Explore All 12 New Baldur’s Gate 3 Subclasses: Complete Guide

Excited about the latest Baldur’s Gate 3 subclasses? Patch 8 has introduced a wealth of content, but most notably, it features 12 brand-new subclasses. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into each of the 12 new subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3, detailing their unique abilities, levels, and other crucial information.

Bard Subclass: College of Glamour

The College of Glamour subclass is designed for support and utility. These bards can provide temporary hit points and charm enemies who target their allies. Below are the abilities you can unlock as you progress through levels:

Subclass Level	Subclass Features
3	Mantle of Inspiration: Grants 2 allies 5 temporary hit points. If an enemy attacks, they become ‘Charmed’.
6	Mantle of Majesty: Command a foe to flee, drop their weapon, or approach. Charmed enemies automatically fail their Saving Throw. Mantle of Inspiration increases to 3 targets and 8 temporary hit points.
10	Mantle of Inspiration increases to 4 targets and 11 temporary hit points.

Barbarian Subclass: Path of Giants

The Path of Giants allows Barbarians to grow in size, increase their carrying capacity, and throw objects or foes much farther. Here are the abilities you can gain as you advance:

Subclass Level	Subclass Features
3	Giant’s Rage: When you enter Rage, you enlarge yourself and double the Rage bonus for thrown attacks. Vaprak’s Greed: 25% increase to carrying capacity.Cantrip: Thaumaturgy.
5	Boot of the Giants: Grants the ability to kick an enemy away.
6	Elemental Cleaver: Weapons gain additional Cold, Acid, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder damage until the Rage ends and become Thrown weapons, which return to your hand automatically.
10	Mighty Impel: The ability to throw a creature of Medium size or smaller.

Cleric Subclass: Death Domain

As suggested by its name, the Death Domain Cleric can access a variety of necromancy spells, including the powerful Cantrip, Toll the Dead. This attack uses a d12 damage die on injured foes. Here’s a breakdown of domain spells and abilities:

Subclass Level	Subclass Features
1	Martial Weapons proficiency. Reaper: Necromancy cantrips can target an additional creature. Domain Spells: Bone Chill, False Life, Ray of Sickness.
2	Channel Divinity (Touch of Death): Adds an extra 5 Necrotic damage + 2 x Cleric level to melee attacks.
3	Domain Spells: Blindness, Ray of Enfeeblement.
5	Domain Spells: Animate Dead, Vampiric Touch.
6	Inescapable Destruction: Your spells bypass resistance to Necrotic damage.
7	Domain Spells: Blight, Death Ward.
8	Divine Strike (Necrotic): Deal 1d8 Necrotic damage once per turn with melee attacks.
9	Domain Spells: Cloudkill, Contagion.

Druid Subclass: Circle of Stars

Subclass Level	Subclass Features
2	Cantrip: Guidance. Starry Form: Gain access to the Archer, Chalice, and Dragon Starry Forms, expend a use of Wild Shape to activate. Archer can cast Luminous Arrow as a Bonus Action; Chalice heals; Dragon can cast Dazzling Breath and adjusts concentration Saving Throw rolls of 9 or lower to a 10. Star Map (2): Enables casting of Guiding Bolt at no spell slot cost. Circle Spells: Guiding Bolt.
5	Star Map (3): Grants 1 extra Star Map use.
6	Cosmic Omen: Choose to boost or reduce Attack Rolls, Saving Throws, and Ability Checks once per Long Rest. Cosmic Omen (3): Grants the ability to cast Cosmic Omen.
9	Star Map (4): Grants 1 more Star Map use. Cosmic Omen (4): Grants 1 additional Cosmic Omen.
10	Twinkling Constellations: Enhances Starry Forms’ abilities. Archer and Chalice receive an additional 1d8, and Dragon can fly 20 ft. and switch forms as a Free Action.

Paladin Subclass: Oath of the Crown

Paladins who pledge the Oath of the Crown abide by the principles of law, loyalty, and responsibility—making them the epitome of lawful good. They combine melee combat skills with healing capabilities. Below are their level-based perks:

Subclass Level	Subclass Features
1	Oath of the Crown Tenets: This subclass adheres to law, loyalty, and responsibility.Righteous Clarity: Adds proficiency bonus to attack rolls.
3	Champion Challenge: Redirects enemies to attack you instead of allies with Disadvantage on attacks directed at allies. Turn the Tide: An oath action that heals nearby allies.Oath Spells: Command, Compelled Duel.
5	Oath Spells: Warding Bond, Spiritual Weapon.
7	Divine Allegiance: Use your Reaction to absorb an ally’s damage if they are within 5 ft.
9	Oath Spells: Spirit Guardians, Crusader’s Mantle.

