Character Creation | Baldurs Gate 3 Wiki

Astarion

Astarion is a High Elf Rogue who has prowled the night as a vampire spawn for centuries, serving a sadistic master until he was snatched away. Now he can walk in the light, but can he leave his wicked past behind?

Shadowheart

A High Half-Elf Trickster Domain Cleric, and one of Shar's dark disciples, Shadowheart was sent on a suicide mission to steal an item of great power. While wrestling with her faith and strange, untamed magic, Shadowheart has enemies on all sides - and a long-buried secret to uncover

Gale

A Human Wizard, Gale has one ambition: to become the greatest wizard Faerun has ever known. Yet his thirst for magic led to disaster. A Netherese Destruction Orb beats in his chest, counting down to an explosion that can level a city. Gale is confident he'll overcome it, but time is not on his side.

Background Quests

Backgrounds not only provide you with skill bonuses now, they also grant you Quests that you can complete throughout the game. These Quests gives you Inspiration Points as well as Experience Points, and adds context to your character's background in the world of Baldur's Gate 3.

Inspiration Points

When a character performs an action that's true to their Background, they will be Inspired. Inspiration may be spent to reroll an Ability Check. Note that you may hold four Inspiration points at once. Inspiration earned over the cap will become Experience Points.

What is the Best Race in BG3?

There is no overall Best Race, but players will find that certain groups lend themselves better for certain styles of play. Dwarves, for example, would be naturally inclined to tankier builds, as they come with a boost to Constitution. Not all choices are done for battle or build purposes, however, so players should feel free to pick the race that they prefer for roleplay, aesthetics, or optimization objectives.

Early Access features 9 races to pick from, with sub-races that add more customization options, and this will be expanded over time leading to full launch.

What are Subraces in BG3?

Subraces are variations of a group, with notable distinctions in appearance and characteristics. Subraces feature additional lore, and in some cases intrinsic alignments that may impact your relationship with other races during the course of the game. This is part of the world of D&D, and you can explore what effect your race has by checking out Backgrounds and tags.

Dwarf

Ability: +2 Constitution Score

Racial Features: Dwarven Resilience, Battleaxe Proficiency, Handaxe proficiency, Light Hammer Proficiency, Warhammer Proficiency, Darkvision,

Subraces:

Gold Dwarf Traits:

Gold dwarves are known for their confidence and keen intuition. The culture of their Deep Kingdom values family, ritual, and fine craftsmanship.

• Dwarven Toughness
• Base Racial Speed.
• Wisdom +1

Best Classes for the Gold Dwarf: Druid and Strength Cleric

For the Druid, it is ideal to pick the Race that gives you +1 Wisdom, which is your primary Ability. This increases the chances of your Spells hitting enemies. It also raises the damage you deal using Shillelagh, so it is hands down the Ability you should be focusing on. For the Circle of the Land Subclass, specifically, the best Race to choose is the Gold Dwarf due to the bonuses to Wisdom and Constitution that allow you to reach 16 each during Character Creation. As such, you will be able to maintain the Spells that require Concentration.

If you are playing as a Strength Cleric, then the Gold Dwarf is also the best Race for this Class due to the extra HP and the bonuses granted to both Wisdom and Constitution once again.

Shield Dwarf Traits:

Shield dwarves survived a long fall from grace, surrendering many of their ancient kingdoms in wars with goblins and Orcs. These losses have lead to a cynical mindset, yet shield dwarves will endure anything to restore their ancestral homelands.

• Base Racial Speed.
• Strength +2
• Light Armor Proficiency.
• Medium Armor Proficiency.

Best Classes for the Shield Dwarf: Fighter and Barbarian

For the Fighter and Barbarian, it is essential to focus on Strength since this is your primary Ability. A high Strength increases your chances of successfully attacking and damaging enemies with Melee Weapons. The Race that satisfies this criterion is the Shield Dwarf since you can set your Strength and Constitution to 17 each in Character Creation. For the Eldritch Knight Fighter Subclass, this is the main Ability spread if you are planning to obtain the Warped Headband of Intellect. Otherwise, you should still be able to hit 17 Strength, 15 Intelligence, and 12 Constitution, which is a decent Ability spread overall.

Elf

Ability: +2 Dexterity Score

Racial Features: Darkvision, Keen Senses, Fey Ancestry, Longsword Proficiency, Shortsword Proficiency, Longbow Proficiency, Shortbow Proficiency.

