What is the Best DPS Class in Baldur’s Gate 3?
The quest for the highest damage output (DPS) class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a common one, and for good reason. Optimizing your damage potential is key to conquering the game’s challenging encounters. While multiple classes can excel in dealing significant damage, the Paladin, specifically the Oath of Vengeance Paladin, stands out as the most consistently powerful DPS option. This isn’t just about raw numbers; it’s the combination of high burst damage, excellent survivability, and considerable versatility that puts the Paladin at the top of the DPS heap.
Why Paladin Reigns Supreme for DPS
The Paladin’s dominance stems from a few key factors:
Divine Smite: A Game Changer
Divine Smite is the Paladin’s signature ability, and it’s what truly sets them apart. This ability allows a Paladin to expend spell slots to add a massive burst of radiant damage to any successful melee attack. What makes it so potent is that this additional damage scales with the spell slot level, and even better, the damage type (Radiant) is seldom resisted, making it effective against a large variety of enemies.
Extra Attack
At level 5, Paladins gain the Extra Attack feature, doubling their attacks per action. This, coupled with Divine Smite, means that at level 5, a Paladin can potentially hit twice and add radiant damage to both attacks. This multiplicative effect dramatically increases their single-target damage, especially when coupled with abilities that provide advantage.
High Versatility
Paladins are not just pure damage dealers; they also have access to various spells, healing capabilities, and powerful auras that buff their allies. This utility doesn’t come at the expense of damage, which is a defining characteristic that sets them apart from other pure damage dealers.
Survivability
Thanks to heavy armour proficiency and a decent pool of hit points, Paladins are remarkably durable. They can wade into the fray and stay there, continuously dishing out high damage while absorbing punishment. This is significant as it allows them to consistently inflict damage unlike a class that might need to spend precious actions healing.
Honorable Mentions in the DPS Race
While the Paladin may be the top contender, other classes can also deliver impressive damage in Baldur’s Gate 3. Here are a few noteworthy mentions:
Sorcerer
The Sorcerer, particularly the Draconic Bloodline subclass, is a powerhouse of spell damage. They have access to a wide array of powerful spells and the Metamagic feature, which allows them to modify their spells for increased effect. They are excellent at dealing area of effect (AOE) damage, making them invaluable against large groups of enemies, but they often lack single target burst damage and have poor survivability, compared to the Paladin.
Warlock
The Warlock stands out with their ability to consistently deal high damage with Eldritch Blast. Combined with invocations that increase its damage or utility, Warlocks become ranged damage threats that are difficult to ignore. Similar to the Sorcerer, Warlocks aren’t as sturdy in melee combat and may require more strategic positioning to make the most of their damage capabilities.
Fighter
The Battle Master subclass of Fighter is a great contender, especially when using Maneuvers for extra damage and control. While it might not reach the same damage spikes as a Paladin with Smite, the consistent damage and versatility of the Fighter makes them a very reliable DPS class.
Barbarian
The Barbarian, especially Berserker subclass, offers consistent high damage with Rage and reckless attack. They are extremely hard to take down while raging and are another good candidate for the DPS role with high damage potential in melee.
Class Combinations for Enhanced DPS
While a single class can be powerful, multiclassing can elevate your DPS potential even further. Some notable combinations include:
Paladin/Sorcerer
This combination blends the raw melee power of the Paladin with the spellcasting prowess of the Sorcerer, resulting in a character that can deal immense damage both with weapons and spells. The Divine Smite and Sorcerer Spell Slots allows for increased flexibility and potential for burst damage.
Fighter/Rogue
Combining the Fighter’s consistent melee damage with the Rogue’s Sneak Attack can create a deadly damage-dealing machine, capable of exploiting weaknesses and delivering substantial damage in single target encounters.
Warlock/Paladin
This might seem counter-intuitive, but combining the Warlock’s constant Eldritch Blast with the Paladin’s melee capabilities can be surprisingly potent. This works particularly well with a hexblade warlock and oath of devotion Paladin combination, as they can both take advantage of charisma as their spellcasting stat.
