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PC Gamer
Ted Litchfield

The best Baldur's Gate 3 builds

Baldur Gate 3
Shadowheart's eyes go white as she holds a glowing magic artifact.

I've played Baldur's Gate 3 for nearly 300 hours, beaten it on Tactician, and I'm gearing up for an Honour mode run. I feel comfortable saying that the most fun and optimal character builds are going to involve using D&D's multiclass rules to combine different Baldur's Gate 3 classes together into a hybrid that's more powerful, or maybe just more fun, than either individually. 

In the first part of this guide, I'll go over the basic rules and best practices of multiclassing, but you can skip to the second section for a collection of builds inspired by my own experience, as well as the most diabolical setups I've seen on YouTube.

How to multiclass

Each time you level up in Baldur's Gate 3, you can choose any of its 12 classes to progress in. Baldur's Gate 3 has actually removed tabletop attribute restrictions from multiclasses, so your only restriction is whether the choice is worthwhile or not. There's even an achievement, "Jack of All Trades," awarded by taking one level of each class on the same character without respeccing.

Baldur's Gate 3 has a relatively low level cap of 12, and multiclassing can delay or lock you out of endgame abilities⁠. How much of a loss this is depends on the class—I've yet to run into a spellcasting-focused multiclass that I find more compelling than just sticking to the same caster for all twelve levels.

A lot of key bonuses are also tied to the level of your individual classes as opposed to your overall level. For example, you get an "ASI" or feat/attribute bonus every four levels of a class⁠—a level 8 fighter would have two ASIs, while a 5 Fighter/3 Rogue would have just one.

Other level milestones to keep in mind:

  • Extra Attack: Fighters, Barbarians, Rangers, Monks, and Paladins get a second full attack per turn at level 5. Blade/Valour Bards get this at level 6. Pact of the Blade Warlocks get a special Blade Pact Extra Attack at level 5 that does stack with the normal Extra Attack (usually it's just one and done). Extra Attack is a priority ability you don't want to delay more than one or two levels. As a note: Fighters get Improved Extra Attack (for three attacks per round) at level 11, which makes a pure Fighter very competitive with martial multiclasses.
  • Subclass: Most classes let you choose a subclass at level 3 (your Bard college, for example). This is often, but not always, the minimum number of levels you want to hit in a second or third class. Most spellcasters, and also Paladins, choose their subclass at level 1.
  • Spell levels: Full casters gain new spell levels and spell slots every odd class level. Additionally, spellcaster/spellcaster multiclasses have a shared pool of spell slots, removing a major disadvantage of this kind of character in older versions of D&D. A Wizard 4/Cleric 3 can only cast level 2 spells from each class, but will have a large number of spell slots to devote to each, with their Cleric spells able to go in Wizard slots and vice versa⁠.
  • Proficiencies: Classes gain fewer weapon, skill, and saving throw proficiencies when chosen later on than at level 1. It can sometimes be beneficial to choose a class like Fighter or Rogue at level 1 for their excellent martial/skill proficiencies, even if they aren't going to be your main class focus.
  • Attributes: The highest you can raise an Attribute at character creation is 17 for a +3 bonus to its applications. You get another +1 every even level, to a max of +5 at 20 in a stat. One strategy is to start with one score at 17, another at 15, and raising both with an ASI at level 4. You can use Auntie Ethel's Hair (by either siding with her or intimidating her) get a permanent +1 to an attribute. You can also get a permanent +2 to Strength in Act 2 through Araj Obladra, and a +2 to any attribute in Act 3 through the Mirror of Loss.

Sorcerer Paladin (Sorcadin)

(Image credit: Larian)

Devotion Paladin 6 / Sorcerer 6 👼️

It's a relatively simple concept: pair Paladin with a Charisma caster like Bard, Sorcerer, or Warlock to take advantage of their combat buffs and, more importantly, their ample Spell Slots to go smiting all the live-long day. Prolific Divinity: Original Sin 2 guide maker sin tee has a great guide to Sorcadins, and here's that build taking on the most challenging fight in the game on Tactician (spoilers). 

