Baldur’s Gate 3: All playable races, subraces & their abilities
Selecting a race for your character is a significant initial step inBaldur’s Gate 3, with many diverse options and several subraces offering unique abilities, to say nothing of your many custom appearance options.
Baldur’s Gate 3 allows for deep character customization. Beyond selectingclasses and subclasses, players can choose from a variety of races and subraces in the character creator, each contributing to a unique play style and experience in thegame.
However, the sheer number of options available in Baldur’s Gate 3 can be quite overwhelming. If you’re particularly stuck on which race to make your character, we’ve provided a breakdown of them all, including their unique abilities.
So, here are all the playable races & subraces you can choose in Baldur’s Gate 3.
All races available in Baldur’s Gate 3, abilities, best class, & more
TheDrow are one of the most popular races in Dungeons & Dragons. They’re broken into two distinct groups: Lolth-Sword Drow, who traditionally live in the Underdark, and Seldarine Drow, who reside on the surface. Be careful when selecting this race, as the Drow’s reputation for wickedness precedes them.
Best classes for the Drow
The Roguefits perfectly with the Drow thanks to the Perception proficiency off the bat, the extra weapon proficiencies, and the spells that you get as you level up, which are hugely beneficial to your build. Faerie Fire, especially, is a great fit, as it will ensure all of your hits are Sneak Attacks if it sticks.
In a similar way to the Rogue, aWarlockwould be a great fit for the Drow thanks to the extra proficiencies. Combine that with your Darkvision and Fey Ancestry to give you advantage on being Charmed and you have a pretty powerful combination.
Dragonborn
A relatively new race to the Forgotten Realms, theDragonborn may lack the wings and tailsof the great wyrms of the D&D multiverse, but they still retain some of the power of Bahamut and Tiamat. Namely, their potent breath weapon, as well as a resistance to their chosen element.
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Best classes for Dragonborn
TheSorcerermight be the best class for Dragonborn, so long as you focus on a chosen element. The natural resistance to one type is helpful if you’re going to be using it a lot, that way, it’s not as scary to use spells with an AoE in your vicinity, as you can tank some of the damage.
TheClericandRogueare also great choices for the Dragonborn, as the Breath Attack gives them a great AoE option during low-levels of play. Playing a Brass or Red Dragonborn might be the best option here, considering how much is flammable in the Baldur’s Gate 3 world.
Thedwarves of the Forgotten Realmsare much like their Middle-earth counterparts. They reside in underground halls, where they mine gems and craft the greatest weapons and armor in the land. The main exception to this are the Duergar, who reside in the Underdark and often fight for land with the monsters that dwell in the shadows.
Best classes for Dwarf
As a class with a lot of physical bulk, the Dwarf is an excellent choice for theBarbarian, Fighter, Ranger, or Paladin. The extra hit points (for the Gold Dwarf) or Saving Throws (for the Duergar) are hugely beneficial to a class that’s on the front lines.
Additionally, the Shield Dwarf is also an excellentSorcerer or Wizard. This is thanks to the extra Armor Proficiency, which means you can wear better gear at low levels and won’t have to wait an eternity until the good magic robes appear.
The long-lived elves are among the oldest races in the Forgotten Realms. Residing in massive forests and ancient cities, the fae-blooded elves are masters of magic, using their arcane arts to protect their lands from the forces of evil.
Best classes for Elf
For the High Elf, the best class is theSorcerer, Wizard, or Warlock, as that extra Cantrip can be extremely useful. Giving Fire Bolt to a Ranger or Rogue is also handy, as it can be used to ignite things at the start of combat.
For the Wood Elf, aBarbarian, Monk, or Roguewith Fleet Foot will easily fly across the battlefield. However, a heavily armored class, like a Paladin with the Oath of the Ancients, can also benefit from the Wood Elf’s gifts.
