Baldur’s Gate 3: BEST Builds [Top 10]

If you want to create the most powerful and Baldur’s Gate 3 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.

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Builds

Here is an overview of the best builds in Baldur’s Gate 3 showcased along with abilities, skills, spells, and equipment. 

Build	Character Creation	Abilities	Skills	Spells	Equipment
Druid	-Nature-oriented -Wood Elf -Circle of the Moon	Wisdom, Constitution, Dexterity	Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, Survival	Thorn Whip, Shillelagh, Produce Flame, Entangle, Thunderwave, Fairie Fire, Moonbeam, Heat Metal	Club, Shield, Medium Armor (Githyanki Half Plate/Scale Mail +1)
Warlock	-Versatile -Half-Elf The Fiend / -The Great Old One	Charisma, Constitution, Dexterity, Intelligence	Intimidation, Versatile	Eldritch Blast, Friends, Hex, Misty Step	Hand Crossbow / Dual Rapiers, Light Armor (Leather Armor +1/Studded Leather Armor)
Bard	-Charisma-focused -Lolth-Sworn Drow -College of Valor	Charisma, Dexterity, Constitution	Deception, Persuasion, Intimidation, Acrobatics, Stealth, Sleight of Hand	Thunderwave, Dissonant Whispers, Healing Word, Heroism, Vicious Mockery, Dancing Lights	Steelforged Sword & Shield, Light Crossbow, Lae'Zel's Githyanki Half Plate, Cap of Curing, Absolute's Talisman
Ranger	-Beast Tamer -Wood -Elf Hunter	Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom	Stealth, Perception, Animal Handling, Survival	Speak with Animals, Ensnaring Strike, Hail of Thorns, Cure Wounds	Longbow / +1 Longbow / Heavy Crossbow +1, Shortswords, Studded Leather Armor / Githyanki Half Plate, Amulet of Misty Step / Broodmother’s Revenge
Fighter	-Any boosting Intelligence skills -Githyanki -Eldritch Knight	Strength, Constitution, Intelligence	Arcana, History, Acrobatics	Magic Missile, Burning Hands, Fire Bolt, Ray of Frost, Thunderwave, Chromatic Orb	Blooded Greataxe, Lae’Zel’s Githyanki Half Plate, Warped Headband of Intellect
Barbarian	-Outlander -Shield Dwarf -Berserker / Wildheart	Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, Wisdom	Animal Handling, Perception	Rage, Reckless Attack, Danger Sense	Very Heavy Greataxe / Maul +1 / Sword of Justice, Thrown Weapons, Lae’Zel’s Githyanki Half Plate, Crusher’s Ring, Haste Helm, Speed Lightfeet
Cleric	-Wisdom-based -Wood Elf -Light Domain	Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom	Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, Survival	Sacred Flame, Guiding Bolt, Bless, Blindness, Hold Person	Longbow, Shortsword, Studded Shield, Adamantine Shield, Scale Mail +1 / Githyanki Half Plate, Herbalist's Gloves, Broodmother's Revenge
Rogue	-Urchin, Charlatan, or Criminal Any Thief	Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom	Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Insight, Perception	Dancing Lights, Ray of Frost, Acid Splash, Chill Touch, Magic Missile, Thunderwave, Chromatic Orb, Scorching Ray, Shocking Grasp, Misty Step/Hold Person/Mirror Image/Sleep	Longbow, Shortswords/Rapiers, Studded Leather Armor, Amulet of Misty Step, The Speedy Lightfeet
Wizard	-Sage -High Elf -Evocation	Intelligence, Dexterity, Constitution	Arcana, History, Investigation	Fire Bolt, Ray of Frost, Minor Illusion, Fireball, Counterspell, Haste	Sorcerer Robe, The Sapphire Spark, Absolute's Talisman, Ring of Colour Spray
Sorcerer	-Charisma-enhancing -Wood Half-Elf -Draconic Bloodline	Charisma, Dexterity, Constitution	Deception, Persuasion, Intimidation, Acrobatics, Stealth, Sleight of Hand	Dancing Lights, Ray of Frost, Acid Splash, Chill Touch, Magic Missile, Thunderwave, Chromatic Orb	Light Crossbow, Rapiers, Studded Leather Armor, Amulet of Misty Step, The Speedy Lightfeet

