Patch Eight forBaldur’s Gate 3brought with it a plethora of new subclasses, one for every class in the game. Among them aresome fan favorites fromDungeons and Dragons, most notably the Hexblade warlock, and nearly all of them have received some upgraded abilities from their original TTRPG forms. Considering how well some of these new subclasses fit the game’s origin characters, they’re easy to integrate into most campaigns.
Multiclassing is especially fun for some of these subclasses. Combining powers from multiple classes was already a popular move inBaldur’s Gate 3, opening up avenues to make the most powerful 12th-level characters possible, but these new options provide plenty of new possibilities.These ten multiclass options for the new subclasses are especially exciting, given how well their powers synergize with those from other classes.
10Creating An Eldritch Pirate With The Hexblade & Swashbuckler
Maximizing The Value Of The Charisma Stat
It’s no surprise that the Hexblade warlock is a strong multiclass component inBaldur’s Gate 3.Hexblade is already a common multiclassing option inD&Dbecause of how valuable even just one level can be. Hexblades provide a unique and powerful curse effect the player can place upon enemies and, more importantly,the ability to use their charisma for their weapon attacks. This minimizes the main issue multiclassed characters run into when attempting to balance multiple ability scores. Pairing a Hexblade with a rogue isn’t that typical, however, as paladin and bard are the more common choices.
The Swashbucker subclass actually synergizes wonderfully with the abilities ofthe Hexblade warlock. For one thing, the Swashbuckler is far more mobile and quick than the warlock and even other rogues, andits sneak attack will apply in virtually every attack situation. For another, theBG3Swashbuckler gains some unique options for its cunning action, which relies on the rogue’s charisma to perform well. Essentially, the Swashbuckler is great at gaining advantage and dealing heavy melee damage, skills the Hexblade benefits from greatly. Neither subclass requires investment past level six to be amazing, making the multiclass very viable.
9The Arcane Archer & Crown Paladin Focus On Accuracy
A Loyal Sharpshooter With Perfect Aim
While Arcane Archer has a mixed reputation inD&D, it can be a powerful option inBaldur’s Gate 3.It works like the Battlemaster, providing a limited use of special techniques to augment one’s weapon attacks, butthe Arcane Archer can use said attacks a ton of times per short rest, and they’re quite powerful when used correctly. When paired with the archery fighting style and sharpshooter feat, this subclass can produce a beast of a ranged damage dealer. Those abilities only get better when paired with those of the Crown paladin.
The Crown paladin and Arcane Archer are some of the weaker subclass options for their respective classes inD&D, but have been improved greatly in the transition to video game form.
Mainly,the Crown paladin’s level one Channel Oath ability, which lets them add their proficiency bonus to their attack rollsfor ten rounds. This power is great for any martial attacker, but especially for one using a feat like sharpshooter, which causes an accuracy penalty in exchange for higher damage. At high levels, the Crown paladin’s ability essentially negates that penalty. Honestly, only a one or two-level dip in paladin is necessary for this build, since the class has so many great early features.
8Enhancing The Giant Barbarian’s Skillset With Battlemaster Techniques
High Damage And High Versatility
Speaking of the fighter, the Battlemaster is a great option for any martial multiclass. It gets pretty much everything it needs by level 3 and affords characters some excellent versatility in combat, making themable to knock down, push, or even frighten their foes with attacks.Barbarians have a hard time multiclassing in general, since their rage abilities tend not to play nice with those of other classes, but the Battlemaster is an exception. As powerful asthe Giant barbarianis on its own, it only gets better with Battlemaster techniques.
The Giant barbarian can deal insane damage with thrown weapons and by shoving creatures around the battlefield. When you run out of things to throw or need your bonus action for something else, however,it’s nice to have options that make melee and ranged attacks even better. A three-level dip into Battlemaster fighter gives your barbarian options, access to action surge, and makes sure they can do more than just throw things around.
7The Shadow Sorcerer’s Powers Are Great For A Gloomstalker
Turning The Darkness To Your Advantage
The Shadow sorcerer gets some unique abilities to use with its sorcery points,summoning special clouds of darkness and hounds to the fight.It benefits from sticking to the shadows, much like another subclass: the Gloomstalker ranger. The Gloomstalker is another popular option for multiclassing in general, due to its great front-loaded abilities that make a three or five-level investment more than worth it. That leaves plenty of levels to put into sorcerer, building up your points so that you have enough to spend on their powers.
Admittedly, there’s a bit of crossover in the two subclasses' abilities to see in the dark, but the rest of what they get synergizes well. The Shadow sorcerer cancreate darkness that they themselves can see through, setting up the Gloomstalker for a powerful ambush. The Gloomstalker can pick up some armor and weapon proficiencies that the sorcerer would lack, and the subclass would benefit from the once-per-day return from death that Shadow sorcerers can use.
6The Eldritch Knight Benefits Massively From Bladesinger Powers
The Best Of Both Spellblades
The Bladesinger wizardwas one of the most highly-anticipated additions that came in Patch Eight, and for good reason. Everyone loves a spellblade, a character who combines martial and magical prowess, and the Bladesinger does it gracefully. It gets all the spellcasting power of a wizard alongsidea powerful martial boost ability that makes them proficient in the middle of a battlefield. However, the subclass falls off dramatically after level 5, and it would benefit from the abilities of a pure martial class.
