Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Race Choices [Expert Picks]

Unlike other RPGs, the game emphasizes the significance of both class and race choices. Your decisions here greatly impact how the campaign unfolds and influence various scenarios. So, it’s crucial to carefully select a Race that complements the class you intend to play, and that’s precisely what this guide will help you navigate. 

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Key Takeaways

• There are 12 different classes with 11 different races and multiple subraces.
• Each race and its subraces have unique traits and abilities.
• Barbarian: Dragonborn, Half-Orc, Shield Dwarf, Zariel Tiefling; Bard: High Elf, High Half-Elf, Tiefling; Cleric: Gold Dwarf, High Elf, Wood Elf; Druid: Githyanki, High Elf, Forest Gnome; Fighter: Githyanki, Half-Orc, Shield Dwarf; Monk: Githyanki, Half-Elf, Wood Elf.
• Paladin: Gold Dwarf, Zariel Tiefling; Ranger: Drow, Forest Gnome, Wood Elf; Rogue: Deep Gnome, Halfling, Wood Elf; Sorcerer: NA; Warlock: NA; Wizard: High Elf, Rock Gnome.

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There are 11 races to choose from in Baldur’s Gate 3. They all give your character different traits and abilities; the same applies to the subraces. Listed below are all the Races and their respective Subraces.

Races and Sub-Races Of Baldur's Gate 3

Races	Sub-Races
Dragonborn	Black Dragonborn, Blue Dragonborn, Brass Dragonborn, Bronze Dragonborn, Copper Dragonborn, Gold Dragonborn, Green Dragonborn, Red Dragonborn, Silver Dragonborn, White Dragonborn
Drow	Lolth-Sworn Drow and Seldarine Drow
Dwarf	Gold Dwarf and Shield Dwarf
Elf	High Elf and Wood Elf
Githyanki	None
Gnome	Deep Gnome, Forest Gnome, and Rock Gnome
Half-Elf	High Half-Elf, Wood Half-Elf, and Drow Half-Elf
Half-Orc	None
Halfling	Lightfoot Halfling and Strongheart Halfling
Human	None
Tiefling	Asmodeus Tiefling, Mephistopheles Tiefling and Zariel Tiefling

Classes And Their Races

Classes	Best Races
Barbarian	Dragonborn, Half-Orc, Shield Dwarf, Zariel Tiefling
Bard	High Elf, High Half-Elf, Tiefling
Cleric	Gold Dwarf, High Elf, Wood Elf
Druid	Githyanki, High Elf, Forest Gnome
Fighter	Githyanki, Half-Orc, Shield Dwarf
Monk	Githyanki, Half-Elf, Wood Elf
Paladin	Gold Dwarf, Zariel Tiefling
Ranger	Drow, Forest Gnome, Wood Elf
Rogue	Deep Gnome, Halfling, Wood Elf
Sorcerer	Asmodeus Tiefling, Drow, High Elf
Warlock	Drow, Mephistopheles Tiefling, High Elf
Wizard	High Elf, Rock Gnome

Barbarian

Best Races: Dragonborn, Half-Orc, Shield Dwarf, Zariel Tiefling.

Barbarians are a fierce class of warriors that overpower anything in their path. With this, you will possess characteristics that will help you with your goals, such as never-ending rage, physical strength, and endurance. Their throw proficiencies are Strength and Constitution.

In addition, they are proficient in simple weapons, martial weapons, light armor, medium armor, and shields.

1. Half-Orcs are a great choice if you plan to play the Barbarian Class. In my opinion, the Half-Orc race benefits from the high movement speed and intimidation Proficiency. 
2. Shield Dwarves make great Barbarians for similar reasons to the Half-Orc. This allows you to become proficient in light armor, medium armor, battleaxe, handaxe, light hammer, and Warhammer, which synergizes well with Barbarian’s proficiencies and playstyle of running around and smashing everything. 
3. Zariel Tielfing is perhaps one of the most overlooked races when dealing with Barbarians and, simultaneously, one of the greatest test. They get the same advantages of being tough and having Darkvision like the Half-Orc and the Shield Dwarf, but they have other tricks up their sleeves, making them a great option.
4. The Dragonborn race can also be a good alternative if you are not intrigued by any of the other races, or they do not fit the character you are rolepl ying. Dragonborns feature the primal ability of strength, which makes them a viable choice for a Barbarian. 

