Summary
Finding the perfect class to play is a major part of any RPG, andBaldur’s Gate 3is no different. Just like withDungeons and Dragons,Baldur’s Gate 3offers multiple distinct classes for players to choose from. Each class is vastly different from the last and force players to learn a whole new skill set. While RPG fans should know how the standard class system works, Larian Studios took it a step further and may have redefined RPG classes in the process.
Baldur’s Gate 3is one of the greatest RPGson the market so far, and Larian Studios has blazed a new trail for the entire genre. The studio took the basics of the RPG genre and took them to a whole new level. The character creator is one of the best in the business, players can actually influence the flow of the story, and the gameplay loop is immensely satisfying. Larian Studios may have also delivered one of the most interesting fantasy class systems to date, and future RPG games might want to emulate it.
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Baldur’s Gate 3’s Classes are Top Notch
Before players canjump intoBaldur’s Gate 3’s story, they must first create their character. The character creator gives them virtually limitless control over who they want to be in the world. They must choose their race, customize their physical characteristics, mess around with their core stats, pick their background, and select what class they want to play. All of these options help make the character creator one of the best in the RPG genre, and the uniqueness of the classes make it even better.
Players can select between 12 major classes that all represent classic fantasy archetypes. Everything from a wizard and druid to a ranger and bard are represented here, andDungeons and Dragonsplayersshould be able to recognize every single skill they have at their disposal. Each class plays quite differently from the last and requires new strategies in combat. They also all unlock different things as they level up, have unique aesthetics, and require players to prioritize different stats depending upon the skills their class uses.
Once players select their class, they can then customize it further by selecting a specific subclass. Each class offers around three to eight different subclasses that can change the feeling of it immensely. These operate much like class specializations in games likeWorld of Warcraftbut are far more diverse. Each one isripped straight fromDungeons and Dragonsand can significantly change the flow of combat as they give players new abilities and state bonuses. While not every class and subclass is fun to play, the amount of options Larian Studios included is impressive to see.
The sheer number ofoptions thatBaldur’s Gate 3gives playersmakes it so that no two playthroughs feel alike. Each class and subclass play differently, level up differently, and interact with the world differently. They are far more than simple aesthetic or combat changes as they can change the player’s entire approach to the story. This creates a fantastically vast RPG that gives players so much freedom in how they go about the world and may give some a reason to keep coming back for more.
It seems like a lot of AAA RPG games do not include specific classes or the classes are only slightly different from each other. Their leveling systems are also often just skill trees with skill points that seldom change between playthroughs. Larian Studios chose to takeDungeons and Dragons' method by letting each class feel distinct and have their own unique leveling track, and that makes multiple playthroughs feel rewarding. It helps makeBaldur’s Gate 3stand apart from the crowd and will hopefully influence future RPG games for years to come.
Baldur’s Gate 3is available now on PC, with a PS5 release on September 6 and an Xbox launch to follow.
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