TheGithyanki are not native to the Forgotten Realms; they originally hail from the Astral Plane. Long ago, they were enslaved by the Mind Flayers. However, they rebelled and now hunt their former masters across the multiverse.
Best classes for Githyanki
The extra armor, weapon, and skill proficiencies, and bonus spells make the Githyanki an excellent choice for theBard. They might look like frogs, but they can sure belt out a tune.
Outside of the Bard, the Githyanki is also an excellent choice for theFighter or Paladin. The movement spells as you level up can make up for the fact that you’re decked out in heavy gear.
Gnomes reside in all corners of the Forgotten Realms, where they are known for their inventiveness and love of partying. The exception to this are the Deep Gnomes, sometimes called the Svirfneblin, who live in the Underdark and have a much sourer mood, brought on by their struggles with the predators underground.
Best classes for Gnome
The best class for the Deep Gnome is eitherRanger or Rogue. This is due to Stone Camouflage giving them Advantage on Stealth checks, which is an incredible benefit for both of those classes.
The best class for Forest Gnome is eitherDruid or Ranger, as the extra Speak with Animals spell means you don’t have to burn other resources to use that power.
The best class for the Rock Gnome is theWizard, in order to make the best of their enhanced History skill check, brought on by their Artificer’s Lore.
This legally distinct from the Hobbits race carve out small settlements across the Forgotten Realms, where they keep to themselves and try to avoid the troubles of the larger races. That being said, some go out on adventures of their own, possibly involving magic rings, shadow riders, talking trees, and, worst of all, lawyers.
Best classes for Halfling
The best classes for both subraces areBard, Ranger, or Rogue. The Advantage on Stealth checks or Poison resilience is incredibly useful to all three classes, especially as they often take on the scout role in the party.
Half-elves have been around for as long as humanity and elves have been on good terms. They’re usually welcome in both communities, though many decide to strike out on their own and become adventurers, traveling between the lands of both of their ancestries.
Best classes for Half-Elf
The same classes that work for the various elven races are also the best choices for their half-elf equivalent. The only difference is that you have a few additional weapon choices, most of which you probably won’t use.
Humankind is themost populous race in the Forgotten Realms, being found in every corner of the world. While they might among the most short-lived people in the land, their tenacity and ambition has led many to become important heroes, helping to hold back the forces of evil.
Best classes for Human
Humans are easily the worst race choice in Baldur’s Gate 3, with some dire abilities. It is mind-boggling why they don’t get the bonus Feat option from D&D 5E, which would have made them one of the better choices.
If you really want to play a human, the best choice is probably Sorcerer of Wizard, as you can at least get some use out of the extra armor and skill proficiencies.
Orcs were at odds with pretty much every other race for the longest time in the Forgotten Realms. Relationships have cooled over the past century, leading to the creation of Orc settlements and the establishment of connections with other races. This has resulted in Half-Orcs, who retain the might of the children of Gruumsh.
Best Classes for Half-Orc
The best class for Half-Orc is Barbarian or the Champion subclass for the Fighter. You’re all about dealing lots of damage and making the most of your crits, which your Savage Attacks feature helps with. Relentless Endurance will also ensure that you’re harder to defeat in combat.
Tieflings are the result of a coupling between humanity and fiends. While Tieflings share the blood of demons and devils, they aren’t necessarily evil. However, their fiendish appearance and supernatural powers mean it can be hard for them to fit in, which is why many choose the path of the adventurer.
Best classes for Tiefling
The best classes for Asmodeus Tieflings and Mephistopheles Tieflings are Bard, Cleric, Druid, or Warlock. The extra damaging and debuff spells are extremely useful for these builds, especially as you level up.
For the Zariel Tiefling, the best class choices are Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, or Ranger. The smiting powers are excellent additions to your arsenal, making this one of the best melee-focused races in the game.
When choosing your next character for Baldur’s Gate 3, why not consult ourBaldur’s Gate 3 class tier list, find out themax level cap, or thedetails of multiclassing.
