7 Beginner-Friendly Classes for Your First Baldur's Gate 3 Playthrough

7 Beginner-Friendly Classes for Your First Baldur's Gate 3 Playthrough - Fighter - Straightforward and Sturdy

The Fighter is a straightforward and sturdy class in Baldur's Gate 3 that is well-suited for beginner players.

With their ability to deal physical damage and take hits, Fighters make for a reliable damage and tank option.

Customization is a key strength, as Fighters can choose from various subclasses like Eldritch Knight to tailor their playstyle.

For those new to the game, the Fighter represents an accessible entry point to the world of Baldur's Gate 3.

Fighters have the unique ability to wear the heaviest armor in the game, granting them exceptional damage resistance and making them formidable frontline combatants.

The Eldritch Knight subclass for Fighters allows them to combine their mastery of martial weapons with the arcane power of spellcasting, creating a versatile hybrid class.

Fighters have access to a wide array of combat maneuvers through the Battle Master subclass, enabling them to control the battlefield and debuff their enemies.

Interestingly, Fighters gain additional ability score improvements compared to other classes, allowing them to maximize their physical attributes and become even more dominant in melee combat.

The Champion subclass for Fighters emphasizes critical hits, making them deadly precision-focused combatants that can reliably land devastating blows.

Surprisingly, Fighters can also serve as effective pseudo-support characters, utilizing their Indomitable feature to grant allies additional chances to succeed on saving throws.

7 Beginner-Friendly Classes for Your First Baldur's Gate 3 Playthrough - Cleric - Versatile Magic and Healing

The Cleric class in Baldur's Gate 3 proves to be a highly versatile and beginner-friendly option, with the ability to specialize in various roles such as healing, buffing, or even dealing damage.

Their diverse skillset and divine powers make them valuable assets to any party, offering both offensive and defensive capabilities that are well-suited for early gameplay as players develop their character builds.

Clerics in Baldur's Gate 3 can channel their divine energy through a unique ability called Channel Divinity, allowing them to perform powerful actions like healing allies, destroying undead creatures, or even influencing the battlefield.

The Cleric class has access to a diverse selection of spells and abilities, which are heavily influenced by their chosen divine domain, such as the Knowledge, Life, Light, Nature, Tempest, War, or Trickery domains.

Interestingly, Clerics can use their spell slots to cast a wide variety of spells, ranging from offensive damage-dealing abilities to powerful healing and support options, making them a truly versatile class.

Surprisingly, the Cleric class is considered one of the easiest and most beginner-friendly in Baldur's Gate 3, as their abilities are straightforward to understand and execute, making them an ideal choice for players new to the RPG genre.

Remarkably, Clerics can gain access to highly influential spells like Planar Ally, Divine Intervention, and Destructive Wave, which can dramatically impact the outcome of battles and quests.

Intriguingly, the Cleric's diverse skillset, combining offensive and defensive capabilities, makes them valuable assets to any party, especially in the early stages of the game when players may still be developing their character builds.

Surprisingly, the Cleric class is often considered a vital part of a well-rounded party composition in Baldur's Gate 3, as their ability to heal, buff, and support their allies can make the difference between success and failure in challenging encounters.

7 Beginner-Friendly Classes for Your First Baldur's Gate 3 Playthrough - Rogue - Stealth and Precision Strikes

The Rogue class in Baldur's Gate 3 excels in stealth-based combat, allowing players to strike from the shadows with precision.

This versatile class can be built to focus on either melee or ranged combat, and its abilities make it resourceful both in and out of combat.

Beginners may find the Rogue class a suitable choice, especially with subclasses like Arcane Trickster, Thief, and Assassin, which offer unique playstyles and abilities.

The Thief subclass is a recommended option, as it provides the Fast Hands passive, allowing for an extra bonus action.

Additionally, certain racial selections, such as Wood Half-Elf, Githyanki, or Duergar, can provide useful armor and weapon proficiency unlocks for Rogues.