Fighter Subclass: Arcane Archer

Arcane Archers use special archery-themed Combat Maneuvers that incorporate magic. Their arrows can inflict elemental effects, blind foes, or even banish them. This subclass pairs well with the Fighter’s extra attacks for outstanding combat potential. Below are the features available as you level up:

Subclass Level	Subclass Features
3	Gain proficiency in Nature and Arcana.Cantrips: Guidance, Light, True Strike.Arcane Arrows (4): Fire magical shots using these arrows.Arcane Shots (3): Select three effects out of eight possible Arcane Shots to apply different effects upon hitting enemies.
7	Curving Shot: Redirect a missed shot to another target as a Bonus Action.Magic Arrow: All ranged attacks are treated as magical.Arcane Arrows (5): Additional use of Arcane Shots.Arcane Shots (4): Acquire one additional type of Arcane Shot.
10	Arcane Arrows (6): Gain one more use of Arcane Shots.Arcane Shots (5): Gain access to an additional Arcane Shot type.

Monk Subclass: Drunken Master

The Drunken Master can intoxicate foes with hits, gaining Advantage against them. They can also sober foes while dealing extra damage, and their alcohol benefits can replenish Ki points. This fun and powerful subclass has many features to acquire as you level up:

Subclass Level	Subclass Features
3	Cheeky Tipple: Damage from being Drunk no longer affects you negatively. Recover half your Ki Points when drinking (once per day).Drunken Performance: Gain Performance proficiency.Drunken Technique: Adds 10 ft movement and allows a Disengage action after two unarmed strikes.
4	Intoxicating Strike: Hit a target to potentially intoxicate them.
6	Leap to Your Feet: Stand up with half the movement after being knocked Prone.Redirect Attack: Cause an enemy that misses against you to attack a different target using a Ki Point as a Reaction.
7	Life of the Party: Improve AC and Attack Rolls against intoxicated targets after hitting with Intoxicating Strike.
9	Sobering Realization: Sober up a drunken enemy, dealing extra Psychic damage in the process.
11	Drunkard’s Luck: Spend 2 Ki Points to negate Disadvantage on Attack Rolls, Ability Checks, or Saving Throws.

Ranger Subclass: Swarmkeeper

The Swarmkeeper Ranger can summon a swarm of creatures (bees, jellyfish, or moths) to damage enemies. Each swarm type inflicts different damage. Below are the capabilities you can gain as you level up:

Subclass Level	Subclass Features
3	Prey’s Scent: Your swarm inflicts bonus damage to targets with Hunter’s Mark. Gathered Swarm: Choose from bees, jellyfish, or moths—each deals unique damage and effects. Subclass Spells: Mage Hand, Faerie Fire.
5	Subclass Spells: Web.
7	Writhing Currents (3): Gain charges of Writhing Tide, replenishing on Long Rest. Writhing Tide: Become able to fly (30 ft) and avoid surface effects.
9	Writhing Currents (4): Gain an additional charge of Writhing Tide. Subclass Spells: Gaseous Form.
11	Mighty Swarm: Increase swarm damage by 1d8 and enhance your AC while teleporting.

Rogue Subclass: Swashbuckler

The Swashbuckler Rogue embodies the essence of a pirate, utilizing cunning tricks to gain an edge. This subclass features excellent bonus action economy and offers the following abilities:

Subclass Level	Subclass Features
3	Fancy Footwork: Enemies struck by a melee attack cannot make Opportunity Attacks against you this turn. Rakish Audacity: Adds +2 to Initiative rolls; Sneak Attacks do not require Advantage when within 5 ft of enemies.
4	Dirty Tricks: Learn actions like Flick ‘o the Wrist for disarming and Sand Toss to blind foes, along with Vicious Mockery as a Cantrip for gain in your next attack.
9	Panache: Roll a Persuasion check. If the target fails an Insight check, they become Charmed and have Disadvantage on Attack Rolls while unable to make Opportunity Attacks.

