In Baldur’s Gate 3, Subclasses are one of the most exciting parts of character customization, as they really begin to let players customize their build to particular playstyles, combat approaches, or loadouts.
However, while some Subclasses have proven themselves to be standout options for each Class, others fall short in comparison, or completely rely on integrating other abilities through Multiclassing to really come alive, making them rather lackluster to play.
If you’re wondering which Baldur’s Gate 3 Subclasses to avoid, these six options should have been identified as options you pretty much never want to play in a flat solo-Class run – unless you’re looking for a challenge, that is!
6
College of Glamour – Bard Subclass
Outdone Both By other Bard Options, Both in Song and Sword
The Lore Bard is known to be a bit hit or miss, but the Glamour Bard, which released with the Patch 8 update, is even more so.
For the most part, this Subclass only offers unique Feats that can be matched or completely outdone by other Subclasses or Class options. For example, Arcane Acuity plus the Band of the Mystic Scoundrel pretty much grants the same result.
When comparing the Glamour Bard to other Subclasses, the Swords Bard knocks it out of the water with a much stronger kit for combat, and the Valour Bard offers solid utility and proficiencies in addition to Extra Attack.
Even Lore Bard outdoes what the Glamour Bard has to offer. To say the least, if you pick this Subclass, you’re most definitely choosing an uphill battle for your playthrough. There may be unique circumstances in which it is made effective with certain multiclassing layouts, but as a standalone level progression, players are better off leaving College of Glamour out of the mix.
5
Trickery Domain – Cleric Subclass
Falls Flat Compared to What Other Domains Offer
One of the only ways to really get value from the Cleric’s Trickery Domain in Baldur’s Gate 3 is by running a complete stealth-oriented party, and taking that approach to every scenario both inside and outside of combat.
This isn’t a preferable way to play for many fans; therefore, Trickery Domain’s value significantly pales in comparison to other Cleric Subclasses. There’s War Domain and Light Domain for more tanky/DPS-heavy Cleric builds, Life Domain for a healing-oriented build, and Tempest, Death, or Nature Domains for strong Spell damage and utility.
Cleric is such a great Class, with most playthroughs including one, if not through Shadowheart, then through their own Tav. With all of the powerful Channel Divinity options each Domain offers, Trickey’s Invoke Duplicity really doesn’t compare unless your entire lineup is optimized.
To do this, you’d even need to rely on your tanks having stealth/DEX builds over STR, too, which just isn’t realistic for many efficient builds.
4
Champion – Fighter Subclass
Essential For Crit-Fishing Multiclass, Lackluster as Standalone Fighter
Champion is essential for many of the popular crit-fishing Baldur’s Gate 3 Subclasses, but on its own, it’s nowhere near as strong as other Fighter options.
For example, Eldritch Knight has great potential for throw-oriented builds, Battle Master has a strong variety of Maneuvers to help them control the battlefield, and Arcane Archers provide one of the best ranged DPS options across the board.
The only things that Chamions gain on a flat one-Class run are the capability to critical hit on a Natural 19 or Natural 20, extended jump distance, adding half your Proficiency Bonus to eligible checks you are not Proficient in, and an additional fighting style.
Looking at the Eldritch Knight’s Weapon Bond + throw attack strengths with bonus Spellcasting damage (Booming Blade, Shadow Blade), the Battle Master’s Superiority Dice, and the Arcane Archer’s Arcane Arrows, the Champion is way, way behind in utility.
3
Assassin – Rogue Subclass
Great For Multiclass, Falls off in Straight Progression
Assassin may seem like a really strong option at first, and it is – to a certain degree. However, it does force you to build entirely around sneak attacks and surprise rounds, and surprisingly falls off in the late game when combat becomes that much more head-on.
While it is good on its own, other Rogue options are better. For a lot of the Assassin’s kit, the Gloomstalker Ranger can do the same sort of things, but with additional bonuses. Better Armor Proficiencies and Extra Attack per action are among some of the core reasons, which is also partially why the notorious ‘Gloomstalker Assassin’ Multiclass is so popular.
Taking the Alert feat helps make Assassinate: Initiative perform better, and both Assassin’s Alacrity and Assassinate: Ambush are powerful if you manage to consistently trigger Surprise Rounds.
However, you also don’t gain anything extra from this class until level 9, which is a rather dull variation on Disguise Self. At that level, it doesn’t bring a whole lot more value to the Assassin’s kit, meaning you don’t have any notable abilities other than the first three gained on Subclass selection.
2
Illusion School – Wizard Subclass
A Lackluster Choice in the Class With the Most Options
Compared to an array of different Subclass options available for the Wizard in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Illusion School is, without a doubt, the weakest option on the list. Most other Wizard Subclasses give powerful Spellcasting features that enhance your magic in combat, or other hugely powerful feats, such as the Bladesinger’s melee weapon use.
Illusion School, however, gives Minor Illusion as a Bonus Action, which isn’t all that effective as it is used before combat. See, Invisibility can be helpful, but there are also alternatives to this, such as Volo’s Eye.
There are certainly some powerful Illusion Spells in Baldur’s Gate 3, but choosing the Illusion School Wizard doesn’t exactly make you any more powerful in casting them. If you’re really set on playing some sort of Illusion Wizard lineup, then it is recommended to dip into a Multiclass to make them more viable.
If you’re just looking to play a Wizard in general, almost any other option beats out Illusion, with Evocation, Bladesinger, and Abjuration being top of the charts.
1
Archfey – Warlock Subclass
Completely Knocked off the Podium With Patch 8’s Arrival
The Archfey has been at the bottom of the Warlock Subclass barrel ever since Baldur’s Gate 3 released. Compared to this option, both the Fiend and the Great Old One proved to be better all-around choices.
Then, with the arrival of the newer Patch 8 Subclasses, the Hexblade entered and took the top of the charts, completely knocking Archfey to the ground. In fact, Hexblade in particular quickly became one of the strongest Baldur’s Gate 3 Classes in total, making interest in other Warlock Subclasses dwindle.
The Subclass-exclusive Feats for the Archfey are also quite lackluster. The strongest single Subclass Feat available is the level 6 Misty Escape, which enables you to become Invisible upon taking damage. On the next turn, you can then Misty Step.
This is some pretty solid utility/survivability to help reposition on the battlefield, but other than that, there really isn’t a lot going on with this Class. There aren’t even many Multiclasses that are worth dipping into Archfey for, when the other Warlock options are just sitting there. It’s unfortunate, but when you consider how powerful other Caster Classes/Subclasses are, there’s little point in playing Archfey.
