This list categorizes Baldur's Gate 3 races into tiers: S, A, B, and C. Each tier reflects the race's combat abilities, unique traits, and overall impact on gameplay. For example, Half-Orcs lead in the S tier with superior combat resilience, while Humans and Dragonborn are in the C tier, offering basic benefits but lacking standout features. The list serves as a guide for players to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each race, aiding in strategic character selection.
| Tier | Races | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|
| C | Humans | Increased carry capacity, skill proficiency |
| C | Dragonborn | Elemental breath, resistance |
| B | Tieflings | Fire resistance, dark vision, spells |
| B | Drow | Weapon skills, charm resistance, dark vision |
| B | Dwarves | Poison resistance, weapon skills |
| B | Halflings | Lucky trait, stealth advantage |
| B | Gnomes | Saving throw advantages, dark vision |
| A | Elves | Perception, charm resistance, dark vision |
| A | Githyanki | Weapon and armor skills, psionics |
| A | Half-Elves | Charm resistance, dark vision, sub-race traits |
| S | Half-Orcs | Relentless Endurance, Savage Attacks |
Humans (C Tier)
Traits: Humans in Baldur's Gate 3 have a 25% increased carrying capacity, which can be handy for managing inventory. They also get one additional skill proficiency of their choice, offering some customization. Additionally, they are proficient in light armor and shields, as well as a range of weapons including spears, spikes, halberds, and glaives.
Assessment: Humans are placed in the C tier primarily because, while they have no significant drawbacks, they also lack standout features or unique abilities that set them apart in the game. Their benefits are more general and less specialized compared to other races.
Dragonborn (C Tier)
Traits: The key feature of Dragonborn in Baldur's Gate 3 is their elemental breath, which varies depending on their draconic ancestry. This breath attack deals 2d6 damage in a 5-meter cone and can be a useful combat tool. Additionally, they have resistance to the same element as their breath attack, providing some defensive utility.
Assessment: Dragonborn are ranked in the C tier as their primary feature, the elemental breath, is seen more as a flavor addition than a game-changing ability. While the breath attack and elemental resistance are useful, they don't offer as much versatility or impact as the abilities of higher-tier races.
Tieflings (B Tier)
Traits: Tieflings have hellish resistance, granting them resistance to fire damage. They also possess dark vision, which is useful in low-light conditions. Depending on the subclass, they gain access to different cantrips and spells. For example, the Asmodeus Tiefling gets the Produce Flame cantrip, Hellish Rebuke at level 3, and Darkness at level 5.
Assessment: Tieflings are placed in the B tier due to their versatile spell options and fire resistance. These traits offer a mix of offensive and defensive capabilities, making them adaptable to various situations.
Drow (B Tier)
Traits: Drow have proficiency in rapiers, short swords, and hand crossbows, and are also proficient in perception. They have charm resistance, immunity to magical sleep, and superior dark vision. Drow magic grants them Fairy Fire and Darkness spells at levels 3 and 5.
Assessment: The Drow's combination of weapon proficiencies, resistance to charm, and superior dark vision are valuable, but they don't provide as significant an advantage as higher-tier races. Their magic abilities add some utility, placing them in the B tier.
Dwarves (B Tier)
Traits: Dwarves have a slower movement speed but are proficient with battle axes, hand axes, light hammers, and warhammers. They have poison resistance and dark vision. Gold Dwarves increase maximum hit points by one per level, and Duergar have additional resistances and spells like Enlarge and Invisibility.
Assessment: The dwarves' slower movement is a notable drawback, especially for melee-focused characters. However, their weapon proficiencies, poison resistance, and sub-race features like extra hit points and spell abilities make them a solid choice, earning them a spot in the B tier.
Halflings (B Tier)
Traits: Halflings have a slower movement speed but come with the Lucky trait, allowing them to reroll 1s on attack rolls, ability checks, or saving throws. They also have the Brave trait, giving them an advantage against being frightened. Sub-races like the Lightfoot Halfling have advantages on stealth checks.