Subraces:
High Elf Traits:

Heirs of the mystical Feywild, high elves value magic in all its forms, and even those who do not study spellcraft can manipulate the Weave.

• Intelligence +1
• Base Racial Speed
• 1 High Elf Cantrip

Wood Elf Traits:

Wood elves spend their reclusive lives in Faerün's forests. Decades of training in archery and camouflage are enhanced by an otherworldly swiftness.

• Fleet of Foot
• Mask of the Wild
• Wisdom +1

Best Classes for the Wood Elf: Rogue, Ranger, and Dexterity Cleric

For the Rogue and Ranger, a good Race to pick is the one that raises Dexterity to 17 at Character Creation since this is your primary Ability. Dexterity directly influences your hit chances especially when it comes to Sneak Attacks, Stealth Checks, and lock-picking. This also influences the damage you deal with Dexterity-based Weapons, as well as your Initiative and AC. As a Wood Elf, you gain an additional +2 Dexterity, which lets you build towards a Dexterity of 16 if you equip 2 Rapiers +1 later on. Otherwise, you can raise this Ability to as much as 17 and use the Longbow +1 for your attacks instead. Equipping this Weapon is possible since the Wood Elf is proficient with Longbows. 

Meanwhile, for the Ranger and Cleric, their Spellcasting Ability is Wisdom, which determines whether or not certain Spells like Hail of Thorns and Guiding Bolt will land on the target. Because the Wood Elf also grants +1 Wisdom, you are able to set Wisdom to 16 in Character Creation.

Halfling

Ability: +2 Dexterity Score.

Racial Features: Lucky

Subraces:

Lightfoot Halfling Traits:

Lightfoot halflings are stealthy but social. traveling all over Faerün to make names for themselves

• Naturally Stealthy.
• Base Racial Speed.
• Charisma +1.

Strongheart Halfling Traits:

Legends say dwarven blood gave stronghearts their hardiness. Resistant to poison and wellsprings of endurance, these halflings easily hold their own.

• Strongheart Resilience.
• Base Racial Speed.
• Constitution +1.

Human

Ability:  +1 Strength Score, + 1 Dexterity Score, +1 Constitution Score, +1 Intelligence Score +1 Wisdom Score, and  +1 Charisma Score

Racial Features: Base Racial Speed.

Subraces: None

The most common face to see in Faerün, humans are known for their tenacity, creativity, and endless capacity for growth.

Githyanki

Ability: +1 Intelligence Score and + 2 Strength Score

Racial Features: Choice of skill proficiency, Base Racial Speed, Light Armor Proficiency, Medium Armor Proficiency, Shortsword Proficiency, Longsword Proficiency, Greatsword Proficiency and Githyanki Psionics: Mage Hand Conjuration Cantrip.

Level Up Features: Githyanki Psionics: Jump (Level 3), Misty Step (Level 5).

Subraces: None

Githyanki are peerless warriors from the Astral Plane, known for their legendary silver blades and red dragon mounts. They seek the total destruction of mind flayers, whose ancient empire enslaved the Githyanki for millennia.

Half-Elf

Ability: Charisma +2 and +2 Ability score points to spend as the player sees fit in any of the other five Abilities. (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence or Wisdom).

Racial Features: Fey Ancestry and Darkvision.

Subraces:

High Half-Elf traits:

A touch of the Feywild remains in half-elves with this bloodline. and even those untrained in magic possess a hint of wild power.

• Base Racial Speed.
• 1 High Elf Cantrip among 13 available to choose from.

Wood Half-Elf Traits:

Like their wood elf parent. these half-elves have a quickened stride and eye for stealth. Yet many break away from isolation in Faerün's forests to explore the rest of the Realms.

• Fleet of Foot
• Mask of the Wild.

Best Classes for the Wood Half-Elf: Warlock and Sorcerer

For the Warlock and Sorcerer, it is important to prioritize Races that increase your Charisma to 16 so that you can reach 18 at Level 4 with the Ability Score Improvement Feat, giving you a +4 Charisma Modifier. The Spellcasting Ability of both Classes is Charisma, which means that your Spells and Cantrips are more likely to land with a higher Charisma Modifier. A Wood Half-Elf is the best Race to select because during Character Creation, you can reach 16 in Charisma, Dexterity, and Constitution. Dexterity is needed for more AC, and Constitution is needed for HP and to maintain Concentration for Spells that require it.

