I finally rolled credits in Baldur’s Gate 3 after 118 hours. There were lots of trial and error on my part as this 2023 Game of the Year provides a massive scope of objectives and battles that challenge both novice and expert alike. Some people may be shy to pick up Baldur’s Gate 3, especially if they’ve never playing table-top Dungeons and Dragons before.

While there are many tips and tricks for newbies (which I’ll cover in a future article), one solid foundation you can build as a beginner is the right class. In Baldur’s Gate 3, you select your class during the character build stage, and your class greatly determines your skillset. If you are new or nervous about what to pick, here are my top class recommendations:

3. Bard

While not an intimidating class by any means, Bards can be quite versatile, and thus beginner friendly. They are proficient in light and medium armor as well as simple weapons, and you can build your spells in a way that supports your playstyle best. Newbies may not want to jump straight into the fray, so Bards can be amazing support their partners on the sidelines with Bardic Inspiration and a plethora of spells.

2. Paladin

Paladins are holy warriors that have sworn themselves to a sacred oath, so they make great tanks. In traditional D&D (5th edition), they have one of the higher hit die. Also, they are proficient in all armor, shields, and weapons, which makes building up your Paladin simple and easy. Their spell list is also well balanced with defensive and offensive spells, including ones that deal radiant damage–which I found to be extremely helpful in many parts of Baldur’s Gate 3.

1. Fighter

I had chosen Fighter in both my first ever D&D campaign as well as Baldur’s Gate 3. The Fighter is hands down one of the simplest classes while providing lots of power to the player. What if you want to cast spells? No problem! When you reach level 3, you can select a Fighter Archetype called Eldritch Knight. This archetype allows you to master some spells to add to your arsenal without overwhelming you.

Honorable Mentions:

The Rogue and Wizard classes are also decent choices for beginners. They did not make my top list for a few reasons that are specific to Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Astarion is a companion you’ll meet in the game, and if you ever heard of Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ve also heard his name. He is a highly skilled rogue with a compelling plotline, so Astarion is a must-have in your party. The number one key to success in any D&D game, including Baldur’s Gate 3, is a balanced party. Therefore, if you have Astarion as a companion, you may not want to be a Rogue, too (for a beginner, anyway).
• Out of all the magic wielders, I would say Wizard is the most user-friendly for novices. You focus on a particular school of magic and can copy over spells from scrolls. However, even I was overwhelmed with choosing which school of magic, which spells to learn vs to prepare, and how to manage my spells slots. Also, Gale was another Baldur’s Gate 3 character that already has a fantastic build and storyline worth keeping in your party.

These you have it. The Bard, Paladin, and Fighter are the top classes I recommend for those who are unfamiliar with the D&D universe that want to play Baldur’s Gate 3. Of course, you should pick whatever you feel would be most fun. And remember, just make sure your party is balanced!

What are your thoughts? What is the class you are considering or currently playing as? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.

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