Why Did We Decide to Upgrade the Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Classes Tier List?
If you follow our content regularly, then you are aware of the deepest feelings of the YaninaGames team for Larian’s masterpiece – The Baldur’s Gate 3. We’ve already reviewed the best BG3 classes with tips for novice players. For now, we want to upgrade our ultimate Baldur’s Gate 3 best classes tier list after releasing the long-anticipated patch 8. If you’d like our opinion, share our BG3 passions and read up to the end.
The Changes Dropped with BG3 Patch 8
We’ve finally got our hands on the BG3 version after the release of Patch 8. The anticipation and speculations are finally over. Larian dropped an even more massive update than we expected. Patch 8 added 12 new subclasses – one for each major class. In such a way, they’ve changed the balanced and tweaked meta. We consider the game with this patch installed as a total role-playing experience.
The major changes delivered with the Patch 8 release for BG3 classes:
- Paladin class received the Oathbreaker buffs with Aura of Hate pumping its melee damage;
- Bard’s College of Glamour shines brighter with fey-charged charm to boost their support role;
- Sorcerer’s Shadow Magic gets a new psychic melee spell Shadow Blade for versatile kills;
- Cleric’s Death Domain delivers the more necrotic damage flipping the healer trope;
- Warlock’s Hexblade received a slicker specter summons;
- Wizard’s Bladesinging dances with better AC buffs;
- Barbarian’s Path of the Giant can turn you into a throwing titan;
- Ranger’s Swarmkeeper can summon swarms of psychic fun;
- Fighter’s Arcane Archer scores flashier arrows and situational buffs;
- Druid’s Circle of Stars twinkles with cosmic utility;
- Rogue’s Swashbuckler delivers pirate flair;
- Monk’s Drunken Master stumbles with a boozy gimmick.
The Ultimate Baldur’s Gate 3 Classes Tier List After Patch 8
Before reviewing the Baldur’s Gate 3 classes in the tier list with the changes offered by Patch 8, we want to remind you how we classify them. There are a few tiers we use – S as the best of the best classes with objectively positive points prevailing the negative points. A and B are the following tiers with great and good classes that have some flaws, and C is the average classes that require more focus and skills from a player compared to other tiers.
S-Tier Classes in BG3
1) Paladin – Oathbreaker
It is the best of the best choices. Imagine a holy warrior who screws the rules and ditches the vows. Unleash pure chaos even after Patch 8. This subclass blends insane damage with the survival skills of a tank. Aura of Hate can level up the melee strikes to deliver extra pain based on the Charisma. You can become a walking nuke if you add the Smite spell.
2) Bard – College of Glamour
Despite the humorous vibe and attire, Bards are easily S-tier thanks to their Jack-of-all-Trades skills. The College of Glamour subclass makes any Bard a real rock star, who can equally charm enemies and buff allies with a wink. Mantle of Inspiration delivers the temporary HP, like candy, while Mantle of Majesty turns the enemies into obedient puppets or freezing. Right now it is not just about the support role – you can control the battlefield with style and vibe. High Charisma can easily turn any dialogue in your favor.
3) Sorcerer – Shadow Magic
Being terrifying for the enemies, this subclass lets you become a shadow-weaving spell-slinger who bends darkness to your will. Eyes of the Dark allow you to see through magical gloom, and the Darkness spell blinds foes while you cackle the shadows. Pair that with Shadow Blade – this new Patch 8 spell can deal psychic damage – to turn into a melee-casting menace that can rival martial classes. Metamagic can supercharge the spells and is great for multiclassing with Paladin to break the game in your favor.
4) Cleric – Death Domain
Clerics become grim reapers with the Death Domain subclass. The necromancy cantrips like Toll of the Dead at level one deliver grotesque results. Touch of Death adds the necrotic oomph to the melee hits and the later appearing Inescapable Destruction ignores resistance to the rot-fueled spells. You can patch up the team and also deal with the damage. Ideal for players who seek a dark twist on a classic support role.
