As the final major update forBaldur’s Gate 3, Patch 8 shakes up the status quo with new subclasses. They’ve given you more ways to adapt your playthrough and builds, so if it’s been a while since you’ve enjoyed Larian’s epic RPG, now’s the best time to hop back in.
Best Classes In Baldur’s Gate 3, Ranked
Players can choose from 12 classes in the Larian Studios smash hit set in the D&D world of Faerun. Which Baldur’s Gate 3 classes are the best?
On a personal note, none of the newest additions feels bad. They’re all unique and perfect for offering anew way of playing the game. So, boot up a new character and prepare to add hours more into a new BG3 playthrough exploring these Patch 8 subclasses.
Despite the ranking, how well these subclasses are depends largely on how you play and the build you’re going for. I’ve ranked the subclasses based on both abilities and how much I enjoyed using them.
12Way of the Drunken Master
Main Class: Monk
Conquer the effects of alcohol in perhaps the most humorous new subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3. Way of the Drunken Master isn’t built for brute strength. Instead, it seems centered on having a good time. Use Intoxicating Strike to make enemies drunk, stack up on Life of the Party buff, and build on Attack Rolls against Drunk opponents.
It’s far from the most powerful subclass, but it’s remarkably fun, especially when used for a meme. You’ll get far more use from it once you level up at least past Level 4.
11College of Glamour
Main Class: Bard
College of Glamour is one of the more straightforward ways of playing a Bard: pure support. Don’t expect any tank behavior here. What makes this subclass work is boosting your allies. By Level 3, you can use Mantle of Inspiration to give temporary bonus HP to three allies. If a melee attacker hits them, said attacker is Charmed.
A fully committed Bard can work to keep allies as beefy as possible as long as you work on team synergy. Proper team unity is more useful once you access Mantle of Majesty to command enemies to flee, move closer, etc.
10Swarmkeeper
Main Class: Ranger
When you want some consistent single-target damage in BG3, Swarmkeeper is a wonderful subclass. You’ll choose to tame one of three swarms:
you may use a swarm action once each turn, and each swarm comes with unique effects. For instance, bees can cause Piercing damage, jellyfish deal Lightning, and moths offer Psychic damage. Pair them with Hunter’s Mark, and you have an easy high-damage hit with each turn, and all at range.
9Arcane Archer
Main Class: Fighter
Take the Battle Master and toss in some magical arrows, and you’ve got the Arcane Archer. This subclass gives you access to numerous enchanted arrow effects, and best of all, they replenish after a short rest.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Hardest Bosses, Ranked
The initiative order doesn’t matter if you were doomed from the start.
These Arcane Arrows can have devastating effects like banishing targets to the Feywild. Damage output doesn’t exactly scale as you level up, but the sheer versatility in how you can build your archer makes it an enjoyable subclass.
8Shadow Magic
Main Class: Sorcerer
Do you live and breathe for the darkness? Edgelord aside, Shadow Magic is the perfect subclass from Patch 8 to try out if you love taking advantage of the stealth mechanisms. “Shine” in deeply shadowed areas, using great mobility abilities like Shadow Walk.
Being able to see in the dark is great for setting up traps, so if sneaky play is your favorite, you’ll find plenty of use out of this subclass. It’s even great for surviving in Honour Mode since Strength of the Grave ensures you’re knocked down to 1 HP rather than falling unconscious.
7Circle of the Stars
Main Class: Druid
Druid is always a solid beginner-friendly class in Baldur’s Gate 3, and theCircle of the Stars subclassgives you plenty of room to learn and have fun. Rather than animal transformation, you get the choice of three Starry forms:
There are distinct abilities with each option, the chance for great crowd control, and even healing capabilities. By the time you reach Level 10, you can even switch to a new Starry form as a free action, easily changing up your build to suit your needs in the moment.
6Oath of the Crown
Main Class: Paladin
Oath of the Crown is a versatile tank. You can dish out heavy damage when needed thanks to access to Smite Spells and a multitude of weapons. But perhaps the best way to play it is to focus on the support aspect.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Subclass Guide: Oath of the Crown
Learn about the benefits paladins obtain by swearing the Oath of the Crown in Baldur’s Gate 3 and get some helpful build advice.
Just by Level 3, you have Turn the Tide to heal nearby allies and Champion Challenge to goad enemies into focusing on you. The protective tank becomes the heart of the team at Level 7 when you can redirect damage an ally takes to land on you instead.
5Path of Giants
Main Class: Barbarian
AGiant Barbarian. Not much else needs to be said. This subclass lets you truly Hulk out in Baldur’s Gate 3, becoming large in size as you become enraged. It’s a powerful throwing subclass too. By Level 5, you’ll enjoy sending enemies flying with a single kick using Boot of the Giants.
Honestly, you can even use your skills to hurl your allies to different points across the battlefield. It’s by far one of the most chaotic subclasses from Patch 8, but who doesn’t like a little chaos in BG3?
4Swashbuckler
Main Class: Rogue
Rogues are always a personal go-to for any game that offers it as a class, and BG3 was no exception. Patience is required for rogue-plays as it deals with stealth, yet Swashbuckler successfully flips all of that on its head. Instead, it’s far more melee-focused, giving you more freedom to be upfront.
It’s the ideal hit-and-run combat style. The subclass even comes with cool Dirty Tricks like Flick o’ the Wrist to disarm or Vicious Mockery (cantrip).
3Death Domain
Main Class: Cleric
Death Domain is one of the best Patch 8 subclasses to maximize your damage output as a Cleric. Right from the start, you have Reaper, a passive that ensures Necromancy cantrips that typically affect one target now hits two. And the subclass even comes with potent starting cantrips like Bone Chill.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Subclass Guide: Death Cleric
Learn what the Death Domain has to offer Baldur’s Gate 3 Clerics, as well as what items and feats can help your build.
Future passives buffs you even more as you’ll gain access to the Inescapable Destruction passive that ignores necrotic resistance. And there are plenty of enemies with that resistance starting in Act 2.
