The best Fighter subclass, feats, and build in Baldur’s Gate 3

In the world of Baldur’s Gate 3, mastering the art of combat is essential, and no class embodies this more than the Fighter. With a multitude of builds available, the Battle Master subclass stands out as the pinnacle of martial prowess, allowing players to unleash devastating attacks and control the battlefield like never before. This guide will delve into the optimal strategies for creating a Fighter that not only survives but thrives in the chaotic encounters of Faerûn, transforming your character into a relentless engine of destruction capable of taking down multiple foes in a single turn. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the realm, discover how to elevate your Fighter to legendary status.

More basic information about the class and character creation can be found on the page Fighter – BG3 guide. We recommend getting acquainted with this page if this is your first contact with the class or the D&D system.

Character creation wizard

When creating a Fighter in Baldur’s Gate 3, the key lies in strategic character development. First, select a suitable race like Half-Orc or Duergar Dwarf, known for enhancing critical hits and durability. Allocate ability scores accordingly: prioritize Strength for melee prowess, followed by Constitution for robustness, and then Dexterity for better initiative. Next, choose the Battle Master subclass, renowned for its versatility and superior maneuverability. During character creation, ensure you select appropriate feats like Great Weapon Master and Savage Attacker to maximize damage output. Finally, focus on acquiring heavy armor, a two-handed greatsword, and complementary items like potions and elixirs to enhance survivability and combat effectiveness. By meticulously planning these elements, you can craft a formidable Fighter ready to dominate the battlefields of Faerûn.

The best race for a Fighter is a Half-Orc. This is due to his racial abilities. One of them allows you to get critical hits on rolls of 19-20 and the second one means that if your HP drops below zero once during a long rest, you will not die but be left with 1 HP.

This skill will come in handy when confronting enemies, especially when you consider the fact that the Fighter will most often be taking the majority of the blows.

As far as the origin is concerned, the best choice would be Soldier due to their proficiency in Athletics and Intimidation.

Class progression

Class progression for the Fighter in Baldur’s Gate 3 emphasizes a steady increase in combat capabilities and versatility as players advance through levels. Starting with foundational abilities like Second Wind for self-healing and Action Surge for additional actions, Fighters become formidable in battle. At level 5, they unlock Extra Attack, allowing them to strike multiple times in a single turn, significantly enhancing their damage output. As they progress to higher levels, particularly level 11, Fighters gain access to Improved Extra Attack, enabling them to unleash an impressive number of attacks per action. The Battle Master subclass further enriches their combat style with unique maneuvers that provide tactical advantages, making the Fighter one of the most action-oriented classes in the game.

1. At level 1, you choose the fighting style – choose Two-Handed Weapons Fighting, as this build focuses on exactly that kind of weapons.
2. Your main combat loop will be the Action Surge acquired at the second level and a short rest right after it. Thanks to this, you will be able to defeat an enemy in an efficient way.

1. At level 3, choose Battle Master as your subclass – this archetype offers the most versatile skills and at the same time the biggest boost in damage available. For manoeuvres, choose Precision Attack, Disarming Strike and Riposte.
2. At level 4, you get the opportunity to take a feat or increase the attributes bonus. Choose 2 for Strength, so at this point you should already have 20 Strength points, which will give you 5 damage from the Attribute Modifier alone.

In the following sections, you will learn how to gain the missing 1 if you still have 19 Strength points at level 4.

1. Level 5 entails a bonus attack, which doubles your combat efficiency.

1. Level 6 brings a bonus feat. You can reassign it to attribute development, although grabbing the Great Weapon Master feature is a better idea, as it allows you to take a -5 penalty while the damage increases by 10. Combined with 20 in Strength and Precision Attack, it significantly increases the chance of dealing additional damage.
2. At level 7, you gain a subclass ability, in which case you choose another manoeuvre. You can choose, for example, Repelling Blast.
3. Level 8 brings another feat and, just like before, you can increase your attributes – Constitution is recommended increase the number of HP. Alternatively, you can select the Charge feature, which increases your mobility, or Vigilant, which ensures that you won’t get surprised and adds 5 Initiative.
4. At level 9, you get a valuable ability that gives you a re-roll on a failed saving throw.
5. Level 10 entails more manoeuvres. At this stage, you can choose what you find most useful.
6. At level 11, you will receive another attack (and you’ll be the only class to get it). At this point, you’ve got 3 attacks – if you combine them with Action Surge, you can perform as many as six attacks per round!
7. At the last level, you choose between features. You can take Heavy Armour Master or Tough, which increases your HP.

