Best Classes BG2
Welcome to my cRPG blog on the best classes in Baldur's Gate 2. The best class in Baldur's Gate 2 is the Gnome Fighter Illusionist multi-class. Arcane spellcasters crown the ranking because they are extremely versatile, powerful and cheesable at mid-high levels. Their spellcasting repertoire is insane.
Plus, they gain early access to the godliest items in BG2: the game-breaking Robe of Vecna BG2 and Staff of the Magi BG2.
Baldur's Gate 2 Class Guide Assessment Criteria
When evaluating Baldur's Gate 2 classes, we should consider how the abilities of each class, and how the items exclusive to each class, impact or dictate combat encounter outcomes.
- Innate resistances and immunities are for newbies. Veterans go for raw power bonuses, and then buff and ward. Power-gamers never choose cheap auto-buffs and auto-wards that can be found elsewhere over scaling damage bonuses that can't be found anywhere else.
- Clerics, Druids and divine spellcasting are as weak as piss compared to Sorcerers, Mages and arcane spellcasting.
- With the exception of Archer BG2, every physical-based damage dealer is a joke compared to Kensai BG2.
- Paladins are better than non-Kensai Fighters and Barbarians at the high levels, and assuming True Grandmastery isn't installed.
God-tier Classes Baldur's Gate 2
Sorcerer BG2
Mage BG2 & Wild Mage BG2
Top-tier Classes Baldur's Gate 2
Kensai BG2
Archer BG2
Berserker BG2
Barbarian BG2
Mid-tier Classes Baldur's Gate 2
Worst-tier Classes Baldur's Gate 2
Best Multi & Dual Classes in Baldur's Gate 2
As a rule, multi or dual > single or pure. And as a rule, multi > dual. Most of the builds listed below are God-tier.
There are many powerful and interesting options in this sphere. Indeed, there are some truly magnificent dual-classes but the downtime is daunting so I'm not going to favor them.
Fighter Mage multi-class
In the right hands, the Fighter Mage is immortal from the Chateau to the god-throne. This is the most powerful class in BG1 and the most powerful class in BG2 in terms of just crashing through stuff with spells and Flail of Ages / Belm. The F/M is OP from start to finish and that makes it the god-class of the Bhaalspawn Saga (especially if we roll with Gnome Illusionist).
Kensai Mage dual-class
The Kensai Mage dual-class wrecks everything and the dual downtime for 9s is a non-issue thanks to the quest-dense urban hub of Athkatla rewarding heaps of non-combat XP. Again, wield FoA / Belm.
Cleric Ranger multi-class
Cleric Ranger multi-class is a solid build for new players. See also: Ranger Cleric dual-class and Archer Cleric dual-class.
Kensai Thief dual-class
The Kensai Thief is the most powerful backstabber in BG2. UAI overcomes the Kensai's strict item restrictions and that's one prime reason why it's top-tier. The other is its kai-charged backstabs resulting in chunks galore. Pre-UAI we will want to take advantage of the Spirit Armor buff from one of our spellcasters; post-UAI we're an AC lord. On stylepoints this is numero uno without question! KAAAAIII!!! *chunk*
Fighter Mage Thief multi-class
Fighter Mage Thief is one of the most versatile builds in BG2. It gets Fighter and Thief HLAs, and is capable of epic assassinations. Ranks high on stylepoints, too. A tactician's class that can fill in for almost any glaring weakness the party may have; it's not a mere augmenter.
Fighter Mage Cleric multi-class
Fighter Mage Cleric is difficult to roll for but constitutes the most complete character set-up possible. It's unstoppable once it gains access to Fighter and Cleric HLAs. The only problem is that they need lots of pre-combat buffing in order to be effective in melee. The limitation in weapon slots can also be annoying when weapon-switching.
Berserker Druid Dual-class
Berserker Druid is not on par with Mage multis but can be fun to solo due to their Druid-based restrictions.
Fighter Cleric multi-class
Fighter Cleric multi-class is another great newbie build. Roll with Dwarf and call him Durin the Deathless.
See also: Priest of Lathander Fighter dual-class.
Cleric Mage multi-class
The Cleric Mage can cast Animate Dead and Finger of Death as an Illusionist (divine sphere). Gets Energy Blades in both divine and arcane spheres. Can combine arcane and divine spells into sequencers, triggers and contingencies.
Ends up with the following arcane and divine spell slots: 6-6-6-6-6-6-5-5-3 and 12-12-11-12-11-7-3. Ends up with the following saving throws: 2-0-5-8-1. Gets Turn Undead 25 and 18 HLAs from the Cleric and Mage pools. Godly in terms of versatility and staying power.
Mage Thief multi-class
Mage Thief can execute Shapeshift backstabs for mega-damage and a whole lot of laughs. It is one of my fave multis thanks to all the tricks it's got up its sleeve. Underrated, though note there is already a M/T companion (Jan BG2).
Fighter Thief multi-class
The Fighter Thief is one of the most powerful multi-classes, but I prefer the Kensai Thief dual due to its backstabs charged with Kai.
Cleric Thief Multi-class
Cleric Thief ability to stealth while under the effect of Globe of Blades is cool (Sanctuary). We can also couple the Assassinate HLA with Righteous Magic for mega-damage. Gnome is better than Half-orc due to superior racial saves and easy access to Str boosts.
Note that class and kit descriptions are quoted verbatim in each entry, but my commentary in each entry is based on in-game tests, not the class and kit descriptions. All tests were conducted on v.2.5.26498 of SoA+ToB, which is the final official version by BioWare that has been standard for 20 years.
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