Baldur's Gate 3: Master Your Race with the Perfect Class

Playing as a fantasy race in Baldur's Gate 3 brings immense joy. Players get to explore the unique customs and tendencies of individuals varying in shapes, sizes, and colors. It's likely that most gamers will find aspects they enjoy in each race.

Furthermore, each race holds a plethora of diversity within. The game's most exhilarating moments occur when characters rise against the oppression imposed by their heritage and defy norms. However, it all begins with creating a character who embraces their own race and the challenges it brings.

Elf

High Elf - Life Domain Cleric

Wood Elf - Assassin Rogue

Consider using a High Elf when building a Cleric in order to take advantage of the additional cantrip and improved weaponry. The proficiencies offered by the Elves are particularly valuable, as most Clerics lack access to exceptional melee or ranged weapons.

For those interested in the Rogue class, the Wood Elf is highly recommended. Not only does it possess remarkable speed and the same excellent proficiencies as the High Elf, but it also addresses the need for better weaponry to deal significant damage. Additionally, the Wood Elf's darkvision enables them to effectively utilize both melee and ranged weapons.

Tiefling

Asmodeus Tiefling - Berserker Barbarian

Mephistopheles Tiefling - Circle of the Land Druid

In terms of building the best Barbarian, the Zariel Tiefling - College of Valour Bard offers a powerful combination. With the Berserker Barbarian granting benefits for throwing items as a bonus action and the Asmodeus Tiefling possessing the cantrip Produce Flame for throwing, this combo is truly hard to surpass. Additionally, the inclusion of the Mephistopheles Tiefling, who can cast Mage Hand like most casters (excluding Druids), further enhances the versatility of the class.

Drow

A Zariel Tiefling with the Thaumaturgy cantrip can excel in the College of Valour. This particular school is often faced with the challenge of having to prioritize combat skills over interaction abilities, but with the help of Thaumaturgy, they can easily handle Intimidation and Persuasion checks.

Beast Master Ranger

When creating the ultimate Ranger build, it is imperative to prioritize Superior Darkvision for any ranged abilities. The Drow possess this natural advantage. While there are two subclasses of Drow, they primarily serve a role-playing function. The Lolth-Sworn and the Seldarine Drow may differ in their lore, but their classes function similarly.

Human

The Fiend Warlock

Githyanki

The additional skill granted to Humans can greatly assist a Warlock spellcaster in choosing Insight, which enables the class to confidently assume the role of the party's spokesperson. Furthermore, the increased carrying capacity proves to be advantageous. Additionally, the Human proficiencies enable the Warlock to utilize a shield, making them a strong contender for the optimal Warlock build among different races.

Divination School Wizard

Dwarf

The Githyanki possess exceptional spellcasting abilities by granting medium armor proficiency to lightweight classes. Additionally, thanks to their Astral Knowledge, Githyanki can master all Charisma-related skills, making them suitable leaders in a party as Wizards. While players may engage in debates over the ideal school for maximizing a Wizard's potential, the Githyanki have a compelling reason to favor Divination. By taking advantage of their reduced vulnerability in combat, they can preserve their valuable mid-range portent dice for offensive maneuvers.

Gold Dwarf - Circle of the Moon Druid

Shield Dwarf - Thief Rogue

Duergar - Oath of the Ancients Paladin

When utilizing Wild Shape, the Druid assumes the physical attributes of the beast, acquiring their Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. However, they do not retain any weapon proficiencies, vision enhancements, or racial spells. Nevertheless, opting for the Gold Dwarf race grants the Druid additional durability, establishing it as the preferred choice for one of the most exceptional Druid builds.

For a Rogue specializing in close-quarters combat, the Shield Dwarf offers invaluable medium armor. This becomes especially crucial for a class that frequently engages in melee confrontations. On the other hand, the Duergar race perfectly complements the Oath of the Ancients Paladin, enabling them to excel even in darkness due to their superior darkvision, while still being able to cast spells and engage in combat effectively.

Half-Elf

High Half-Elf - Evocation Wizard

Wood Half-Elf - Gloom Stalker Ranger

The Drow Half-Elf, as a Hunter Ranger, can take advantage of its proficiency in light armor and shields to enhance its defensive abilities. The Evocation Wizard class pairs well with this, especially due to its assortment of formidable spells that deal high damage but have a limited range.

The Wood Half-Elf holds a position among the top contenders for the swiftest movement available within the game, making the Gloom Stalker Ranger an even more formidable force due to its speed enhancement. While lacking Superior Darkvision, the Drow Half-Elf possesses the ability to cast the Dancing Lights cantrip. This spell effectively illuminates distant adversaries, thus facilitating improved accuracy and spellcasting from afar for both the Hunter Ranger and the rest of the adventuring party.

Halfling

Lightfoot Halfling - Way of the Open Hand Monk

The Strongheart Halfling, known for their resilience and combat prowess, excels as a Battle Master Fighter. Their innate ability to reroll dice that land on a 1 makes them an ideal choice for classes that involve multiple attacks or extensive dice rolls for damage. When paired with the Way of the Open Hand Monk and the agile Lightfoot Halfling, this combination becomes an undeniable force. With their proficiency in using four-sided dice to strike, it becomes evident that this is a definitive choice for the ultimate Monk build.

Fighters are the sole class to acquire a third standard attack during endgame, while the Strongheart Halfling excels as a frontliner, providing enhanced resistance against poison—a prevalent element wielded by adversaries towards anyone charging towards them.

Gnome

Rock Gnome - College of Lore Bard

Forest Gnome - Oath of Devotion Paladin

Deep Gnome - Arcane Trickster Rogue

College of Lore Bards excel in social situations and knowledge, and the Rock Gnome is particularly useful in enhancing one of those skills. This combination creates a seamless Bard build. Similarly, the Forest Gnome's innate ability to communicate with animals makes it a perfect fit for Paladins who need to take on the role of the group's spokesperson.

For those who prefer ranged combat and rely on stealth, the Deep Gnome is an excellent choice. However, it becomes difficult to pass up the opportunity to play as an Arcane Trickster Rogue. At level nine, this subclass gains the advantage against any enemy they remain hidden from. When combined with the Deep Gnome's stealth expertise, this spellcaster can unleash devastating damage without ever missing a target.

Dragonborn

The Way of the Four Elements Monk is a unique path for Dragonborn characters, who often face challenges due to their lack of darkvision, weapon or armor proficiency, and a limited cone-shaped spell that becomes less effective compared to spells and melee weapons over time. However, this monk subclass harnesses the power of elemental forces to exploit enemy weaknesses, making the Dragonborn's breath weapon a valuable asset. This is particularly advantageous for a class that typically struggles to deal with multiple opponents simultaneously.

Half-Orc

Champion Fighter

The Half-Orc deals increased damage with each critical strike and has an extended critical strike range. There is ongoing debate among gamers regarding the optimal Fighter build, but it is difficult to argue against the Half-Orc as the best race for a Champion Fighter.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available now for PC. The PlayStation 5 version will be available on September 6th, 2023. A version for Xbox Series X/S is still in development.