Dive into the shadowy depths of Baldur’s Gate 3 with our comprehensive guide to the Drow, the enigmatic dark elves of the Underdark. Known for their cunning and agility, Drow characters are not only masters of stealth but also wielders of powerful magic. This guide explores their unique racial features, including superior darkvision, weapon proficiencies, and spellcasting abilities that can turn the tide of battle. Whether you align with the ruthless Lolth-sworn or the noble Seldarine, understanding the intricacies of this race will enhance your gameplay and storytelling in the world of Faerûn. Uncover the secrets of the Drow and learn how to harness their potential in your quest for glory!
Basic stats and race abilities
Drow in Baldur’s Gate 3 are a unique subrace of elves, characterized by their dark skin and affinity for stealth and magic. They possess a base racial speed of 7.5 meters per turn and have superior darkvision, allowing them to see in darkness up to 24 meters. Drow also benefit from Fey Ancestry, granting them advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and they cannot be put to sleep by magic. Their proficiency with weapons like the rapier, shortsword, and hand crossbow enhances their combat capabilities. Additionally, Drow have access to powerful spells such as Dancing Lights, Faerie Fire, and Darkness, making them versatile in both melee and magical encounters. With a natural inclination towards classes like Rogue, Warlock, and Ranger, Drow are adept at navigating the shadows of the game world while wielding their innate abilities effectively.
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 9 meters.
Exceptional darkvision: up to 24 meters.
Drow Weapon Training
Similar to other types of Elves, the Drow are trained in the use of a diverse arsenal of weapons. Their native set of weapons, however, differs from that preferred by their surface cousins.
The Dark Elves are proficient in the use of rapiers, short swords and crossbows.
Fey Ancestry
This ability works in exactly the same way as with other Elve races. The Drow receive advantage on saving throws against charms, and also have an inherent immunity to magical forms of sleep.
Cantrips and race spells
At level 1, the Drow know the Dancing Lights cantrip, which illuminates a space within a 9-meter radius.
At level 3, Drow gain Faerie Fire. This spell reveals designated targets and makes attacks against them easier.
Level 5 brings another spell, Darkness, enshrouding a chosen area in a dark cloud and blinding creatures within its radius.
The stat that the Drow use to cast race spells is Charisma.
Subraces
Drow in Baldur’s Gate 3 are divided into two distinct subraces: Lolth-Sworn Drow and Seldarine Drow. The Lolth-Sworn are devoted followers of the spider goddess Lolth, characterized by their ruthless nature and marked by striking red eyes, which serve to instill fear among their foes in the Underdark. In contrast, Seldarine Drow reject the malevolent tenets of Lolth and seek alliances across Faerûn to end the conflicts that plague their kind. Despite their differing allegiances, both subraces share similar abilities and traits, making the choice between them largely a matter of role-playing preference rather than gameplay mechanics.
In terms of gameplay, the two subraces of Drow display no significant differences. Choosing one of them is therefore a cosmetic decision and motivated by the story or character background.
Lolth-Sworn Drow
Servants of the Spider Queen originating from the underground city of Menzoberranzan. Known for their ruthless character, consistent with their cult. They can be often identified by their red eyes.
Seldarine Drow
Faithful defenders of the traditional elven pantheon. Seeking allies on the surface, who would help them end the conflict with the dangerous cult of the Spider Queen.
Best class for a Drow
The best classes for a Drow in Baldur’s Gate 3 leverage their unique racial traits, including superior darkvision and proficiency with specific weapons. The Rogue class stands out due to its reliance on stealth and cunning, allowing Drow to utilize their natural abilities effectively in combat. Additionally, Sorcerers, Warlocks, and Wizards are excellent choices for players aiming to harness the Drow’s innate spellcasting potential, particularly since their high Charisma enhances spell effectiveness. Finally, the Ranger class complements the Drow’s agility and darkvision, making them formidable in ranged combat and exploration. Overall, these classes allow players to maximize the Drow’s strengths while providing diverse gameplay options.
What are the key differences between Lolth-Sworn and Seldarine Drow
The Lolth-Sworn and Seldarine Drow represent two distinct paths within the Drow race in Baldur’s Gate 3, each with unique cultural and narrative implications.
Key Differences
Religious Affiliation
- Lolth-Sworn Drow: These Drow are devoted followers of Lolth, the malevolent goddess of spiders. They embody her cruel and cunning nature, often engaging in treacherous behavior and embracing the darker aspects of their heritage. Their allegiance to Lolth grants them access to unique evil dialogue options that reflect their sinister worldview.
- Seldarine Drow: In contrast, Seldarine Drow have rejected Lolth’s teachings and instead align with the Seldarine, the pantheon of good-aligned elven deities led by Corellon Larethian. This group seeks redemption and often strives for harmony with other races, standing in opposition to the malevolence associated with Lolth4.
Physical Traits
- Lolth-Sworn Drow: Characterized by their striking red eyes, which serve as a symbol of their devotion to Lolth. This visual cue often leads to immediate recognition and fear from others in the game world.
- Seldarine Drow: Typically do not have red eyes, reflecting their divergence from Lolth’s influence. This absence of red eyes can signify their rejection of evil and their quest for a more noble existence.
Gameplay Implications
- Both subraces share similar mechanical traits, such as proficiency with rapiers, shortswords, and hand crossbows, along with innate spellcasting abilities. However, the dialogue options and interactions with NPCs differ significantly based on their alignment. Lolth-Sworn Drow can access more malevolent dialogue choices that can affect gameplay dynamics, while Seldarine Drow may find themselves in situations that emphasize cooperation and understanding.
These differences not only shape the narrative experience but also influence how players interact with the game world and its characters, making the choice between Lolth-Sworn and Seldarine Drow a significant aspect of character development in Baldur’s Gate 3.
What unique dialogue options do Lolth-Sworn Drow have
Lolth-Sworn Drow in Baldur’s Gate 3 have access to unique dialogue options that reflect their alignment with the evil goddess Lolth. Here are some key aspects of these dialogue options:
Unique Dialogue Features
- Threatening Interactions: Lolth-Sworn Drow can engage in significantly darker conversations, often using intimidation and threats. For instance, they may threaten pickpocketing children at the Druid Grove, showcasing their ruthless nature.
- Persuasion with Goblins: When interacting with Goblins in locations like Blighted Village and Goblin Camp, they can leverage their Drow heritage to gain advantages. They are often assumed to be “True Souls,” allowing them to pass through without skill checks and engage in favorable dialogue that can lead to easier negotiations or threats.
- Encouraging Violence: Dialogue options may include encouraging other characters, such as Kagha, to commit violent acts, reflecting their alignment with Lolth’s cruel and merciless ideology.
- Blunt and Aggressive Tone: The conversation style for Lolth-Sworn Drow tends to be blunt or threatening, fitting well within darker narrative arcs like the Dark Urge playthrough, where violence and brutality are emphasized.
These unique dialogue options not only enhance the gameplay experience but also deepen the immersion into the lore of the Drow and their complex relationships within the game world.
