Baldur's Gate 3: Most Underrated Classes, Ranked
by Srinithi
Updated Aug 29, 2023
Baldur's Gate 3: Most Underrated Classes, Ranked
Baldur's Gate 3, a game steeped in Dungeons and Dragons magic, has captured the gaming community's attention. Operating within the fifth edition rule set of the tabletop game, the game boasts 12 playable classes, each featuring unique subclasses.
Cleric:
Clerics, surprisingly underrated, are deemed weak healers with limited combat prowess. Their popularity suffers due to the presence of the companion Cleric, Shadowheart. However, delving into Cleric subclasses reveals martial and deceptive play styles, debunking misconceptions and revitalizing the class.
Monk:
Monks, often overlooked and perceived as weaker, rely on Dexterity and Wisdom, appealing to players seeking simplicity. Their unique Ki point mechanic might deter newcomers. With three subclasses, Monks showcase versatility, allowing players to channel their inner Aang with the Way of the Four Elements.
Barbarian:
Barbarians, despite their name's implications, offer distinct strengths. Excelling in throwing enemies and objects, they shine in manipulating the environment. Their enraged state grants potent combat buffs, and their unique approach to dilemmas adds humor to the game.
Druid:
The Druid class, often overshadowed, offers versatile gameplay. Shapeshifting into animals and excelling across roles, Druids can serve as tanks, support, or damage-dealers. With three subclasses, Druid Circles, they harness nature's power in different ways, including the engaging Circle of the Moon.
Wizard:
While classes like Warlock and Sorcerer enjoy popularity, Wizards are an underutilized class in BG3. Despite being squishy and sometimes damaging allies with AOE spells, players shouldn't overlook their arcane potential. With eight subclasses and an abundance of spells, Wizards offer diverse experiences and high damage output.
Baldur's Gate 3's diversity of classes extends beyond the widely favored options. Underestimated classes like Wizards, Druids, Barbarians, Monks, and Clerics possess unique qualities that, when explored, can lead to engaging and unexpected gameplay experiences.
Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3, a role-playing video game created and published by Larian Studios, stands as the third main entry in the Baldur's Gate series. Anchored in the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing system, the game's early access version launched on October 6, 2020, for macOS, Windows, and Stadia. After a successful early access phase, the full Windows release arrived on August 3, 2023.
Upcoming releases include macOS and PlayStation 5 versions on September 6, 2023, with an Xbox Series X/S version planned for 2023. Despite Stadia's closure, the game garnered critical acclaim for its engaging gameplay, narrative, extensive content, and impactful player decisions.
Baldur's Gate 3 Gameplay
Baldur's Gate 3, a role-playing video game, seamlessly blends single-player and cooperative multiplayer experiences. Gamers have the freedom to craft individual characters and create a party, combining pre-generated characters, to delve into the game's narrative.
Moreover, players can opt to join forces with others online, synchronizing characters and forming a collaborative party. With turn-based combat reminiscent of Larian's earlier titles, such as Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin II, the game adheres to the D&D 5th Edition rules, enhancing the tactical depth of gameplay.
Baldur's Gate 3 Plot
Baldur's Gate 3 unfolds in the year 1492 DR, a century after the events of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn and subsequent to the occurrences of Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. Its narrative structure embodies the quintessential branching plot of CRPGs, anchoring significant story beats while affording diverse intricacies shaped by player choices, particularly within the realm of numerous side quests.
Players are granted the choice, at the game's outset, to either fashion an original character with minimal backstory or select from seven pre-established "origin characters."
Act I: The journey begins with the protagonist's awakening aboard an illithid nautiloid ship, imbued with an illithid tadpole. As the ship comes under attack by githyanki forces, the protagonist escapes and steers the ship to Faerûn. Joined by other survivors implanted with tadpoles, including Lae'zel, Shadowheart, Astarion, Gale, Wyll, and Karlach, they embark on a quest for a cure.
