Summary
WithBaldur’s Gate 3on the horizon, fans of Larian Studios and RPGs are awaiting the greatly anticipated title. Despite having a radically different pacing, manyDiablo 4fans will likely see the appeal in another fantasy RPG where creative builds are encouraged to face all the game’s challenges in fun and inventive ways.
One of the most straightforward and satisfying methods to play is to have a character focused on bulldozing their way through enemies while soaking up as much damage as possible.Diablo 4has the Barbarian class, which satisfies this desire by using their power to carve their way through enemies. For any fans wanting to make a character with the same strengths inBaldur’s Gate 3, there are thankfully a few classes that could fulfill that need.
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Baldur’s Gate 3 Conveniently Has a Barbarian Class
LikeDiablo 4,Baldur’s Gate 3has a Barbarian classto choose from whose strengths are largely the same. They are walking tanks who can take damage as well as they can deal it, meaning that considerations should be more focused on what kind of Barbarian would suit players most.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s take on the class does a few perks not offered withDiablo 4’s version, namely in its proficiency in ranged weapons like crossbows. The latter title lacks ranged options forBarbarians, save for the skill Upheaval, giving them a distinct disadvantage when compared to other classes.
Something else forDiablo 4Barbarians to consider is that unlikeDiablo, where they can equip four different weapons with different skill assignments, only two weapon sets can be equipped at a time, namely melee and ranged weapons. Technically three weapons can be equipped at once, should a player dual-wield melee weapons, but the off-hand weapon is only useable for bonus attacks at reduced damage.
Barbarians have several subclasses inBaldur’s Gate 3that determine how skills will be upgraded and which ones will be unlocked. For those who want to deal the most devastating amounts of damage, becoming a Berserker would be the ideal option as that subclass replaces Rage with Frenzy, allowing for an additional attack with a melee weapon as a bonus action. Of any subclass, this one would potentially have the most direct parallels withDiablo 4’s given the objective is to eviscerate all who stand against them.
Other Barbarian subclasses such as Wildheart grant new abilities themed around a chosen animal, while Wild Magic casts a magical effect based on a d8 roll. Wildheart can potentially add another type of attack to use or allow a Barbarian to use a support ability, and Wild Magic can add another amusing layer of unpredictability to combat.
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Fighter is a Great Alternative to Barbarian in Baldur’s Gate 3
ForDiablo 4players seeking to make a strength-based character while not having the Barbarian’s wild side, the Fighter might be the best option.Fighters inBaldur’s Gate 3like Lae’Zelare powerhouses in their own right, as they have several of the same combat proficiencies, and despite not having as much health or dealing as much damage, Fighters can also equip heavy armor at the start of the game without penalty.
What aBarbarian has in attack prowess, Fighters have in survivability. Because they can wear heavy armor at the beginning of the game, Fighters often take less damage than most classes, and they can still deliver some devastating blows because their attack power is not that far behind a Barbarian.
Another advantage Fighters have over Barbarians is more versatility within subclasses. The most physically offensive one is the Battle Master, adding a variety of new attacks and moves that give them an upper hand in close-quarters combat. These moves can range from attacks that instill fear into the enemy to Riposte, which lets players counter when an enemy misses their attack. Based on itsDungeons and Dragonscounterpart, the Champion Fighter subclassis also founded on physical prowess, but not many details are available on how it will play inBaldur’s Gate 3.
For players who wish to have many of the perks associated with being a tank while not needing to rely on items or magic weapons to deliver elemental damage or want a strong character who has the reliable ranged attacksDiablo 4’s Barbarian lacks,the Eldritch Knight subclassmight be the best option for them. This one allows a Fighter to learn cantrips and spells, allowing them to deal devastating physical blows to those within striking distance while still giving room to dish out reliable spells such as Magic Missile when enemies are out of reach.
Clerics Balance Strength and Support
The Cleric deviates the most fromDiablo 4’s Barbarian but is undoubtedly the best class to choose if one wants to dabble in a support or healing role while not sacrificing all the perks associated with being physically capable.Baldur’s Gate 3’s Clericsbegin the game with a good range of spells ranging from Cure Wounds to the powerful Guiding Bolt.
This versatility in the beginning does come with the rather heavy drawback of having fewer weapons proficiencies unless one invests in a feat, but because Clerics roll physical attacks on a d8 as opposed to the Fighter’s d10 or Barbarian’s d12, the amount of damage done is significantly reduced. Picking the War Domain subclass partially makes up for this by allowing more attacks overall and increasing their accuracy.
ForDiablofans mainly using Barbarianthat want to transition toBaldur’s Gate 3’s comparatively slower action, there are many options to choose from. Its Barbarians can have a similar ethos behind them while Fighters allow more room to experiment with magic, and Clerics are wonderful for those who want to move away from a strength-focused character. Regardless of the option chosen, it is hard to go wrong with any of the classes inBaldur’s Gate 3,thanks to how much room there is to experiment with all of them.
Baldur’s Gate 3comes out August 3 for PC and September 6 for PS5.
