Hannan Mundia 
Larian Studios isn’t done adding new things to Baldur’s Gate 3 just yet, as it announced twelve new BG3 subclasses coming to the game in 2025.
Baldur’s Gate 3 was a massive hit for RPG fans. The freedom in narrative and gameplay made Baldur’s Gate 3 stand out in a sea of linear experiences. From flirting with a literal devil to turning enemies into sheep, the game captures the feeling of actual Dungeons and Dragons campaigns.
Larian Studios also provided official mod tools in 2024. All those elements combined mean every playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3 will feel wildly different. Fans will get another reason to replay the 2023 Game of the Year winner with the upcoming Patch 8. While features like crossplay are excellent, fans will want to learn more about the 12 upcoming BG3 subclasses.
All upcoming Baldur’s Gate 3 subclasses in Patch 8
From deathly clerics to swashbuckling rogues, the new subclasses for Baldur’s Gate 3 promise new ways to play the beloved RPG. These subclasses come straight from Dungeons and Dragons 5e, the foundation of the game’s system.
Much like the existing subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3, these subclasses have been tweaked for the digital medium. Some mechanics may be boosted for a more fun experience. They might even be overhauled altogether, but fans won’t know until Patch 8 officially comes out.
College of Glamour (Bard)
Players very often find themselves outnumbered on the battlefield. The upcoming College of Glamour subclass can tip the scales with powerful support abilities. Players with this subclass can give allies more temporary hit points by casting the Mantle of Inspiration spell.
These singers aren’t just healers. Foes unlucky enough to attack while the Mantle of Inspiration is active will get charmed. Once charmed, the bard can force charmed enemies to follow their every command with Mantle of Majesty. Players can make enemies flee, drop to the ground, or move closer for a better hit.
Path of Giants (Barbarian)
While some BG3 subclasses may be tough to understand, the Path of Giants subclass is aggressively straightforward. Bigger size means bigger muscles. These hulking figures of brawn can throw enemies and allies alike impressive distances.
The Barbarian subclass’ size and enhanced strength come from the passive Giant’s Rage ability. In addition to bigger muscles, the players can carry far more items, making them the ultimate hoarder. Some players may start lugging around furniture as “ammunition” for the next battle.
Death Domain (Cleric)
Contrary to what some newbies may believe, clerics aren’t all lawful good light-bringers. After all, even dark religions need subjects. This necromantic Death Domain subclass specializes in all things death. Death Domain Clerics have access to three new cantrips or magical tricks. The first one revealed is Toll The Dead. This cantrip has the player ring a bell to deal from 1-8 damage, with even more damage against hurting foes.
If dealing damage outright wasn’t enough, clerics of death can get explosively imaginative too. Those with the Death Domain subclass can explode nearby corpses to damage enemies. Given how outnumbered the average Baldur’s Gate 3 party is, these corpse bombs can even the odds violently.
Circle of Stars (Druid)
The Circle of Stars subclass is expected to become one of the most flexible. These druids look to the power of stars for guidance and combat. Circle of Stars druids can take on three different Starry Forms:
- The Archer form specializes in long-range radiant damage with astral arrows
- The Chalice grants druids extra healing options
- The Dragon enhances the player’s damage and constitution rolls
Aesthetic as Stars druids may look, they are not just mere flashiness. Their versatility can make them the anchor of any adventurer party. Whatever the situation, Circle of Stars druids have a form with a solution.
Oath of the Crown (Paladin)
Paladins sworn to the Oath of the Crown vow to uphold the principles of law. These holy knights excel in aiding allies and causing chaos among enemies with their abilities. The Righteous Clarity ability taunts foes, forcing them to focus on the tanky Paladin.
If an enemy is about to damage someone on the Paladin’s team, Divine Allegiance can absorb that damage and restore health simultaneously. For players who love to keep their party alive with noble sacrifices, the Oath of the Crown is a great subclass.
Arcane Archer (Fighter)
Arcane Archer stands out from most other BG3 subclasses with new shooting animations and unique skills. The upcoming fighter subclass blends magic and marksmanship with magical arrows. The highlight ability of the Arcane Archer subclass is to banish foes to the Deywild to remove them from the battlefield for a turn.
Alternatively, archers can unleash Psychic damage through their arrows to force enemies to make a choice. They can make a Wisdom saving throw or be blinded until their next turn. The combination of long-range damage and powerful debuffs make Arcane Archers effective disruptors.
Drunken Master (Monk)
The Drunken Master is one of the most iconic martial arts archetypes. These skilled if slightly wobbly monks can consume alcohol for powerful effects. They also have a keen eye for finding more liquor in the world. Drunken Monks can restore Ki and unlock new abilities after they partake in some alcohol.
One of the new abilities is Intoxicating Strike, which leaves enemies as drunk as the player. While they struggle to fight, the alcohol buffs the monk’s armor class and their chance to hit drunk targets. For a violent end to the drinking session, monks can hit drunk targets with Sobering Realisation, which deals physical and psychic damage. At the very least, they won’t be drunk anymore.
Swarmkeeper (Ranger)
The College of Glamour subclass may let players control people, but the Swarmkeeper lets them control terrifying swarms. From clouds of jellyfish that deal lightning damage to legions of bees that can knock players back fifteen feet, the Swarmkeeper is always itching for the perfect ambush.
The swarms also allow players to teleport around the battlefield in style. Teleportation will prove useful for a mobile class like Ranger, adept at controlling the battlefield.
Swashbuckler (Rogue)
Roleplaying as a scoundrel is quite fun, and the Swashbuckler subclass takes things further by letting players fight dirtier. From blinding enemies with pocket sand to disarming them with precise weapon flicks, these rogues are sure to make foes angry.
Fortunately for swashbucklers, the Fancy Footwork passive ensures those enemies can’t make opportunity attacks as the rogue dashes away. These charismatic yet daring duelists will do anything to win, even if it means their battles aren’t sung in taverns.
Shadow Magic (Sorcerer)
Deadliest in darkness, the Shadow Magic subclass lets sorcerers wield darkness as a weapon. They can see perfectly in darkness with Superior Darkvision or use Shadow Walk to teleport between areas with little to no light.
The Hound of Ill Omen summons a spectral hound to assist the player in combat. If all things fail and the sorcerer is damaged, Strength of the Grave can prevent players from being downed. Honor Mode players will thank their shadowy gods for this ability.
Hexblade (Warlock)
Hexblade warlocks combine the strength of steel with occult powers. These Shadowfall pact keepers specialize in magical weapons that curse the opponent’s soul. As long as the slain enemy was a living, breathing, chunk of flesh, these warlocks can use necromantic magic to the enemy’s spirit for ten turns.
The summoned spirit can then deal necrotic damage to heal the player by ripping away chunks of the enemy’s souls. Hexblades are one of the most popular multiclass options in Dungeons and Dragons. Only time will tell if that reputation follows the subclass into Baldur’s Gate 3.
Bladesinging (Wizard)
Wizards are usually associated with nerdy casters like Gale who wouldn’t last long in a physical fight. The Bladesinging wizard solves that issue by making the caster deadly in melee and magic. The Bladesinging subclass enhances the wizard’s combat potential with sword dances and spells, complete with new spellcasting animations.
Finally, Bladesingers also get a boost to any Constitution saving throw they make, giving them surprising resiliency. The enhanced speed, skill, and focus this brings to spellswords make Bladesinging one of the coolest upcoming BG3 subclasses.
