Unleash Your Ultimate Power: Discover the Perfect Race for Each Class in Baldur's Gate 3

Player freedom is at the core of Baldur's Gate 3's gameplay, allowing gamers to approach battles in various ways. Whether it's utilizing long-range spells, executing sneak attacks, or engaging in all-out confrontations, the game supports diverse styles and strategies. While this flexibility is exciting, newcomers to the genre may find it daunting. In Baldur's Gate 3, any race can excel in any class, offering ample opportunities for creative gamers. Nonetheless, certain races naturally complement specific classes, making them particularly worth considering.

Barbarian

Berserker - Asmodeus Tiefling

Wildheart - Half-Orc

The Gold Dwarf is particularly suited for the Berserker Barbarian as they benefit from thrown objects. Additionally, the Asmodeus Tiefling possesses a cantrip in this class. Another strong choice for Barbarians is the Half-Orc, who pairs well with the versatile Wildheart that excels in a range of situations. For those seeking a more unpredictable playstyle, the Wild Magic Barbarian is able to activate random spells, making the resilient Gold Dwarf an excellent choice. These races can all contribute to creating an optimal Barbarian class build.

Bard

College of Lore - Rock Gnome

College of Valor - Githyanki

The College of Swords is enhanced by the Wood Elf race, as they can provide access to longswords and longbows, two of the most formidable weapons. The College of Lore benefits from the Rock Gnome's doubled History proficiency, amplifying their knowledge and charm. Githyanki excel in the College of Valor, thanks to their Astral Knowledge, enabling them to maintain high Charisma despite being focused on martial skills. When crafting an optimal Bard build, it is advisable to consider these races.

Cleric

Life Domain - High Elf

Light Domain - High Elf

Trickery Domain - High Elf

Knowledge Domain - High Elf

Nature Domain - High Elf

Tempest Domain - Gold Dwarf

War Domain - Strongheart Halfling

Cleric builds for the War Domain can be highly diverse, as this class truly excels in providing support while also possessing the potential to become a formidable blaster, striker, tank, or even the charismatic face of the party. Many players gravitate towards the High Elf, as it grants Clerics the ability to wield longswords and longbows. Additionally, the extra cantrip bestowed upon them proves to be immensely advantageous.

Druid

The subclasses of the Tempest and War Domains offer the opportunity to wield martial weapons, allowing for greater versatility. The unique feature of the Tempest Domain, which activates upon being hit, synergizes well with a resilient race like the Gold Dwarf. Meanwhile, the Strongheart Halfling, with their ability to reroll unwelcome attacks and damage numbers, complements the extra attacks granted by the War Domain.

Circle of the Moon - Gold Dwarf

Circle of the Land - High Elf

Circle of Spores - High Elf

Fighter

Both the Circle of Land and the Circle of Spores are caster-style druids that have a variety of permissible weapons. The inclusion of a High Elf in this class expands the range of weapons available and also introduces a cantrip for the druid to utilize. When striving to create the most effective Druid build with a focus on tanking, the Gold Dwarf is often considered. Since Druids adopt the Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution of the beasts they transform into, the Circle of the Moon Druid doesn't gain many advantages except for the extra health provided by the Gold Dwarf.

Battle Master - Strongheart Halfling

Eldritch Knight - Strongheart Halfling

Champion - Half-Orc

Monk

Fighters possess the unique ability of being able to perform three weapon attacks per round by default, making them the sole class to enjoy this advantage. To fully capitalize on this capability, the optimal Fighter build would select either the Half-Orc or the Halfling race, both of which possess innate predispositions towards frequently rolling dice.

Way of the Open Hand - Lightfoot Halfling

Way of Shadow - Lightfoot Halfling

Way of the Four Elements - Dragonborn

The Lightfoot Halfling is able to reroll any 1s rolled on damage dice. This advantage is particularly beneficial for Monks, as they use four-sided dice. As a result, the Lightfoot Halfling is often considered the optimal race for the Way of the Open Hand, which focuses on unarmed attacks, and the Way of Shadow, as the race provides an advantage on Stealth checks.