Ilithild Powers

Ilithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3 introduce a unique mechanic that allows players to harness the abilities of the mind flayers, enhancing their combat capabilities. These powers can be acquired through specific story choices and interactions, offering a range of enhancements such as psychic attacks and temporary boosts to attributes. For Fighters, particularly those who choose the Battle Master subclass, integrating Ilithid Powers can create a formidable combination of martial prowess and psychic abilities, enabling them to control the battlefield more effectively. Utilizing these powers strategically can significantly increase damage output and provide tactical advantages in challenging encounters, making them a valuable addition to any Fighter build in the game.

Don’t be afraid to unlock and use these skills – focus especially on Cull the Weak, Repulsor and Black Hole. Unleashing the full power of Ilithild Powers doesn’t affect the character negatively, so leave all tadpoles for yourself.

Party members – their skills and spells

In Baldur’s Gate 3, party members bring a diverse array of skills and spells that enhance the group’s effectiveness in combat and exploration. Each character is tied to specific classes, which dictate their abilities. For instance, fighters excel in melee combat, utilizing skills like Athletics to perform powerful actions such as shoving enemies or resisting being shoved. Meanwhile, spellcasters like Gale, a wizard, can wield potent spells such as Fireball for area damage or Counterspell to negate enemy magic. Additionally, clerics like Shadowheart provide essential support with spells like Healing Word and Bless, boosting party survivability. Utilizing a balanced mix of these skills and spells ensures that players can tackle various challenges effectively, making strategic party composition crucial for success in the game.

If you want to get the most of your class, right party composition and skills are a must. Because of their skills, the best solution is to have a Cleric, a Wizard or a Bard on your team.

The Cleric is able to heal your Fighter and provides them with useful buffs such as Shield of Faith, which increases AC by 2. Alternatively, they can draw some of the hits onto themselves, make your weapon magical and cast an extremely useful Bless. Shadowheart fits this role perfectly.

The Wizard has one of the most powerful spells at their disposal, namely Haste. This spell turns a Fighter upside down and turns them into an unstoppable killing machine, as it increases your speed, your AC and grants you a bonus action. If you combine this with Action Surge at level 5, you will get six attacks, maybe even seven when combined with the Savage Attacker feat. Gale will work well as this kind of a character.

Finally, the Bard is also extremely useful – thanks to their Inspiration, they can increase your hit chance as well as magically strengthen you. Bard combines the two aforementioned options, but since no companion is a Bard, you will need to transform somebody into one.

Equipment and bonuses from it

The Fighter class in Baldur’s Gate 3 benefits significantly from a well-curated selection of equipment, which enhances their combat effectiveness and survivability. Key items include Helldusk Armour, known for its high Armor Class (AC) and powerful passives like the Fly spell, and Viconia’s Walking Fortress, a legendary shield that provides exceptional AC along with reflective damage capabilities. Additionally, Helldusk Boots grant mobility and area damage upon landing, making them ideal for aggressive tactics. Other notable equipment such as the Ring of Regeneration offers passive healing, allowing Fighters to maintain offensive pressure without sacrificing action economy. Collectively, these items not only bolster the Fighter’s defensive and offensive capabilities but also enable strategic versatility in various combat scenarios.

There are some intriguing items to get in Act I. The strongest ones are listed below:

Just before the end of the prologue, Ilithid will fight one of the demons. Kill the demon and then the Mind Flayer to obtain an item that is extremely powerful at this stage – a two-handed sword that deals an additional 1d4 fire damage.

In the Myconid Colony Thullia will give you boots that allow you to Dash as an Additional Action. At the same location, the merchant Derryth can sell you an amulet that allows you to cast healing.

While approaching the end of the Underdark quests, you will have the opportunity to use the Grymforge. Forge plate armor and a helmet. The armor reduces the damage you get and grants you a passive ability thanks to which you cannot be critically hit. The helmet will provide you with access to the Hunter’s Mark: a spell that adds 1d6 damage to each of your attacks.

In the goblin camp, after killing Razglin, you will find gloves on a pile of treasure. They make things easier in melee combat when you are surrounded by two enemies. In the same location, look for Crusher – kill him or rob him to get a ring that increases movement speed by 3m.

As for passive bonuses, the most important one can be obtained when confronting Auntie Ethel. When her health level drops below approximately 20 HP, a cutscene will trigger in which she offers you strength and power in exchange for surviving. Agree to this and you will receive 1 to your chosen attribute – in this case, choose Strength.