Bard

Best Races: High Elf, High Half-Elf, Tiefling.

I think the High Elf and the High Half-Elf are similar in many ways. Both have the same choices of cantrips. What makes them a good choice for a Bard is the Fey Ancestry trait, which gives you an advantage against being charmed, and not only that, it also makes it so magic cannot put you to sleep.

In addition, both have Darkvision, which enables you to see in the dark; however, the High Elf has an advantage over the High Half-Elf as they can see farther in the dark. Moreover, another difference is that the High Half-Elf has better weapons proficiency than the High-Elf.

Another option for a Bard could be the Tieflings race. Their high Charisma helps them synergize well with the Bard’s personality and playstyle.

Tieling’s weapon proficiencies and their Hellish Resistance can help you if you are looking for a more offensive and supportive Bard. 

Cleric

Cleric Class’s Best Races are Gold Dwarf, High Elf, and Wood Elf.

Gold Dwarves make great Clerics, particularly tanky Clerics. Although Gold Dwarves may not be the best, they have great weapon proficiencies with multiple defense options. They also get Wisdom buffs, and like many other races, they can see a bit in the dark with Darkvision. The High Elf and Wood Elf races are also good for a Cleric class. Both of these are great spellcasters, and both have high movement speed, with which you can run circles around the enemy while blasting them with spells 

Moreover, they also have proficiencies in longswords, shortwords, longbows, and short bows, meaning they can even fight with a weapon when the magic is just doing enough damage.

Druid

Best Races: Gthyanki, High Elf, Forest Gnome.

Forest Gnome is an ideal match for the Druid Class. This is because Forest Gnomes can communicate with animals, which goes perfectly with being able to turn into animals as a Druid.

The class’s proficiency in spellcasting enhances your Druid powers, and the advantage in intelligence and wisdom, and Charisma throws makes them a perfect fit for your chosen class. 

The High Elf is a good option for a Druid for the same reasons it is for Cleric: the spellcasting abilities. High Elves make great sense here because the Druid is a supporter and magic weaver first. Moreover, the Hig  Elf’s wisdom will help you with the Druid playstyle.

Githyanki is a weird option, but it can work if it be. They have high wisdom, which goes well with the Druid class and is also challenging, so taking up a weapon should not be an issue.

Fighter

Best Races: Githyanki, Half-Orc, Shield Dwarf.

When thinking of a Fighter, Githyanki is a common name that comes to mind, and that is for a good reason. They are very capable fighters with a lot of strength and agility, which also boast the ability to spell cast so they can support themselves and their allies during a fight. You don’t want to be on the receiving end of a Githyanki’s ra e.

Another great Fighter is the Half-Orc. They also have a lot of strength and proficiency in intimidation, which helps when exploring dungeons and unknown areas. Moreover, when they critical strike, they can roll the weapon’s damage dice again to deal extra damage.

Shield Dwarves are also a great option. They have light and medium armor proficiency, which helps them with defense. Moreover, they have an advantage in saving throws against poison and resistance against poison damage.

They have proficiency in Battleaxe, Handaxe, Light Hammer, and Warhammer for the offense.

Monk

Best Races: Gith anki, Half-Elf, Wood Elf.

The Githyanki race works well as a Monk. They are natural-born fighters with high strength and intelligence. Monks are also spellcasters, so that area will suffer in the early game, but nothing can stop you when you have built your character a bit.

I think Half-elves are also a good choice for a Monk. Not only are they proficient in multitudes of weapons and armor, but they are also great spellcasters. They have the Fl et of Foot trait, which gives them more significant movement than other races. So, combined with the Half-Elf’s abilities, you can become an agile spellcaster with the ability to use weapons effectively when needed.

The Wood Elves are similar to the Half-Elves, given that they are both in the Elf category. They have the same high movement and good weapons and armor proficiency as the Half-Elves (although not the same); they have one more trick that perhaps makes them the best race for a Monk.

Wood Elves can blend with the environment, perfect for backstabbing enemies.

Paladin

Best Races: Gold Dwarf, Zariel Tiefling.