One of the main issues with multiclassing a Bladesinger is how many ability scores the subclass requires an investment in, needing high dexterity, constitution, and intelligence. Luckily, certain items inBG3make this less of a problem than in the tabletop game.
That’s where the Eldritch Knight fighter comes into play. Not only will it provide an extended list of weapon and armor proficiencies, but it will afford access to action surge and the ability to use powerful weapons likeThe Baneful. Plus,it provides extra attack and the ability to take an attack as a bonus action after casting a cantrip.With the addition of Booming Blade into the game, this ability got a lot better, and works wonderfully to further extend the martial capabilities of a Bladesinger. Finally, as a quarter-casting, the Eldritch Knight won’t mess up the wizard’s spell progression, and they’ll still be able to learn 4th-level spells from scrolls.
5Creating The Ultimate Thrower With The Giant Barbarian & Open Hand Monk
Overloading Your Strength And Dexterity To Great Effect
Versatility is nice, but if you really just want to boost the Giant barbarians thrown and unarmed damage, the Open Hand monk is for you.Both of these subclasses benefit spectacularly from maintaining a high strength and dexterity, something that can be done with gloves and potions without too much trouble. They also both get a lot out of the tavern brawler feat, allowing their damage to ascend into the heavens.
The barbarian/monk combination is one thatonly works iftheir ability scorescan be kept high at both ends, butBaldur’s Gate 3makes that easy. By combining these classes, utilizing their inherent tankiness to stay alive and their speed to close in quickly,you can make a monster that doesn’t necessarily need weapons to fight. You’ll have plenty of options for throwing, shoving, and knocking around your foes, all while dealing a ton of physical damage to anyone you touch.
4The Arcane Archer & Swarmkeeper Ranger Compliment One Another Perfectly
Enhanced Movement To Keep Your Distance
The Swarmkeeper,a ranger that fights alongside a swarm of bees, moths, or jellyfish, is among the more unique subclasses in the game. They add extra damage to the target of a ranger’sHunter’s Markand provide extra mobility to the ranger themselves, especially past level 7. As such, it’s an ideal subclass for a ranged character, meaning it pairs well with the Arcane Archer.
The Archer gets all the benefits of a fighter along with some special ways of attacking at range, but they don’t get any enhanced mobility to help line up shots or escape melee. The Swarmkeeper does, and on top of that,spells likeHunter’s Markwill help improve the damage of any archer.This combination is great for maximizing your mobility and letting you control the battlefield by moving its members around.
3The Death Domain Cleric & Oathbreaker Paladin Work Well Together
Making A Better Necromancer In Baldur’s Gate
The necromancer is a fun fantasy archetype, but it’s harder to make work inBaldur’s Gate 3than one might think. The Necromancy subclass for wizards is underwhelming, and the necromancy spells the game offers aren’t all that strong.It requires some investment to make undead summons and necrotic damage worthwhile; luckily, the Oathbreaker paladin and Death cleric come together to do just that.
While one can’t choose to start out as an Oathbreaker, it can easily be gained as one’s subclass within the first hour of exiting the Nautiloid.
Starting as a paladin provides all the armor and weapon skills one needs, andthe Oathbreaker provides some neat abilities to gain control of and empower the undead. Their 7th-level aura of hate feature is particularly powerful for a necromancer general who plans to lead their army of undead into battle. Pairing this with theDeath cleric’s spell access, their channel divinity to deal extra weapon damage, and their improved necromancy cantrips makes the ultimate necromantic warrior.
2Becoming A Radiant Damage Machine With The Stars Druid And Light Cleric
Bringing The Sun Down Upon Your Enemies
Almost the inverse of that previous combination, the circle of Stars druid and Light cleric come together to make a character powered by pure radiant energy. The Light cleric can use their powers to dodge attacks and deal tons of radiant AOE damage, while the Stars druid can use their wild shape to take astarry form, gaining increased damage or healing capabilities while still being able to cast spells.
What’s especially great about this pairing is thatit can work with a number of level combinations. A two-level dip in cleric is powerful enough on its own and enables players to take full advantage of the Stars druid’s abilities. One could also do the inverse, since the Stars druid can also work well as a dip. Even splitting the two down the middle works to provide a healthy balance of both of their best features.
1The Hexblade Shows Its True Power When Paired With The Swords Bard
The Ultimate Spellblade Character
Of course,the Hexblade must return to cap off this list, asits potential as a multiclassing option cannot be understated. While most people are familiar with how powerful it can be when combined with the powers of a paladin, I’d argue thatthe Swords bardhas the potential to be an even better match. The single-focus on charisma allows you to make the most of the warlock and bard spells this character will have access to, and taking at least six levels in either class will give them an extra attack.
But on top of that,since Hexblades can bond with ranged weapons as well as melee ones, players can make use of how broken the Swords bard’s ranged attacks can be. Using slashing flourish and hand crossbows, they can take up to five attacks per round, making their damage output incredibly high. On top of that, both classes get their best features early on, meaning there are a number of ways for you to assemble this build level-wise. It is probably the most powerful hybrid build in all ofBaldur’s Gate 3.
