The Ultimate Guide to Unleashing Chaos: Discover the Perfect Baldur's Gate 3 Class for Die-Hard Diablo 4 Barbarian Fans
Baldur's Gate 3 offers a thrilling Barbarian class that allows players to charge fearlessly into battles Additionally, the game provides excellent alternatives like the versatile Fighter class and the powerful Clerics, who strike a perfect balance between strength and support
Highlights
Similar to Diablo 4, Baldur's Gate 3 features a Barbarian class that emphasizes dealing and absorbing damage. However, the Barbarian class in Baldur's Gate 3 offers unique advantages that are not found in Diablo 4, such as expertise in using ranged weapons like crossbows.Apart from Barbarians, Fighters, and Clerics, Baldur's Gate 3 also presents players with viable options, allowing them to explore various playstyles and abilities.
As the release of Baldur's Gate 3 approaches, enthusiasts of Larian Studios and RPGs eagerly anticipate this highly anticipated title. Despite its distinct pace, fans of Diablo 4 will likely find the allure of another fantasy RPG, where imaginative character builds are encouraged to tackle all the game's challenges in enjoyable and innovative ways.
One of the most satisfying and direct approaches to gameplay involves a character specifically built to overpower enemies while absorbing as much damage as possible. Such a desire is fulfilled in Diablo 4 through the Barbarian class, harnessing their strength to effortlessly carve a path through adversaries. Fortunately, for fans seeking to replicate these capabilities in Baldur's Gate 3, there exist several classes that can aptly satisfy this need.
Baldur's Gate 3 Conveniently Has a Barbarian Class
Similar to Diablo 4, Baldur's Gate 3 features a Barbarian class that offers similar strengths. These powerful characters serve as formidable tanks, capable of absorbing as much damage as they can inflict. Therefore, players should concentrate on determining the type of Barbarian that best aligns with their individual playstyle and preferences.
Baldur's Gate 3 offers unique advantages to its class system compared to Diablo 4. Notably, it excels in the use of ranged weapons such as crossbows. Diablo 4's Barbarians, on the other hand, have limited options for ranged attacks, with only the skill Upheaval available. This puts them at a distinct disadvantage compared to other classes.
Another aspect for Diablo 4 Barbarians to consider is their weapon choices. Unlike in Diablo, where players can equip different weapons with specific skill assignments, Barbarians in Diablo 4 can only equip two weapon sets at a time: one for melee combat and another for ranged combat. Dual-wielding melee weapons allows for three weapons to be equipped, but the off-hand weapon can only be used for bonus attacks with reduced damage.
Barbarians in Baldur's Gate 3 have various subclasses that determine the upgrades and unlockable skills. Those seeking to inflict maximum damage may opt for the Berserker subclass, which replaces Rage with Frenzy, granting an extra melee weapon attack as a bonus action. This subclass bears similarities to Diablo 4, as both focus on annihilating enemies.
Other Barbarian subclasses, such as Wildheart, offer abilities related to chosen animals, whereas Wild Magic casts magical effects based on a d8 roll. Wildheart can provide an additional attack option or enable the Barbarian to use support abilities, while Wild Magic adds a touch of unpredictability to combat.
Fighter is a Great Alternative to Barbarian in Baldur's Gate 3
For Diablo 4 players who want to create a strength-based character without the wild nature of the Barbarian, the Fighter class offers a great alternative. In Baldur's Gate 3, characters like Lae'Zel showcase the immense power of Fighters who possess similar combat skills. Although Fighters may not have as much health or deal as much damage as Barbarians, they have the advantage of being able to don heavy armor right from the start of the game without any drawbacks.
While Barbarians excel in attack prowess, Fighters excel in survivability. Thanks to their ability to don heavy armor early on, Fighters generally suffer less damage compared to other classes. Additionally, they can still deliver devastating blows, as their offensive capabilities are not far behind those of Barbarians.
Fighters have an advantage over Barbarians in terms of versatility within their subclasses. The Battle Master is a physically offensive subclass that introduces new attacks and moves, giving them an advantage in close-quarters combat. These moves vary from fear-inducing attacks to Riposte, which allows players to counter when an enemy misses their attack. The Champion Fighter is also focused on physical prowess, although limited information is available on how it will function in Baldur's Gate 3.
For players who desire the perks of being a tank without relying on items or magic weapons for elemental damage, or those seeking a character with reliable ranged attacks, the Eldritch Knight subclass may be the best choice. This subclass allows a Fighter to learn cantrips and spells, enabling them to deliver devastating physical blows to nearby enemies and cast spells like Magic Missile when foes are out of reach.
Clerics Balance Strength and Support
The Cleric in Diablo 4 differs greatly from the Barbarian class, but it is undeniably the best choice for players who wish to specialize in support or healing abilities without sacrificing physical prowess. In Baldur's Gate 3, the Cleric class starts the game with a diverse array of spells ranging from healing spells like Cure Wounds to powerful offensive spells like Guiding Bolt.
However, this versatility comes at a cost. Clerics have fewer weapon proficiencies compared to other classes, unless players invest in a specific skill. Additionally, Clerics deal reduced damage with their physical attacks, using a d8 for rolling damage instead of the Fighter's d10 or Barbarian's d12. To compensate for this, choosing the War Domain subclass allows Clerics to make more attacks and increases their accuracy.
If you're a Diablo fan who primarily plays as the Barbarian and is interested in transitioning to the slower-paced action of Baldur's Gate 3, you'll be pleased to know that there are numerous options available. The Barbarian class in Baldur's Gate 3 shares a similar ethos to Diablo's Barbarian, providing a familiar playstyle. Alternatively, the Fighter class offers more opportunities to explore and experiment with magic, while the Cleric class is perfect for those seeking a departure from a strength-focused character. Regardless of the option chosen, Baldur's Gate 3 offers a wide range of classes that provide ample room for experimentation.
Baldur's Gate 3 will be released on August 3 for PC and September 6 for PS5.