Druid Build

Here’s a quick preview of the optimal setup for the Druid Build in BG3:

Background	Nature-oriented (i.e. Outlander, Hermit)
Race	Gold Dwarf / Wood Elf
Subclass	Circle of the Moon
Abilities	Wisdom, Constitution, Dexterity
Skills	Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, Survival
Spells	Thorn Whip, Shillelagh, Produce Flame, Entangle, Thunderwave, Fairie Fire, Moonbeam, Heat Metal
Equipment	Club, Shield, Medium Armor (Githyanki Half Plate/Scale Mail +1)

The Circle of the Moon Druid in Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a powerful and versatile playstyle with its Wild Shape ability. 

Character Creation

When choosing a Race, your best options are either Gold Dwarf or Wood Elf.

• Gold Dwarf provides a bonus to Wisdom and Constitution, enhancing spell effectiveness and increasing hit points.
• Wood Elf offers a boost to Dexterity and Wisdom, improving armor class and allowing for a balanced build.

The Circle of the Moon is an ideal subclass choice

• Circle of the Moon Druids excel at utilizing Wild Shape in combat.
• With the ability to transform as a bonus action, they can move and attack in the same turn.
• Circle of the Moon Druids can transform into a powerful Polar Bear, boasting a large health pool and acting as a durable tank.

Abilities

In terms of abilities for the Druid Build, it is recommended to focus on Wisdom, Constitution, and Dexterity.

• Wisdom is crucial for spellcasting effectiveness and melee combat with the Shillelagh cantrip.
• Constitution increases hit points and aids in maintaining concentration on spells.
• Dexterity enhances armor class and benefits spellcasting when not in Wild Shape form.

Skills 

If you want a powerful and efficient build that utilizes the strengths of the Druid, then prioritize Dexterity and Wisdom-based skills.

• Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth benefit from high Dexterity.
• Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, and Survival utilize Wisdom.

Spells And Cantrips

Choose spells like Thorn Whip, Shillelagh, and Produce Flame

• Thorn Whip pulls enemies and disrupts their position, providing tactical advantages.
• Shillelagh improves melee damage by using Wisdom for attack and damage rolls.
• Produce Flame deals damage and creates light, aiding vision and combat accuracy.

However, be mindful of Concentration spells.

• Concentration spells require focus and can be broken by taking damage or casting another concentration spell.
• Invest in Constitution to improve concentration checks and maintain spells.

As you level up to Level 3, you might want to change up your spells a bit. Recommended Spells at Level 3: Entangle, Thunderwave, Fairie Fire, Moonbeam, Heat Metal

• Entangle provides crowd control and area denial.
• Thunderwave is an effective AoE spell for dealing with close enemies.
• Fairie Fire grants an advantage on attack rolls and benefits the entire party.
• Moonbeam deals radiant damage over time and can be moved each turn.
• Heat Metal damages enemies wielding metal weapons and imposes a disadvantage on their attacks.

Equipment

Consider using a Club, Shield, and Medium Armor with the Druid because:

• A Club can be buffed with Shillelagh, and a Shield provides a bonus to the armor class.
• Medium Armor, such as Githyanki Half Plate or Scale Mail +1, enhances protection.

Tips

• You don’t need to remain in Wild Shape form all the time. Use it strategically and cast spells before transforming.
• Take advantage of the utility provided by different creatures in Wild Shape forms, such as tunneling or flying.
• Consider pumping up Intelligence and Charisma for better-saving throws and skill checks if you plan to use Wild Shape frequently.

Warlock Build

Here’s a quick preview of the optimal setup for the Warlock Build in BG3:

Background	Versatile (Excluding Intimidation, Persuasion, Deception)
Race	Half-Elf / Asmodeus Tiefling / Drow
Subclass	The Fiend / The Great Old One
Abilities	Charisma, Constitution, Dexterity, Intelligence
Skills	Intimidation, Versatile
Spells	Eldritch Blast, Friends, Hex, Misty Step
Equipment	Hand Crossbow / Dual Rapiers, Light Armor (Leather Armor +1/Studded Leather Armor)