While mastering the Rogue class requires practice, its focus on stealth and precision strikes makes it a viable option for players who enjoy a stealthy approach to gameplay.

Rogues in Baldur's Gate 3 can perform a devastating Sneak Attack, dealing up to 6d6 extra damage if they have advantage on the attack roll or if an ally is within 5 feet of the target.

This makes them exceptionally powerful against isolated enemies.

The Thief subclass for Rogues grants them the ability to use a bonus action to Pick Pocket, Disarm Traps, or Use Magic Item, making them highly versatile in and out of combat.

Rogues can take the Crossbow Expert feat, allowing them to attack with a crossbow at close range without disadvantage and even fire crossbows twice in a single turn, turning them into deadly ranged combatants.

The Arcane Trickster subclass for Rogues grants them access to Wizard spellcasting, enabling them to combine their stealthy abilities with magical effects, creating a formidable hybrid class.

Rogues can multiclass with the Ranger class, gaining access to abilities like Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer, further enhancing their tracking and stealth capabilities in the wilderness.

The Assassin subclass for Rogues allows them to gain Advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn't taken a turn in the combat yet, making them devastating in the opening rounds of an encounter.

The Githyanki race, with its innate ability to cast the Misty Step spell, pairs exceptionally well with the Rogue class, allowing them to teleport short distances to set up Sneak Attacks or escape danger.

7 Beginner-Friendly Classes for Your First Baldur's Gate 3 Playthrough - Ranger - Ranged Combat and Nature's Ally

The Ranger class in Baldur's Gate 3 is a versatile combat-oriented class that excels in ranged attacks and has a deep connection to nature.

They can choose between three unique subclasses - Hunter, Beast Master, and Gloom Stalker - each offering distinct abilities and playstyles.

Rangers are skilled trackers who can leverage their knowledge of the natural world, spells, and even animal companions to overcome challenges in the game.

Rangers in Baldur's Gate 3 can summon a unique animal companion that fights alongside them, providing an additional source of damage and utility in combat.

The Gloom Stalker Ranger subclass grants them the ability to become invisible in dark areas, allowing them to ambush unsuspecting foes with devastating sneak attacks.

Rangers have access to a wide variety of spells, including the ability to cast Healing Word, making them a valuable support class in addition to their ranged combat prowess.

The Sharpshooter feat, which can be taken by Rangers, allows them to ignore cover bonuses and deal additional damage at the cost of accuracy, transforming them into long-range snipers.

Rangers in Baldur's Gate 3 can choose to specialize in a specific type of enemy, granting them unique abilities and bonuses when fighting that type of creature, making them highly effective against specific threats.

The Beast Master Ranger subclass can grant their animal companion special abilities, such as the ability to unleash a devastating Multiattack, turning their furry ally into a formidable combatant.

Rangers have the unique ability to create difficult terrain, such as entangling vines or muddy ground, which can slow down and hinder the movement of their enemies.

The Hunter Ranger subclass allows them to unleash a Volley of arrows, striking multiple targets in a single devastating attack, making them exceptional at crowd control.

Rangers in Baldur's Gate 3 can take the Crossbow Expert feat, enabling them to attack with a crossbow at close range without disadvantage, further enhancing their ranged combat capabilities.

7 Beginner-Friendly Classes for Your First Baldur's Gate 3 Playthrough - Bard - Spellcasting and Bardic Inspiration

The bard class in Baldur's Gate 3 is known for its unique spellcasting abilities and the powerful Bardic Inspiration feature.

Bards can use musical instruments as spellcasting foci, and their Bardic Inspiration allows them to inspire allies, granting bonuses to attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws.

Depending on the bard's subclass, they can apply their Bardic Inspiration die to either enhance damage or bolster their allies' defenses, making them a valuable support character in any adventuring party.

