If you want to create the most powerful and Baldur’s Gate3 best builds, then you need to ensure that almost every single aspect of your character is perfect. From choosing the right class, background, and subclass, to the different equipment and spells, everything needs to synergize to create a powerful build.
Key Takeaways
There are 10+ classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 from which you can create different builds.
When creating a build, you need to consider the Background, Race, and Subclass for a character and ensure it works well with the class you’ll choose.
Each Character has different Abilities and Skills that you can assign, with the ability points suiting certain playstyles better than others.
As you level up, you’ll unlock different Spells and Cantrips to go with your different builds, but ultimately there will be a select few that will suit the class and the build the most.
Why I Chose This: The combat flexibility this build provides on top of the versatile spell options it has.
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Character Creation
Background: Avoid Intimidation, Persuasion, or Deception skills to complement Warlock abilities.
Race: Opt for Half-Elf, Asmodeus Tiefling, or Drow for Charisma bonus and Darkvision.
Class: Choose Warlock with The Fiend or The Great Old One subclass.
The Fiend: Gain Dark One’s Blessing for temporary hit points on enemy kills.
The Great Old One: Access Tasha’s Hideous Laughter and Dissonant Whispers for crowd control and damage.
Abilities
Charisma: Increase Charisma to at least 16 for a +3 ability modifier, enhancing spell accuracy and Eldritch Blast damage.
Constitution, Dexterity, and Intelligence: Allocate points to these abilities as secondary priorities.
Constitution improves hit points, Dexterity enhances armor class, and Intelligence expands skill options for dialogues and interactions.
Skills
Intimidation: Take this skill along with any other skill of your choice.
Intimidation synergizes with Charisma-based abilities and can be useful in various situations.
Spells And Cantrips
Eldritch Blast: Primary attack cantrip, dealing 1-10 damage from range.
Friends: Gain advantage on Charisma checks against non-hostile targets.
Hex: Bonus action spell that increases damage dealt by Eldritch Blast. Recastable upon the target’s death.
Misty Step: Teleportation spells for mobility and tactical positioning.
Equipment
Weapons: Warlocks primarily rely on spells, so weapon choice is not crucial. Opt for proficiency in a Hand Crossbow for ranged combat or dual-wield Rapiers for melee combat.
Armor: Light Armor such as Leather Armor +1 or Studded Leather Armor for protection.
Tips
Gain combat advantage with Eldritch Blast by positioning higher.
Use Misty Step for advantageous positioning.
Replenish spell slots during short rests to maximize Hex usage.
Adapt spell and cantrip selection based on the situation.
Prioritize offensive spells with AoE effects.
Customize Wyll companion by increasing Charisma and initiating dialogues for shared benefits.
Allows for versatile background choices.
Increased survivability due to the fiend subclass.
Great crowd control.
Limited armor options and weapons.
Bard Build
Best Build For Versatile Support.
Bard Class Showcase for the Baldur’s Gate 3 best builds [Image Credits: eXputer]Here’s a quick preview of the optimal setup for the Bard Build in BG3:
Why I Chose This: The capability of versatile combat with ranged and melee combat plus exceptional crowd control.
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Character Creation
Background: Choose a Wisdom-boosting background like the Beast Tamer or Urban Tracker for their perks in animal handling and lockpicking, respectively.
Race: Wood Elves are best due to their boost in Dexterity, Wisdom, and Stealth skills. Alternatively, consider the Strongheart Halfling or Human for a balanced approach.
Subclass: At Level 3, select the Hunter subclass to unlock the Colossus Slayer feature, providing bonus damage.
Abilities
Primarily, focus on Dexterity for bow combat and Constitution for HP and Concentration checks.
Wisdom is also essential for leveraging offensive spells.
Skills
Pick skills that leverage your high Dexterity and Wisdom, such as Stealth, Perception, Animal Handling, or Survival.
Spells And Cantrips
At Level 2, acquire “Speak with Animals” and “Ensnaring Strike” or “Hail of Thorns.”
Level 3 unlocks the Hunter subclass and Colossus Slayer passive ability.
Your third spell can be “Ensnaring Strike,” “Hail of Thorns,” or “Cure Wounds,” depending on party composition and playstyle.
Equipment
Use a Longbow for primary attacks.
Equip a +1 Longbow or Heavy Crossbow +1 when available.
In melee scenarios, dual-wield Shortswords.
Choose Studded Leather Armor or Githyanki Half Plate for optimal Armor Class.
Equip the Amulet of Misty Step or Broodmother’s Revenge for an added tactical edge.
Tips
Use Ensnaring Strike for crowd control.
‘Hail of Thorns’ can be deployed against single targets for extra damage.
Keep a check on your positioning to ensure effective use of your bow and to avoid melee combat disadvantage.
Maintain concentration for your spells, and ensure you don’t hit companions when using AoE abilities.
Has versatile combat with ranged and melee options.
Great crowd control capabilities.
Dependent heavily on spells and limited melee capabilities.
Barbarian Build
Best Melee Damage Dealer Build.
Barbarian Class showcase [Image Credits: eXputer]Here’s a quick look at the setup for the Barbarian Build in BG3:
Background
Outlander
Race
Shield Dwarf / Wood Half-Elf / Human
Subclass
Berserker / Wildheart
Abilities
Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, Wisdom
Skills
Animal Handling, Perception
Spells
Rage, Reckless Attack, Danger Sense
Equipment
Very Heavy Greataxe / Maul +1 / Sword of Justice, Thrown Weapons, Lae’Zel’s Githyanki Half Plate, Crusher’s Ring, Haste Helm, Speed Lightfeet
Why I Chose This: The damage capability this build has is second to none. Taking down enemies with powerful melee attacks.