Assessment: The Lucky and Brave traits are quite beneficial, offering a safety net in critical situations. However, their slower movement speed can be a limitation, especially for roles that require mobility. This combination of pros and cons places them in the B tier.
Gnomes (B Tier)
Traits: Gnomes also have a slower base speed. They gain Gnome Cunning, providing advantage on intelligence, wisdom, and charisma saving throws. All sub-races have dark vision. Rock Gnomes gain history expertise, Forest Gnomes can speak with animals, and Deep Gnomes have advantages on stealth checks and superior dark vision.
Assessment: Gnomes offer a range of options, with their Gnome Cunning being particularly useful for saving throws. Their sub-race features add versatility, but like Halflings, their slower movement is a drawback. These balanced traits place them in the B tier.
Elves (A Tier)
Traits: Elves are proficient in perception, giving them an edge in detecting hidden objects and enemies. They are resistant to charm effects and immune to magical sleep, enhancing their defensive capabilities. Elves also have dark vision and are proficient with short swords, long swords, short bows, and long bows. The High Elf sub-race adds a wizard cantrip of your choice, while the Wood Elf sub-race includes stealth proficiency and increased movement speed.
Assessment: Elves are placed in the A tier due to their blend of combat proficiencies, defensive traits, and sub-race specific abilities, which offer significant tactical advantages in various gameplay scenarios.
Githyanki (A Tier)
Traits: Githyanki have proficiencies in short swords, long swords, great swords, light armor, and medium armor. They possess Astro knowledge, allowing proficiency in all skills of a chosen ability until the next long rest. Their psionics include an invisible Mage hand cantrip, Enhance Leap at level 3, and Misty Step at level 5.
Assessment: The Githyanki's versatility in skill proficiency and their psionic abilities, especially the invisible Mage hand and Misty Step, provide a range of strategic options in both combat and exploration. This versatility places them at the top of the A tier.
Half-Elves (A Tier)
Traits: Half-Elves share many traits with elves, such as proficiency in certain weapons and armor, charm resistance, magical sleep immunity, and dark vision. They have three sub-races: the High sub-race with a wizard cantrip, the Wood sub-race with extra movement speed and stealth proficiency, and the Drow half-elf with standard movement speed and Drow magic (Fairy Fire and Darkness spells).
Assessment: Half-Elves are ranked in the A tier due to their flexibility in choosing sub-race traits, which allows players to tailor their character to their playstyle. The combination of elf-like abilities with additional options makes them a strong choice for various roles.
Half-Orcs (S Tier)
Traits: Half-Orcs in Baldur's Gate 3 come with a standard movement speed, which is advantageous compared to some other races with slower speeds. They are proficient in intimidation, adding a useful skill for social interactions and certain gameplay scenarios. They also have dark vision, allowing them to see in low light conditions, which is beneficial in many parts of the game.
Relentless Endurance: This feature is a significant advantage. When a Half-Orc reaches 0 hit points, they can bounce back to 1 HP instead of being downed. This ability can be a game-changer in combat, effectively giving the Half-Orc a second chance in battles where survival is critical. It activates once per long rest.
Savage Attacks: This trait significantly enhances their combat effectiveness. When a Half-Orc lands a critical hit with a melee weapon, their damage dice are tripled instead of doubled. This ability can lead to devastating attacks, greatly increasing the potential damage output in combat situations.
Assessment: The combination of Relentless Endurance and Savage Attacks places Half-Orcs in the S tier. These features provide a substantial edge in combat, making Half-Orcs formidable opponents. Their ability to endure what would otherwise be a fatal blow and to deal massive damage on critical hits sets them apart from other races, making them an excellent choice for players who favor a strong, resilient combatant.
For an enhanced experience in "Baldur's Gate 3," the Best Class Combinations guide offers insights for powerful synergies. Additionally, the Alignment System shapes your journey, affecting interactions and story progression. These tools are vital for players aiming to master the game's strategic depth and storyline.