Bards in Baldur's Gate 3 can use a wide variety of musical instruments as their spellcasting focus, allowing them to seamlessly blend their magical abilities with their musical performances.

Interestingly, the Bardic Inspiration die that bards can grant to their allies scales up as the bard gains levels, starting at d6 and potentially reaching as high as d12.

Remarkably, a bard's Bardic Inspiration can be used to boost not only attack rolls and ability checks but also spell damage and healing, making them a versatile support class.

Surprisingly, the number of times a bard can use their Bardic Inspiration per long rest is equal to their Charisma modifier, ensuring that they can consistently inspire their allies throughout the adventuring day.

the College of Lore, which focuses on expanding their magical repertoire, and the College of Valor, which enhances their combat capabilities.

Intriguingly, the College of Valor bard subclass is considered the most powerful option, as it allows them to apply their Bardic Inspiration die to damage rolls, making them a potent damage-dealer in addition to their supportive abilities.

Surprisingly, bards in Baldur's Gate 3 do not require an instrument to use their Bardic Inspiration, allowing them to inspire their allies even when their hands are occupied with other tasks.

Bards can multiclass with other spellcasting classes, such as Wizard or Sorcerer, further expanding their magical options and creating unique hybrid builds.

Interestingly, the bard's Bardic Inspiration can be used to grant temporary hit points to allies, providing a valuable defensive boost in the heat of battle.

Remarkably, bards in Baldur's Gate 3 can use their Bardic Inspiration to grant allies a bonus to their Armor Class, making them more resilient in melee combat.

7 Beginner-Friendly Classes for Your First Baldur's Gate 3 Playthrough - Barbarian - Unleash Unrestrained Fury

As the Barbarian class in Baldur's Gate 3 continues to captivate players, it offers an unrestrained fury and immense physical prowess that makes it a beginner-friendly choice.

With high strength and constitution scores, Barbarians excel in melee combat, while their subclass options, such as the Path of the Berserker and Path of the Wildheart, provide unique ways to harness their rage and maximize their damage potential.

The Barbarian class in Baldur's Gate 3 is known for its ability to enter a state of uncontrolled rage, granting them temporary boosts to their strength and resilience, making them formidable melee combatants.

Interestingly, the Barbarian's rage mechanic is unique in that it allows them to continue attacking even after their foes have been defeated, unleashing their unbridled fury on the nearest targets.

Surprisingly, the Barbarian's Reckless Attack ability grants them advantage on all attack rolls, but also makes them more vulnerable to incoming attacks, requiring skilled players to balance aggression and defense.

Remarkably, the Barbarian's Danger Sense feature allows them to gain advantage on Dexterity saving throws, making them more adept at avoiding traps and environmental hazards.

Intriguingly, the Barbarian's Path of the Berserker subclass grants them the ability to enter a Frenzy state, allowing them to make an additional attack each turn, but at the cost of exhaustion.

Surprisingly, the Path of the Wildheart Barbarian subclass allows them to channel the power of primal spirits, granting them unique abilities such as the ability to summon a spectral animal companion to fight alongside them.

Interestingly, the Path of Wild Magic Violence Barbarian subclass introduces an element of unpredictability, as their attacks have a chance to trigger random magical effects, potentially dealing devastating damage or even debuffing their enemies.

Remarkably, the Barbarian's Ability Score Improvement feature at Level 4 allows them to significantly boost their Strength or Constitution, further enhancing their already impressive physical prowess.

Surprisingly, the Barbarian's Brutal Critical ability grants them the chance to inflict additional dice of damage on critical hits, making them a true terror on the battlefield.

Intriguingly, the Barbarian's Relentless Endurance feature grants them the ability to ignore the effects of being reduced to 0 hit points once per long rest, allowing them to continue fighting through the most dire of circumstances.

Remarkably, the Barbarian's Persistent Rage feature, gained at higher levels, allows them to maintain their rage even when they are no longer in combat, granting them continued benefits to their strength and constitution.