This Strength-based spellsword is how I plan on going through Honour mode next. For the first half of the game, you're basically just playing as a straight-up Paladin. Oath of Devotion is great because their Sacred Weapon ability makes them one of the best two hand weapon classes in the early game. Great Weapon Master's +10 damage is game changing, particularly early on, but that -5 to attack is hard to mitigate in Act 1. Sacred Weapon's Charisma bonus to attack goes a long way to fixing that. In Act 2, the Gloves of the Automaton's 10-round attack advantage buff basically eliminates this penalty, and you can just swap them on to apply the buff, then take them off.

Otherwise, the Gloves of Dexterity will help you overcome the build's poor initiative, and there's a host of strong two-handed weapons you can use throughout the game until you get the late game dinger, Balduran's Giantslayer. This is a great build for your main character, as its Charisma focus can help with dialogue checks. You'll want to use most of your spell slots for smites, but arcane buffs like Haste are great for a front liner like this, while it won't hurt to have some nukes and crowd control spells for certain situations.

Recommended Skills: Persuade, Religion, Athletics

Starting Stats:

  • Strength: 17
  • Dexterity: 8
  • Constitution: 14
  • Intelligence: 8
  • Wisdom: 10
  • Charisma: 16

Leveling Order:

  1. Paladin 1
  2. Paladin 2 - Divine Smite, Great Weapon Fighting
  3. Paladin 3 - Divine Health
  4. Paladin 4 - Great Weapon Master
  5. Paladin 5 - Extra Attack
  6. Paladin 6- Aura of Protection
  7. Sorcerer 1
  8. Sorcerer 2
  9. Sorcerer 3
  10. Sorcerer 4 - ASI +2 Charisma or Strength
  11. Sorcerer 5 
  12. Sorcerer 6

Notable Gear:

Hand Crossbow Gunslinger Bard

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

College of Swords Bard 6 / Thief Rogue 3 / Champion Fighter 3 🔫 

I was in love ever since I saw variations of this build from cRPG Bro and Mordarim on YouTube, and I used it to great effect in my first Honour Mode run. It takes advantage of the College of Swords Slashing Grace ability, which lets you spend a Bardic Inspiration to make two attacks (with bonus damage!) for the price of one. There are melee and ranged versions of Slashing Grace, but the melee one is a more limited AOE, while the ranged attack lets you attack any two targets, or even double up on the same one. Check out build crafter Sin Tee using a similar build to solo a challenging mid-game fight.

More on Baldur's Gate 3
(Image credit: Larian)

Baldur's Gate 3 guide: Everything you need
Baldur's Gate 3 tips: Be prepared
Baldur's Gate 3 classes: Which to choose
Baldur's Gate 3 multiclass builds: Coolest combos
Baldur's Gate 3 romance: Who to pursue
Baldur's Gate 3 co-op: How multiplayer works

Combine that with dual wielding, the Fighter's Action Surge, and the Thief's Fast Hands second bonus action (meaning an extra offhand attack for a dual wielder), and maybe a Haste spell for good measure, and you've got a character with among the highest potential attacks per round in the game.

Hand Crossbows really benefit from the Sharpshooter feat. Like Great Weapon Master, this grants you +10 to damage at the expense of -5 to your attack roll accuracy. Hand Crossbows are the only dual wieldable weapon in the game that can benefit from this sort of bonus, making them a quiet powerhouse.

Sharpshooter's much harder to use early on due to that accuracy penalty. For most of the first act I was toggling it on and off pretty regularly depending on enemy AC and what attack roll bonuses I could get. Spells like Bless definitely help, but I found Faerie Fire a real game changer—it gives you advantage on attack rolls against any enemies caught in the spell, effectively negating the Sharpshooter penalty. On Honour Mode especially though, this character's capacity for talking their way out of conflict will be a real boon in the early game.

