Unleash Epic Powers: 10 Unbeatable Character Builds for Baldur's Gate 3 Beginners

New players of Baldur's Gate 3 might feel overwhelmed by the numerous character customization options available to them. As the game follows the D&D 5e rules, players have the opportunity to create intricately detailed characters for various aspects of gameplay, including combat, roleplay, and exploration. The game's intense storyline, featuring a massive Mindflayer invasion in the Forgotten Realms of Faerun, adds to the difficulty of decision-making for beginners.

Fortunately, Baldur's Gate 3 takes into account the accessibility of the D&D 5e system, providing ways for newcomers to create a character that is viable throughout the entire game. However, how should new players approach the creation of their first character in Baldur's Gate 3?

10 Frenzied Tank

The Barbarian in Baldur's Gate 3, unlike the strategic Fighter, prioritizes causing chaos without hesitation. This is what makes the Frenzied Tank an incredibly effective front-line protector. Barbarians already possess a 10-turn Rage that boosts their damage and defense against close combat, and the Berserker subclass adds Frenzy, allowing them to throw creatures at targets (Enraged Throw) and make an additional melee attack as a Bonus Action (Frenzied Strike).

By utilizing Reckless Attack to prepare for their Frenzy, the Frenzied Tank can unleash a barrage of devastating attacks during their turn, resulting in significant damage per second. Additionally, at 5th Level, the Extra Attack feature allows them to land a minimum of three strikes on a target, solidifying their role as a straightforward and efficient melee DPS Barbarian.

9 Lunar Ferocity

The Druid stands out from other Baldur's Gate 3 Classes by possessing the Wild Shape ability, which allows them to transform into different animals. The Lunar Ferocity build showcases the Druid's potential as a tank, thanks to the powerful Circle of the Moon's Combat Wild Shape feature. This build not only enables players to fulfill the role of a tank, but also incorporates elements of a healer.

To achieve this, the build utilizes Wild Shapes that prioritize combat, offering forms suitable for heavy melee combat (Bear) and aerial combat (Dire Raven). Additionally, these Wild Shapes grant access to special magical attacks in each form (Wild Strike, Primal Strike). Before reaching the 10th Level and unlocking Elemental Myrmidion Wild Shapes, Lunar Ferocity characters can rely on Wild Shape-based healing (Lunar Mend), as well as a selection of spells that provide moderate healing, buffs, and damage.

8 Fiendish Accuracy

The Warlock class in Dungeons & Dragons offers a unique set of abilities that are thematically frightening and highly useful in the game. With the Fiendish Accuracy ability, Warlocks can become powerful long-range spellcasters, dealing significant damage while staying safe. This particular build focuses on the Fiend Patron, with the character Wyll being a recommended choice. To maximize effectiveness, players should aim to obtain the Hex spell (a 1st-level enchantment spell cast as a bonus action) and Eldritch Blast (a potent evocation cantrip). This combination allows for a constant stream of damage without expending valuable spell slots.

Additionally, selecting the Dark One's Blessing Eldritch Invocation grants Fiendish Accuracy builds the ability to heal themselves whenever they kill a hostile creature. For improved positioning and safety, the 2nd-level conjuration spell Misty Step can be used to teleport the Warlock to higher ground or away from imminent danger.

7 Light Of Balance

The Light of Balance build in Baldur's Gate 3 transforms Shadowheart into a Light Domain Cleric, making her a versatile character option for players. This build allows players to have a resilient warrior who can deal damage while also providing support to the team. At the beginning, Light Clerics have access to 3 Cantrips and 2 1st-Level Spells, offering a variety of abilities such as buffs, protections, and efficient healing. Additionally, as Clerics level up, they gain Channel Divinity Options and special Class Features that enhance their versatility in battle. These include frightening undead, dealing heavy damage to them, imposing Disadvantage on Attack Rolls, and dispelling magical darkness with damage.

6 Battle Master Flexibility

For those who find the overwhelming selection of spells as a Wizard in Dungeons & Dragons, they may choose to use the Battle Master Flexibility for a more straightforward melee experience. Designed with characters like Lae'zel in mind, Maneuvers are a tool that Battle Masters can use to control combat nearby, utilizing various attacks with special effects.