 Drow Half-Elf Traits:

Most half-drow result from liaisons between Seldarine drow and surfacers. While half-drow inherit a few magical gifts, they aren't usually raised in the Underdark.

• Base Racial Speed.
• Dancing Lights Evocation Cantrip.

Tiefling

Ability: N/A

Racial Features: Darkvision and Hellish Resistance

Subraces:

Asmodeus Tiefling Traits:

Bound to Nessus, the deepest layer of the Hells. these tieflings inherit the ability to wield fire and darkness from the archdevil Asmodeus infernal bloodline.

• Base Racial Speed.
• Intelligence +1
• Charisma +2
• Thaumaturgy Transmutation Cantrip.
• At Level 3: Hellish Rebuke once per Long Rest.
• At Level 5: Darkness.

Mephistopheles Tiefling Traits:

Descended from the archdevil Mephistopheles, these tieflings are gifted with a particular affinity for arcane magic.

• Base Racial Speed.
• Intelligence +1
• Charisma +2
• Mage Hand Conjuration Cantrip.
• At Level 3: Legacy of Cania: Burning hands (Cast as level 3) once per Long Rest
• At level 5: Legacy of Cania: Flame Blade.

Zariel Tiefling Traits:

Tieflings from Zariel 's bloodline are empowered with martial strength, and can channel searing flame to punish their enemies.

• Base Racial Speed.
• Strength +1
• Charisma +2
• Thaumaturgy Transmutation Cantrip.
• At Level 3: Legacy of Avernus: Searing Smite (Cast as level 3) once per Long Rest
• At Level 5: Legacy of Avernus: Branding Smite.

Drow

Ability: +1 Charisma Score and +2 Dexterity Score.

Racial Features: Base Racial Speed, Fey Ancestry, Rapier Proficiency, Shortsword Proficiency, Hand Crossbow Proficiency and Superior Darkvision

Subraces:

Lolth-Sworn Drow Traits:

Raised by Lolth's cult in the city of Menzoberranzan. these drow extol the virtues oftheir corrupt and merciless goddess. Lolth marks her followers with bright red eyes so the Underdark will leam to fear drow on sight.

• Dancing Lights Evocation Cantrip.
• At level 5, Darkness:

 Seldarine Drow Traits:

Drow are the result of an ancient schism between the elven deities Corellon Larethian and Lolth. The latter's treachery drove the drow into the Underdark, where they splintered into warring factions. Seldarine drow can be found seeking allies from all over Faerün, aiming to settle their conflict with Lolth - and each other - by any means necessary.

• Dancing Lights Evocation Cantrip
• At Level 5, Darkness.

Best Class for the Drow: Wizard

You should prioritize obtaining the Warped Headband of Intellect for the Wizard in Early Access to boost your Intelligence to 18, which grants a higher corresponding modifier to increase your hit chances when casting Spells. As such, you will prioritize raising Dexterity to 17 during Character Creation by choosing the Drow. This is equivalent to a Dexterity Modifier of +3, thereby increasing your AC to 13 and enhancing your defenses. You can then add +1 to this Ability at Level 4 to raise your AC to 14, which significantly improves your survivability against enemy attacks.

Gnome

Ability: +2 Intelligence Score.

Racial Features: Base Racial Speed, Gnome Cunning

Subraces:

Deep Gnome Traits:

Deep gnome info

• Ability Score Increase: +1 Dexterity 
• Superior Darkvision: This creature can see in the dark within 24m.
• Stone Camouflage: You have advantage on Stealth checks.

Forest Gnome Traits:

Forest Gnome info

• Ability Score Increase: +1 Dexterity
• Darkvision: Can see in the dark up to 12 m. 
• Spell: Speak with Animals

Rock Gnome traits

Rock gnome info

• Ability Score Increase: +1 Constitution 
• Darkvision: Can see in the dark up to 12 m. 
• Artificer's Lore: Add twice your proficiency bonus to History checks.

Best Class for the Gnome: ???

In Baldur's Gate 3 attributes are called Abilities Scores, this mean that Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma are all referred to as Abilities. Within the game’s mechanics and context this can be quite confusing at first, because just about every other role-playing game out there used the term abilities to delineate the skills of a character or some other active or passive function they possess. Attributes or Stats is usually what we would refer to these as, but in Baldurs Gate 3 they are called Abilities.

