Baldur's Gate 3 Guide: Optimal Party Composition

[@Fextralife]

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[@dametreuspppp8734]

can yall do a tier list and a op team

[@Deschel88]

Any good Group combo for a Monk? I really want to play a Monk on Campain @Fextralife

[@Deschel88]

Maybe my Monk, Wyll, Shadowheart and Astarion?

[@krucafuks123]

speaking with animals is pretty neat for fuller experience

[@Vak_Fairmont]

Yes I'm a fighter in Multiplayer and it's fun, except I cannot do any talking anymore Checks are too unforgiving, makes sad

[@nemesis7884]

you should have a bard that plays the lute, one that plays the drums, one that plays the flute and one that sings - thats a full band

[@nyarparablepsis872]

Like in Kings of the Wyld 😎

[@Chriswsm]

Did that in Lord of the Rings Online

[@fka2337]

A lore support caster, a swords combat specialist, a valor bardcher utility and bardlock offensive caster - they are all dialogue specialists. Bard is the only class you need

[@wile123456]

​@@fka2337bard would be op in DnD 5e if cleric didn't exist 😂

[@duress8801]

Just play four bards with bows and call the party - Arrowsmith

[@jasonschad5379]

I really think that Barb should be added to the list for dialogue specialist...So far, whenever I want something to go my way, roaring at who ever I'm talking to generally gets me the outcome that I want. It might not be eloquent dialogue, but its very effective.

[@bodycounter9386]

I can't imagine playing a Barbarian and letting other people lead conversations. There are so many class-specific dialogue options for Barbarians.

[@keldor8302]

I struggle immensely with party optimization and balancing it against my character ideas/morality. My other issue, is that I want to engage in the conversations with MY character, and not the companions. Unless, of course, I chose to play one of the origin characters. But, there's one aspect that I'm trying to drill into my head with BG3. And it's that, there's experiences to be had, and gained, by NOT playing through the game with a dialogue expert or even a utility character. Not being able to talk your way out of trouble is EXACTLY what a Barbarian main character is likely to prefer. Trying to play the game to my main character and fitting the group around them is what I'm trying to do. If I can optimize, great. But, I'm not sweating the "dialogue expert" part any more. A perfect example of this is right near the beginning of the game. If you don't take a main character with access to Talk With Animals and/or Animal Handling. There's an interaction with a boar that you don't get at all. The classes most likely to get those things are NOT dialogue experts, typically. There's elements to this game that will only be enjoyed by not bringing a character that's good at conversations as the one to engage with conversations. As they will have other aspects. The looters in the ruins, if you goof whilst sneaking up to the gnome on the box with Astarian. He calls EVERYONE over. I thought I was screwed and would need to reload my quick save. Instead, there was an intimidate option where he flashes his fangs. The entire troop buggered off. In all my times playing Early Access, I never experienced that. It happened because of a mistake I made. And THAT is where BG3 is going to set a precedent that other RPG's will struggle to meet. tl;dr - don't sweat having a dialogue expert. Play the game with interacting as the main character in the way that character would interact. It's a far more rewarding experience. Also, if your biggest concern with "Utility" is someone to handle traps and locks. Any class can get proficiency with the right background or subclass options. Don't sweat it.

[@Overloaded45]

yeah there's a lot of branching conversations and amusing bits if you don't ace all conversations. It's part of what make bg3 such a special game.

[@ThePolkadog]

This was honestly kind of relieving to hear. I want to play as my character and not optimise or do everything perfectly snd it's nice to know that gaining a "bad" outcome isn't necessarily bad

[@vallum12100]

Thought it was weird how it wasnt mentioned how Barbarianshas their own dialog options JUST for them!

[@jekkin8972]

​@@vallum12100most classes and races do

[@kestrel1234]

You do not struggle with walls of text. I do.

[@torsten4558]

Utility could be done by many classes! Trickster cleric, wizard, ranger etc. It could also be split on the party. (druid can make wisdom + intelligence; wizard with high dex could pick locks etc.) Don´t be afraid if you not have a"perfect" party. It´s part of the experience to fail at some situations. It can make your adventure more interesting!

[@gossymer.]

I've have gale go sneaking in the underdark alone thanks to feather fall and have used Shadow heart for lock picking, utility can definitely be covered. I find the hardest but the perception and investigation checks while exploring - high wis and int checks are key to finding stuff.

[@rogen8094]

True! I chose light cleric w/ Persuade proficiency + Shadowheart (trickery cleric) during Early Access and it worked very well. I let SH do a lot of the utility and support casting, while my MC was more offensive caster + dialogue specialist. Lae'zael for Combat specialist and Gale for extra damage + int checks

[@ducky36F]

Think Wizard is getting heavily underrated for utility by the crpg community more used to having to use rogues for those things. Wizard spells like knock, dimension door, fly and invisibility are all in the game and all good utility.

[@garion046]

@ducky36F Agree. The tabletop community know spells are the ultimate utility in most situations. Wizards being able to swap preparations outside combat at will means they will be amazing swiss army knives of utility casting. It should also be remembered that their intelligence will make them good at solving puzzles and reading text or making history, religion, nature or arcana checks, which are also useful utility in many cases.

[@jmass4207]

@@garion046I usually see casting a spell to solve some environmental encounter as a win button you’d like to avoid if possible. At least a good dm will be able to provide balance when the god wizard is doing everything and the rogue is uselessly brooding in the corner. Make them feel the used up spell slots later on.