The central plot revolves around the Emerald Grove's fate and its conflict against a goblin horde. The party's psychic encounter and the prism in Shadowheart's possession pave the way to Moonrise Towers, the path to potential salvation.
Act II: Moonrise Towers and its environs take center stage in the second act. Darkness shrouds the once-peaceful land, with the Last Light tavern as a sanctuary led by Jaheira.
The protagonist explores the depths, seeking the Nightsong artifact, encountering a corrupted temple to Shar, and confronting General Ketheric Thorm. The fate of Isobel and Nightsong's significance unfold as the protagonist confronts Ketheric's tyranny.
Act III: Baldur's Gate and Rivington feature in the third act, as the remaining antagonists manipulate the protagonist. Companions' personal quests converge, and revelations about the Dream Visitor, Emperor, and Orpheus surface.
Confrontations with the Dead Three Chosens and the Absolute's netherstones build toward a climactic showdown with the Elder Brain. The Emperor's role is unveiled, and the protagonist's choices culminate in a final battle, with varied outcomes that impact the cult's destiny.
Baldur's Gate 3 Development
Baldur's Gate 3, a role-playing video game, is rooted in the legacy of the original Baldur's Gate game developed by BioWare and Black Isle Studios. Released in 1998, the first game harnessed the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) rule set, set in the Forgotten Realms universe. The triumph of the initial title paved the way for sequels such as Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn and its expansion, Icewind Dale and its sequel, and Planescape: Torment. Amid these developments, Black Isle Studios initiated work on Baldur's Gate III:
The Black Hound in 2003, only to witness its cancellation due to financial setbacks faced by Interplay Entertainment, the game's publisher. As Interplay lost the D&D video game license to Atari in 2008, new D&D-based titles emerged, such as Neverwinter Nights and its sequel.
Wizards of the Coast, the owner of D&D's rights, explored various developers to carry forth the series' intellectual property. Larian Studios, in particular, expressed interest in continuing the Baldur's Gate lineage. Initially, Wizards of the Coast hesitated due to Larian's relative newness to the industry. However, following Larian's release of Divinity: Original Sin II, Wizards of the Coast revisited the notion of a Baldur's Gate sequel and collaborated with Larian to develop the concept.
Baldur's Gate 3 adopts the 5th edition of the Dungeons & Dragons rule set, with adaptations for the video game medium. Larian Studios unveiled the game during a presentation by Google, revealing its availability on Windows and Stadia platforms. It is based on the 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons rule set, but with gameplay modifications to enhance player enjoyment.
Initially set for early access release on September 30, 2020, Baldur's Gate 3's launch was postponed to October 6, 2020. The early access version offered the first act of the game, with gradual additions and enhancements leading up to the full release. The game officially left early access and was fully released in August 2023 for macOS, Windows, and PlayStation 5. An Xbox Series X and Series S port is also in development.
Baldur's Gate 3 carries forward the legacy of the series while introducing modern adaptations and enhancements, ushering players into a new era of immersive role-playing within the world of Dungeons & Dragons.
Baldur's Gate 3: Most Underrated Classes, Ranked-FAQ
The underrated classes in "Baldur's Gate 3" include Wizard, Druid, Barbarian, Monk, and Cleric. These classes may not be as popular but offer unique gameplay experiences.
"Baldur's Gate 3" is a role-playing video game developed by Larian Studios, set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. It offers turn-based combat and a rich narrative experience.
Wizards are often overlooked due to their squishy nature and potential for damaging allies. However, their diverse subclasses and extensive spell options make them powerful and versatile choices.
Druids offer versatility by being able to serve as tanks, support, or damage-dealers through shapeshifting and nature-based abilities. Their Circle subclasses provide different ways to harness nature's power.
Barbarians excel in environmental manipulation and throwing enemies. Their enraged state grants combat buffs, and their humorous approach to challenges adds depth to their character.