The Ultimate Guide to Dominate Baldur's Gate 3 as a Fighter

Baldur's Gate 3 presents a vast array of races, classes, and subclasses, all derived from the Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition rulebook. Among these choices, the Fighter class stands out as a quintessential DnD archetype. This class possesses unparalleled mastery in martial combat, adeptly wielding any weapon in Baldur's Gate 3 to unleash lethal strikes.

A misconception often surrounds the Fighter class in Dungeons and Dragons, as some deem it too basic or introductory. However, this claim overlooks the class's true nature – exceptional versatility. The Fighter can be tailored and played in countless distinct styles. From the heavily armored knight adorned with shield and flail, to the nimble fencing virtuoso armed with a rapier, even to the sharpshooting archer capable of precisely disarming foes with well-aimed arrows. All these diverse character concepts can be realized through the boundless potential of the Fighter class.

Baldur's Gate 3: Fighter Roleplay Features

Fighters excel in the art of weaponry and armor, demonstrating proficiency with any weapon in Baldur's Gate 3 and feeling at ease in heavy plate armor. However, upon creating a Fighter character, players are granted various options to specialize in a specific combat technique or weapon. Additionally, at level 3, they can personalize their style even further by choosing a subclass. These choices play a crucial role in shaping a Fighter's identity during roleplay. It is important to note that there are notable distinctions between a robust Champion relying on strength and heavy armor, and a nimble Eldritch Knight who combines magic and martial prowess on the battlefield.

Due to the fact that Fighters typically prioritize high Strength or Dexterity, along with some Constitution for survival, they often have leftover attribute points which may be freely allocated to mental Ability Scores. This opportunity for customization is relatively unique to Fighters, as most other classes require Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma to power their abilities. As a result, Fighters have the freedom to invest these additional points in various areas. For example, they can opt to enhance their Charisma to create a charismatic adventurer akin to a Bard, bolster their Intelligence to merge martial skill with a strong education, or focus on Wisdom to develop a perceptive character capable of detecting deception and avoiding traps.

Baldur's Gate 3: Fighter Gameplay Features

Fighters excel on the battlefield, living up to their name. In Baldur's Gate 3, they can fulfill the role of a tank or DPS depending on their build, specializing in either close-quarters or long-range combat. Their remarkable ability, Second Wind, grants them self-sufficiency by allowing them to heal during combat. Additionally, their powerful Action Surge enables them to accomplish more than any other class in a single turn.

Although the Fighter's choice of Fighting Style influences their combat strategy, it is their subclass that truly shapes their character. Baldur's Gate 3 offers three distinct subclasses for Fighters, each adding its own unique flair:

The Battle Master is a popular subclass for Fighters in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. It offers players a variety of Battle Maneuvers that can enhance their attacks, such as disarming enemies or granting temporary HP to allies. These Maneuvers can be used multiple times per Short Rest.

The Eldritch Knight is a subclass that combines magic with the Fighter class. It allows them to cast a limited selection of cantrips and spells from the Wizard list. In Baldur's Gate 3, Eldritch Knights have access to 1st and 2nd level Spell Slots. Their magic can be used to expand their options in combat and other situations. Eldritch Knights use Intelligence as their spellcasting modifier.

The Champion is a damage-focused Fighter that amplifies the Fighter's innate abilities. It increases their likelihood of landing critical hits, allows them to perform extraordinary athletic feats, and grants an additional Fighting Style.

No matter which Fighter subclass players select in Baldur's Gate 3, they can trust that their character will be a vital component of the party during battles. The Fighter's independent nature ensures its success in challenging encounters, and its adaptable approach to mental Ability Scores allows players to specialize their Fighter's strengths when not engaging in combat.

Baldur's Gate 3 comes out on August 3 on PC and September 6 on PS5.