[@lancesaraceno902]

Dude thank you so much for this video. It’s exactly what i was looking for going forward. As someone who has never played d&d before this was perfect for me. Cant wait

[@Clayton0301]

I consider myself a novice when it comes to this game, so I feel myself questioning every decision I make and I was nervous to have fun. I really appreciate this video breakdown, it was so helpful and I think my gaming experience will be that much better! Sorry for the long winded message, hope anyone who sees this has a great day ♥️

[@garion046]

I think it's worth highlighting the wizard here. It is far more than an offensive spellcaster, given the ability to swap spells outside of combat. It can solve many utility problems and also provide intelligence to solve puzzles or read runes or know history that might progress you through a section. They are the only intelligence class, so without one, you might potentially find items that are useless for your party. Taking one level of fighter up front (and maybe later 2) also gives wizards a massive defensive boost so consider that if you are interested in multiclassing.

[@AresThePoss]

I’ve found that unless I already have a wizard, I NEED multiple utility characters with different skill variation. Usually running an eldritch knight, arcane trickster, or just dumping a stat so I can have a decent intelligence. Wizard has been slept on here, because I think people forget how versatile wizard spell casting truly is.

[@patrickmulder2450]

in my current playthrough I use a Wizard (my char) as the face of the party as well. He got the Diplomacy skill from his background. Use the friend cantrip (Other enchantment magic) and guidance from cleric to buff it and I've rarely missed any checks in conversation so far. Might be a bit more limited since he's only got one conversation skill, but advantage alone can get you far.

[@lololol924]

This. The knock spell removed my need for a utility character entirely. And even without it, you get so many thieves tools, you can brute force locks with a low-moderate dex character Also...who the hell uses a party member as a dialogue specialist? I made my custom character, so I obviously want to be the one having conversations....even if I'm not a charisma class. Those 2 roles are entirely not needed

[@CompletelyNewguy]

Also depending on their subclass they can double the amount of potions they can make. Using enhance ability and guidance can almost guarantee double potions. This is great if you’re making some valuable potions to sell or use.

[@lololol924]

Also, I did some testing. You can break locked chests (assuming they aren't trapped) and it won't destroy ANY loot inside. Have confirmed this in my playthrough and with other KZbin videos testing it. Confirmed that a lockpicker is entirely unneeded in this game outside of trying to be stealthy and stealing without getting caught.

[@MattyIce213]

I'd argue that Clerics could go in the Utility category as well because of Guidance. Guidance is really the ultimate utility ability, it helps with literally every skill check and gives you a decent chance at passing a lot of them even if you don't have someone who's amazing at them.

[@leoleo1035]

Really good when aiming for those "perfect" playthroughs where you may hit most checks. Does it apply to dialogues and interactions though?

[@Sargon-ml4hs]

@@leoleo1035 Unless they've changed it, you can apply guidance to ability checks in dialogues, hilariously you can have shadowheart guide you while making an ability check against her.

[@garion046]

Agree. Guidance is absolutely critical imo. However the good thing is with no multiclassing stat requirements, a 1 level dip into cleric is viable for literally any build so you can always pick up guidance, bless, and a subclass to suit and solve it that way.

[@JimmyMon666]

@@Sargon-ml4hs My question about Shadowheart is how good can she be at picking locks. I don't really want to run with Astarian, but I will if I have to. I'd rather use Shadowheart for utility. If I do end up running with Astarian I'll probably multi class him with a ranger since I'm not big on single class rogues.

[@Sargon-ml4hs]

@@JimmyMon666 I mean, she has proficiency in sleight of hand. Sure, she doesn’t have expertise so she just gets full proficiency bonus + dex mod instead of twice proficiency + dex mod. Also shadowheart guarantees you have access to guidance assuming you keep her class. To the best of my understanding there is no increase in DC when you fail a lockpicking check and there are plenty of thieves tools at least in the first part of the game. The bigger issue is that you’d need to make sure someone in your party has proficiency in perception to detect traps. TLDR I think you can get by with shadowheart for sleight of hand checks. The only downside will be super late game where a dex based class will have been pumping dex instead of wisdom and prof bonus is larger making the disparity between expertise and no expertise larger. Editing because of changes between EA and release. Shadowheart got hit pretty hard in terms of lock picking ability. They changed her background from urchin to acolyte meaning she no longer has sleight of hand proficiency. Also due to racial changes she no longer has a +1 racial bonus to Dex so I’d recommend having someone else deal with locks/traps. Or have a martial character just destroy whatever you’re trying to get into.

[@OrangeNebula]

In DOS2, we found that Dialogue specialists were often better with a martial class as they many times would lead to combat and be positioned in the middle of what immediately turned into a hostile group. If the dialogue specialist was a caster or ranger with a bow, often times this would lead to not getting optimal range as the dialogue triggered combat. Wondering if this will be the case on BG3

[@bobbobby475]

By level 3 most casters get access to misty step, even using items. Regardless tho, having 100% early access multiple times in multiple ways I believe it's fine to have your squishy character chat and it lead to combat

[@zuzannapuchaa9427]

I was worried about that too but after playing EA it felt like positioning/high ground isn't as important in BG3 normal mode compared to DOS2. Obviously it gives a nice advantage, but I was able to immediately get good value from my ranged classes besides starting a fight in melee. Also in my opinion enemies are generally more scattered in BG3, they cast less AoE skills (it might change in later acts tho) and there is less enviromental effects (barrels etc). Sometimes having casters in melee range was beneficial because I could cast thunderwave on the enemy and one shoot them in one turn by knocking them off the edge.