Character Creation

• Background: Choose any background except for those with Intimidation, Persuasion, or Deception. 
  • This allows for versatility in selecting other skills and avoids redundancy with Warlock abilities gained later on.
• Race: Recommended races for a Warlock are Half-Elf, Asmodeus Tiefling, or Drow.
  • Half-Elf: Provides a Charisma bonus, allowing you to reach a high Charisma score during character creation. Darkvision enhances accuracy in dark places.
  • Asmodeus Tiefling: Offers a Charisma bonus and the Thaumaturgy cantrip, which grants an advantage on Intimidation checks. Darkvision is also beneficial.
  • Drow: Grants a Charisma bonus and Superior Dark Vision, improving accuracy in dark locations.
• Class: Choose Warlock and select The Fiend or The Great Old One subclass.
  • The Fiend: Gain Dark One’s Blessing for temporary hit points on enemy kills. Provides additional survivability in combat.
  • The Great Old One: Access Tasha’s Hideous Laughter and Dissonant Whispers for incapacitating enemies and dealing 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 target’s death.
• Misty Step: Teleportation spell 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 an advantage by positioning yourself higher during combat for Eldritch Blast. 
• Misty Step can help achieve advantageous positions.
• Utilize short rests to replenish spell slots and maximize Hex usage. 
• Use appropriate spells and cantrips based on the situation. 
• Focus on offensive spells with AoE effects.
• Customize companion Wyll by increasing his Charisma and having him initiate dialogues for shared benefits.

Bard Build

Here’s a quick preview of the optimal setup for the Bard Build in BG3:

Background	Charisma-focused (Deception, Persuasion, Intimidation, Performance)
Race	Wood Half-Elf / Human / Lolth-Sworn Drow / Seldarine Drow
Subclass	College of Valor
Abilities	Charisma, Dexterity, Constitution
Skills	Deception, Persuasion, Intimidation, Acrobatics, Stealth, Sleight of Hand
Spells	Thunderwave, Dissonant Whispers, Healing Word, Heroism, Vicious Mockery, Dancing Lights
Equipment	Steelforged Sword & Shield, Light Crossbow, Lae'Zel's Githyanki Half Plate, Cap of Curing, Absolute's Talisman

Character Creation

• Background: Choose a background that enhances Charisma skills such as Deception, Persuasion, Intimidation, and Performance.
• Race: Wood Half-Elf, Human, or Lolth-Sworn/Seldarine Drow for bonuses to Charisma and other essential abilities.
• Subclass: College of Valour for martial proficiency and combat inspiration.

Abilities

• Charisma: Primary ability for spellcasting effectiveness.
• Dexterity: Improves Armor Class (AC) and ranged combat capabilities.
• Constitution: Increases HP and concentration saving throws.

Skills

• Focus on skills related to Charisma and Dexterity, such as Deception, Persuasion, Intimidation, Acrobatics, Stealth, and Sleight of Hand.

Spells And Cantrips

• Spells: 
  • Thunderwave: due to the AoE damage and knockback 
  • Dissonant Whispers: for the psychic damage and fear effect 
  • Healing Word: useful for remote healing 
  • Heroism: because of the temporary HP and fear immunity.
• Cantrips: 
  • Vicious Mockery: because of the psychic damage and attack penalty 
  • Dancing Lights: it allows for improved visibility in darkness.

Equipment

• One-Handed Weapon with Shield: Steelforged Sword (5-10 Piercing Damage, attack penalty) for melee combat.
• Ranged Weapon: Light Crossbow for ranged damage.
• Armor: Lae’Zel’s Githyanki Half Plate for increased AC.
• Accessories: Cap of Curing (healing on Combat/Bardic Inspiration) and Absolute’s Talisman (HP restoration on dealing damage).

Tips

• Use Bardic Inspiration for ally bonuses in attacks, ability checks, and saving throws.
• Opt for Thunderwave, Dissonant Whispers, and Vicious Mockery for damage and crowd control.
• Enhance ally attack rolls, damage, or AC with Combat Inspiration.
• Replenish Bardic Inspiration through multiple Long Rests.
• Balance concentration and non-concentration spells based on party needs

Ranger Build

Here’s a quick preview of the optimal setup for the Ranger Build in BG3:

Background	Beast Tamer / Urban Tracker
Race	Wood Elf / Strongheart Halfling / Human
Subclass	Hunter
Abilities	Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom
Skills	Stealth, Perception, Animal Handling, Survival
Spells	Speak with Animals, Ensnaring Strike, Hail of Thorns, Cure Wounds
Equipment	Longbow / +1 Longbow / Heavy Crossbow +1, Shortswords, Studded Leather Armor / Githyanki Half Plate, Amulet of Misty Step / Broodmother’s Revenge

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.

