Whether players are looking to try and replicate a classic Larian Studios “Lone Wolf” challenge, or are simply looking to optimize the core of their party lineup, there are many things to consider when creating a character in Baldur’s Gate 3. The game throws many challenges at the players, ranging from simple combat, to nuanced “roleplay” encounters, to stealth and basic skill checks.
With that in mind, players should try and cover as many bases as possible. A good combination will be capable of dealing with most of what the game has to offer. Given the many variations of enemy resistances and immunities, damage types are also a beneficial thing to keep in mind. Here are a few classes that pair well when adventuring together.
8 Paladin (Oath of Vengeance) + Sorcerer (Wild Magic)
A holy warrior, paired with an unstable magic powerhouse.
Not everyone likes an overly-obsessed Paladin, but it is hard to argue with their methods. Alone or in a team, they are an impregnable fortress that runs over anyone they come across, especially if that unlucky soul turns out to be undead.
On the contrary, Sorcerers are considered to be on the squishier side, though their incredible magical damage more than makes up for it. And so, the Sorcerer can comfortably wreak havoc from a distance, while their companion focuses the heat on themselves.
7 Barbarian (Wildheart) + Bard (College of Lore)
The power of a swinging greatsword, backed by an epic soundtrack.
A good Barbarian is both the party’s meatshield and a devastating meatgrinder. They can take most enemies head-on, though they can be suboptimal when it comes to long-ranged combat. That is precisely where the Bard can pick up the slack. They bombard enemies with damaging spells, and use their disabling abilities to control the flow of battle.
The pair is also well-equipped to deal with out-of-combat threats, capable of holding a conversation as well as shoving around large objects.
6 Rogue (Arcane Trickster) + Monk (Way of the Four Elements)
The pair that has more than enough tricks up their sleeves.
On the surface, the pairing of a Rogue and a Monk might seem to lack magical utility. The trick, though, is in the subclasses. The Arcane Trickster, as the name implies, allows Rogues to cast a good number of spells, including great utility options such as “Tasha’s Hideous Laughter” and “Mage Hand.”
The Monk, on the other hand, can do a great job of covering the elemental damage needed against particular enemies. On top of that, the two are amazing at stealth, and can go pretty much anywhere they please.
5 Paladin (Oath of Devotion) + Druid (Circle of the Land)
Incredible survivability, paired with great spells and damage.
This pair is fairly popular among Dungeons and Dragons players, due to their natural survivability and great utility options. And it translates well into Baldur’s Gate 3. The pair can be devastating on the battlefield, dealing various types of damage. On top of that, both classes barely have to worry about their HP, with the Druid’s Wildshape healthpools and healing spells, and healing from the Paladin.
Outside of combat, Druids can be stellar navigators. They can infiltrate all kinds of places with their more mobile wild shapes, such as a Cat.
4 Wizard (Conjuration School) + Ranger (Beast Master)
For when players really don’t want to touch their enemies.
While this pair doesn’t have too much survivability on their own, their summoned allies more than make up for it. With the Ranger’s Companion and the Wizard’s various Conjuration spells, the pair can attack enemies from a safe distance with almost leisurely ease, while their pets engage their enemies in melee.
And should things go awry, the pair have enough utility and control spells to get them out of sticky situations, with various disabling and even enemy-controlling options. All in all, this is a fun combination to start fighting enemy hordes with players’ own small army.
3 Warlock (The Fiend) + Monk (Way of the Open Hand)
Who needs a Long Rest anyway?
The Warlock is a great, self-sufficient class that is great at almost any range. With Eldritch Blasts, distant enemies are barely a problem, and their Pact Weapon can take care of anyone who gets uncomfortably close. Meanwhile, the Monk is an absolute machine in melee, with their high Dexterity-based AC and a flurry of devastating blows.
Another unique quality of this pair is their great utilization of the Short Rest. Both classes get back a lot of their resources and equally benefit from frequent rests. With the Warlock’s Charisma and the Monk’s Dexterity, there is no door that can hold them off for too long.
2 Cleric (Knowledge Domain) + Fighter (Champion)
The best healer with one of the best martial classes can conquer pretty much anything.
The cornerstone of any good party, this combination can easily brave the countless perils that the game has to offer. Almost classic in a way, this pair is incredibly efficient and straight to the point. In addition to the obvious fighting capacity, the Cleric can also provide great utility. Access to such useful spells as “Speak with Dead” can help players with various investigation scenarios.
While fairly simple, Fighters are great at what they do, and the Battle Master in particular offers a lot of great Maneuvers for players to use to their advantage.
1 Barbarian (Totem Warrior) + Wizard (Enchantment School)
Raw power, coupled with limitless utility.
Like David and Goliath in a way, these two have pretty much all their bases covered. The Barbarian, fortified by the spiritual essence of Totem animal spirits, stands as an indomitable force on the front lines, resilient and robust. Conversely, the Enchantment Wizard navigates the subtleties of magical manipulation, exerting control over the minds of adversaries.
This collaborative approach seamlessly integrates raw physical power with sophisticated arcane influence, crafting a tactically versatile pair that navigates encounters with both strength and finesse. Whatever the Barbarian might lack, the multi-purposed Wizard can easily cover, and vice versa.
Baldur’s Gate 3
- Franchise
- Baldur’s Gate
- Platform(s)
- PC, Stadia, macOS, PS5
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Metascore
- 96