[@Viper3220]

Yes. This. Your dialogue specialist should definitely not also be versed in stealth as Larian doesn't allow you to use the skills of other characters in dialogue but rather only the skills of the one who initiated dialogue.

[@gossymer.]

One could also consider a caster with AoEs ranging from self and an exit strategy (thunder wave, misty step etc) - though if you know you're gonna be starting fights you could also pick deadly spells for the bbeg in touch range, like contagion etc or command to have them drop their powerful weapon and the book it 😂

[@IAteYourSandwich]

Just have your Dialogue Specialist be a Bard with the Invisibility spell. Greater Invisibility or Dimension Door at higher levels, If a fight breaks out, you go invisible/teleport and get back. Make it a Valor Bard, not for the extra attack, you will barely use that, but for the Medium Armor and a Shield, for the couple enemies that roll higher than you on Initiative. Warlock and Sorcerer can do this too. Warlock gets Misty Step for example. But they don’t get Medium Armor and Shield without a Feat better used on something else. Bard also has some of the best support spells in the entire game. Whomever else needs to be far away to protect themselves and deal damage will also get ways to retreat, in the case of my own party, my Evoker Wizard will have Misty Step and Invisibility himself as well. And then blast in there with Sculpted Spells. While your bulkier, melee characters can just stay in there, in my case it will be Karlach as a Bear Totem Barbarian/Battle Master Fighter.

[@Ethan_Coble]

I would argue that Druid can also be placed into utility. There are a lot of places that Druids can get to with wildshape in the game that other classes simply cannot. They can also naturally speak with animals.

[@travishartzler9155]

Having a party of 6 in BG1 and 2 made this easier, but the multiclassing system in BG3 helps a lot.

[@c1pherx]

This game will consume way too much time for me. Can't wait! 😁

[@grimmjow0106]

This isnt a game , it’s a portal to an adventure…. A transportive immersive exp that’ll last for years 😉

[@some_random_guy_mk2]

Santa came early. 😄

[@legitdragon6202]

Yep, I'm taking a little vacation time, and I'm sure some people would look at me sideways for not 'going somewhere' - well, I'm going to Baldur's Gate 😁

[@odinulveson9101]

I need to touch as much grass and socialice before vanishing to Toril ( planet of Faerun, Sword Coast, Baldurs Gate )😁 And inbetween breaks! But taking a trip to the nearby forest and mountains might give me withdrawal illusions in form of seeing green dragons and forest gnomes😂

[@KazuYuuu]

Keep in mind that although wizard is the only class that purely scales with INT in the game, there's at least one early game item which can set INT to a flat value of 17 and you can use that item on a character that has proficiency is INT skill checks even if they dumped intelligence for some decent coverage of skills like Arcana, History, and Investigation

[@garion046]

While this is true, the wizard has the advantage of incredible spell utility at will, can learn new spells, and has excellent offensive and control options. And if you get items that boost int orherwise the wizard is by far the best user of them, and can make use of all other caster focused items too. So there's still good reasons to pick a wizard!

[@rogen8094]

*Lump the Enlightened disapproves*

[@TheSergio1021]

As much as I like ability score-upgrading gear, that design is just stupid, and should be reserved only for late game

[@CsStrez]

Personally that item seems perfect for someone like a Arcane Trickster rogue or Eldritch Fighter, allowing them to dump int in character creation to have high str/dex/con etc, and then get 17int for free.

[@5-Volt]

​@@CsStrezI did that in EA. Made a Gith Wizard that dumped INT for STR & CON and was a shitty fighter because I still had prof in heavy armor & weapons until I got the circlet. Then I was a good wizard with a high ass AC. Lol

[@daanvandee257]

This video is exactly what I needed. I always struggle to come up with a good party comp. I remember I wasted so much time and energy doing so with DoS2. And this game is much more deep when it comes to those options. Thx!

[@FLStyle]

I'm leaning towards Astarion, Shadowheart, Karlach and my custom Sorcerer for my first playthrough which seems to match up well with your guide 👍

[@DrukenReaps]

Something I might have added is you want 1 or 2 characters that can take a few serious hits without going down. Typically in these sorts of games if all your characters are squish you are not going to have a good time in combat. Though, following your suggestions here I think it'd be difficult to not have at least one tougher character.

[@gossymer.]

The question becomes for you want a combat specialist who can soak up damage like a Barbarian or Mon druid or doesn't take damage in the first place due to heavy armor etc. And do you want to relegate then to the role of tank or do you want them to be dps instead, and take great weapon master or dual wield strong weapons in melee or using ki like a monk. Everyone can use weapons in game but combat specialists can make a fight like the one with the forge guardian a cake walk...

[@jft0986]

​@@gossymer.Maybe a barbarian with a speed potion? Multiple actions = high dmg, yet at the same time being tanky enough to take hits. Just chug another potion if the first one runs out of turns😂

Common strategy I used in games like these is to actually have two martial beefcakes with high tankiness and damage both. And then use two casters to support the shit out of them. If you pair lets say Barb+paladin with bard and sorc, you basically use your two casters to make your two martials an absolute behemoths, with things like twinned haste from sorc, inspirations and buffs from bards, and controlling battlefield by hypnotic patterns and such, so you dont just get overrun. Casters really shine in this role, they are much more effective this way than just by dealing damage (except for fireballing dozens of kobolds ofc). Works wonders in solasta for example. Other way to do it is to use 3 casters and strong ranged - rogue/ranger/sorlock. You spec your cleric to be tanky meele caster, your druid to create meatshields by conjure and summon spells, last caster to suit your general needs, and one super strong ranged dps to wipe out everything in range that escapes your frontline.