Fighter Build

Here’s a quick look at the setup for the Fighter Build in BG3:

Background	Any boosting Intelligence skills
Race	Shield Dwarf / Githyanki
Subclass	Eldritch Knight
Abilities	Strength, Constitution, Intelligence
Skills	Arcana, History, Acrobatics
Spells	Magic Missile, Burning Hands, Fire Bolt, Ray of Frost, Thunderwave, Chromatic Orb
Equipment	Blooded Greataxe, Lae’Zel’s Githyanki Half Plate, Warped Headband of Intellect

Character Creation

• Background: Select a background that boosts Intelligence skills, such as Arcana, History, or Nature. 
• Race: The most suitable races are Shield Dwarf and Githyanki. 
  • Shield Dwarves offer a strong base in Strength and Constitution, while Githyanki combines Strength and Intelligence.
• Subclass: Choose Eldritch Knight as your subclass for the Fighter class. 

Abilities

• Your focus should be on Strength, Constitution, and Intelligence.
• Intelligence should be boosted with the Warped Headband of Intellect

Skills

• Prioritize skills that match your Abilities. 
• Intelligence-based skills such as Arcana or History are recommended, as well as Dexterity skills like Acrobatics if points are allocated there.

Spells And Cantrips

• Begin with Magic Missile and an AoE spell like Burning Hands at Level 3, taking advantage of the Eldritch Knight’s unique access to Wizard Spells. 
• Also, choose Cantrips that offer long-range options, such as Fire Bolt or Ray of Frost. 
• At Level 4, consider adding spells like Thunderwave or Chromatic Orb for versatility.

Equipment

• The choice of weapons depends on your playing style. 
• Two-handed weapons, such as the Blooded Greataxe, can deal significant damage. 
• For Armor, Medium Armor like Lae’Zel’s Githyanki Half Plate offers a decent Armor Class. 
• The Warped Headband of Intellect is a must-have accessory to maximize Intelligence.

Tips

• Use Cleave before expending spell slots on AoE spells. 
• Save Magic Missile for hard-to-hit enemies or those in dark areas. 
• Lastly, consider having Lae’Zel in your party as she makes a strong Eldritch Knight with the right build.

Barbarian Build

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

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 Armour.
• 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

• At level 1, your Barbarian will have access to the powerful Rage ability, which boosts damage and resilience in combat. 
• At level 2, they gain Reckless Attack, granting advantage on attack rolls, and Danger Sense, providing advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws. 
• Level 3 adds another Rage charge and a choice of Berserker or Wildheart subclasses, enhancing your Rage abilities and giving access to new skills. 
• At level 4, opt for the Ability Improvement feat to raise Strength and Constitution.

Equipment

• When it comes to weaponry, two-handed weapons like the Very Heavy Greataxe, Maul +1, or Sword of Justice will significantly boost your damage output. 
• Also, keep Thrown Weapons in your inventory. 
• In terms of armor, use the Medium Armour, specifically Lae’Zel’s Githyanki Half Plate, offering 17 AC. 
• If you go for a one-handed weapon and shield setup, you can raise this to 19 AC. 
• For accessories, equip Crusher’s Ring, Haste Helm, and Speed Lightfeet to improve your movement speed and combat rolls.

Tips

• Manage Rage charges wisely for maximum effectiveness against strong foes or groups.
• Prioritize executing Gargantuan Cleave with the Very Heavy Greataxe.
• Use Tyr’s Protection at the beginning of combat encounters with the Sword of Justice.
• Take advantage of high-ground positions for bonus attack roll points when throwing weapons or objects.
• The best Barbarian build in Baldur’s Gate 3 shines through with careful management, allowing you to tackle any challenge effectively

Cleric Build

Here’s a quick look at the setup for the Cleric Build in BG3:

Background	Wisdom-based
Race	Wood Elf
Subclass	Light Domain
Abilities	Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom
Skills	Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, Survival
Spells	Sacred Flame, Guiding Bolt, Bless, Blindness, Hold Person
Equipment	Longbow, Shortsword, Studded Shield, Adamantine Shield, Scale Mail +1 / Githyanki Half Plate, Herbalist's Gloves, Broodmother's Revenge

Character Creation

• Background: Select a background influencing Wisdom skills, which are Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, and Survival. This capitalizes on your naturally high Wisdom as a Cleric.
• Race: Opt for the Wood Elf. It boosts Dexterity and Wisdom, the key attributes of this build, and gives you Longbow Proficiency for optimal ranged damage.
• Subclass: Light Domain. Provides a balance between damage and support spells, offering versatility for varying situations.

