BG3 subclass debate continues

A look at which Baldur's Gate 3 subclasses underperform and why players debate their usefulness.

BG3 Subclasses Show Mixed Utility Across Builds

Baldur's Gate 3 offers 12 classes and 58 subclasses, giving players a wide range of build options. A Reddit thread highlighted which subclasses are considered weak in most situations and why some players view them as less valuable for a party. Trickery Cleric, for example, is often cited as less effective for damage, pushing players to consider multiclassing to retain utility while boosting combat output. Shadowheart’s default alignment with Trickery Cleric is a common point of critique, and many players suggest respeccing to improve usefulness in many encounters.

Other frequent mentions include Wild Magic Barbarian, which can lead to unpredictable results and does not scale well into mid to late game. Drunken Master Monk, added in Patch 8, is seen as a thematic variant that lags behind Open Hand Monk in practical terms. Transmutation Wizard is praised for camp support and potion mastery but is often outshined on the battlefield by other wizard builds. The debate frames a broader question: in a game built around versatile options, what counts as valuable when the meta evolves?

The discussion exposes how players balance power with flavor. Subclasses can offer strong utility, roleplay potential, or niche quirks that shine in certain party setups. The game’s design encourages experimentation, which means some picks will naturally underperform in many fights but still feel meaningful in a character’s arc or during exploration. The online chatter also shows how balance is dynamic: what is weak today can become viable if a party changes its composition or if patches shift the metagame.

From a design standpoint, the focus on niche strengths and situational bonuses keeps BG3 vibrant. Yet the dialogue around the so‑called weakest paths risks turning players toward a narrow set of “safe” choices. The challenge for developers is to reward experimentation without letting meta dominance erase variety. A healthy balance is not about worst and best, but about meaningful tradeoffs that make every subclass worth considering in the right context.

Highlights

Fans will keep testing builds as the meta evolves and new patches arrive.