A-Tier BG3 Classes
1) Warlock – Hexblade
The Hexblade of Warlock became much better with Patch 8. After concluding a pact with the Shadowfell entity, receive a cursed weapon and start swinging. Hexblade’s Curse boosts the damage and crit chances while later levels summon necrotic specters to harass foes. It is a multiclass dream – you can dip one level for Charisma-based attacks and go full hog for a spell-sword hybrid. The only downside is the limited spell slots, meaning you have to lean heavily on Eldritch Blast or melee.
2) Wizard – Bladesinging
Become a magic ninja while twirling a rapier and casting Fireballs. Bladesong boosts your AC, speed and concentration saves to turn you into a slippery frontliner. Add Shadow Blade to slice with psychic damage like a fantasy Darth Maul. Though, you need good gear to shine like Hill Giant Strength Elixir.
3) Barbarian – Path of the Giant
Grow huge and chuck enemies like ragdolls while turning weapons into boomerangs with the Elemental Cleaver. The subclass’ Giant’s Rage doubles the throw damage and Mighty Impel lets you yeet foes across the map. Perfect for gamers who need to flex their Strength and have a laugh.
4) Ranger – Swarmkeeper
Swarmkeepers can command bees, butterflies, jellyfish to literally swarm their enemies with psychic damage and knock them around. Flurry of Month blinds foes and later levels will let you fly on the swarm too. Though, it lacks the raw power of Gloom Stalker.
B-Tier Classes in BG3
1) Fighter – Arcane Archer
This subclass is a sharpshooter with some magical twist. You buff your arrows with spells – banish foes to the Feywild, blind them with psychic shots, and curve the misses into extra hits. Patch 8 buffed the animations and arrow charges to make them slicker. It is a situational pick, though. The arcane shots are quite limited and other Fighter subclasses like Battle Master hit harder consistently. A great pick for those players who prefer ranged combat with a splash of magic.
2) Druid – Circle of Stars
This Druid’s subclass gives access to cosmic casters who can channel constellations. Starry Form offers 3 modes – Dragon for concentration buffs, Chalice for healing, and Archer for ranged blasts. It is versatile but outshined by Circle of the Moon’s beefy Wild Shapes. Patch 8 simply makes this subclass shinier with enhanced visuals. Though, it is not a game changer.
3) Paladin – Oath of the Crown
Oath of the Crown makes Paladins even tankier. Righteous Clarity buffs all the attacks of allies while Champion Challenge taunts foes. The Divine Allegiance lets you soak the damage for buddies. Patch 8 adds slick dialogues but the Oath of the Crown lacks the offensive punches. If you love the noble shield and want to keep the party alive, choose this build.
4) Rogue – Swashbuckler
This subclass is like a pirate’s dream. Rakish Audacity makes Sneak Attack much easier during duels. Fancy Footwork dodges the occasional attacks. You should pair it with the Booming Blade spell to become a real badass. Later levels do not add much and pure Rogues like Astarion can lag behind multi-class builds. A great pick for players who want a flashy, charismatic scoundrel.
C-Tier Classes in Baldur’s Gate 3
1) Monk – Way of the Drunken Master
A bit funny name suggests the non-serious flair of this subclass. Its main perk is to make your Tav immune to any drunken downsides. Every time you chug booze this subclass restores Ki quicker than other builds. The unique spell Intoxicating Strike gets foes tipsy and lowers their dexterity. Other Monk subclasses are much better and this option is for pure fun.
2) Cleric – Life Domain
Cleric’s Death Domain stole the spotlight, but the Life Domain subclass is still not bad if you have a healer build to keep your party kicking. Patch 8 didn’t change this subclass, and it is still the best pick for healers.
The comparison table shows the main aspects of our Baldur’s Gate 3 classes tier list. Use it to understand better why we’ve ranked in the following way and not another one.