Each ability covers a broad range of capabilities, including skills that a character or a monster can be proficient in. A skill represents a specific aspect of an ability score, and an individual’s proficiency in a skill demonstrates a focus on that aspect. (A character’s starting skill proficiencies are determined at character creation, and a monster’s skill proficiencies appear in the monster’s stat block.)

For example, a Dexterity check might reflect a character’s attempt to pull off an acrobatic stunt, to palm an object, or to stay hidden. Each of these aspects of Dexterity have an associated skill: Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth, respectively. So a character who has proficiency in the Stealth skill is superb at Dexterity checks related to sneaking and hiding. The skills related to each ability score are shown in the following list. (No skills are related to Constitution.) See an ability’s description in the later sections of this chapter for examples of how to use a skill associated with an ability.

Strength

Influences your chance to land a hit (attack roll) and your damage with Strength-based weapons. It affects the distance you can Jump and the weight you can carry.

Dexterity

Influences your chance to land a hit (attack roll) and your damage with Dexterity-based weapons. It also influences your chance of going first in combat (Initiative) and the enemy's chance of hitting you (Armour Class).

Constitution

Constitution influences your max numbers of Hit Points - the amount of damage you can take.

Intelligence

Wizards use Intelligence as their Spellcasting Ability - the likelihood spells will land.

Wisdom

Druids, Rangers, and Clerics use Wisdom as their Spellcasting Ability - the likelihood spells will land.

Charisma

Bards, paladins, sorcerers and warlocks use Charisma as their spellcasting ability - the likelihood spells will land.

How to Pick a Class?

Picking the right class for your play style is an important part of Character Creation. Certain Races may have better affinity to specific Classes and Subclasses, for example. Additionally, you may want to opt for unique schools of magic based on Role-Play or simple preference. If you want to optimize your character and party, we suggest you check out our Builds section.

What are Subclasses?

Subclasses are specializations of a class. Players can opt for different branching paths and continue to benefit from the features of the initial class, while also gaining unique abilities for their Subclass. So a Rogue, for example, will have to opt to become a Thief or Arcane Trickster at level 3. From that point onward, the character will receive all the benefits of the Rogue class, plus the special benefits of their Subclass of choice.

Cleric

Clerics are representatives of the gods they worship, wielding potent divine magic for good or ill.

Life Domain ♦ Light Domain ♦ Trickery Domain ♦ Knowledge Domain ♦ Nature Domain ♦ Tempest Domain ♦ War Domain

Fighter

Fighters have mastered the art of combat, wielding weapons with unmatched skill and wearing armour like a second skin.

Battle Master ♦ Eldritch Knight ♦ Champion

Ranger

Rangers are unrivalled scouts and trackers, honing a deep connection with nature in order to hunt their favoured prey.

Beast Master ♦ Hunter

Rogue

With stealth, skill and uncanny reflexes, a rogue's versatility lets them get the upper hand in almost any situation.

Thief ♦ Arcane Trickster ♦  Assassin

Warlock

Bound by a pact to an all-powerful patron, warlocks trade their loyalty for supernatural abilities and unique magic.

The Fiend ♦ The Great Old One ♦ Archfey

Wizard

Wizards master the arcane by specialising in individual schools of magic, combining ancient spells with modern research.

Abjuration School ♦ Evocation School

Druid

Druids channel the elemental forces of nature and share a deep kinship with animals. Mastery of Wild Shape allows them to transform into beasts from all over the Realms

Circle of the Moon ♦ Circle of the Land

Sorcerer

Sorcerers are natural spellcasters, drawing on inherent magic from a gift or bloodline.

Draconic Bloodline ♦ Wild Magic 

Barbarian

The strong embrace the wild that hides inside - keen instincts, primal physicality, and most of all, an unbridled, unquenchable rage.

Berserker ♦ Wildheart 

Bard

You know music is more than a fancy - it is power. Through study and adventure, you have mastered song, speech, and the magic within.

College of Lore ♦ College of Valour

Paladin

Fuelled by the Oaths you swore to uphold justice and righteousness, you are a beacon of hope in dark times.

Oath of Devotion ♦ Oath of the Ancients ♦ Oathbreaker

*Monk

Way of the Open Hand ♦  Way of Shadow ♦ Way of the Four Elements