This build's a bit of a glass cannon, especially with the Risky Ring that helps fully quash the Sharpshooter accuracy penalty—I always try to go for a beastly first round ambush with this character, with plenty of Potions of Invisibility in reserve for if I'm caught out.

I considered taking four levels of Thief for a second feat, but I prefer getting that third fighter level for the Champion's Improved Critical Hit. With the right gear and Elixirs of Bloodlust, I was able to get a critical range of 15-20 by the end of the game. I reached 18 Dexterity thanks to Auntie Ethel's Hair, and hit 20 Dex for much of the midgame with The Graceful Cloth, achieving a gear-free 20 early in Act 3 by using the Mirror of Loss accessible at the end of Shadowheart's personal quest.

Recommended Skills: Persuade, Intimidate, Perform, Sleight of Hand

Starting Stats:

  • Strength: 8
  • Dexterity: 17
  • Constitution: 14
  • Intelligence: 8
  • Wisdom: 10
  • Charisma: 16

Leveling Order:

  • Bard 1
  • Bard 2
  • Bard 3- College of Swords, Dual Wield Combat Style
  • Bard 4 - Sharpshooter
  • Bard 5
  • Bard 6 - Extra Attack
  • Rogue 1 - Sneak Attack
  • Rogue 2 
  • Rogue 3 - Thief, Fast Hands
  • Fighter 1 - Archery Combat Style
  • Fighter 2 - Action Surge
  • Fighter 3 - Champion, Improved Critical Hit

Notable Gear:

Master Martial Artist

(Image credit: Larian)

Open Hand Monk 9 / Thief Rogue 3  👊 

I've been sleeping on Monks in Baldur's Gate 3—sometimes I'm really in the mood for a funky unarmored martial arts guy in D&D, but I wasn't ready for it at Baldur's Gate 3's launch. The thing is, Open Hand Monks might be one of the straight-up strongest classes in the game. Here's Divinity/BG3 buildsmith sin tee taking on the hardest boss of Act One with a solo level 7 Open Hand Monk as an example.

Monks have three real knockouts on offer: Flurry of Blows, Manifestation, and the Tavern Brawler feat. Flurry of Blows is an insane ability, giving you two full unarmed attacks for the price of one Bonus Action. Open Hand Monks get further variations on Flurry of Blows, but basically from level one Monks are able to attack three times per round.

Manifestation of Mind, Body, or Soul is a toggleable Open Hand ability that gives you bonus unarmed damage based on your Wisdom modifier. What's more, the Boots of Uninhibited Kushigo available at the beginning of Act 3 let you add your Wisdom modifier to attacks again.

Tavern Brawler lets you double your Strength bonus on attacks, meaning a well-built Open Hand Monk will be doing double their Strength and Wisdom bonus in damage on every single attack, while attacking no less than four times a turn.

Adding in those four Thief levels gets us an extra Bonus Action (so more Flurry of Blows per round) with Fast Hands. When I use this build in my next Honour Mode run, I'm going to go for 8 Monk levels so I don't miss the excellent level 7 ability Stillness of Mind, but you can also opt for two Fighter levels and get Action Surge instead—cRPG Bro on YouTube has a Monk guide along those lines.

You might consider taking a single level of Rogue at level one or two if this is your main character, especially on Honour mode. I had a promising run of the permadeath path cut tragically short on a failed Persuasion check I wasn't prepared for, and taking a single Rogue level (and thus, Persuasion specialization) early could have helped there, at the expense of optimal combat readiness.

One power-gaming move you might consider is actually dumping your Strength stat and relying on Elixirs of Giant Strength and the Club of Hill Giant Strength. This frees you up to have higher Wisdom, Dexterity, and Constitution scores, and is how I plan on building a companion version of this build in my next playthrough.