Abilities

Focus on three main abilities for this Baldur’s Gate 3 Cleric build:

• Dexterity: Helps with your ranged weapon hit rate and boosts Armor Class for better survival.
• Constitution: Enhances your HP pool and aids in maintaining spell Concentration.
• Wisdom: Essential for optimizing your offensive spell efficiency. 

Skills

Choose skills influenced by Dexterity and Wisdom due to the heavy focus on these abilities:

• Dexterity: Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth provide versatility and utility in various scenarios.
• Wisdom: As stated earlier, Wisdom skills are Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, and Survival. 
• These contribute to your effectiveness as a group’s advisor and healer.

Spells And Cantrips

• Starting off, prioritize “Sacred Flame” for its unlimited uses and “Guiding Bolt” for dealing heavy damage. 
• Progressing to Level 2, keep the same spells but add “Bless” to buff your party’s attack rolls. 
• At Level 3, upgrade “Guiding Bolt” to Level 2 for higher damage and add “Blindness” for control without concentration needs. 
• If required, “Hold Person” can be a good option too.

Equipment

• Grab a Longbow from Druid Grove for your primary weapon, paired with a Shortsword and Studded Shield for melee encounters. 
• Upgrade to the Adamantine Shield once in Grymforge to induce the Reeling Condition on enemies. 
• For armor, choose Scale Mail +1 or Githyanki Half Plate to hit a high armor class. 
• Don’t forget Herbalist’s Gloves and Broodmother’s Revenge for poison removal and inflicting capabilities.

Tips

• Maximize spell effectiveness by holding high ground in combat.
• Preemptively cast “Darkvision” for dark areas to save combat turns.
• Manage concentration spells carefully to maintain their useful effects.
• Trigger Broodmother’s Revenge by using the “Healing Word” on yourself for poison damage.
• Avoid using “Cure Wounds” unless you’re a Life Domain Cleric; opt for healing potions or food instead.

Rogue Build

Here’s a quick look at the setup for the Rogue Build in BG3:

Background	Urchin, Charlatan, or Criminal
Race	Any (Wood Elf optimal for Thief)
Subclass	Thief
Abilities	Primarily Dexterity
Skills	Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Insight, Perception
Spells	Sneak Attack, Cunning Action: Dash, Disengage
Equipment	Longbow, Shortswords/Rapiers, Studded Leather Armor, Amulet of Misty Step, The Speedy Lightfeet

Character Creation

• Background: Consider backgrounds such as Urchin, Charlatan, or Criminal for their thematic skill proficiencies.
• Race: Almost any Race works well.
• Subclass: Choose a Thief subclass for your Rogue for the extra bonus actions. Wood Elves make excellent Thieves due to their bonus in Dexterity, Wisdom, and proficiency in Perception and Stealth. 

Abilities

• Focus primarily on Dexterity for attack and damage rolls with Ranged and Finesse weapons and to boost Armour Class. 
• Balance the remaining ability points according to your style of play. 

Skills

• Choose skills like Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Insight, and Perception. 
• The Expertise feature at Level 1 enhances these skills. 

Spells And Cantrips

• Sneak Attack is the core skill for the Thief, dealing high damage under the right circumstances. 
• Your Sneak Attack Damage increases at every odd level, amplifying your damage roll each time. 
• Use “Cunning Action: Dash and Disengage” to maximize mobility and minimize risk.

Equipment

• Start with a Longbow and two Shortswords. 
• After acquiring the Dual Wielder Feat at Level 4, switch to Rapiers. 
• For armor, opt for Studded Leather Armour. Special accessories like Amulet of Misty Step and The Speedy Lightfeet will enhance your mobility and attack rolls.