[@ASoberBear]

So stop running 4 bears…?

[@Inconspicuoustwrex]

Another way to build your group, you kinda hinted at, is by stat. You need a strong, a chatty, a dexy, a smart, and a wise character. You can combine strong and chatty, paladin, dexy and chatty, bard, dexy and wise, ranger, as examples. Generally, there are lots of dex, cha, and wis skills. So keeping those on separate characters lets your group cover more proficiencies.

[@Remilation]

Few other tips I like to point out that i see being missed in alot of these party comp videos is as follows 1 try and go for 2 melee / 2 Range This prevents bottle necking and overcrowding. 2 Spread your Damage types. try not to all use slashing or piercing and different elements. This will help when you fight bosses immune to damage types. Keeping Extra weapons on hand to combat this isn't a bad idea either. Example my Barbarian Mainly ran with 2hnd Sword but also kept the 2 hand maul for fights that bludgeing damage was better.

[@nyarparablepsis872]

Liezel the combat specialist is the German exchange fighter replacing Lae'zel while she takes a much needed vacation.

[@Needlesse]

Laezel does give off German wibes tbh. In a good way!

[@WhirlwindHeatAndFlash]

@@Needlesse report now to your local work camp in order to receive mandatory happiness

[@Fextralife]

HA!

[@ianfowler9505]

Depending on sub classes and builds lots of the classes fit in categories outside your list. Wizards make great support casters, they can't heal but debuffs can be more effective than heals. Clerics can be built as pretty great offensive casters too. Or good in combat.

[@rogadip]

Monk should be on the utility list as well. High Dex and Wis means good lockpicking, disarming traps and perception. All the utility you really need.

[@WhirlwindHeatAndFlash]

and he shouldnt be on the combat specialist side because hes trash KEKW

[@garion046]

Generally speaking in tabletop, I would say monks can be ok at these things, but without expertise they fall fairly far behind bards and rogues. I would, however, say that wizards can be incredible utility. They have a wide array of spells that can solve most of the situations listed, as well as adding flight or invisibility, and having the intelligence to solve puzzles, read runes or know history etc. Given that you can swap at will outside combat, wizards will almost always have the right tool for the job on hand.

[@MrSmexyPain]

Without expertise and without spells… very lacking. They’re a martial class and it kinda stops there. Like a fighter.

[@charlock593]

Monk is probably the worst class in the game

[@StBurkeINC]

personally going shadow monk as a rogue equivalent

[@RobC1983]

This video is PERFECT for new players, thanks so much!

[@Bzk--]

Thank you so much for this video. I was still undecided on what to play and approaching it considering which party members i know i want helped me make up my mind. Funnily enough its exactly the first conposition you mentioned with karlach shadowheart and wyll 😂

[@SirCharles12357]

Your Best video yet! Highly organized, useful, and accurate! Simply fantastic job!!

[@peterrautenbach1298]

I have not played this game yet but I have played a TON of D&D and I’d place Wizards in the support caster column too. They don’t heal and buff as much as the other classes but the sheer number of spells they have means they have access to number of combat utility and control spells. The God Wizard guide from 5e is a wizard who casts almost no damage spells and focuses on battlefield control but in doing so they can help their party win fight more often than if they were spamming fireball. All depend on how you build your wizard.

[@mozmger]

Thanks for video m8 My 1st playthrough Monk - Dark Urge Cleric - Shadowheart Warlock - Wyll Barbarian - Karlach

[@greedowins]

Wizard is also a superb support caster, with access to the deepest spell list. Often a less effective blaster than Sorcerer, but highly versatile (especially with the ability to re-choose the specialty. Of my 3 planned builds, 2 are wizards :)

[@garion046]

The ability to switch spells out of combat at will means they are amazing utility, beyond even what they offer in tabletop, where they are usually good utility anyway. Being able to just grab knock, fly, feather fall, jump etc when needed is just incredible.

[@Lutasiren]

@@garion046 they should allow wizard to learn spell from any class, what a fun killer. wizard already has less hp and proficiency, using a wizard's spell slot and action to cast other classes' spells is basically like using a lv3 spell slot to cast a lv2 spell. while u can just stand still throwing fire ball, arcane missle and end the combat here and there, ppl are dumb enough to think they need some sort of "utility." They should at least be able to do that.

[@deborahsmith1546]

Thank you so much for this video. I was sitting here trying ot figure out who to have in my party based on the class I want to play. This is very useful and informative.

[@themuzzy2020]

My struggle is I know which companions I want to bring and also know what class I’ll start with, which leaves some of these bases uncovered. I’m also not interested in reclassing any of them because I want their story to feel as organic as possible.

[@guillaumeprudhomme7630]

I have the same struggle. I want to do a good playthrough but don't feel like playing a ranger, rogue or bard. so.... I was going for tempest cleric as main, karlach wildheart barbarian, gale as wizard and .... astarion...? But hes evil and I dont like him haha

[@vdhzeno]

Yeah, same here. I'm going to play vengeance paladin and i want karlach in my party too, but i hate the overlap.

