Dwarves in Baldur’s Gate 3 are not just stout warriors; they embody resilience and craftsmanship, standing as stalwarts in the face of adversity. This guide delves into the unique traits and subraces of the Dwarf, exploring how their rich cultural heritage influences gameplay. From the battle-hardened Shield Dwarves to the resourceful Gold Dwarves and the stealthy Duergar, each subrace offers distinct advantages that can shape your adventure in Faerûn. Whether you aim to craft legendary weapons or defend your party with unyielding strength, understanding the Dwarf’s capabilities is essential for any aspiring hero.
Basic stats and race abilities
Dwarves in Baldur’s Gate 3 are a resilient and formidable race, characterized by their sturdy build and combat prowess. Each Dwarf has a base speed of 7.5 meters per turn, allowing for effective movement in battle. They possess Darkvision, enabling them to see in darkness up to 12 meters, which is crucial for navigating the shadowy corners of dungeons. Dwarves also benefit from Dwarven Combat Training, granting proficiency with several weapons including battleaxes and warhammers, enhancing their effectiveness in melee combat. Additionally, their Dwarven Resilience provides an advantage on saving throws against poison and resistance to poison damage, making them particularly tough in encounters with poisonous foes. Depending on the chosen subrace—Gold Dwarf, Shield Dwarf, or Duergar—players can further customize their abilities, adding unique traits that enhance their survivability and combat effectiveness.
After leaving early access, BG3 abandoned the mechanic of adding bonuses to stats depending on race. From now on, every player can choose a 1 and 2 bonus to any stat, regardless of race. This means that choosing a race will mainly influence the appearance of your character and the presence of appropriate race abilities.
Base race speed: The distance you can travel each turn is 7.5 meters.
Darkvision: up to 12 meters.
Dwarven Combat Training
Like many other races inhabiting Faerun, the Dwarven society places great importance on training in the use of specific types of weapons.
This tradition makes representatives of this race being proficient in Battleaxes, Handaxes, and Hammers (both Light, and Warhammers).
Dwarven Resilience
Dwarves’ innate immunity gives them advantage on saving throws against Poison. Additionally, resistance to poison-based attacks will cause the representatives of this race to receive only half of the standard damage when hit by such an attack.
This proves to be very useful against opponents that use Poison as a combat tool.
Subraces
Dwarves in Baldur’s Gate 3 feature three distinct subraces, each with unique traits that enhance gameplay and character development. Gold Dwarves are known for their resilience and craftsmanship, gaining the Dwarven Toughness ability, which increases their hit points as they level up. Shield Dwarves, marked by their martial prowess, receive Dwarven Armour Training, granting them proficiency with light and medium armor, making them formidable in combat. Lastly, Duergar, who have adapted to the harsh conditions of the Underdark, possess Superior Darkvision and Duergar Resilience, providing advantages against illusions and charm effects. Each subrace allows players to tailor their dwarf character to fit various roles in their party, whether as a tank or a stealthy infiltrator.
Gold Dwarf
The residents of the Deep Kingdom are known for their attachment to tradition and craftsmanship. The Dwarven Resilience that applies to all Dwarves, in the case of this subrace, is additionally complemented by passive Dwarven Toughness.
Gold Dwarves receive an additional hit pointeach time the hero advances to a higher level. This means that a Gold Dwarf at level 12 will have additional 12 HP.
Representatives of this subrace will be perfect as tanks who can take significant amounts of punishment and still move forward.
Shield Dwarf
Shield Dwarves are marked by their history of bloody conflicts with Goblins and Orcs. This militaristic nature of this group makes its representatives proficient with Light and Medium Armor.
This trait will prove to be especially useful in situations when the chosen class doesn’t have proficiency in similar armors (e.g. Warlock, Wizard, Bard).
Duergar
Originating from the Underdark, the Duergars, similar to the Githyanki race, for years remained enslaved by the ruthless Mind Flayers. Their sense of sight, adapted to the darkness of the underground, allows them to see up to 24 meters in the dark.
Additionally, Duergar Resilience gives them an advantage on saving throws against Illusion, Charm, and Paralysis.
Dwarf – best class
Dwarves in Baldur’s Gate 3 are often considered one of the best classes due to their exceptional resilience and combat capabilities. With a base speed of 7.5 meters, they are not only durable but also proficient in various weapons, including battleaxes and hammers, making them formidable in melee combat. Their racial traits, such as Dwarven Resilience, provide them with advantages against poison, enhancing their survivability on the battlefield. The choice of subraces—Gold Dwarf, Shield Dwarf, and Duergar—further diversifies their strengths, allowing players to tailor their characters for specific roles like tanking or spellcasting. Overall, the combination of robust defensive abilities and versatile class options positions Dwarves as a top choice for players seeking a powerful and reliable character in the game.
Compared to other races, Dwarves stand out primarily for their impressive defensive abilities. This makes them ideal as tanks standing on the front line and as close-quarters Warriors, Barbarians or Paladins.
What are the best classes to pair with a Dwarf in Baldur’s Gate 3
In Baldur’s Gate 3, pairing a Dwarf with the right class can significantly enhance gameplay, leveraging the Dwarf’s unique traits and abilities. Here are the best class options for Dwarves based on their subraces:
Best Classes for Dwarves
- Druid (Gold Dwarf): Gold Dwarves’ bonuses to Constitution and Wisdom make them excellent Druids, allowing them to tank damage while casting spells. Their proficiency with weapons provides a solid offensive option when not in Wild Shape.
- Cleric (Gold Dwarf): The Life Domain Cleric benefits from the Gold Dwarf’s durability and healing capabilities, making them formidable support characters. Their weapon proficiencies also allow them to engage effectively in combat when needed.
- Barbarian (Shield Dwarf): Shield Dwarves excel as Barbarians due to their high Strength and Constitution. This combination allows them to deal significant damage while sustaining hits, making them ideal front-line fighters.
- Fighter (Shield Dwarf): With their natural armor proficiency and strong stats, Shield Dwarves make versatile Fighters. They can choose various fighting styles, including Great Weapon Fighting, maximizing their damage output.
- Paladin (Gold Dwarf): Gold Dwarves are also a great choice for Paladins, benefiting from high durability and access to powerful melee abilities. Their role-playing potential is enriched by the various Oaths they can choose.
These classes capitalize on the inherent strengths of the Dwarf race, ensuring that players can create robust and engaging characters in their adventures through Faerûn.
Which Dwarf subrace is best for a beginner player
For beginner players in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Gold Dwarf subrace is often considered the best choice. Here’s why:
Gold Dwarf Advantages
- Dwarven Toughness: This feature increases your hit point maximum by 1 at each level, making Gold Dwarves naturally more resilient. This extra durability is particularly beneficial for new players who may struggle with survival in combat.
- Balanced Attributes: Gold Dwarves receive bonuses to both Constitution and Wisdom, making them versatile for various classes, especially Clerics and Druids, which are relatively straightforward for beginners to play.
- Combat Proficiency: They have proficiency with several weapons, allowing new players to engage effectively in melee combat without needing extensive knowledge of the game mechanics.
In contrast, while Shield Dwarves also offer strong defensive capabilities through armor training, their playstyle may require a bit more tactical understanding, especially if playing classes like Fighters or Barbarians. Duergar, on the other hand, have unique abilities that might be less intuitive for newcomers.
Overall, the Gold Dwarf’s combination of resilience, ease of use, and versatility makes it an excellent entry point for those new to the game.
