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Hey there, fellow adventurers! Are you ready for some exciting news? Baldur’s Gate 3 is about to introduce a new Fighter subclass – the Eldritch Knight! In this article, we will take a closer look at the Fighter class in Baldur’s Gate 3 and explore the new subclass in all its magical glory. So grab your swords, prepare your spells, and let’s dive into the world of the Eldritch Knight.
Building a Fighter in Baldur’s Gate 3
In Baldur’s Gate 3, Fighters are a crucial part of any successful party. They are a versatile class that can take on many roles, from a melee brawler to a sniping archer or even a battlefield commander. They excel in combat, with a focus on dealing with damage and protecting allies.
One of the great things about Fighters in Baldur’s Gate 3 is that they are relatively easy to play and are a great option for beginners. They offer a simple and straightforward playstyle that can still be engaging and exciting. Starting at the third level, Fighters can advance to new subclasses with special attacks, features, and even magic, making them even more versatile and effective in combat.
While Fighters are mostly known for being on the frontlines and defending allies, they can also provide some limited party support with certain skill and class selections. This makes them a valuable addition to any party, but it’s important to avoid redundancy with other melee fighter companions in the initial roster. Mixing and matching the party until finding a setup that is both strong and versatile is the best approach to create a balanced and successful party.
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What Races Are Available to Fighters in Baldur’s Gate 3?
If you’re planning to create a Fighter character in Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s important to choose the right race to complement your playstyle. There are several races available for Fighters, each with unique advantages and disadvantages.
Shield Dwarves are powerful and resilient, but slow. Gold Dwarves are more robust with higher Wisdom and extra hit points. Githyanki are agile and hit hard, with bonuses to Intelligence and Strength. High Elves are great for Eldritch Knights and Battle Masters with bonuses to Dexterity and Intelligence. Strongheart Halflings are agile and fight safely in melee, while Rock Gnomes are resilient and have advantages on mental saving throws. Check out the table below for a quick reference guide to the available races in Baldur’s Gate 3 for Fighters:
| Race | Ability Score Bonuses | Other Bonuses |
|---|---|---|
| Shield Dwarf | +2 Constitution, +2 Strength | Resistance to poison, Darkvision |
| Gold Dwarf | +1 Wisdom, +1 Constitution | Extra +1 hit point per level |
| Githyanki | +1 Intelligence, +2 Strength | Reroll 1s on the attack, ability checks, and saving throws |
| High Elf | +2 Dexterity, +1 Intelligence | Free Intelligence-based cantrip at level 1 |
| Strongheart Halfling | +2 Dexterity, +1 Constitution | Reroll 1s on attack, ability checks, and saving throws |
| Rock Gnome | +2 Intelligence, +1 Constitution | Advantage on all mental saving throws, proficiency bonus on History checks |
Choose the race that fits your Fighter’s build and playstyle best and get ready to dominate in Baldur’s Gate 3!
Baldur’s Gate 3: Fighter Skills and Abilities Explained
As a Fighter in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll want to invest in skills that use your high Strength and/or Dexterity ability scores such as Athletics, Acrobatics, Stealth, and Sleight of Hand. Good Background selections include Outlander, Sailor, Soldier, and Urchin. Starting at level one, you must select a preferred method of combat, which is your fighting style. Currently, this choice is permanent in Baldur’s Gate 3 and cannot be altered. Archery is good for bow users, Dueling is for single-weapon and shield users, and Great Weapon Fighting is useful for mitigating low-damage rolls. At the first level, Fighters also gain Second Wind to restore 1d10 + Fighter level worth of hitpoints, and at level 2, they learn Action Surge, which allows them to take another full action during their turn.