Recommended Skills: Athletics, Insight, Persuade (at Thief levels if main character)

Starting Stats (this assumes you'll be getting a +1 to Wisdom from Auntie Ethel's Hair):

  • Strength: 17
  • Dexterity: 14
  • Constitution: 12
  • Intelligence: 8
  • Wisdom: 15
  • Charisma: 8

Alternate Starting Stats (relying on potions and the club):

  • Strength: 8
  • Dexterity: 16
  • Constitution: 15
  • Intelligence: 8
  • Wisdom: 16
  • Charisma: 8

Leveling Order:

  1. Monk 1
  2. Monk 2
  3. Monk 3 - Way of the Open Hand, improved Flurry of Blows
  4. Monk 4 - Tavern Brawler (+1 Strength or Constitution)
  5. Monk 5 - Extra Attack
  6. Monk 6 - Manifestation of Mind/Body/Soul, Wholeness of Body
  7. Monk 7 - Evasion, Stillness of Mind
  8. Monk 8 - ASI +2 Wisdom
  9. Monk 9 - Ki Resonance
  10. Rogue 1
  11. Rogue 2
  12. Rogue 3 - Thief, Fast Hands

Notable Gear:

Sneaky Assassin Guy Classic

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

Assassin Rogue 4 / Gloom Stalker Ranger 5 / Champion Fighter 3  🥷 

If, like me, you're a lover of the dual daggers RPG assassin classic, this is the way to do it in Baldur's Gate 3. You can optionally sub in the Thief specialization for Assassin, but the latter feels more on-theme and its first combat round advantages, particularly Free critical hits on surprised enemies, are incredibly powerful. Assassin also dovetails nicely with the Gloom Stalker's increased initiative and bonus first round attack. 

You're not playing this build to its fullest if you don't try to begin every combat encounter you can from stealth and with a surprise round.

I like to start with a single level of Rogue to secure those nice skill specializations, especially Persuasion, which is a must in early game Honour mode. There are strong daggers and shortswords aplenty throughout the campaign, but the Knife of the Undermountain King will be your best friend for much of the game.

Being able to inflict Piercing Vulnerability from either the Bhaalist Armor or Bloodthirst dagger is a great get in the late game. The armor is slightly more "optimal," but requires you to be capital-E Evil, so all of my Chaotic Good assassins out there will want to stick with the dagger, or potentially grab a mod that makes it more available.

Recommended skills: Persuasion, Sleight of Hand

Starting stats:

  • Strength: 8
  • Dexterity: 17 (16 if you don't plan on using Auntie Ethel's Hair)
  • Constitution: 14
  • Intelligence: 8
  • Wisdom: 10
  • Charisma: 16

Leveling Order:

  1. Rogue 1
  2. Ranger 1
  3. Ranger 2, Two Weapon Fighting Style
  4. Ranger 3, Gloom Stalker
  5. Ranger 4, +2 Dexterity
  6. Ranger 5, Extra Attack
  7. Rogue 2
  8. Rogue 3, Assassin
  9. Rogue 4, Alert
  10. Fighter 1, Defence or Archery Fighting Style
  11. Fighter 2, Action Surge
  12. Fighter 3, Champion

Notable Gear:

Blackguard Warlock Smiter

(Image credit: Larian)

Oathbreaker Paladin 7 / Pact of the Fiend Warlock 5  👿 

A Paladin with some edge, or a full-on evil dark knight in the vein of AD&D's Anti-Paladins or 3E D&D's Blackguard prestige class. Pairs Warlock short rest spell slots with Divine Smite and both classes' ample debuffs. Warlocks' Pact of the Blade specialization (chosen at level 3) also gives a Pact Weapon Extra Attack per round that stacks with martial class' normal Extra Attack, giving Martial/Warlock mutliclasses three attacks per round before even considering something like the Haste spell. Unfortunately, this build is slightly nerfed in Honour mode, with the Warlock and normal Extra Attacks no longer stacking as they do in other modes.

