All 11 Baldur’s Gate 3 Races [Features & Subraces]

This Baldur's Gate 3 guide will showcase all 11 races alongside it's subraces and overall features in detail!

Baldur’s Gate 3 has a plethora of races to choose from, which all determine different characteristics for players, such as their overall looks to the way some effects have been granted to them. Players will always need to choose their races to make a proper build. Players might want to know all of the Baldur’s Gate 3 Races And Subraces; to appropriately build their character.

Important: Players must choose a specific race and subrace to complete any specific build!
Key Takeaways
  • There are a total of 11 races in Baldur’s Gate 3 that players can choose from, such as Drow, Dwarf, Dragonborn, Elf, Githyanki, Gnome, Half-Elf, Half-Orc, Halfling, Human, and Tiefling. 
  • Most of the races will also have 2-3 subraces that can have their own sets of traits and features. 
  • Each primary race has base racial features that set them apart from all the other races. 
  • To make the best build in Baldur’s Gate 3, you must always choose a specific race. 

All Baldur’s Gate 3 Races

Here is an overview of all the main Baldur’s Gate 3 Races you can come across, and each race will also have its collection of fighter subclasses.  

Baldur's Gate 3 RacesFeaturesSubraces
DragonbornDraconic Ancestrym Breath WeaponBlack, Blue, Bronze, Brass, Gold, Copper, Red, Green, Silver and White
DrowPerception Proficiency, Superior Darkvision, Fey Ancestry, Drow Weapon TrainingLolth Sworn Drow, Seldarine Drow
DwarfDwarven Combat Training, Darkvision, Dwarven ResilienceGold, Shield Dwarf and Duergar
ElfDarkvision, Elven Weapon Training, Fey Ancestry, Perception Proficiency.High Elf, Wood Elf.
GithyankiAstral Knowledge, Martial Prodigy.N/A
GnomeGnome CunningDeep Gnome, Rock and Forest Gnome.
Half-ElfCivil Militia, Darkvision, Fey AncestryHigh, Drow, Woof Half-Elf
Half-OrcRelentless Endurance, Savage Attacks, Menacing, Darkvision, Intimidation Proficiency.N/A
HalflingBase Racial Speed, Luck and BraveLightfoot and Strongheart.
HumanCivil Militia, Human VersatilityN/A
TieflingDarkvision, Hellish ResistanceZariel, Asmodeus, Mephitopheles.

1. Dragonborn 

One of the first races you can come across is Dragonborn, which focuses on Strength as its primary ability. They take pride in valuing their clan over everything else and always aim to be self-sufficient. 

Dragonborn
Dragonborn (Image Credits eXputer)

Features 

As far as the features are concerned, there are two known as Draconic Ancestry and Breath Weapon. 

Features Effects 
Draconic AncestryPlayers will be able to choose one type of dragon available from the Draconic Ancestry table, and the breath weapon, as well as damage resistance, will be based on that.
Breath WeaponPlayers can use their action to cast out destructive energy, and it unleashes damage based on their ancestry. 

Apart from that, anytime you use your breath weapon, it will also cause all creatures in the area to make a Saving Throw based on your ancestry. 

Subraces 

As far as the Baldur’s Gate 3 Races and Subraces are concerned, the Dragonborn has quite a collection, such as ones ranging from: 

  • Black Dragonborn 
  • Blue
  • Bronze
  • Brass
  • Gold
  • Copper
  • Red
  • Green
  • Silver 
  • White 

2. Drow 

Drow
Drow (Image Credits eXputer)

Moving on, the next race that players can look into is the Drow race. They can wield both ranged as well as melee weapons, and they have been described to be absolutely ruthless and they don’t let anything get to them. 

Features 

As far as the features are concerned, these range from that Drown Weapon Training, Fey Ancestry, Superior Darkvision, and getting to use Perception Proficiency. 

Features Effects 
Drow Weapon Training Players will be able to get proficiency with their Shortsword, Hand Crossbow, and Rapier. 
Fey Ancestry The Feywild will cast a veil over your mind, and you will get an advantage on your Saving Throws against getting Charmed. 
Superior Darkvision Creatures can see in the dark within a range of 24 meters. 
Perception ProficiencyWisdom-based skill. 

Subraces 

As far as the Baldur’s Gate 3 Races And Subraces Drow are concerned, there are two, ranging from the Lolth-Sworn Drow and the Seldarine Drow. 

Subraces Features 
Lolth Sworn Drow Drow Weapon Training, Fey Ancestry Training, Superior Darkvision. 
Seldarine Drow Drow Weapon Training, Fey Ancestry, Superior Darkvision. 

3. Dwarf 

Next up, another solid race that you can look into using is the Dwarf race, which will have features ranging from Dwarven Combat Training to Darkvision and Dwarven Resilience. 

Dwarf
Dwarf (Image Credits eXputer)

Features

Features Effects 
Dwarven Combat Training Players can get proficiency with their Warhammers, Handaxe, battleaxes, and light hammers. 
Darkvision You can see in the dark within an average range of 12 meters. 
Dwarven Resilience You can get an advantage on your saving throws against being Poisoned and gain resistance against it. 

Subraces 

When it comes to the subraces, there are three that all have their features and traits. 

Subraces Features Traits 
Gold Dwarf Dwarven Combat Training, Darkvision, Dwarven Resilience. Dwarven Toughness 
Shield Dwarf Darkviison, Dwarven Resilience, Dwarven Combat Training Dwarven Armor Training 
Duergar Dwarven Resilience, Darkvison, Dwarven Combat Training Superior Darkvision, Duergar Resilience. 