Sorcerer Subclass: Shadow Magic

Shadow Magic Sorcerers thrive on spells that blind enemies and boast enhanced darkvision. This subclass also allows you to teleport using shadows and features ‘Strength of the Grave,’ functioning similar to ‘Relentless Endurance’ for half-orcs—keeping you at 1 HP instead of being incapacitated. Below are the perks available:

Subclass Level	Subclass Features
1	Eyes of the Dark: Grants darkvision of 80 ft. Strength of the Grave: When hitting 0 Hit Points, stay conscious at 1 HP.
3	Level 2 Spell: Darkness.
6	Hound of Ill Omen: Summon a Shadow Mastiff to fight alongside you once per Short Rest.
11	Shadow Walk: Teleport through shadows. The next spell receives the Distant Spell Metamagic effect, increasing its range.

Warlock Subclass: Hexblade

The Hexblade Warlock excels in cursing enemies (lowering critical hit requirements from 20 to 19) and bonding with pact weapons—turning ordinary weapons into magical ones. Hexblades also raise the dead and have a strong mix of offensive and defensive spells. Explore the features available as you level up:

Subclass Level	Subclass Features
1	Hex Warrior: Proficiency with Medium Armor, Shields, and Martial Weapons. Your Charisma Modifier applies to attacks with proficient weapons. Bind Hexed Weapon: Turns your main weapon magical and can inflict Hexblade’s Curse. Hexblade’s Curse: Curse enemies for extra damage, lower critical hit requirements by one, and heal when they perish while cursed. 1st Level Spells: Shield, Wrathful Smite.
3	2nd Level Spells: Blur, Branding Smite.
5	Extra Attack: An additional attack after melee or unarmed attacks. 3rd Level Spells: Blink, Elemental Weapon.
6	Accursed Spectre: Revive a slain enemy you kill and command it to fight for you.
7	4th Level Spells: Phantasmal Killer, Staggering Smite, Dominate Beast, Greater Invisibility.
9	5th Level Spells: Banishing Smite, Cone of Cold.
10	Armor of Hexes: Trigger a reaction to negate attacks from hexed foes at a 50% success rate.

Wizard Subclass: Bladesinging

The Bladesinging Wizard offers an intriguing mix of melee capability while maintaining some durability relative to other Wizards. This subclass enhances AC, grants additional proficiencies, and permits one extra attack. Below are additional features of the Bladesinging subclass:

Subclass Level	Subclass Features
2	Bladesong Power (2): Charge system for casting Bladesong, replenished on a Long Rest. Bladesong: Add proficiency bonus to AC and Constitution, move 10 ft faster, and gain Advantage on Acrobatics checks. Training in War and Song: Proficiencies with Light Armor, Performance, Daggers, Sickle, Shortsword, Rapier, Scimitar, and Longsword.
5	Bladesong Power (3): Gain an extra use of Bladesong.
6	Extra Attack: Allow one more attack after unarmed or melee attacks.
9	Bladesong Power (4): Gain another use of Bladesong.
10	Song of Defense: Use a spell slot to cancel damage when using Bladesong.

That’s a wrap on our in-depth guide to the new subclasses introduced in Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8. For more tips and strategies, be sure to check out our guides for the Shadowheart, Wyll, Lae’zel, Astarion, and Karlach builds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the new subclasses introduced in Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8?

The new subclasses include Bard: College of Glamour, Barbarian: Path of Giants, Cleric: Death Domain, Druid: Circle of Stars, Paladin: Oath of the Crown, Fighter: Arcane Archer, Monk: Drunken Master, Ranger: Swarmkeeper, Rogue: Swashbuckler, Sorcerer: Shadow Magic, Warlock: Hexblade, and Wizard: Bladesinging.

How do the new subclasses impact gameplay in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Each subclass offers unique abilities and features that enhance different aspects of gameplay, such as support, damage dealing, and crowd control, allowing for more diverse character builds and strategies.

What is the best subclass for a new player in Baldur’s Gate 3?

For new players, the Bard: College of Glamour offers a versatile playstyle focused on support and crowd control, making it easier to learn the mechanics of the game while contributing effectively to the team.

Can I switch subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3?

No, once you select a subclass for your character in Baldur’s Gate 3, it cannot be changed. Make sure to choose a class that aligns with your preferred playstyle from the beginning!