[@SlickMajestic]

Don't over concern yourself. BG3 isn't a fraction as difficult as BG1 or BG2, and you really don't need an "ideal" party to go through the game. You can take two clerics if you want, or two rogues, etc. and you'll be fine. Enemies don't start turn with high level spellcasters that script-cast 10 different protective shields at the start of combat and then cast every known confusion/daze/hold/maze spell in existence at you in the first 5 seconds of combat like in the original two BGs. Someone who can pick locks and detect traps is still somewhat needed, like in the originals, but otherwise the party composition in this game isn't as important. Nor are you given the party slots to make it as important.

really good solution is to take wyll as lvl2 warlock and multiclass him into bard for a shitton of skills/profficiencies/expertise. This way you keep your eldritch blast offensive progression and gets skill monkey, dialogue specialist AND support caster - covering 4 bases in one character.

[@LymeGreen04]

I think it would be cool if you, wolfheart and 2 other content creators did a playthrough together when the opportunity allows. And role play as best of your ability your character.

[@odinulveson9101]

I approve of this!

[@celuiquipeut6527]

I would pay to watch this!

[@degreeskelvin3025]

I second that

[@MGC-XIII]

Did you watch Jesse Cox, Dodger, Crendor and Stripin play Divinity original sin 2?

[@korenogamer6075]

Great Idea. However, make is a Saturday afternoon livestream party and not a pre-recorded lets play. Once a week is fine. Need to let the guys do their own thing too like guides and stuff

[@beta_1015]

Been loving these videos, absolutely extatic for BG3

[@Steve_Keen]

I'm loving playing a bard. So versatile, face of the party, and some really, really great dialogue options.

[@MarvelOfRain]

Some tips about the Utility role in case you (like) don't want to bring any of the 3 options - any character can be respeced to start with a single level of rogue to fill this role (Sleight of Hand and Perception expertise, Stealth and Insight proficiency). This can be very valuable for example on Shadowheart if you play around with her stats to give her more Dex and keep her Wis high. Yes she will be a level behind when it comes to spellcasting, but at level 12 she will only loose a single feat and nothing else. You need to choose a correct level to do it at, but if nothing else it will be completly free at level 12. I have done it at level 6 personally, since the two level 3s at 5 are very painful to miss. Think this might be a very good strategy to balance most party comps since Shadowheart can essentially fill the two most niché roles by herself. You can go even further and give her the Light cleric subclass (comes with Fireball and tons of other spells). With that Shadowheart is an offensive caster, support caster and an utility character all in one!

[@nawawii3750]

This is the most useful categorization of classes, majes perfect sebse, and nax efficiency. Helps a ton

[@MrBiiila]

Astarion and Shadowheart will be my two stable companion for the first run for sure. They don't like each other particularly, but I like funny dialogues. 😅

[@chrisbennett1358]

The game is incredible. Waited over 20 years for it and it's beyond my expectations. I only have one tiny tiny criticism. I wish we could have a party of 6 like BG1 & BG2

[@kevinhardisty6465]

This was an extremely helpful guide, thanks so much

[@aliquidcow]

This is really well explained and very helpful for me deciding on my party. I'm trying to strike a balance between having the companion characters I most like and having a well-balanced party, which is difficult. I may end up going with a slightly sub-optimal party in the end because the important thing for me is the story, but it's helpful to be able to understand all this.

[@WingZX1103]

Personally...the only thing I'm changing is shadowheart from trick cleric to life cleric

[@hasseo195]

ditto^^

[@dominika3762]

Ouch. Plotwise horrible. But you do you :)

[@Run_Paul_Run]

I will change her to light cleric, maybe even build a multiclass with 2 lvl of fighter and 2 lvl of wizard.

[@bobmishima3295]

I'm changing Shadowheart to Tempest Cleric and Storm Sorc multiclass. Girl gonna be smiting everyone.

[@hasseo195]

@@dominika3762 Why? Even as a life cleric can she follow Shar. And her more or less only role is, to heal the party. And that can she do at the best, as a life cleric. I dont use any of her trickster ability. Aside of maybe the "scarecrow" (forgot the name), that help the people in meele fights.

[@luckyday5721]

This has helped a lot because I'm wanting my main Playthrough to be a Sorcerer and knew one companion I wanted Karlach as a Tank because I'm squishy but wasn't sure about the rest.

[@aldirnila6215]

I am already used to build optimal parties in RPGs but your video was still very interesting and useful, thanks.

[@grey_wind]

This is great info. Even if I don't *optimize* my party, it's still important to know what important functions I'll need to fill. Thank you for another great video!

[@deepbreeze9058]

I feel like trikster cleric as utility is the miss here. Shadowheart can fill that role as well as support caster, giving you more flexibility with your MC.

[@drewgunner14]

The optimal party you showed is exactly what im running through right now. Main character is a paladin, healer is shadowheart, astarion and gales exchanges are hilarious.

[@benjamincruzj]

You Sir, never fail to deliver. Outstanding work as always, thank you!

[@e-motep876]

Thanks for all the tips, I now feel more confident in the choices I will make when starting my playthrough.

[@Smoji069]

I think that this is great for beginners who don't really want to worry about missing out on content. I think that once you figure out the nuances you can really have a party of all clerics or bards or really whatever and cover all of your bases. I personally intend on doing an oath of ancients paladin or tempest cleric with karlach, shadowheart, and wyll as my party. ( I might sub out wyll for gale or halsin im not sure yet. Im actually really interested to see the changes they did with wyll to be honest.)

