Thanks to Larian Studios, Baldur’s Gate 3 has given Dungeons & Dragons fans the opportunity to play through a campaign in this Baldur’s Gate sequel. The game thrusts players into the middle of a mind flayer invasion of Faerûn. They embark on this adventure stopping a parasite from transforming them into a mind flayer themselves. In true D&D fashion, players not only meet a colorful cast of characters but also grow in their chosen Class.
D&D 5e’s Class system now allows players to embark on Baldur’s Gate 3‘s adventure wielding extraordinary abilities. In fact, players will have to choose specializations or subclasses to signify their mastery over their Class. However, while the game features basic subclasses from the 5e Player’s Handbook, other D&D 5e source materials have subclass options that Baldur’s Gate 3 might benefit from. Which subclasses should Larian Studios include in this much-awaited title?
10 Include: Oathbreaker
A Paladin’s Sacred Oath cements their connection to the Divine, allowing them to smite the foes against their noble causes. Unfortunately, Paladins who break these Oaths sever their bonds with their gods. In turn, Oathbreaker Paladins serve a darker purpose or their own ambitions, now tapping into the powers of undeath through their Oath Spells. Their Channel Divinity options now enable them to Control Undead and cast fear via Dreadful Aspect.
Additionally, it makes sense for narrative-driven BG3 to include the Oathbreaker in a future DLC. This Subclass option can add a character-centric twist that encourages players to stray further from their Sacred Oath to gain power or to come back to the light.
9 Don’t Bother: Arcane Archer
Fighters demonstrate uncanny mastery with their weapons, which makes sense for them to end up becoming commanders (Battle Master), fierce warriors (Champion) or even sword-toting mages (Eldritch Knights). However, the Arcane Archer might give Fighters the chance to demonstrate the worth of ranged battle prowess. In turn, they can unleash magically-empowered Arcane Shots and Magic Arrows, each with unique effects.
Unfortunately, BG3 might not benefit from the Arcane Archer given the Ranger’s ranged specialization. Moreover, the addition of the Arcane Archer Subclass might end up being redundant to the Rangers’ more specific archetypes.
8 Include: The Genie
A Pact enables Warlocks to “borrow” power from an all-powerful Patron, usually from dark forces with nefarious intentions. Instead of tapping into powers of the unknown, a Warlock who forged a pact with a Genie instead becomes tied to forces from the Elemental Planes. This Genie, most likely an arrogant Noble Genie, has powers that match that of a lesser deity. In turn, their Warlocks become strongly attuned to their Elemental Plane. Genies also gift them with a Vessel that arms a portion of their Patron’s power.
In BG3, a Genie Patron adds a much-needed spice to the rather unnerving presences of the Archfey, the Great Old One, and the Fiend. Moreover, the interplanar nature of the Forgotten Realms may enable the Genie to introduce the Elemental Planes as a location in BG3 in future DLCs.
7 Don’t Bother: Drunken Master
Monks use their body’s Ki or natural energy in order to infuse their bodies and strikes of unimaginable power. In turn, their monasteries often teach Ways of using Ki. However, the Way of the Drunken Master teaches Monks to rely on unpredictability – like a drunkard – to unleash powerful strikes. In turn, they get an uncanny sense of striking back with Drunkard’s Luck, much swifter attacks with Intoxicated Frenzy, and flexible moves with Tipsy Sway.
Unfortunately, despite the entertaining notion of the Drunken Master, Monks in BG3 may not be able to demonstrate the quirky mental image of a fast and swift drunkard martial artist. This caveat may be due to the game’s turn-based nature.
6 Include: Horizon Walker
A Conclave enables clusters of Rangers to keep watch of their respective territories. Unlike BG3‘s domestic Beast Masters and Hunters, the Horizon Walker treads the lines that enable Faerûn to crossover with other realms. Additionally, Horizon Walkers have spells that enable them to subdue and banish extraplanar forces that threaten their homes. They can Detect Portals, use Ethereal Step to go to the Ethereal Plane, and use the planes themselves to shield them from damage.
The extraplanar nature of BG3‘s story and world opens up a narrative fitting for Horizon Walkers. Moreover, Horizon Walkers can arm citizens of Faerûn with the knowledge needed to deal with various extraplanar threats, such as the ongoing Mindflayer invasion.
5 Don’t Bother: Bladesinger
Despite their strong inclination to become studied scholars, not all Wizards end up in Schools. In fact, some Elven Wizards end up becoming Bladesingers. Unlike studious Wizards, Bladesingers allow Elves to channel magic through elegant swordplay, allowing them to use Songs to reduce damage and enhance their own spells. Their own Bladesong grants additional AC, walking speed, and bonuses while in use.
Unfortunately, while the Bladesinger does introduce a unique Elven alternative to the Eldritch Knight, it does not add much value as a Subclass of its own. In fact, BG3 may work their way with the Bladesinger as a variant of an Elven Background or Subrace with heavy restrictions to use its unique abilities.
4 Include: College Of Whispers
Bards under a College get to hone their artistic skills to enable them to weave art that helps them shape the flow of history or even empower their allies. However, Bards of the College of Whispers get training on using their ballads to uncover and collect secrets. In turn, they can transform their weapons into Psychic Blades that damage the mind. Moreover, they have Words of Terror, Mantle of Whispers, and Shadow Lore that aid in their quest of deceit and subterfuge.
Interestingly, the College of Whispers can add a new dimension to social engagement in BG3. Unlike the hearty Colleges of Valor and Lore, Bards of Whispers can become excellent spies. Moreover, BG3 may add them in DLCs that introduce players to the more political aspects of life in Faerûn.
3 Don’t Bother: Ancestral Guardian
Barbarians tap into their Rage to protect their homes, be it as a Berserker or a Totem Warrior. In the case of Ancestral Guardians, these Barbarians call forth their ancestors from the Spirit World to help them redirect their Rage in battle. Moreover, these Ancestral Protectors can manifest as spectral warriors that fight by the Barbarian’s side.
Despite the interesting concept, the Ancestral Guardian doesn’t offer much creative flair to BG3‘s Barbarian setup. After all, the current Berserker and Totem Warrior Subclasses already give Barbarians offensive and defensive options for battle.
2 Include: Aberrant Mind
Instead of tapping into Wild Magic and Draconic Bloodlines, a Sorcerer of the Aberrant Mind gained their powers through an alien presence. In turn, they demonstrate the ability to cast Psionic Spells. Moreover, they come with a Warped Being and Psychic Defenses that protect them. Soon, Revelation in Flesh can allow them to partly transform themselves into their eldritch forms, and even Warp Reality.
Given the premise of BG3, it becomes extremely plausible for the Aberrant Mind to exist in the setting’s Sorcerers. After all, Sorcerers with an illithid tadpole may alter their “bloodline” to instead tap Psionic powers demonstrated by Mindflayers. This factor adds an element of risk, as the more the Sorcerer uses their Psionic abilities, the faster they may mature into Mindflayers.
1 Don’t Bother: Death Domain
Clerics can act as intermediaries between mortals and gods, depending on their Domain. As for the Death Domain, its Clerics deal with negative forces, death, and undeath. Despite the dark nature of the Death Domain, its Clerics aren’t necessarily evil. They do have an innate connection with necromancy with Reaper and Inescapable Destruction. Their Divine connections become cemented with Divine Strike and their Touch of Death Channel Divinity.
Unfortunately, the Death Domain’s interesting premise might not be enough to warrant a BG3 entry. After all, the Cleric in the game has multiple Domains as it is. Moreover, the Trickery Domain might give enough options for the Cleric to go on a darker path than an exclusive Death Domain.
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