The Ultimate Guide to Baldur's Gate 3: Uncovering the Hidden Gems among Classes

Baldur's Gate 3 has created a sensation in the gaming community, offering players an exhilarating and enchanting Dungeons and Dragons experience on their screens. Aligning with the fifth edition rule set of the tabletop game, Baldur's Gate 3 showcases 12 unique playable classes, each encompassing their own distinctive subclasses.

Although certain classes in BG3 are widely recognized as superior, there are some that are unfortunately overlooked and undervalued. This may be attributed to various reasons, ranging from a lack of interest in the empowering fantasy that these classes offer to misconceptions about their efficacy in Baldur's Gate itself, D&D, or similar games.

5 Wizard

In Baldur's Gate 3, Wizards are often overshadowed by other magical classes like Warlocks and Sorcerers, especially considering the latter's immense popularity. However, it is important to recognize that Wizards possess their own unique strengths and weaknesses. While they may be notoriously fragile and prone to affecting allies with chaotic AOE spells, it is crucial not to overlook the opportunity to delve into the realm of arcane knowledge that Wizards offer.

Within Baldur's Gate 3, Wizards can choose from eight diverse subclasses, each representing a different school of magic. However, it's important to note that subclass selection occurs at level 2 rather than during initial character creation. Additionally, Wizards boast the highest number of available spells and spell slots in the game. These abundant options enable players to embark on distinctly individual experiences while simultaneously exerting some of the most potent damage in the game.

4 Druid

The Druid class in BG3 is often overlooked, despite its ability to transform into animals. It excels in versatility rather than specializing in one particular area. Players can choose to be a tank by transforming into a bear, or they can focus on supporting allies or dealing decent damage.

Baldur's Gate 3 offers three Druid subclasses, known as Druid Circles, each emphasizing different aspects of nature and wielding power in unique ways. The Circle of the Moon, in particular, allows players to have fun with animal transformations. Interestingly, the other two subclasses are also underrated, much like the Druid class itself.

3 Barbarian

The term 'Barbarian' carries negative connotations, leading players to often overlook this class in Baldur's Gate 3 for more powerful options. However, Barbarians are underrated, excelling at throwing objects and creatures in the game. If enemies are near cliffs or pools of lava, Barbarians can easily shove or throw them to their demise due to their high strength. The Barbarian's greatest strength lies in their ability to become enraged, granting significant combat boosts for a set period. Additionally, players may find enjoyment in the Barbarian's straightforward and humorous approach to non-combat situations, as demonstrated in the early stages of the game.

2 Monk

The Monk class often gets overlooked in both Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate 3, and it is not considered particularly strong. Monks primarily rely on Dexterity and Wisdom and excel when using simple weapons and armor, which may not be appealing to players seeking the strongest gear in BG3. Additionally, new players may be deterred by the unique action mechanic of consuming Ki points.

The Monk class offers three subclasses: Way of the Open Hand, Way of Shadow, and Way of the Four Elements, with the last allowing players to immerse themselves in a role-playing experience similar to Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Surprisingly, the most effective approach to maximize the Monk class and create a formidable character is to engage in combat unarmed.

1 Cleric

Larian Studios announced in the first major patch for Baldur's Gate 3 that the Cleric class is considered to be the least popular among players. This suggests that the community may be undervaluing the potential of the Cleric class. While some players may prefer to have the Cleric companion, Shadowheart, by their side and feel that they do not require another Cleric, this alone does not explain why Clerics are widely overlooked in Baldur's Gate 3.

The primary reason for the lack of interest in Clerics is likely due to the perception that they are weak and unexciting in combat, serving mainly as healers. However, those who explore the different Cleric subclasses will discover more diverse and intriguing play styles, including martial abilities and cunning strategies.

Baldur's Gate 3 is out now available for PC and is set to release on September 6th, 2023, for PlayStation 5.