[@Fextralife]

Oh you absolutely can. But I would not recommend this to a new player until they've gotten their bearings.

[@Emet30]

This has been a helpful guide. I am playing as a goody two shoes paladin and I have your recommended companion make up and I'm winning more battles with this make up.

[@kylekermgard]

Astarion, shadowheart, gale is the base of like every party I've done in bg3. I might end up doing something like 4 melee strikers on release

[@celuiquipeut6527]

Does having them around add a lot of dialogues with npc? Or do you have the same dialogue option? I plan on 0laying with my own character, s8nce the origin i either dont like or dont fit my party composition. If all i lose is overworld dialogue between them, i am ok with it. If i miss on quest...i might have to force myself. Since you played them, i was curious. Whats your take on this?

[@Shilian01]

yes they are what I am gravitating toward too, Wyll is kinda mid and Layzel, I think ill trow her out of the spaceship on release day.

[@arionrufus3190]

Thanks for this guide. This really helps bcs I really struggle with games that have a lot of options for party members

[@MeldinX2]

I'm making Astarion into a Bard for sure. This way he can still be a skill money but in my party i really need some support/spellcasting. Since i want to be a paladin but also have Karlach and shadowheart into my party.

[@Shilian01]

yeah I think I will totally do the same, I like the character but rogue does not really click for me, as the best combo you can make with the class are cheesy as hell.

[@UnstableInstrumental]

Ive watched alot of your videos but this is the first one that had me nodding my head and taking notes without realizing it 😅.

[@ackwell11]

I understand the want from people to optimize their group but it just seems to me like that ends up with you picking a custom character or companions that will be "optimal" instead of actually something you actually want. And for the "face of the party" character I just find it odd not to use my own character since that's who I am immersing myself with and I am the one actually playing the game. But if I want to "optimize" I gotta limit my options severly because of this. TLDR I'm just gonna play whatever I want using whatever companions I want

[@restraineddoughnut2495]

I think this is a really good video, I do like what you added about subclasses because I do recommend people check their subclasses. A lot of subclasses play differently in DND. Some casters become martial classes for example. Definitely something to look out for.

[@ssn139]

If "optimal" means optimal for game experience & not just combat & skill checks, I'm expecting I'm going to want to mix and match characters through out the game. Like in early access, I want to take Wyll with me to the goblin encampment, even if he's not "optimal". Or Lae'zel to the bridge with her 'friends'. Probably good to maintain some balance through these changes, but at least for me this will be a priority.

[@jameswhite3043]

Well said. BG3 isn't the sort of game you need to min/max in. I think optimziers, especially combat focused folks, are going to find the game disappointingly easy.

[@gossymer.]

Progressing character's questlines can be great... until they self sabotage (laezel triggers a fight on the bridge if you don't interfere) and wyll would have kharlach's head, so there is a bit of juggling and deciding.... Are you interested in this companion enough to see them through their folly or are you sick of their shenanigans and want to just get passed the encounter? In some cases keeping them in camp is the less explosive option 😅

[@Dahkeus3]

Been playing with my barbarism handling dialogue and haven’t felt limited since intimidation is just another form of charisma.

[@sethanon8732]

I honestly cannot wait to play this I am going to lose sooo much time to this game

[@Dark-Lord-Of-The-Sith]

After playing D&D since AD&D 2nd Edition, you have some very honest Truths in this breakdown. A well rounded party has always been a fighter type, a healer, a thief, and a heavy caster. That is the basic needs of a party. Cleric and Paladin can overlap in a couple areas. Paladin is of course the Frontline. The Cleric is also a great 2nd fighter. Heavy armor and a shield. Bonus Action heals. The paladin also acts like a backup healer with Lay On Hands. You have to have the thief, you miss out on so much without one. If you spec the rogue for the 2nd bonus action, you can have the stealth killer that crits and jumps back into the shadows on the same turn. The heavy caster is an open slot. I personally have never played a lot of magic-users in my time but they are definitely needed. Wizard would probably be best depending on the subclass. I love Shadowheart so I am definitely taking her. Not a fan of the sun vampire guy. Gale can be a little too uppity for my taste. I have also loved the Drow. I will either play a Drow Rogue of a Priestess of Lolth and double down on the Cleric and have vamp boy as my rogue.

[@korenogamer6075]

Would it be too much to ask to have an "Introduction to the Companions" Video for release? Just a rundown of all the companions, their personalities, and what they are good/bad at.

[@Halauris]

That would be great.

[@markhackett2302]

Might be worth doing for each companion "What are the best options to multiclass your companions as". For example, if you put La'ezel as Fighter5 then put a single Nature Domain Cleric with a respec to 14 Wisdom, and pick "Guidance", "Speak with Animals" and "Goodberry" you get enough from that choice to make up for losing the last feat at Level12, but the Improved Extra Attack is still worth getting, so you would not put more than that one level in her. And so on for other companions, so that they can also fill in for more roles without completely redoing their class, and mean you do not HAVE to have certain companions or lose out on a balanced party.

[@solomaxlevelplayer5582]

Full Offensive Caster party. My brain is not made for strategy only for DPS

[@strixfiremind]

If you burn it fast enough, you don't get hurt

[@djnorth2020]

Great tool to figure out optimal party. And like you said we don't have to, some people want to see the world burn and bring party members who don't get along just to have fun at their expense.

[@gossymer.]