These guides from Mortismal Gaming and cRPG Bro on YouTube cover similar characters. Until you get Pact of the Blade, this build's ample Dexterity will let you use finesse weapons effectively, and throughout the game a high Dexterity will help with Initiative so you have a high chance of attacking first in a combat encounter.

This build could also benefit from a dip into Fighter for Action Surge, but I like going for the seven levels of Oathbreaker for Aura of Hate, which means you'll do double your Charisma bonus on damage rolls. CRPG Bro's build further builds on this with the Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength paired with Balduran's Giantslayer. This effectively means you add your Charisma bonus twice and Strength once to every damage roll.

This build's leveling order is slightly sub optimal as presented, which avoids a respec. You could alternately play through the game up to level 7 as a pure Warlock or Paladin, then respec, though that would require you to break your paladin oath, retake it, then break it again.

Recommended skills: Persuasion, Intimidate, Athletics

Starting Stats:

  • Strength: 8
  • Dexterity: 16
  • Constitution: 14
  • Intelligence: 8
  • Wisdom: 10
  • Charisma: 17

Leveling Order:

  1. Paladin 1
  2. Paladin 2 - Divine Smite
  3. Warlock 1
  4. Warlock 2
  5. Warlock 3 - Pact of the Blade (Charisma bonus to attack and damage)
  6. Warlock 4 - ASI - +2 Charisma OR Great Weapon Fighting
  7. Warlock 5 - Blade Pact Extra Attack
  8. Paladin 3
  9. Paladin 4 - ASI +2 Charisma OR Polearm Master (if using Hellbeard Halberd)
  10. Paladin 5 - Extra Attack
  11. Paladin 6
  12. Paladin 7 - Aura of Hate

Notable Gear:

Paladin Batman

(Image credit: Larian)

Oath of Vengeance Paladin 5 / Thief or Assassin Rogue 4 / Champion Fighter 3 🌚🗡️ 

Paladin's got one slight disadvantage over its Baldur's Gate 3 brethren—it's pretty slow. Unless you want to sacrifice one of your spell slots (those are for smiting, anyway) you can be left feeling like you're dragging your feet. Now introducing: the Paladin Batman build!

You trade off your spell slot progression, meaning your Divine Smites will be a touch less meaty, but Sneak Attack doesn't require a spell slot—so what you trade out burst damage you make up for in sustainability. The real star of the show here is Cunning Action: Dash, Disengage, and Hide. Being able to double your speed as a bonus action, for free, forever? It's good on any class, but especially Paladin, considering how pigeon-holed they are into melee.

This build can either be angled toward a Thief, with a focus on dual wielding, or an Assassin, with the dueling combat style and a finesse weapon with a shield. The only downside to a Thief and dual wielding is that you can't unlock the Dual Wielding Combat Style until your first Fighter level very late in the game.

Recommended Skills: Sleight of Hand, Persuade

Starting Attributes:

  • Strength: 8
  • Dexterity: 17
  • Constitution:14
  • Intelligence: 8
  • Wisdom: 10
  • Charisma: 16

Leveling Order:

  1. Paladin 1 - Dueling Combat Style or Defense Combat Style
  2. Rogue 1
  3. Paladin 2
  4. Paladin 3
  5. Paladin 4 - Dexterity +2
  6. Paladin 5
  7. Rogue 2
  8. Rogue 3 - Assassin or Thief
  9. Rogue 4 - Charisma + 2 OR Dual Wielder
  10. Fighter 1 - Defense Combat Style or Dual Wielding Combat Style
  11. Fighter 2 - Action Surge
  12. Fighter 3 - Champion

Recommended Gear:

Olympic Shotputter Barbarian

(Image credit: Larian)

Berserker Barbarian 5 / Thief Rogue 4 / Champion Fighter 3🪓💪😤

Berserkers are just strong no matter how you slice them, but few RPGs have throwing weapons as insanely strong as Baldur's Gate 3, so it'd be a damn shame not to take advantage. 'Zerkers get Bonus Action throws while using their Barbarian Rage, and the Thief subclass gives you an extra Bonus Action—that's a no brainer combo. 