| Tier | Class/Subclass | Why It’s Here | The Best For |
| S | Paladin – Oathbreaker | Insane damage, tanky, Aura of Hate boosts melee carnage | Combat gods, rule-breakers |
| S | Bard – College of Glamour | Fey-charged support, charms foes, aces in dialogue | Party MVPs, charmers |
| S | Sorcerer – Shadow Magic | Darkness mastery, Shadow Blade melee, Metamagic versatility | Power-hungry casters |
| S | Cleric – Death Domain | Necrotic damage dealer, still heals, dark twist on Cleric | Grim reaper healers |
| A | Warlock – Hexblade | Cursed weapon swings, multiclass king, spooky specters | Brooding spell-swords |
| A | Wizard – Bladesinging | Spellblade agility, Bladesong buffs, squishy but stylish | Magic ninja fans |
| A | Barbarian – Path of Giant | Giant-sized throws, hilarious chaos, lack of flexibility | Throw-mancers, Strength lovers |
| A | Ranger – Swarmkeeper | Swarm summons, psychic damage, fun but not top-tier | Nature weirdos, archers |
| B | Fighter – Arcane Archer | Magic arrows, cool but situational, lack raw power | Ranged magic enthusiasts |
| B | Druid – Circle of Stars | Cosmic utility, Starry Form versatility, outdone by Moon | Star-gazing supports |
| B | Paladin – Oath of Crown | Tanky protector, taunts and shields, weak offense | Noble guardians |
| B | Rogue – Swashbuckler | Pirate flair, early power, fades without multiclass | Swashbuckling rogues |
| C | Monk – Drunken Master | Boozy gimmick, fun but underpowered, Ki struggles | Drunken brawler fans |
| C | Cleric – Life Domain | Top-tier healing, no Patch 8 boost, reliable but basic | Selfless medics |
If this opinion is not enough and you seek a more detailed review or ranking of the Baldur’s Gate 3 classes tier list after Patch 8 and new subclasses, watch the unbiased video.
Personal Opinion after Compiling the Baldur’s Gate 3 Classes Tier List
Patch 8 has really changed a lot. It is not just about adding Baldur’s Gate 3 new classes randomly – the patch is more likely a love letter. Shadow Blade and Booming Blade can juice casters, helping Wizards and Sorcerers brawl in melee. We’d also like new animations for Arcane Archer and Drunken Master – they make animations alive.
And finally, we’ve got the BALANCE. Each subclass is now totally manageable and playable, though, some classes still shine a bit brighter. Every roleplay scenario that you can only imagine is covered by the new classes in BG3.
We’ve also created the table to help players with different skill levels pick the best Baldur’s Gate 3 new classes after the Patch 8 release.
| Skill Level | Recommended Classes | Perks for the Skill Level |
| Newbies | Bard (College of Glamour) and Cleric (Life Domain) | Easy to learn, hard to mess up |
| For the Second Playthrough | Sorcerer (Shadow Magic) with a Paladin dip | Break the game in an interesting way |
| Roleplayers | Warlock (Hexblade) or Paladin (Oathbreaker) | Dark vibes, epic stories |
| Chaos Agents | Barbarian (Path of Giant) or Monk (Drunken Master) | Laugh while breaking the game |
FAQ
What subclasses are being added to BG3 Patch 8?
Patch 8 added 12 subclasses for each major class – Death Domain (Cleric), College of Glamour (Bard), Path of the Giant (Barbarian), Circle of Stars (Druid), Arcane Archer (Fighter), Drunken Master (Monk), Oath of the Crown (Paladin), Swarmkeeper (Ranger), Swashbuckler (Rogue), Shadow Magic (Sorcerer), Hexblade (Warlock), and Bladesinging (Wizard).
What is the most picked class in BG3?
According to multiple Reddit reviews, most players prefer Paladin and all its subclasses for its versatility, high damage via Divine Smite, and strong dialogues with Charisma points. It is a tank class with a healing focus – novice players love its versatility and favorable options.
What is the best DPS class tier list in BG3?
It is totally subjective but many veterans and experienced players recommend the best Baldur’s Gate 3 DPS such classes as Paladin (Oathbreaker), Sorcerer (Shadow Magic), Fighter (Battle Master), Rogue (Thief), Barbarian (Berserker), Ranger (Gloom Stalker). Paladin and Sorcerer lead with the burst damage, for sure.
Conclusion
The YaninaGames encourages aspiring developers to contact our team and collaborate for the creation of awesome video games, assets, and design documents. We know how to develop video games and are eager to share our insights with you. We also humbly ask you to follow our blog and support our content. Hopefully, this tier list will help you choose among Baldur’s Gate 3 new classes after the final update with Patch 8. Enjoy playing great video games!