This was really awesome for anyone trying to figure out their party composition. Maybe you could do a guide on how to develop each companion into each of these categories without having to fully change their existing class? For instance, shadowheart could work easily for support and utility, what with her pass without trace, guidance and using options like enhance ability etc. She could also be respeced to light cleric for fireballs to cover offensive and support caster who stays in the back. Would love to see what options you recommend for the companions so players can choose the class(es) they love and still have a great time since they understand how they can build or respec their party. Also, i fear one or more companion may leave in act 2 or 3 so knowing how to do without them in worse case scenarios would be nice (i know we have hirelings, but it's not the same as a companion with shared goals...) Great vid as always!

[@dictatrix11]

And Shadow Heart has Sleight of Hand and a decent dexterity score (and guidance), so she can basically fill the roll of the rogue

[@ScytheNoire]

Classic party fills the need, and four of the Origin Companions fit. Fighter, Cleric, Wizard, Rogue, and Bard.

[@ObsidianKnight90]

Moon Druids are combat specialists, support casters, and offensive casters all at once. If you make them a Githyanki Urchin they can also serve as your dialogue specialist and utility character as they can have proficiency with Stealth, Sleight of Hand, Insight, Perception, and all Charisma skills. Your party comp at that point is just whoever the heck you like the most.

[@letsgetremixed1345]

Currently running my first playthrough with astarion, shadowheart, will, and a wizard, definetly a challenge but still fun!

[@funkyskibo]

Excellent information. Thank you. You are a rock star of video game guides.

[@SPSteve]

Great video! Certainly shines a light on party creation.

[@tones7mca]

Nice vid, thank you. Sorlock = Powerful offensive caster and dialogue. Spore-Druid = support bless/guidance/healz etc PLUS a huge army to deal damage. Rogue-thief = Utility traps/lockpicks/pickpockets AND high offensive damage. Fighter or Barbarian, dealers choice = huge offensive damage and tanking ability (I prefer fighter). That is my optimised party. It also spreads the armour/gear/weapons nicely. Cleric can be interchanged with Druid to fulfil a similar role. I switch to cleric if undead are a factor. Could also choose a Ranger or Monk for the offensive martial slot but neither are ideal for tanking.

[@BardicPossum]

The party I’m currently making is Minthara, shadow heart and astarion (first dark urge, second play through, EVIL) and I’m playing a sorcerer. Nearly perfectly fits.

[@californialove8185]

Great video, ive been looking for something like this for the past month or so ... Thank you

[@garion046]

Great video! For more analysis of roles and compositions, the Dungeon Dudes have excellent videos on the topic. Obviously, it's not a perfect translation from tabletop to BG3, but much of it is useful. They assign more roles, but the vibe is similar. I think it's important with combat specialists to define dps from tank though. If you only have dps, you're going to need a lot of support to keep your melee class going, and if you only have a tank, you need to make sure you have dps elsewhere. Imo it's easier to add dps to a tank than defense to a dps class, Barbarians, fighters and paladins being the prime candidates.

[@Lutasiren]

feel like the idea of a tank is stupid in its core in a game where everyone would have at least 17AC at the end of act1, and whether or not u are "tanking" mostly depends on whether or not u pick up a stupid shield. And it would be much more stupid in the full version, as it is stated multiple times in tactic mode enemies would focus on units with lowest AC, so good luck on whatever the "tank" you have.

[@lenacayman873]

As a Sorcerer/Bard you can fill three roles - Face of the Party, Offensive Caster & Support Caster 🤘 I started out as a Sorcerer, the others are playing Fighter, Cleric/Palladin & Rogue/Monk ... our Cleric/Paladin going down all the time made me take 1 Lvl in Bard to get Healing Word & I am enjoying it a lot to be able to pick everyone up from a distance :D plus some Psychic DMG spells from the Bard spell list, when you run into enemies resistant to all the elemental stuff from the Sorcerer Spell List 🎉

[@NewAge374]

This is excellent advice for trying out the exact opposite! I think for roleplay reasons and fostering creativity between playthroughs it will be essential for some players (myself included) to change things up and give yourself a little challenge in one field or another.

[@FantogemeStudios]

Multiclassing can also pick up the slack in some regards. I'm currently playing a Sorcerer and picked up Rogue to fill in for Astarion. It's worked out surprisingly well. So basically, if you don't want to re-work your character from the ground up, you could add a few levels in on another class provided it synergizes well with what you're already working with.

[@natebookout811]

I ended up multiclassing as a Wizard/Bard, but I only have 12 charisma. I've had plenty of fun playing with my main as a dialogue specialist despite that--he's actually great at 3 roles, dialogue, utility, and offensive magic.

[@lukeparsons1187]

Thanks. This definitely helps. I've gotten to the point in act 1 now where I have a lot of companion choices and wasn't sure what to do. As I am a ranger, I will switch to the barbarian companion and keep shadowheart, and swap Gale for Wyll.

[@chriscarbone670]

Thanks for the video. I plan 2 custom playthroughs with 1 evil and 1 good approach, so that also influences my companion choices. That way, I can use most all of the companions in 2 distinct groups.

[@primusnephilim]

Great video! booked marked this one, taking these suggestions into my second play through.

[@mishiara5499]

I will always go with a bard in every comp for charisma checks with expertise for dialogs, as well as a rogues for dex checks with expertise for assassination outside of combat with stealth, as well as expertise ib slight of hand. These things will make your life so much easyer.

[@Mrbigmike311]

As a first playthrouught I always play as one of the origins character because of the special quest! And this allows me to just get a feel for the game! My second play is usually a brand new character I want to have fun and experience

[@PheonoxGaming]

This was a very comprehensive guide, well done!

