Summary
Choosing a class is one of the most important steps in the process of creating a character to be the protagonist role-playing game. The choice of subclasses is one more layer of customization that gives every build a unique detail, andBaldur’s Gate 3has several interesting options.
During the Early Access phase of the game, which lasted several months, some classes were unavailable, and others had fewer choices for subclasses or none at all. Now that a few years have passed, and Larian has made the final additionsin the form of Patch 8, there are now at least four choices for each class, with others having several more.
Updated June 14, 2025, by Kristy Ambrose:What makes a subclass better or worse than others is entirely up to the player, and several unique and fun character builds have resulted from unorthodox choices or creative adventurers taking some chances. New multiclass options and party combinations are real possibilities that now lurk on the horizon of the Sword Coast. 12 new subclasses were added in Patch 8, one for each class, and players can work their own magic to make a character into almost anything they want.
18War Cleric
A Priest With A Big Hammer And Heavy Armor
A Cleric is an underplayed class considering how powerful and fun it is, and this is one of the best examples of aBG3subclass that’s also overlooked. In addition to the handy spells that every Cleric has, likeGreater Restoration, Turn Undead, and a variety of healing incantations, this Cleric has more options when it comes to their weapons and AC.
The War Domain can use heavy armor and martial weapons, and like a Fighter, they get extra attacks as they level up. Most other subclasses of Cleric can only wear light or medium armor and wield simple weapons, although Life and Tempest are two exceptions. It’s an ideal choice for those who want to enjoy a combination class or experiment with how a multiclass character might feel.
17Wild Magic Sorcerer
Maybe Not The Best, But The Most Fun
The Sorcerer is a tough choice since all three options include some explosive and awe-inspiring DPS that’s totally unexpected. This one might not be the best, but it’s the most interesting, which is why tabletopD&Dplayers also enjoy the Wild Magic Sorcerer subclass. There’s a Barbarian subclass with a similar flavor if characters would prefer an introduction as opposed to a crash course.
Wild Magic is a feature from Level 1, since it’s a part of the character’s very being, and every time they cast a spell that’s not a Cantrip, it triggers an additional and totally random magical effect. This is often an AoE spell of some type, like Darkness or Web, but it can also be something beneficial, like increased attack power or Advantage on saving throws.
16Bard: College Of Valor
A Multiclass Without The Multiclass
The choice here depends on the party role this player wants to take. The College of Valor takes the spellcasting abilities of the College of Lore and combines them with the martial skills of Swords, so thisBaldur’s Gate 3subclass has the best of both worlds.
Combat Inspiration is one perk unique to this class, along with the ability to use shields and Medium Armor. In addition, you can build on the basic healing powers that every Bard has along with feathers and gear, and you have a melee fighter with some handy casting and support skills.
15Barbarian: Berserker
The Basis For The Whole Class
Why else would a player choose a Barbarian?The other subclasses are equally interesting, offering choices to bond with wild animals or channel magical power, but the classic Berserker is still one of the best. It’s ideal for beginners and equally fun for experienced players.
The Barbarian chooses their subclass at level 3, and every subclass has abilities that include Rage and Reckless Attack, but only the Berserker has Frenzy. This evolves into Frenzied Strike and Enraged Throw, and Mindless Rage at level 6 prevents the Barbarian from being Charmed or Frightened.
14Conjuration Wizard
A Powerful School With A Famous History
For those spellcasters who would prefer to summon or manipulate physical objects, there’s the School of Conjuration. This is the Wizard School that includesMage Hand,Find Familiarand all the Conjure Elemental and Planar Ally spells, so you know it’s a powerful discipline. There are also a lot of choices for AoE damage, such asStinking CloudandGrease, which are used for both damage and crowd control.
You’ll have easier and cheaper access to Conjuration spells as an adherent of this school, but that doesn’t mean your character can’t learn any spell from a scroll they find if they want. Many basic, useful spells like Misty Step are available to every Wizard, and you don’t have to rest to swap them out, provided there are spell slots handy.
13Cleric: Light Domain
Impressive Healing and Casting Abilities
TheDomain that a Cleric chooseswill depend, at least to some degree, on their choice of deity. An example would be Shadowheart, a Cleric of the Trickster Domain who serves the dark goddess, Shar. Every class has its perks and features, but the Light Domain has some of the best and most impressive spells of any other subclass or class.
Flaming Sphere, Scorching Ray, and Wall of Fire as just some of the eye-popping spells this subclass can learn. That’s in addition to indispensable abilities that any Cleric has, likeGuidanceand Turn Undead.
12Druid: Circle Of Spores
An Overlooked and Entertaining Subclass
This subclass still hasall the great perks of being a Druid, with the healing spells and connection to animal life. In addition, the powers connected to the Spores have some unique uses and abilities compared to more conventional Circles.
Powers like Symbiotic Entity and Bone Chill are more like necrotic powers than Druidic ones, but death is also a part of the natural cycle of life. When players reach the Myconid Colony in the Underdark, they’ll see what the power of mushrooms can do.
11Swarmkeeper Ranger
A Mobile Subclass That’s Also Great For Multiclassing
Rangers are often seen with animal companions like wolves, bears, or birds like hawks, but this is one that commands a whole swarm. Once a Ranger inBG3reaches level 3 and chooses the Swarmkeeper, their companions can be moths, jellyfish, or bees. Each choice gives the character extra abilities for extra damage, improved defence, and teleportation.
The bee swarm does extra Piercing damage, the Jellyfish radiate Lightning power, and the Moths do Psychic damage. For those who like multiclassing, the possibilities here are interesting, such as combining a Cloud of Jellyfish Swarmkeeper with a Tempest Cleric to stack both healing powers and electric damage is one shocking idea.
10Fighter: Champion
An Essential Part of a Defense Build
The basis of a classic, straightforward fighting role, the Champion is more of a conventional tank, as the other Fighter subclasses are more focused on DPS. In addition to the usual skills with a variety of weapons, armor, and fighting styles, the Champion gets improved critical hit chances and improved athletic abilities.
The Champion can deal more damage to enemies with the Surprised condition. Their increased critical hit chance also counts for spells, just in case they have a scroll or an item that grants a casting ability.
9Monk: Way Of The Open Hand
An Ideal Subclass for Beginners
The Monk is fairly new to the world of RPGs, so players who are new to the class would be wise to start with the Way of the Open Hand. It uses the Flurry of Blows ability, which every Monk subclass possesses, and builds on it using general Actions like Topple and Push at later levels.
At level 6, Monks of this discipline can learn the ability Manifestation of Body, Mind, and Soul. This means that they can use certain moves to sap Ki power from their enemies when needed, hitting targets with Psychic, Necrotic, or Radiant damage.
