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While players of previous Larian titles such as Divinity: Original Sin will be on somewhat familiar ground with Baldur’s Gate 3, the inclusion of the Dungeons & Dragons ruleset changes things up considerably. The sheer amount of choice can be truly daunting if you’re unfamiliar with the game, or even more so if you’re new to tactical RPGs. For this reason, I’ve put together this selection of the best beginner classes if you’re new to BG3.
Best BG3 starter classes – Baldur’s Gate 3
I’ve made a list of what I think are the best beginner classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 below. However, it is important to remember that BG3 is technically a squad-based game. This means that while you do create a single character at the start, you’ll soon be joined by companions who will join you in battle (although you can choose to try to go solo). As you can switch between these other characters, and you’ll operate them in battles, you will actually get to play a number of different classes in the game.
Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 Lae’zel Build Guide – Best Stats and Subclass
Tanking Starter Class: Fighter
Fighters are incredibly durable, can wield a multitude of weapons, and can battle both up close and at range. This means you’ll be able to get used to melee combat quickly, without having to worry too much about getting taken down as you have both good health and armor. Plus you get a handy self-heal that will get you out of a tight scrape.
Suggested race: Half-Orc (extra damage on crits, plus you survive the first time you’re Downed).
Tough Healer Starter Class: Cleric
Clerics also get to wear plenty of armor and have a solid array of weaponry available to them, both ranged and melee. However, it’s best to build towards one or another with your stats (Dexterity for ranged, Strength for melee) as you’ll need plenty of points in Wisdom for your spells. Clerics are healers at heart but have some pretty massive damage spells too.
Suggested race: Half-Elf (some useful extra proficiencies, plus advantage vs charm and sleep attacks).
Casting Starter Class: Warlock
There are lots of options if you want to play an attack-minded magician, but for me, the warlock is the most newbie-friendly. You’ll need to keep your enemies at arm’s length and will want to make some melee-ready friends as soon as possible. But as long as you have the protection you can have some serious fun from the backlines, being able to cast hard and often to devastating effect.
Suggested race: Gnome (You get an advantage on Charisma, Wisdom, and intelligence rolls. You’ll definitely max Int, and Charisma will work for you too).
We have loads more on Baldur’s Gate 3 here at MyFullGames, including BG3 Sorcerer vs Wizard – All Differences & Similarities and Baldur’s Gate 3 Shadowheart Build Guide – Best Stats and Spells.