However, the dynamics change slightly for the Way of the Four Elements, which relies on elemental damage against opponents' weaknesses. In this case, the Dragonborn's breath weapon complements the Monk's abilities well, providing an area attack that is effective against groups of enemies.

Paladin

Oath of Devotion - Forest Gnome

Oath of the Ancients - Duergar Dwarf

Oath of Vengeance - Forest Gnome

Oathbreaker - Half-Orc

The best Paladin build does not rely on races to cover gaps in proficiency, as it excels in all weapons, armors, and shields. Darkvision is particularly important for melee Paladins, and Forest Gnomes, with their ability to Speak with Animals, can effectively represent the party for Oath of Devotion and Oath of Vengeance Paladins. Duergar Dwarves can further enhance their darkvision range. The Oathbreaker subclass has the advantage of rolling with advantage more frequently, making it a perfect fit for Half-Orcs who can benefit from increased critical strikes caused by the subclass's debuff.

Ranger

Beast Master - Drow

Hunter - Deep Gnome

Gloom Stalker - Wood Elf or Wood Half-Elf

The best Ranger build is a subject of debate due to their individual uniqueness. Having Superior Darkvision is crucial for any ranged class, although Light spells can be helpful, they require concentration, actions, and spell slots. In the case of the Beast Master, their animal companion reduces the need for high Stealth ability, making the Drow a suitable choice. For the Hunter, the Deep Gnome offers a perfect fit, as this race grants advantage on all Stealth checks.

Rogue

Thief - Shield Dwarf

Arcane Trickster - Deep Gnome

Assassin - Woof Elf

The Rogue is hindered primarily by a limited weapon selection and the reliance on light armor. To optimize the Rogue's melee capabilities, it is necessary to provide the class with medium armor and darkvision. In order to enhance ranged attacks, a broader weapon selection and darkvision are essential.

While it may seem unconventional, the Shield Dwarf offers the advantage of medium armor proficiency and darkvision, making it the optimal choice for any melee builds. Regrettably, no other race possesses superior darkvision combined with an upgrade for the Rogue's current proficiencies. Thus, settling for regular darkvision and benefiting from the Wood Elf's longbow boost is the alternative option.

The Arcane Trickster should be viewed as a genuine spellcaster once the class reaches level 9, as all spells impose disadvantage on creatures' rolls when the character remains concealed. The Deep Gnome, with its advantage on Stealth checks and exceptional darkvision, emerges as the optimal choice for an Arcane Trickster.

Sorcerer

Draconic Bloodline - Gold Dwarf

Wild Magic - Githyanki

Storm Sorcery - Githyanki

Although Dungeons and Dragons predominantly offers ranged specializations for the Sorcerer, the optimal builds for this class require a close encounter with enemies. This is primarily due to the availability of three subclasses. The Githyanki subclass, with its access to medium armor proficiencies and the remarkable Astral Knowledge ability, excels as the face of any party. On the other hand, the Draconic Bloodline subclass may not provide armor benefits, but it compensates by enhancing both health and armor class, making the Gold Dwarf the most suitable choice in this regard.

Warlock

The Fiend - Githyanki

Great Old One - Lightfoot Halfling

Archfey - Githyanki

Like the Sorcerer, the Warlock has two subclasses that require close proximity to enemies for maximum effectiveness. Githyanki, therefore, offer an advantageous solution due to their proficiency in medium armor and their Astral Knowledge ability, making them a better choice over the Shield Dwarf. In terms of subclass benefits, the Great Old One enhances critical hits, and the Halfling possesses a greater likelihood of achieving these hits compared to other classes. Therefore, the optimal Warlock build for this subclass should fully embrace and make use of the Lucky trait.

Wizard

Abjuration School - Githyanki

Conjuration School - Githyanki

Divination School - Githyanki

Enchantment School - Githyanki

Evocation School - Githyanki

Necromancy School - Githyanki

Illusion School - Deep Gnome

Githyanki is a valuable choice for the Transmutation School, which is known for classes without heavy armor. This race helps greatly by making the normally vulnerable class more difficult to hit. However, the Illusion School is an exception, as it already has a defensive feature and benefits from Stealth checks. In this case, the Deep Gnome excels.

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.