At 3rd level, a Battle Master will have access to 3 Maneuvers initially, with the potential to expand their repertoire to 7 by the time they reach 11th level. Some recommended Maneuvers include Distracting Strike, which grants Advantage on the next Attack Roll against the target, Evasive Footwork, which imposes Disadvantage on melee attacks against the Battle Master, Maneuvers Attack, which provides extra movement speed to an ally, Pushing Attack, which combines an attack with a shove, and Trip Attack, which knocks the enemy Prone.

5 Devout Smiting

The Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay offers a unique combination of healing and tanking abilities, making it a versatile healer-tank hybrid. It combines the combat efficiency of the Cleric and the Fighter classes. Even at lower levels, the Devout Smiting Paladin gains access to emergency healing through Lay on Hands and advantage on attack rolls against specific creature types with Divine Sense. Additionally, they have a diverse combat playstyle due to their chosen fighting style.

In addition to the usual healing and support spells, the Devotion Paladin can enhance their weapon attacks with Sacred Weapons, repel undead with Turn the Undead, and create a damaging aura for their allies with Holy Rebuke. One notable aspect of Devout Smiting is the wide range of smiting abilities available, including burning (Searing), pushing (Thunderous), frightening (Wrathful), marking (Branding), and blinding (Blinding) opponents.

4 Valorous Bard

The Bard of Dungeons & Dragons is not typically known for being highly effective in combat. However, the Valorous Bard in Baldur's Gate 3 stands out as one of the most well-balanced character builds in the RPG. With its foundation in the College of Valor, the Valorous Bard offers a range of abilities and benefits that enhance both combat prowess and utility skills. While it includes standard Bard features such as Bardic Inspiration, Song of Rest, and a multitude of Skill Proficiencies, the Valorous Bard goes a step further by providing additional combat incentives. Combat Inspiration, for instance, transforms ordinary Bardic Inspiration into a valuable combat buff, granting support to allies in need. Additionally, the Valorous Bard gains extra Proficiencies in Shield usage, Medium Armor, and Martial Weapons, greatly expanding their capacity for dealing damage.

3 Fireball Galore

Wizards in Dungeons & Dragons are known for their spellcasting abilities, particularly in regards to fire-based spells. One popular spell, Fireball Galore, can be used by the character Gale in Baldur's Gate 3 to become an Evocation Wizard. This subclass grants access to more powerful spells, including early-game Cantrips like Fire Bolt, Ray of Frost, and Acid Splash which are necessary for handling lower-level enemies.

While players anticipate the coveted higher-level spell Fireball, there are earlier alternatives available. Multi-targeting Magic Missile (1st Level Evocation), surface-creating Chromatic Orb (1st Level Evocation), and Scorching Ray (2nd Level Evocation) serve as effective substitutes.

2 Hunter Extraordinaire

The Hunter Subclass of the Ranger specializes in efficiently eliminating their target, offering gameplay in Baldur's Gate 3 that is similar to the Battle Master Fighter but with simpler combat maneuvers. Starting off, Rangers possess Natural Explorer, which grants them various Resistances (Wasteland Wanderer), the ability to have pets (Beast Tamer), and tracking techniques (Urban Tracker).

However, the true strength of the Hunter Extraordinaire lies in its access to Hunter's Prey. They can choose to deal 1d8 damage to a target below its maximum HP (Colossus Slayer), attack two adjacent targets simultaneously (Horde Breaker), or immediately counter a melee attack (Giant Killer).

1 Eldritch Knight Versatility

For players seeking the ultimate character versatility in their Baldur's Gate 3 gameplay, the Eldritch Knight Versatility build is highly recommended. Designed with the resilient tank Lae'zel in mind, this build combines the survivability of a Fighter with the innate spellcasting abilities of a Wizard.

The key to this build lies in choosing the right spells that cater to both melee and ranged combat. Firstly, it is essential for the Eldritch Knight to acquire the potent multi-target spell, Magic Missile (1st-Level), in order to maximize efficiency. Additionally, selecting spells that are not available to other Wizard characters will further enhance the Eldritch Knight's capabilities. Considering their lack of area-of-effect options, spells like Scorching Ray and Shatter (2nd-Level) and Chromatic Orb and Thunderwave (1st-Level) offer well-rounded choices for various situations.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available now on PC and is slated for a September 6 release for PlayStation 5.