[@JustSayRance]

Honestly, I think that a Tav run excels the most with a high CHA class. That way you can choose what YOU want while your party reacts to those choices

[@SwiftFate]

From an RP and fun perspective, Dialog, while important, should be considered to be optional overall. Fact is, it can actually be MORE fun to fail dialog checks sometimes..Actually, most of the time, when speaking with NPC's. The exception here is when said check might result in you gaining some kind of item or access to somewhere that you don't want to find another way in to. Generally though, I have found that having an average Charisma, with a possible proficiency in one of options is actually more fun for me overall in my personal experience. It means that I still have a very fair chance of succeeding in checks, but failure really does come down to the dice. Something that is VERY D&D-esque. The dice make the true choices for us, we just roll them. Edit: Seriously. Fail the dice roll on convincing so & so to give you the key? Steal it. Pull out a lute and play a song while your Rogue pickpockets him. Cast Silence on an area out of sight, lure him there and kill him. There are so many options

[@squbisnack5478]

Very good video, lots of important information. MUST watch for new players.

[@FreakazoidRobots]

I wish I'd watched this earlier. As much as I wanted to try out crazy party comps, this really does make life easier.

[@persistentpally]

Great video - part of what is difficult for me is choosing who I want in my party. I started as a Ranger - I play ranged characters by default having played a paladin only one time in eariler D&D versions. I didn't think about Optimal Party Composition until I made a few Act one playthroughs and started to see the real difference. After debating between 5 levels of Gloomstalk Ranger, 4 levels of Rogue Assassin (I think you used Thief), and 3 levels of Fighter Champion or BattleMaster, I gave up on Ranger class for now and chose Bard - College of Swords. I'm more satisfied with the role playing (which I really enjoy the Bard specific dialog and options), and the solid damage output that a Bard can do with Flourish and spells.

[@tangledfish]

In my mind the strongest conversationalist is actually an arcane trickster rogue that dumps intellect to take advantage of the early headband. Wood elf rogue, sage background. starting stats: STR 10, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 14, Cha 12. Between background and subrace you get perception, stealth, arcana and history. Then pick sleight-of-hand, investigation, insight and whichever conversation skill you want to bump slightly. Deception is probably the most thematic. At level 3 when you get to go arcane trickster take the friends cantrip. Then, once you're wearing the headband and have 17 int, you've got a character that is a strong combatant, a great thief, provides tons of utility and can pass almost every conversation check that may come up.

[@WeHaveBurgersAtHome]

My first party was a bardlock, Wyll as a lockadin, and then two flex slots that saw Karlach, Lae'zel, Shadowheart, Astarion, Gale, and Halsin all as different builds at different points. The only companions I haven't changed in terms of class or who I haven't multiclassed are Karlach, Shadowheart, and Halsin, who are all their base class. Everyone else has changed significantly or is multiclassed in a way that compliments their base, Astarion multid into gloom stalker for example.

[@Erdinmor]

"Try not to have to much overlap" - and here I am looking back fondly at my first BG2 playthrough party consisting of 5 melee characters... (oh and then there was Imoen somewhere in the background)

[@odinulveson9101]

Great guide, clean and color coded 👍Will link it to a friend of mine. Also a solution to a lack of roles is to multiclass. Say I want to be a Sorcerer and have Warlock Wyll and Wizard Gale as the mage trio of awesomeness + say Kharlack as brawler. Well I could have one of us spec into an utility/ support class. Rogue, Druid, Cleric. A solution if you want to absolutely bring certain characters but their roles might be unfullfilling

[@derekcampbell2686]

1. Healing items on a pure cleric usually Jaheria or Shadowheart upcasting aid and also hero’s feast at the start of the day. Maybe a mass healing word at the start of combat to give everyone so temp hp, and two rounds of blade ward and bless. 2. Radiant orb build- 5 any cleric/ 7 open hand monk (abusing the free radiant damage from punching, and spirit guardian loves monk’s extra unarmored movement. (Heavy damage/heavy debuff…. Karlach usually) 3. A charisma-based crit-item build paladin/warlock Laezel or minthara 4. Tav- open hand monk 8, spore Druid 3, wizard 1 For Tav, gith is my favorite, followed closely by half orc, followed at a slight distance by wood elf. Shout out to Teifling, Dragonborn, and deep gnome simply for their appearances.

[@summerboy8592]

I like playing the game with role play in mind. Right now I'm playing as Panda. And he's literally the "chill dog" meme. And he gets around the main story so nonchalant that the game can't help but to give him the "good ending." I never got past Act 1, so I don't know what this looks like at all but it's fun trying to piece things together to see if taking the winning conversations would take me to the "good ending." Also, Gale. Quit flirting with my Panda. He is canonically just a panda. He's an animal. You... beast-lover!

[@Othniel327]

The challenge one would run into by stacking support and offensive caster on the same character is spell slots.

[@AdamSLowe]

I just brought mine on a month-long working vacation. Like you said, it’s not perfect. But it was awesome for travel with a mini-studio. Everything fit in a single pelican case.

[@Sousless]

Great video! Exactly what I was interested to see!

[@damienspectre4231]

After 20 years of RPG I've found 1 Tank + 1 Cleric + 1 DPS + 1 Rogue works every damn time

[@lordcorgi6481]

Two of my favorite classes are Rogue and Bard. You can almost avoid any fight and get into almost every area.