Perhaps the best race for the Paladin class is the Gold Dwarf race. Gold Dwarves are challenging people with good proficiency in weapons and the ability to resist Poison damage. They also have a high constitution and wisdom. With all their abilities and characteristics, Gold Dwarves are perfect for a righteous or the light path of a Paladin.

If you are a rebel and do not want to go with the Holy and enlightened path of a Paladin and would instead turn toward the darkness, Zariel Tiefling is a great option. Not only do they have the look of the Paladin-turned-dark, but they also boast a lot of strength, resistance, and charisma, all traits that make a Paladin perfect.

Ranger

Best Races: Drow, Forest Gnome, Wood Elf.

Drow is the apparent option here for many reasons. They have much better weapons and armor proficiencies than other competing races, which will be very helpful for you to fight with major enemies. Drows have good synergy with the Ranger class as they have high agility, which is the primary of the Ranger class.

The Forest Gnome and the Wood Elf race are equally suitable for a Ranger class. On top of the good synergy with Ranger abilities, these races take the role of the more hunter-like Ranger. The Forest Gnome can speak with animals, while the ood Elf can blend in with the surroundings; what more could a Ranger want?

Rogue

Best Races: Deep Gnome,  alfling, Wood Elf.

Rogues are the stealth masters and tricksters of Baldur’s Gate 3. The Rogue playstyle can range from being a sneaky thief to a deadly assassin. 

Deep Gnomes possess many traits and abilities suited to the Rogue playstyle. They have the Superior Darkvison trait that helps you see up to 24m in the dark, perfect for an assassin, enabling them to carry out their duties in the dark, undetected. Deep Gnomes have an advantage on stealth checks and intelligence, Charisma, and wisdom saving throws.

Wood Elf is an excellent option to explore Rogues’ more magical side. They possess a natural proficiency in longswords, longbows, shortswords, and short bows, making you a good contender for melee and range weapons.

Halflings can also be considered due to their stealthy nature and resistance that help you escape sticky situations.

Sorcerer

Best Races: Asmodeus Tiefling, Drow, High Elf.

In my experience, Asmodeus Tiedling is an excellent choice for a Sorcerer as they have naturally high Charisma, which goes well with the Sorcerer playstyle. Their Hellish Resistence gives players a greater survivability ratio, so you can hold out until you can heal yourself or successfully run away.

Alternatives would be the Drow and the High Elf race. They both have high Charisma and can synergize well with the Sorcerer class. Moreover, both are great spell weavers. The Drow might be the best bet if you are looking for more than just magic in a Sorcerer, as they have better hands-on combat ability.

Warlock

Best Races: Drow, Mephistopheles Tiefling, High Elf.

Drows and High Elves, as discussed before, are competent spell casters. Both have high Charisma, which works well with the Warlock class. Drows are preferred if magic-based combat is not the only thing you will do, as they have good resistance and weapon proficiencies. In contrast, the High Elves have better spellcasting and are more magic-dependent.

The Mephistopheles Tiefling race is a good alternative if you want to push the “evil warlock” idea. They can be decent spellcasters with high Charisma and intelligence. They also have good resistance so that you won’t get knocked out easily during combat.

Wizard

Best Races: High Elf, Rock Gnome.

High Elf seems like the obvious choice here, as they are good spellcasters, and the Wizard class is entirely based on spellcasting. Moreover, High Elves have an advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and they cannot be put to sleep by magic.

Rock Gnomes are intelligent beings with much greater spellcasting abilities than most of the Baldur’s Gate 3 races. Their race trait of Artificer’s Lore gives players higher proficiency in History checks, which will help you in dialogue options.

What Is The Best Race Choice?

Wood Elf for Barbarian, Druid & Fighter.

After spending a solid 26 hours in Baldur’s Gate 3, I realized how much a Race and Class choice can shape your entire gameplay experience. Trust me, the right combination of Races can turn a good adventure into an extraordinary one.

Wood Elf is the best choice for you, with classes like Barbarian, Druid, and Fighter. You can attack numerous times in one round when combined with melee weapons.

Check out similar guides:

• Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Guardian.
• Baldurs Gate 3 Best Items.
• Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Companions.