Baldur’s Gate 3: Here’s a guide to all playable races and their abilities

Baldur’s Gate 3 offers extensive character customization options for players to pick their character's appearance, class, and race using the character creator. With 11 races available, each has unique abilities and advantages that influence the choice of character class.

Now, let’s see all the playable races and their abilities in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Dwarf


Ability: +2 Constitution
Racial Features: Darkvision, Dwarven Resilience, Proficiency in Battleaxe, Handaxe, Light Hammer, and Warhammer
Best Class: Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin
Subrace: Gold Dwarf, Shield Dwarf, Duergar

Drow

Ability: +1 Charisma and +2 Dexterity
Racial Features: Base Racial Speed, Fey Ancestry, Superior Darkvision, Proficiency in Rapier, Shortsword, and Hand Crossbow
Best Class: Rogue, Warlock, Sorcerer, Bard
Subrace: Lolth-Sworn Drow, Seldarine Drow

Gnome

Ability: +2 Intelligence
Racial Features: Gnome Cunning
Best Class: Wizard
Subrace: Deep Gnome, Forest Gnome, Rock Gnome

Elf

Ability: +2 Dexterity
Racial Features: Darkvision, Keen Senses, Fey Ancestry, Proficiency in Longsword, Shortsword, Longbow, and Shortbow
Best Class: Ranger, Fighter, Rogue
Subrace: High-Elf, Wood-Elf

Dragonborn

Ability: +2 Strength and +1 Charisma
Racial Features: Draconic Ancestry and Base Racial Speed
Best Class: Paladin, Fighter, Warlock
Subrace: Bronze, Copper, Red, Silver, Brass, Gold, Green, Black, Blue, White

Human

Ability: +1 Strength, + 1 Dexterity, +1 Constitution, +1 Intelligence, +1 Wisdom, and +1 Charisma
Racial Feature: Base Racial Speed
Best Class: Any

Githyanki

Ability: +1 Intelligence and +2 Strength
Racial Features: Githyanki Psionics: Mage Hand Conjuration Cantrip, Choice of skill proficiency, Base Racial Speed, Proficiency in Light Armor, Medium Armor, Shortsword, Longsword, and Greatsword
Best Class: Wizard, Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin

Halfling

Ability: +2 Dexterity
Racial Features: Lucky
Best Class: Rogue
Subrace: Lightfoot Halfling, Strongfoot Halfling

Tiefling

Ability: Depends on Subrace
Asmodeus Tiefling: +1 Intelligence and +2 Charisma
Mephistopheles Tiefling: +1 Intelligence and +2 Charisma
Zariel Tiefling: +1 Strength and +2 Charisma
Racial Features: Darkvision and Hellish Resistance
Best Class: Bard, Warlock, Wizard, Paladin
Subrace: Asmodeus Tiefling, Mephistopheles Tiefling, Zariel Tiefling

Half-Elf

Ability: +2 Charisma and +2 Ability to one other ability of your choice
Racial Features: Fey Ancestry and Darkvision
Best Class: Warlock, Sorcerer, Bard, Paladin
Subrace: Half Wood Elf, Half Drow Elf, Half High Elf

Half-Orc

Ability: +2 Strength and +1 Constitution
Racial Features: Relentless Endurance, Base Racial Speed, Menacing, Darkvision, Savage Attacks
Best Class: Fighter, Barbarian, Paladin, Cleric

FAQs

How many races are available for selection in Baldur's Gate 3?
Baldur's Gate 3 offers a choice of 11 races. Each race has unique abilities and advantages that can significantly affect your character's performance.

What are the best race and class combinations in Baldur's Gate 3 for a character build?
Depending on your playstyle, some strong combinations include Drow Rogues or Sorcerers, Dragonborn Paladins, and Githyanki Wizards or Barbarians.