FAQs: Deep Diving into DPS in Baldur’s Gate 3
1. Is the Paladin always the best DPS, regardless of subclass?
While the Oath of Vengeance Paladin excels in damage, other subclasses like Oathbreaker can also be excellent, depending on the build. However, Vengeance is the most consistent and the go-to if DPS is the primary goal.
2. What is the best race for a DPS Paladin?
Half-Orcs are excellent for melee Paladins due to their Savage Attacks trait, allowing them to roll additional damage dice on critical hits. Tieflings are also good for their bonus to charisma for a stronger spellcasting ability.
3. Does gear significantly affect DPS output in BG3?
Absolutely. Equipping the right weapons, armor, and accessories is paramount for maximizing your damage. Some items grant bonus damage, improved critical hit chances or other abilities that synergize extremely well with a DPS build.
4. Can a pure spellcaster compete with a Paladin’s damage?
Yes, but it often requires more setup and is less consistent. Spellcasters like the Sorcerer can deal massive burst damage with the correct spells, but are generally reliant on spell slots and have less consistent DPS than a Paladin using melee weapons and Divine Smite.
5. How important is advantage for DPS builds?
Advantage is extremely important. Rolling with advantage significantly increases your chance to hit and land critical strikes, leading to higher damage output, especially for martial classes like the Paladin.
6. What’s the role of critical hits in DPS calculations?
Critical hits double the damage dice on an attack, leading to enormous damage spikes. Characters with critical hit synergy abilities like Half-Orcs can massively benefit from this.
7. Is dual-wielding a viable DPS strategy in BG3?
Dual-wielding can be effective in early levels, but falls behind compared to using two handed weapons, at later levels, unless there is a specific dual-wielding build or item in place.
8. Should I focus on single-target or AOE damage for DPS?
It depends on the situation. Single-target damage is ideal for bosses, while AOE is better for handling groups of enemies. The Paladin generally focuses more on single target, making other classes better options for AOE encounters.
9. Are ranged DPS classes viable in BG3?
Yes, absolutely. Classes like the Warlock and Ranger can deliver excellent ranged DPS, though they may lack the survivability of melee classes.
10. How important are feats for DPS?
Feats can significantly enhance a build, and many feats that boost DPS, like Great Weapon Master and Sharpshooter, are vital for maximizing output.
11. Is a magic based Paladin stronger than a melee focused one?
While magic based Paladin builds can be strong and versatile, a melee focused Paladin is better for consistent, raw DPS. Magic Paladin builds are better for versatility and options.
12. Does the environment affect a class DPS?
Yes. Some classes, especially those reliant on fire or ice, may face obstacles based on the environment and have reduced effectiveness in certain areas of the game, so the consistent damage of a martial class like the Paladin has advantages in this aspect.
13. How does difficulty affect the viability of certain DPS classes?
On higher difficulties, consistent damage and survivability become more important. The Paladin’s excellent combination of both makes them a top choice for higher difficulty runs.
14. Are there any specific items or gear that enhance Paladin DPS?
Yes, items that increase Strength, Charisma, or attack damage, or improve critical hits will significantly boost the Paladin’s DPS. Weapons with special abilities or damage types like radiant also enhance the effectiveness of Divine Smite.
15. Is the Paladin the most fun DPS class?
Fun is subjective, but if raw power and versatility combined with survivability is your idea of fun, then the Paladin is an excellent pick. However, many players prefer the more strategic or spell focused playstyles of other classes.
In conclusion, while various classes can deal impressive damage, the Oath of Vengeance Paladin emerges as the best overall DPS class in Baldur’s Gate 3, thanks to its potent combination of Divine Smite, Extra Attack, high survivability, and inherent versatility. However, other classes can also be highly effective, particularly when optimized for specific builds, and are worthwhile experimenting with to see what best fits your style.