Tips

• Maximize your attacks per turn by saving your Bonus Actions for your Offhand Attack. 
• Aim to create scenarios for Sneak Attack in every round. Remember that Sneak Attack from the high ground increases your hit chance. 
• Astarion can be used for the Rogue class Baldur’s Gate builds with minor alterations to Ability Improvement.

Wizard Build

Here’s a quick look at the setup for the Wizard Build 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
Equipment	Robes, amulets, rings (boost AC, Intelligence, Saving Throws)

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

• Employ the “Sculpt Spells” feature from the Evocation subclass to protect allies from AoE spells.
• Stay positioned behind the frontlines for spellcasting range while avoiding direct combat.
• Wisely manage spell slots, reserving powerful spells for crucial situations and using cantrips for minor threats.
  • Strategically use “Shield” and “Counterspell” as potential game-changers

Sorcerer Build

Here’s a quick look at the setup for the Sorcerer Build in BG3:

Background	Charisma-enhancing (Persuasion, Intimidation, Deception)
Race	Wood Half-Elf
Subclass	Draconic Bloodline (Green or Red Ancestry)
Abilities	Charisma, Dexterity, Constitution
Skills	Deception, Persuasion, Intimidation, Acrobatics, Stealth, Sleight of Hand
Spells	Dancing Lights, Ray of Frost, Acid Splash, Chill Touch, Magic Missile, Thunderwave, Chromatic Orb, Scorching Ray, Shocking Grasp, Misty Step/Hold Person/Mirror Image/Sleep
Equipment	Sorcerer Robe, The Sapphire Spark, Absolute's Talisman, Ring of Colour Spray

Character Creation

• Background: Choose a background providing Charisma skills, such as Persuasion, Intimidation, and Deception, enhancing your spellcasting and NPC interactions.
• Race: Wood Half-Elf – Grants +2 Charisma, Darkvision, increased movement speed, and stealth proficiency. Allocate the extra ability score points to Dexterity and Constitution for survivability.
• Subclass: Draconic Bloodline (Green or Red Ancestry) – Provides better stability, survivability, and bonus spells. Green ancestry grants the “Ray of Sickness” spell, and Red grants “Burning Hands.”

Abilities

• Charisma: Your primary ability is increasing spell effectiveness. Aim for 16 initially, potentially 18 later.
• Dexterity: Contributes to Armor Class and overall survivability; aim for at least 16.
• Constitution: Raises maximum HP; aim for 14 for better durability.

Skills

• Prioritize skills utilizing Charisma and Dexterity. 
• From Charisma, pick skills like Deception, Persuasion, and Intimidation, and from Dexterity, choose Acrobatics, Stealth, and Sleight of Hand for utility and flexibility.

Spells And Cantrips

• Starting at level 1, a Sorcerer can choose four cantrips and two spells. 
• For cantrips, the optimal choice includes Dancing Lights, Ray of Frost, Acid Splash, and Chill Touch. 
• As for spells, it is recommended to choose Magic Missile and Thunderwave. 
• Magic Missile ensures your attack doesn’t miss, and Thunderwave is a great area-of-effect spell that pushes enemies back.
• Chromatic Orb is useful for its versatility in choosing elemental damage. 
• Scorching Ray, which can inflict significant fire damage on multiple enemies or even more on a single target. 
• Shocking Grasp can be a great choice for a cantrip, while for a spell, the choice depends on your preference among Misty Step, Hold Person, Mirror Image, and Sleep. 

Equipment

• As a Sorcerer, your equipment is less significant than other classes, as you’re not proficient with any armor or weapons. 
• Therefore, continue with your initial Sorcerer Robe and consider getting accessories like The Sapphire Spark, Absolute’s Talisman, and Ring of Colour Spray. 
• These items provide you with additional damage, healing, and crowd control abilities, respectively.

Tips

• Sorcerer builds in Baldur’s Gate 3 offer flexibility via Metamagic, which lets you modify spells.
• Efficiently use Twinned Spell with Chromatic Orb to cast it twice with one spell slot for battlefield control.
• Utilize Quickened Spell to cast a spell as a bonus action, enabling two spells in one turn.

With that, know all about Baldur’s Gate 3 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.

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.

Up Next:

• Baldurs Gate 3: Halsin