Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a handful of companions you can take with you, each with their own starting class. While a list of the most essential classes for your Baldur’s Gate 3 party may be hotly contested, below is a list of which ones may work with various party compositions. Again, take this with a grain of salt, as these may not work for you depending on your playstyle. However, some classes do come with more benefits than others.
Most Essential Classes for your Baldur’s Gate 3 Party
Again, this is entirely subjective based on how you want to play the game or what you pick as the Class for your player character. However, one thing is certain above all else, and that is that magic remains extremely powerful in Baldur’s Gate 3. Since Larian Studios more or less made using magic a lot easier than it was in the previous two games, it’s always good to have a Caster around.
The first party I ran with as an Abjuration Wizard was Shadowheart (Cleric), Astarion (Assassin Rogue), and Karlach (Berserker Barbarian). However, after I played the game for a while, I actually ended up swapping out Karlach with Gale (Abjuration Wizard), and it made things much easier. Yes, it was far riskier because I didn’t have a proper melee character, but that didn’t matter. My damage output was so high that I was ending combat in a single turn. So don’t be afraid to forego using any melee characters even if you’re a Caster yourself.
The party that accompanied me on my second playthrough as an Oathbreaker Paladin and Way of the Open Hand Monk was Shadowheart (Cleric), Astarion (Arcane Trickster), and Gale (Abjuration Wizard, though his subclass really doesn’t matter). You’re probably starting to see a trend here. Since I was more of a tank this playthrough, I was the one running into combat and gathering enemies so that Shadowheart could use Spirit Guardians and rush in alongside me without any real fear of her life, while Astarion and Gale flung spells at my enemies. Gale is probably one of the strongest party members of the game, so it’s always great to have him around.
For my third playthrough I took Wyll (Warlock), Shadowheart (Cleric and Fighter), and Lae’zel (Battle Master Fighter), while I ran with a Rogue with the Assassin subclass. This was a lot more difficult since I was using way less spells this time around, but having Shadowheart and Lae’zel tank damage while I carefully maneuver the battlefield to deal Sneak Attack damage was fun. But again, the most essential classes for your party in Baldur’s Gate 3 will be entirely reliant on your playstyle.
However, I’ll create a simple list of suggested classes you take with you on your first run:
- Cleric
- The ability to heal and revive your party members is, without a doubt, one of the most essential things in the game. And a Cleric provides those raw heals you will need for harder encounters if they drag on for too long.
- Wizard
- This is suggested over Sorcerer due to their ability to learn spells from scrolls, and having Artistry of War is a huge boon, as it is without a doubt one of the best spells in the game.
- Rogue
- One of the best Classes in and out of combat. You’ll want a Rogue with you at all times to pick locks, disarm traps, and even perform Sneak Attacks for big damage.
- Fill (Any Class)
That said, if you’re playing with friends, feel free to experiment and see what works. You can largely throw anything together and have a good time of it, even if all of you end up rolling Wizards.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is available for PC and PlayStation 5. You can read our suggestion for best companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 here.
