Baldur's Gate 3 - Fighter Class Guide

The Baldur's Gate 3 Fighter class offers solid options in both melee and ranged arenas, but is certainly one of the most dominant melee classes in the entire game. This guide will tell you all you need to know before getting started, and you can check out our Best Fighter Build Guide if you want to optimize towards the ridiculous.

Baldur's Gate 3 - Fighter class guide overview

Fighters are versatile damage dealers, who are well-versed in all manner of armor and weapon types, including many different types of skills to make those weapons truly sing. They can tank damage, distract enemies, rush headlong into battle with giant two-handed weapons, dual-wielding, or attacking with ranged projectile weapons, and are the best in the business at getting multiple attacks out in every round.

Our Baldur's Gate 3 Fighter class guide acts as an overview of its strengths. We also take note of ideal options during character creation. Once you're finished with our overview, be sure to check out the Best Fighter Build Guide page, too.

Fighter Class Summary

Fighters have the ability to gain a Second Wind, which lets them heal themselves as a Bonus Action.

Fighter Class Proficiencies

Fighters begin with Proficiencies in Simple Weapons, Martial Weapons, Light Armour, Medium Armour, Heavy Armour, and Shields. Whatever other Proficiencies you get will be determined by your race or sub-race, or feats you take as you level up.

Fighter Subclasses

The Baldur's Gate 3 Fighter subclasses aren't available at character creation, so keep them in mind for when you hit Level 3.

Battlemaster

This is my top recommendation. It uses Superiority Dice to gain lots of flexibility in battle (much like the Sorcerer’s points). If enemies miss you, you can use a point to strike back as a free reaction. You can also make hits hurt more, take extra turns, and more. It’s awesome, and it’s why it’s the focus of my Best Fighter Build.

Eldritch Knight

If you want to be a spellsword, this is one of the better options. The Eldritch Knight becomes half melee monster and half spell-slinging catastrophe. This is what you do if you want to be a Fighter/Wizard without multi-classing.

Champion

The Champion doesn’t really sing right now, so it’s hard to recommend over the other two Subclasses. While it makes the basic Fighter kit more efficient, it doesn’t add anything with a “wow” factor. They have better critical hits, so a Half-Orc Champion is the way to go if you are going to do it, and you can enjoy better jumps, which will give you more flexibility on the battlefield, but Battlemaster does more with its subclass for basically all the same flavor.

Character Creation Picks

Best race and sub-race

In role-playing games like Baldur’s Gate 3, you should go for whatever speaks to you in the moment, and any race and sub-race is viable throughout the game. But optimization begins at character creation, so I’ll also go into more optimal choices, so you’ll know what you should pick for your race, sub-race, and all that.

Half-Orc is recommended for fighters with the Champion subclass, as their Savage Attacks perk means you will get triple Critical Hit dice, instead of simply doubled. The Relentless perk they get also means you will remain at 1HP even if you get knocked out, which means you are more durable and can stay in the fight longer.

You can also pick Elf, or Half-Elf with Wood Elf sub-race is probably an even better choice, with increased movement and their proficiency in several types of bows and swords, although if you aren’t interested in that, and want a free cantrip, you can go with High Elf subrace, or even Githyanki for a jumpstart on Greatsword proficiency.

For Fighting Style, there are lots of choices that are good, depending on what you want. I strongly recommend going with Great Weapon Fighting, but you can opt for Protection, Two-Weapon Fighting, or Archery if you prefer those playstyles.

Best background

If you are making a Fighter as your main character, I recommend Guild Artisan for help with Insight and Persuasion checks, but Soldier is great if you don’t mind intimidating people, because the Athletics bonus will help a lot with bonus actions in combat.

Best abilities

The standard layout isn’t bad, although you can take some points from Wisdom and add them to Dexterity or Constitution, to help with saving throws, Armour Class, and general resilience.

• STR: 17
• DEX: 13
• CON: 15
• INT: 10
• WIS: 12
• CHA: 8