Unleash your inner adventurer in Baldur’s Gate 3 with our comprehensive guide to the Elf race, where ethereal grace meets formidable prowess. Choose between the cunning High Elf, adept in arcane arts and weaponry, or the stealthy Wood Elf, a master of the wild with unmatched agility. Each subrace offers unique abilities that can shape your gameplay, from enhanced movement to magical resistance. Dive into the mystical world of Faerûn and discover how to optimize your Elf character for epic quests and thrilling encounters!
Basic stats and race abilities
Elves in Baldur’s Gate 3 are a versatile race known for their agility and magical affinity. They possess a base racial speed of 9 meters per turn, allowing them to maneuver effectively in combat. Elves benefit from Darkvision, enabling them to see in low-light conditions up to 12 meters, and they have Elven Weapon Training, granting proficiency with various weapons including longswords and longbows. Their Fey Ancestry feature provides advantages against being charmed and immunity to sleep effects, making them resilient against magical manipulations. Elves can choose between two sub-races: High Elves, who gain an additional cantrip from the Wizard spell list, and Wood Elves, who enjoy increased movement speed and proficiency in Stealth, enhancing their capabilities as scouts or rogues.
After leaving early access, BG3 abandoned the theme of bonuses to skills characteristic of each 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 9 meters.
Darkvision: up to 12 meters.
Elven Weapon Training
Thanks to appropriate training, representatives of this race are proficient in using long and short swords and bows.
This perk will prove particularly useful in situations when your chosen class cannot use certain weapons proficiently.
Fey Ancestry
Their magical lineage and close connection to the Feywild plane gives the Elves advantage on saving throws against being charmed.
This race is also immune to all forms of magical sleep. This feature is most likely related to the fact that in the Forgotten Realms universe, Elves do not feel the need to sleep.
These properties make elven characters much better suited to fighting opponents who cast debuffs on the party.
Subraces
Elves in Baldur’s Gate 3 are divided into two primary subraces: High Elves and Wood Elves, each offering unique traits and abilities that enhance gameplay. High Elves are known for their magical affinity, allowing them to choose a cantrip from the Wizard spell list, which adds versatility to their skill set. They also retain the standard elven features such as enhanced movement speed and proficiency with various weapons. In contrast, Wood Elves excel in agility and stealth, boasting increased movement speed and proficiency in Stealth checks. This makes them particularly suited for classes like Rogue or Ranger, where quickness and stealth are crucial for success in combat and exploration.
High Elf
Mystical and graceful, the representatives of this group are known for their magical talents. These are manifested by the natural knowledge of one spell from among the cantrips available to the Wizard class.
The Feat used by the high elf to cast said cantrip is Intelligence.
Wood Elf
The inhabitants of the forest wilderness display an incredible dexterity. Their natural movement speed is increased by 1.5 meters compared to other Elves and amounts to a total of 10.5 meters.
Best class for an Elf
For players looking to maximize the potential of their Elf character in Baldur’s Gate 3, the best class choice often hinges on the subrace selected. High Elves excel as Wizards or Warlocks, leveraging their innate magical abilities and proficiency with a variety of weapons. Their access to a free cantrip enhances their versatility, making them formidable spellcasters. Conversely, Wood Elves shine as Rogues or Rangers, capitalizing on their superior movement speed and stealth capabilities. The Wood Elf’s unique features, such as Fleet of Foot and Mask of the Wild, make them adept at ambushing foes and navigating the wilderness with ease. Ultimately, both subraces offer distinct advantages that cater to different playstyles, allowing players to tailor their experience based on their preferred approach to combat and exploration.
Although Elves seem to be extremely versatile creatures, it may be a good idea to choose the Mage class as the profession of an Elven character. This race’s charm resistance and High Elf‘s bonus cantrip create a great combination for a powerful spellcaster. Though Mages are usually not associated with using weapons, natural proficiency in handling a chosen weapon could prove vital in crisis situations.
What are the key differences between High Elf and Wood Elf builds in Baldur’s Gate 3
In Baldur’s Gate 3, the choice between High Elf and Wood Elf builds significantly impacts gameplay, especially for classes like Rangers and Rogues. Here are the key differences:
High Elf
- Ability Score Increase: +1 Intelligence, which is less beneficial for classes like Rangers that rely on Wisdom.
- Cantrip Access: High Elves can choose one cantrip from the Wizard spell list, such as Fire Bolt or Mage Hand. However, these spells may not synergize well with a Ranger’s typical skills, as they rely more on Dexterity and Wisdom for combat effectiveness.
- Racial Features: They retain standard Elf traits like Darkvision and Fey Ancestry, which provides advantages against charm effects and sleep spells.
Wood Elf
- Ability Score Increase: +1 Wisdom, enhancing spellcasting effectiveness for Rangers and improving skills like Survival.
- Fleet of Foot: Increased base movement speed (10.5 meters), allowing for better positioning in combat and enhanced mobility on the battlefield4.
- Mask of the Wild: Proficiency in Stealth, making them excellent scouts and ambushers. This ability complements their role as Rangers or Rogues by enhancing their stealth capabilities.
Conclusion
Overall, while both subraces have their strengths, the Wood Elf is generally considered superior for Dexterity-based classes due to its Wisdom boost and stealth proficiency, making it a more synergistic choice for traditional Ranger builds. High Elves may appeal to players seeking a more magical approach or those interested in specific role-playing elements.
Which elf subrace is better for a stealth-focused build
For a stealth-focused build in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Wood Elf subrace is the superior choice. Here are the key reasons:
- Movement Speed: Wood Elves have a base movement speed of 10.5 meters, allowing for greater mobility in stealth situations. This speed advantage helps players position themselves effectively during encounters and while exploring.
- Mask of the Wild: This ability enables Wood Elves to hide more easily in natural environments, making them nearly invisible amidst foliage and shadows. This trait is particularly beneficial for stealth gameplay, allowing players to ambush enemies or evade detection.
- Proficiency in Stealth: Wood Elves gain proficiency in Stealth, enhancing their ability to remain undetected. This proficiency is crucial for classes like Rogues and Rangers, who rely on stealth to execute their strategies effectively.
In contrast, High Elves offer a cantrip from the Wizard spell list and a +1 Intelligence bonus, which does not synergize as well with stealth-based builds. The High Elf’s traits are less focused on stealth and mobility compared to those of the Wood Elf, making them a less optimal choice for players prioritizing stealth gameplay.
Overall, if your goal is to excel in stealth within Baldur’s Gate 3, the Wood Elf clearly stands out as the best option.