Additionally, Fighters in Baldur’s Gate 3 have access to Superiority Dice, which can be used to execute a variety of powerful maneuvers. Menacing Attack can deal added damage and possibly inflict the Frightened status effect. Pushing Attack has a chance to push the enemy away up to 4.5m. Rally gives an ally a free extra 8 hitpoints. Riposte can be used as a reaction against enemies who miss attacks against the Fighter character. Disarming Attack forces the enemy to make a Strength saving throw or drop their held weapon. Finally, Trip allows the Fighter to ground enemies of large size or smaller. These maneuvers can be used in conjunction with any weapon and can be a real game-changer in a tight spot.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter: Eldritch Knight Subclass
The Eldritch Knight is one of the Fighter subclasses available in Baldur’s Gate 3. As a subclass, the Eldritch Knight gains access to spells that are identical to those of a Dungeons and Dragons Wizard. However, the Eldritch Knight has fewer spell slots compared to a true Wizard. They also focus on spellcasting, which sets them apart from the Battle Master subclass.
The Eldritch Knight can be a powerful build to try if you want to mix magic with melee combat. They can effectively utilize level 1 spells to obliterate enemies from any distance. However, the spells will work off the character’s Intelligence score, so players should focus on spells that don’t require high scores to be effective. The recommended cantrips for the Eldritch Knight include True Strike, Light or Dancing Lights. The recommended level 1 spells include Magic Missile, Colour Spray, and Sleep.
Players can obtain the Warped Headband of Intellect within four hours of gameplay by slaying Lump the Enlightened of the Blighted Village. This item boosts the character’s Intelligence score to 17, allowing them to allocate points to other abilities. However, the headband has been nerfed since its release in Early Access, so the Intelligence modifier will only be set to +3 rather than +4.
Overall, the Eldritch Knight subclass is a versatile option for players who want to combine magic and melee combat. With the right spell selection and equipment, the Eldritch Knight can be a formidable addition to any party.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Eldritch Knight Equipment
As a Fighter Eldritch Knight in Baldur’s Gate 3, you have the option to use either a Two-Handed Weapon or a One-Handed Weapon and Shield depending on the Fighting Style you chose during character creation.
The Everburn Blade, obtained by defeating Commander Zhalk of the Nautiloid, is a great choice for a Two-Handed Weapon due to its high Slashing Damage and added Fire Damage. Heavy Armor is also recommended to increase your AC, and the Chain Mail Armor from defeating Lurgan in the Underdark or the Adamantine Splint Armor from Grymforge are good options. Y
ou can also wield a Shield for an additional +2 to your AC. For accessories, the Warped Headband of Intellect, Boots of Striding, and Psychic Spark are recommended for their added benefits to spells and abilities.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter: Battle Master Subclass
The Fighter Battle Master subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 is all about using maneuvers to gain the upper hand in combat. At level 3, you gain four Superiority Dice to use per short or long rest. These dice can be used for special attacks such as Menacing Attack, which inflicts extra damage and can cause the Frightened status effect, and Pushing Attack, which can push enemies back up to 4.5 meters.
Other abilities like Rally grant an ally extra hit points, and Disarming Attack forces the enemy to drop a held item. The best maneuvers to have are Riposte and Menacing Attack, as they can cause enemies to flee or trigger an opportunity attack. The Battle Master subclass offers a versatile and tactical playstyle that can make you a formidable opponent on the battlefield.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Class: Eldritch Knight or Battle Master?
When choosing between the Eldritch Knight and Battle Master subclasses for your Fighter in Baldur’s Gate 3, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and playstyle. If you want your Fighter to have access to spells and the ability to cast from a distance, then the Eldritch Knight may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer to focus on melee combat and want a variety of battle maneuvers at your disposal, then the Battle Master is a great option. Both subclasses add unique abilities and strategies to the Fighter class, so it’s worth trying them out to see which one suits your playstyle best.
In conclusion, the Fighter class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is an excellent choice for players who prefer to engage in melee combat. The class offers two exciting subclasses: Eldritch Knight and Battle Master. The Eldritch Knight subclass adds an extra layer of versatility by giving access to a limited amount of spells to the Fighter’s arsenal, making them useful in many situations. On the other hand, the Battle Master subclass offers a range of maneuvers that can be used to inflict extra damage or control the battlefield by spending Superiority Dice. Both subclasses bring different strengths to the table, and ultimately, the choice depends on your preferred playstyle. As Baldur’s Gate 3 continues its development, players can look forward to new features and updates, including the full implementation of the Eldritch Knight subclass, which will add even more depth to the game’s combat system.