4. Elf 

Elf
Elf (Image Credits eXputer)

Moving on, another race that you should invest in is the Elf-line. Elves have been described as living longer than basic creatures, and they have proficiencies that are mostly focused on Shortsword, Longbows, Shortbows, as well as Longswrods. 

Features 

As far as the features are concerned, they will range from Darkvision, Fey Ancestry, Elven Weapon Training, and Perception Proficiency. 

Features Effects 
Darkvision Creatures can now see in the dark within a range of 12 meters. 
Elven Weapon Training Players get proficiency with Shortsword, Longsword, Shortbow, and Longbows. 
Fey Ancestry Elf-specific feature
Perception Proficiency Wisdom-Based Skill

Subraces 

For the subraces, the Elf race has two primary races: the Wood Elf and the High Elf. 

Subraces Features Traits 
High Elf Darkvision, Fey Ancestry, Elven Weapon Training, Perception Proficiency. Players can choose one High Elf cantrip. 
Wood Elf Same as above. Fleet of Foot, Stealth Proficiency. 

5. Githyanki 

Githyanki
Githyanki (Image Credits eXputer)

When it comes to the Githyanki race, they are probably one of the unique races that are present in Baldur’s Gate 3. They are described to be ruthless warriors that have been mostly recognized for their silver blades and mounts. 

Features 

For its features, there are a few that range from Astral Knowledge as well as Martial Prodigy. 

Features Effects 
Astral Knowledge You get proficiency in all of the skills from a chosen ability. 
Martial Prodigy You will get armor proficiency with both Medium or Light armor. 

6. Gnome 

Gnome
Gnome (Image Credits eXputer)

For the sixth race, you can choose the Gnome race, which gives players enhanced speed during combat. 

Features 

For your features, you will be able to get from Gnome Cunning as well as the base racial speed. 

  • Gnome Cunning: You will gain an advantage in Wisdom, Intelligence, and Charisma saving throws. 

Subraces 

As far as the subraces are concerned, you can choose from three available: Deep Gnome, Forest, and Rock Gnome. 

Subraces Features Traits 
Deep Gnome Gnome Cunning, Base Racial Speed Superior Darkvision, Stone Camouflage 
Forest Gnome Gnome Cunning, Base Racial Speed Darkvision 
Rock Gnome Base Racial Speed, Gnome Cunning Darkvision, Artificier’s Lore

7. Half-Elf 

Half-Elf
Half-Elf (Image Credits Exputer)

For the next race, you can choose to go half-elf which will have Fey Ancestry and the ability able to see in the dark. 

Features 

As far as the features are concerned, there are a few that you can go for, such as the Civil Militia, Darkvision as well as Fey Ancestry. 

Features Effects 
Civil Militia Players will get weapon proficiency using Halberds, Pikes, Spears, and Glaives. 
Darkvision You can see in the dark for 12 meters. 
Fey Ancestry You will cast a veil over your mind and get an advantage on your saving throws against being Charmed. 

Subraces 

For the subraces, it can range from that of: 

  • High Half-Elf
  • Drow Half-Elf 
  • Wood Half-Elf 

8. Half-Orc 

Half-Orc
Half-Orc (Image Credits eXputer)

Moving on, the next race on the list is the Half-Orc race, which is described as creatures that hone intense emotions and are faster to act rather than think about their actions. 

Features 

When it comes to features, they range from Relentless Endurance, Savage Attacks, Menacing, Darkvision as well as Intimidation Proficiency. 

Features Effects 
Menacing Players will get proficiency in their Intimidation skills. 
Savage Attacks Anytime you score a crit hit using a melee weapon attack, you can roll one of the damage dice one more time. 
Darkvision Creatures can see in the dark for 12 meters. 
Intimidation Proficiency Charisma-based skill

9. Halfling 

Halfling
Halfling (Image Credits eXputer)

Next up is the Halfling, which has features such as having a base racial speed, luck, and brave. Apart from that, Halflings will also have a +2 Dexterity score. 

Features Effects 
Brave Players will get an advantage on their saving throws against being frightened by enemies. 
Lucky Anytime you roll a 1 for your attack roll or the saving throw, you can reroll it. 

Subraces 

With the subraces, there are only two to choose from such as: 

  • Lightfoot Halfling 
  • Strongheart Halfling

10. Human 

Human
Human (Image Credits eXputer)

For the second last race, the Human race takes precedence, with features such as Civil Militia and Human Versatility. 

Features Effects 
Civil MilitiaPlayers will get proficiency with their Pikes, Halberds, Spears, and Glaives. 
Human Versatility Select any skill in order to be proficient in it. 

11. Tiefling 

Tiefling
Tiefling (Image Credits eXputer)

Last but not least, the Tiefling contains features such as Darkvision and Hellish Resistance. 

Features Effects 
Darkvision Creatures can see in the dark for 12 meters. 
Hellish Resistance Your blood will protect you from flames. 

Subraces 

The subraces that you can choose are from: 

  • Zariel Tiefling 
  • Asmodeus 
  • Mephistopheles Tiefling 

And with that, the Baldur’s Gate 3 Races guide is done with that! While you’re here, why not read the Baldur’s Gate 3 Max Level guide, which will detail all the available races? The Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions guide will tell you all you need to know about its companions!

Apart from that, the Baldur’s Gate 3 All Feats New Old guide is a must-read! 

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Mina Anwar


Mina is a Senior Guides Writer and a fanatic who’s obsessed with playing games and writing about them. She’s invested tons of hours in games like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, she loves to write detailed guides for beginners and pros in the Gacha Games world. Experience: 3+ Years || Education: Bachelor's in Journalism || Written 400+ Articles

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