Which classes are the best in Baldur’s Gate 3? MeinMMO helps you choose if you want to build the strongest character.
What are the best classes in Baldur’s Gate 3? There are fundamental differences in strengths and areas of use among the classes. Each class can deal damage, but some can also act as a tank, healer, or support.
Therefore, the rule is: play what fits your playstyle and what appeals to you. For general “usability” and “user-friendliness,” our tier list can help. Especially if you want to play the challenging Honour Mode
, strong classes are important.
You can also find an overview of all 12 classes here on MeinMMO.
Who creates the tier list? We have numerous experts for Dungeons & Dragons on the MeinMMO team and have compared our experience with other tier lists like the one from Mobalytics.
Note that this tier list evaluates the pure power of the classes themselves, not their potential in combination with other classes, such as in multiclassing.
What does “S” to “F” mean? The tier list categorizes classes into semi-alphabetical categories, with S at the top and then descending A-F. Classes in the S-ranking perform fundamentally better in all situations in the game, not just in combat.
Here a developer gives tips on all classes:
S-Tier: Bard, Wizard, Paladin, Cleric
Bard
Bards use music as a catalyst for their magic and are traditionally the support in the group. However, they also master the strongest control spells in the game en masse, making them a cornerstone of the group.
In addition, Bards have enormous charisma and often strong bonuses on skills like Performance and Persuasion. This way, you can solve problems even without combat. The Bard schools are:
- School of Lore (S-Tier)
- School of Valor (B-Tier) – You can even play him like a Viking Skald
- School of Swords (S-Tier)
- School of Enchantment (B-Tier)
Wizard
As “spontaneous” spellcasters, Wizards can cast magic simply through their body. This limits their variety somewhat, but makes their spells unmatched stronger when they specialize. The subclasses are:
- Dragon Bloodline (B-Tier)
- Wild Magic (A-Tier)
- Storm Sorcery (S-Tier)
- Shadow Magic (A-Tier)
Paladin
Basically priests in plate armor and with a sword: as a Paladin, you swear an oath and use divine power to crush your enemies. While you have only minor healing magic, you can take a hit and deal even more damage. The companion Minthara is a Paladin. The oaths are:
- Oath of the Ancients (S-Tier)
- Oath of Devotion (A-Tier)
- Oath of Vengeance (S-Tier)
- Oathbreaker (S-Tier): Oathbreaker is a “secret” class and must be unlocked
- Oath of the Crown (B-Tier)
Cleric
As a Cleric, you dedicate your life to a god and channel its divine power through your spells. Clerics are typically the healers of a group but can also deal significant damage and even tank. Shadowheart is a cleric. The possible domains are:
- Life Domain (B-Tier)
- Light Domain (A-Tier)
- Trickery Domain (B-Tier)
- Nature Domain (B-Tier)
- Storm Domain (S-Tier) – Possibly with the best build in the whole game
- Knowledge Domain (A-Tier)
- War Domain (S-Tier)
- Death Domain (S-Tier)
Tip: Clerics are better as support or pure damage heroes in high difficulties than if you let them heal:
A-Tier: Barbarian, Sorcerer, Warlock, Druid, Monk, Fighter, Rogue
Barbarian
If you just want to hit things, Barbarians are the class for you. They have little depth, mainly gaining more and stronger attacks and smash opponents without regard for consequences. Karlach is a barbarian. Possible paths are:
- Path of the Berserker (B-Tier)
- Path of the Wildheart (A-Tier)
- Path of Wild Magic (C-Tier)
- Path of the Giant (S-Tier)
Sorcerer
Unlike Wizards, Sorcerers have to prepare a list of spells. They have “learned” magic through study. However, they can prepare different spells each time after a rest and are thus significantly more flexible. Gale is a Sorcerer. The possible schools are:
- School of Abjuration (A-Tier)
- School of Conjuration (A-Tier)
- School of Divination (C-Tier)
- School of Evocation (S-Tier)
- School of Illusion (C-Tier)
- School of Necromancy (A-Tier)
- School of Enchantment (B-Tier)
- School of Transmutation (A-Tier)
- Chanting (B-Tier)
Warlock
Warlocks gain their power through a pact with a supernatural being or an otherworldly deity. Unlike other spell classes, they always cast at the highest possible level and recover their spell slots after a short rest. Wyll is a Warlock. The possible pacts are:
- The Archfey (A-Tier)
- The Great Old One (A-Tier)
- The Hexblade (A-Tier)
- Curseblade (A-Tier)
Druid
As a Druid, you draw your magical powers from nature itself. You can communicate with plants and animals and even transform. Accordingly, you can take on almost any role in a group. Halsin and Jaheira are Druids. The possible circles are:
- Circle of the Moon (S-Tier)
- Circle of the Land (A-Tier)
- Circle of Spores (?-Tier) This specialization depends heavily on the player and the situation.
- Circle of Stars (A-Tier)
Monk
Monks are experts in unarmed close combat, extremely agile, and master special techniques to deal damage to opponents. According to the lead author of Baldur’s Gate 3, Monks are even the strongest class in the game. However, their areas of application are often specific, dependent on the environment, and they are quite challenging to play. The possible paths are:
- Way of the Open Hand (S-Tier)
- Way of the Four Elements (B-Tier)
- Way of Shadows (B-Tier)
- Way of the Drunken Master (B-Tier)
Fighter
Fighters are versatile and by far the best class for beginners. As a fighter, you can score in both melee and ranged combat, tank, and heal yourself. In addition, you have several actions available per round from early on. Lae’zel is a fighter. Possible subclasses are:
- Champion (A-Tier)
- Battle Master (S-Tier)
- Arcane Knight (B-Tier)
- Arcane Archer (C-Tier)
This makes the Fighter the perfect starter class:
Rogue
Rogues are theoretically powerful assassins or skilled thieves. In Baldur’s Gate 3, however, it is difficult to get into a situation where you can play that out. With luck, you can take out individual opponents instantly and bypass or significantly ease challenging fights. Astarion is a rogue. The possible specializations are:
- Thief (A-Tier)
- Arcane Trickster (D-Tier, unfortunately sounds cooler than it is)
- Assassin (B-Tier)
- Swashbuckler (S-Tier)
B-Tier: Ranger
Ranger
The only “real” ranged class is unfortunately one of the weakest in Baldur’s Gate 3. Rangers are hunters and wild keepers, protecting the land and their forests and even having animal companions. However, they lack depth, alternatives, and areas of use. Minsc is a ranger. Possible specializations are:
- Beast Master (A-Tier)
- Hunter (C-Tier)
- Gloom Stalker (C-Tier, but one of the best options for multiclassing)
- Swarmkeeper (A-Tier)
Multiclassing in Baldur’s Gate 3: How to get the most out of your character
If you already know the game better, you can also use the multiclassing feature. In Baldur’s Gate 3, you can level up to a level in any class with each level increase.
This way, you can create really strong combinations, but you can also fail really hard. Therefore, we only present some class combinations here that work particularly well:
- Fighter with Paladin or Rogue
- Paladin and Wizard
- Monk and Rogue
- Cleric and Wizard
- Druid and Barbarian
Even Rangers can become really strong this way if you combine them with Fighter and Rogue. As a rule of thumb: take a versatile class as a base and a particularly strong specialist class to improve. This usually leads to good combinations. But keep in mind that you only have 12 levels available. This has a reason: Why you are only allowed to play up to level 12 in Baldur’s Gate 3 and why that’s a good thing