In Act III, try to get Balduran’s Giantslayer if you are into melee combat. This powerful two-handed sword doubles your Strength bonus when dealing damage. If you want to increase your defensive skills, you should get Helldusk Armour dropped after killing Raphael and Viconia’s Walking Fortress, which you will get after defeating Viconi DeVir.

Consumables

Consumables play a crucial role in maximizing the effectiveness of your Fighter build in Baldur’s Gate 3. These items can significantly enhance combat performance, offering advantages such as increased damage output or improved survivability. Key consumables to prioritize include Elixirs of Bloodlust and Potions of Speed, which can drastically elevate your damage during critical encounters. Additionally, Arrows of Ice and other specialized arrows are beneficial for ranged combat scenarios, allowing you to control the battlefield more effectively. Stocking up on these consumables not only prepares you for tough battles but also complements the Fighter’s ability to take multiple actions in a turn, ensuring you remain a formidable force throughout your adventure.

Below you will find a list of consumables that will make your Fighter even stronger.

• Oil of Accuracy – provides 2 to Attack Rolls.
• Elixir of Heroism – gives 10 temporary HP and grants the Bless status.
• Potion of Flying – additional mobility is something that is always needed.
• Potion of Hill Giant Strength – perfect if you don’t have 20 Strength yet.
• Elixir of Vigilance – provides 5 to Initiative, make sure to drink it before tougher battles.

What makes the Battle Master subclass stand out in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Battle Master subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 stands out for its tactical versatility and high damage output, making it a premier choice for players looking to dominate the battlefield. Here are the key features that set it apart:

1. Superiority Dice: At Level 3, Battle Masters gain access to Superiority Dice, which are used to fuel powerful maneuvers. These dice can enhance attacks with additional effects like extra damage or crowd control, allowing for strategic combat decisions that can turn the tide of battle.
2. Combat Maneuvers: Players can choose from a variety of maneuvers that provide unique advantages, such as Menacing Attack to frighten enemies or Pushing Attack to shove them away. This flexibility allows players to adapt their tactics based on the situation, providing both offensive and defensive options.
3. Extra Attacks: The Battle Master excels in dealing damage with multiple attacks per turn. By utilizing features like Extra Attack and Action Surge, a Battle Master can unleash an impressive number of strikes in a single round, maximizing their damage potential significantly compared to other subclasses.
4. Control and Damage: The combination of maneuvers and high attack frequency allows the Battle Master to not only deal substantial damage but also control the battlefield effectively, making them invaluable in party dynamics where positioning and enemy management are crucial.

Overall, the Battle Master subclass embodies a blend of raw power and tactical finesse, making it one of the most effective and engaging choices for players seeking a formidable Fighter in Baldur’s Gate 3.

What are the most powerful Battle Maneuvers for a Battle Master

The Battle Master subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a variety of powerful maneuvers that enhance combat effectiveness and battlefield control. Here are some of the most impactful maneuvers that every Battle Master should consider:

1. Menacing Attack: This maneuver allows you to deal extra damage and forces the target to make a Wisdom saving throw. If they fail, they become frightened until the end of your next turn, effectively debuffing their attack rolls and ability checks while making them hesitant to approach you.
2. Riposte: Perfect for countering enemy attacks, Riposte lets you use your reaction to make an attack against an opponent who misses you with a melee attack. This not only allows you to retaliate but also adds your superiority die to the damage, making it a rewarding option for aggressive playstyles.
3. Trip Attack: This maneuver deals additional damage and can knock the target prone if they fail a Strength saving throw. A prone enemy is easier to hit, granting advantage on attacks against them, which can lead to devastating follow-up strikes from you or your allies.
4. Precision Attack: When facing tough foes or when your attack roll is critical, this maneuver allows you to add your superiority die to an attack roll, potentially turning a miss into a hit. This can be crucial in high-stakes situations where every attack counts.
5. Grappling Strike: This newer maneuver enables you to add your superiority die to a grapple check after hitting an enemy. Successfully grappling an opponent can severely limit their options and keep them within your control, making it particularly useful against ranged attackers or spellcasters.
6. Quick Toss: Ideal for those who want flexibility in combat, Quick Toss allows you to draw and throw a weapon as a bonus action while adding your superiority die to the damage. This is especially effective for ranged builds or when you need to create distance from melee threats.

These maneuvers not only enhance the Battle Master’s damage output but also provide significant tactical advantages, allowing players to dictate the flow of battle and support their allies effectively.