Highlights
- Multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3 requires careful consideration to ensure a character isn't underpowered by losing important features.
- The subclass options available in the game, such as the Fighter's Eldritch Knight, provide versatility and allow players to combine different archetypes.
- Advanced players may find that multiclassing a Wizard with a Fighter is a better option than sticking to a single class, as it offers unique advantages and makes for a potent control caster.
While Baldur’s Gate 3 allows players to bring any two classes together, that doesn't mean every combination is actually effective. As a more advanced aspect of the game, multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3 requires research and care in order to craft a character that isn't underpowered from losing important features in most cases. Due to this challenge, most casual players are likely to opt for sticking with their starting class, even if they are pursuing a mixed playstyle. The plethora of subclass options available in the game can support this form of versatility, with the Fighter’s Eldritch Knight subclass serving as a prime example of uniting two disparate archetypes.
Classes like the Eldritch Knight bring an element of magic to what would otherwise be a martially focused class, but most players interested in casting are more likely to opt for investing purely into it instead. The ultimate caster, Baldur’s Gate 3's Wizard is known for being capable of learning a vast array of spells that are made highly effective through class’ generally higher Intelligence ability score. There are several unique advantages to the duality that Eldritch Knights bring through their natural combat prowess, but many advanced players will know that multiclassing a Wizard with a Fighter is usually a far better option.
The Simplicity of the Eldritch Knight
The classic spellsword playstyle is meant to be encapsulated through the Eldritch Knight’s mix of traditional weapon attacks and Cantrips. A class like the Eldritch Knight can be a strong choice for newer players looking to keep combat diverse, as early game spells like Shocking Grasp form an interesting synergy in close range. Fighter already has one of the most straightforward approaches in the game in terms of their strengths, making the War Magic and Eldritch Strike subclass features of the Eldritch Knight potentially highly potent on top of the extra Feat and extra attacks that the base class is known for.
War Magic allows for an extra weapon attack as a bonus action after using one of BG3's Cantrips, but weapon damage can end up exceeding magic on a character that is primarily a Fighter. Eldritch Strike isn’t gained until all the way at level 10, although it is still useful to give enemies disadvantage on spell saving throws. Eldritch Knights gain some spells as they level, but only end up with weaker level 2 spells in the end versus the level 5 options a Wizard multiclass can gain. The subclass functions better when focused on casting general utility spells like Misty Step due to this, but opting for a mixed build instead can circumvent these limitations.
The Power of a Wizard/Fighter Multiclass
Combining the Wizard and Fighter into the same build may seem foolish at first given the massive difference between the two, but the truth is that these two classes are capable of perfectly complementing each other in several ways. Dungeons and Dragons’ Bladesinger Wizards that appreciate martial combat aren’t in Baldur’s Gate 3, but the Wizard/Fighter is still able to be one of the best control casters in the entire game.
By beginning as a Fighter at level one and two to get proficiency in Constitution saving throws and all armor along with Action Surge before taking Wizard levels in the School of Enchantment, for example, players can reliably lock down multiple enemies at once with spells like Slow and Dominate Person in the same turn. From the straight-up offense of the Evocation to the support offered by Abjuration, taking a dip into Fighter can generally surpass the Eldritch Knight.
Baldur's Gate 3 is available now for PC and PS5. Xbox Series X/S versions are in development.