Add in a surprising number of feats and items to improve thrown weapon damage, as well as a few notable weapons that return to your hand every time you throw them, and you've got a unique character who's crazy strong and that you can only really make in Baldur's Gate 3. Sin tee and cRPG Bro have great breakdowns of this sort of character, and this build is basically tailor-made for Karlach.

Also note: you can just swap out the equipment and the Tavern Brawler feat and still have a beastly melee damage dealer. If you're playing your 'zerker as a thrower, though, I'd recommend going weapon and shield with Nyrulna in the endgame—two handing it won't give you bonus damage. Nyrulna is one of my favorite weapons in BG3, and this build's endgame pick, but its friendly fire splash damage means it's good to have backup options. The two Lightning Jabbers you can find in Act 2 are a good non-returning option, and you can also buy the Dwarven Thrower right around the time you can get Nyrulna—just remember to talk to Ferg Drogher without Shadowheart if you're on her good path.

Recommended Skills: lol, Athletics I guess?

Starting Stats:

  • Strength: 17
  • Dexterity: 14
  • Constitution: 16
  • Intelligence: 8
  • Wisdom: 10
  • Charisma: 8

Leveling Order:

  1. Barbarian 1
  2. Barbarian 2
  3. Barbarian 3 - Berserker
  4. Barbarian 4 - Tavern Brawler (+1 Strength)
  5. Barbarian 5 - Extra Attack
  6. Rogue 1
  7. Rogue 2
  8. Rogue 3 - Thief, Fast Hands
  9. Rogue 4 - Strength +2 or Alert
  10. Fighter 1
  11. Fighter 2 - Action Surge
  12. Fighter 3 - Champion

Notable Gear:

Swashbuckling Duelist Bardadin

(Image credit: Larian)

Oath of Vengeance Paladin 2 / College of Swords Bard 10  🤺 

This particular character from master buildsmith Sin Tee relies on the respec system—you can definitely play it straight without starting over from level 1, but I would not recommend that on Honour mode. 

Basically, it's the same premise as our Sorcadin (Charisma caster spell slots with Paladin Divine Smite), but focusing on Dexterity, going all in on the Swords Bard's excellent abilities and spells, and taking advantage of one of my favorite weapons, the unique rapier Duellist's Prerogative.

For most of the game, you'll be using a finesse weapon (either Phalar Aluve or The Knife of the Undermountain King) with a shield, and for optimal, Honour-ready play, you'll actually just build your character as a pure Oath of Vengeance Paladin until they reach level 8—that's when Swords Bards can get Extra Attack after starting with two levels of Pally.

Once you snag Duellist's Prerogative, you'll want to drop the shield. Keeping your offhand empty with this rapier unlocks special abilities well worth the decreased Armor Class. Also? It helps complete the whole swashbuckler aesthetic.

One other fun thing this character can do: using a high level Bard's Magical Secrets ability, you can get access to the excellent friendly fire-proof, melee-range Cleric spell Spirit Guardians to damage and weaken any enemy you approach. This character also has access to all the skills they could want, dialogue or otherwise, while getting the unique reactions and dialogue of both the Paladin and the Bard.

Recommended Skills: Persuasion, Sleight of Hand

Starting Stats:

  • Strength: 8
  • Dexterity: 17 (if using Auntie Ethel's Hair)
  • Constitution: 14
  • Intelligence: 8
  • Wisdom: 10
  • Charisma: 16

Leveling order (post respec):

  1. Paladin 1, Oath of Vengeance
  2. Paladin 2, Divine Smite
  3. Bard 1
  4. Bard 2
  5. Bard 3, College of Swords
  6. Bard 4, +2 Dexterity or Savage Attacker
  7. Bard 5
  8. Bard 6, Extra Attack
  9. Bard 7
  10. Bard 8, Alert
  11. Bard 9
  12. Bard 10

Notable Gear:

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