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Character Creation
Background: Opt for a background that boosts the Athletics Strength Skill like Outlander for enhanced Survival skills.
Race: Go with the Shield Dwarf for a +2 Strength and +2 Constitution boost, supporting both damage and survivability. Alternatively, the Wood Half-Elf and Human offer a balanced Ability Score spread with different trade-offs.
Subclass: Choose from Berserker for a damage-focused approach or Wildheart for an affinity with nature and animals.
Abilities
Strength: Your primary ability. Aim to boost it to at least 16 during Character Creation, aiming for 18 later on for improved accuracy, damage, and carry weight capacity.
Constitution: Enhance this secondary ability for improved survivability, given its effect on max HP and overall armor.
Dexterity: Allocate points here after Strength and Constitution for an enhanced Armour Class.
Wisdom: It doesn’t affect damage but influences the outcome of Skill Checks, thus a secondary priority.
Skills
Select Skills that fall under Wisdom, such as Animal Handling and Perception, given that you’ll have average Wisdom relative to Charisma and Intelligence.
Spells And Cantrips
Level 1: Access powerful Rage ability boosting damage and resilience in combat.
Level 2: Gain Reckless Attack for advantage on attack rolls, Danger Sense for advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws.
Level 3: Add another Rage charge and choose Berserker or Wildheart subclasses for enhanced Rage abilities and new skills.
Level 4: Opt for Ability Improvement feat to raise Strength and Constitution.
Equipment
Choose two-handed weapons like Very Heavy Greataxe, Maul +1, or Sword of Justice for high damage.
Keep Thrown Weapons for versatility.
Use Medium Armor like Lae’Zel’s Githyanki Half Plate for 17 AC.
Consider a one-handed weapon and shield setup for 19 AC.
Equip accessories like Crusher’s Ring, Haste Helm, and Speed Lightfeet for improved movement and combat rolls.
Tips
Manage Rage charges wisely for strong foes or groups.
Prioritize Gargantuan Cleave with Very Heavy Greataxe.
Use Tyr’s Protection at combat starting with Sword of Justice.
Utilize high-ground positions for bonus attack roll points.
Effective Barbarian build in Baldur’s Gate 3 hinges on careful management.
High damage.
Great survivability.
A great useful and effective skillset.
Lacks in ranged combat scenarios.
Wizard Build
Best Arcane Caster Build.
Wizard Class Build showcases in-game [Image Credits: eXputer]Here’s a quick look at the setup for the WizardBuild in BG3:
Background
Sage
Race
High Elf
Subclass
Evocation
Abilities
Intelligence, Dexterity, Constitution
Skills
Arcana, History, Investigation
Spells
Fire Bolt, Ray of Frost, Minor Illusion, Fireball, Counterspell, Haste
Why I Chose This: Excels at knowledge-based interactions with great spell damage and control.
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Character Creation
Background: Sage – Grants proficiency in Arcana and History, essential skills for any Wizard.
Race: High Elf – Bonus to Intelligence, Dexterity, and an extra cantrip can prove valuable.
Subclass: Evocation – Allows you to maximize spell damage, offering powerful AoE options without endangering your party.
Abilities
Intelligence: The main stat for wizards. Max this out first to increase your spellcasting ability.
Dexterity: Useful for AC, Initiative, and saves.
Constitution: Boosts hit points, essential for survival.
Skills
Prioritize Arcana, History, and Investigation.
They leverage your high Intelligence and support your role as the knowledgeable caster.
Spells And Cantrips
Cantrips:
Fire Bolt due to the reliable damage
Ray of Frost for slowing enemies
Minor Illusion to serve as a distraction.
Spells:
Fireball for effective AoE damage
Counterspell for magic defense
Haste to buff an ally
Equipment
Focus on items that boost AC, intelligence, and saving throws.
Robes, amulets, and rings that provide such benefits are invaluable.
Tips
Use “Sculpt Spells” to protect allies from AoE spells.
Position behind frontlines for spellcasting range and avoid direct combat.
Manage spell slots wisely, reserving powerful spells for crucial situations.
Utilize cantrips for minor threats.
Strategically use “Shield” and “Counterspell” as potential game-changers.
Great spell damage.
Versatile.
Lacks melee combat.
With that, know all about Baldur’s Gate 3, the best builds available in the game for all of the classes. Remember, these builds are designed as general guidance; you can tweak them according to your own playstyle and preferences; Not everything is absolute.
My Thoughts On The Best Builds
After playing Baldur’s Gate 3 for some weeks, I have run almost all of these builds up until Moonrise Towers, and they give you a run for your money. However, I am a bit biased towards casters as my preference. The early game is a bit tough, but the late-game power spike is well worth the effort.
My Baldur’s Gate 3 save slot (Image by eXputer)
You will not see any major changes other than the occasional skill checks in Act 1. However, as soon as you land in the Shadow Cursed Lands, that’s where each individual build shines with its own unique playstyle. In the end, it does come down to what you like playing as. The Paladins will always be overpowered in most scenarios, the Bards will sing so badly that the enemies start dying, and the Sorcerers will continue persuading Mad Doctors into killing themselves.
Ibrahim Akhtar is a guides & features writer at eXputer. He uses his passion for gaming to provide insightful takes in his articles. Ibrahim spends most of his time defending Baldur's Gate from the forces of the Absolute. He has accumulated more than 15 years of gaming experience, having 1000 hours in The Witcher 3 and twice as much on Skyrim V. Ibrahim has previously worked at TopTierList. You can keep up with his Steam account to stay up to date on his latest explorations.
Experience: 1+ Years || Previously Worked for TopTierList || Education: Bachelors in Data Science.
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