features from different classes can enhance a character's versatility, they may find themselves falling behind in terms of sheer power if they constantly multiclass before reaching these crucial levels.

Level 3 marks a significant power surge in D&D, signaling the completion of the initial "tutorial levels" for many tabletop players. Spellcasters unlock 2nd level spells at this stage, while most classes are bestowed with a subclass that significantly enhances their abilities.

Levels 4, 8, and 12 present the opportunity for players to enhance their key Ability Scores or acquire impactful Feats, enabling them to tailor their character's development to their desired build.

Level 5 - At level 5, Martial classes acquire Extra Attack, significantly enhancing their damage output, while spellcasters unlock potent 3rd-level spells. Importantly, the damage of cantrips scales with character level rather than class level. This means that a Wizard 1/Fighter 4's cantrips will inflict the same amount of damage as a Wizard 5's.

The Benefits of Multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3

Aside from the added flexibility provided by a fresh set of class features, multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3 offers a range of benefits. Successful multiclassing revolves around finding harmony between classes, bolstering strengths, and minimizing vulnerabilities. Many popular multiclass builds from tabletop games that are equally effective in Baldur's Gate 3 depend on this harmony, as exemplified below:

The Sorcadin is a popular build that combines the spellcasting power of the Sorcerer with the combat abilities of the Paladin. By utilizing Divine Smite, the Sorcadin can convert spell slots into Radiant Damage for their weapon attacks, allowing for high-level spellcasting and explosive burst damage in close-quarters combat.

The Gloomssassin is a stealthy build that brings together two subclasses, the Gloomstalker Ranger and the Assassin Rogue, both known for their ability to deliver powerful surprise attacks. This combination not only allows for extraordinary damage output during the first turn, but also creates a well-rounded character with spellcasting abilities and strong skills.

The Sorlock, a combination of the Sorcerer and Warlock classes, addresses the issue of spellcasters losing their abilities when they exhaust their spell slots. By utilizing the potent and upgradable Eldritch Blast cantrip along with the Sorcerer's Quicken Spell Metamagic, the Sorlock can unleash multiple Eldritch Blasts in a single turn, resulting in significant damage and a range of detrimental effects.

While Baldur's Gate 3 has remained mostly faithful to the 5E rules, players who wish to employ a multiclassing build from tabletop need to exercise caution to ensure that it has not been weakened or rendered ineffective by any minor rule adjustments. Nonetheless, with thorough research and careful planning, Baldur's Gate 3 players need not fret when it comes to embarking on a multiclassing journey, particularly since the game provides an option for players to respec and modify their build if they are dissatisfied.

Baldur’s Gate 3 will release on August 3, 2023, for PC and September 6, 2023, for PS5.