Baldur's Gate 3: Barbarian guide BG3 Baldurs Gate 3 guide, walkthrough

Don't know which race to choose for the Barbarian in BG3? Our guide will help you choose a subclass, origin and distribute ability points. We also explain why a Barbarian should not wear armor.

Last update: 27 July 2023

When creating the perfect Barbarian in BG3, you need to choose the right race and origin. On this page, you will read which subclass to choose if you want to fully utilize the most important traits of this class, which are Rage and Unarmoured Defence. We suggest what armor the Barbarian should wear and what bonuses you get for not wearing armor. We also list the best class actions. At the end of the page you will find the best Barbarian build.

• Best origin for a Barbarian
• Best race for a Barbarian
• Barbarian's Ability Scores
• Should the Barbarian wear armor?
• Best Barbarian class actions
• Best Barbarian subclass
• Best Barbarian build

Best origin for a Barbarian

When choosing the Barbarian's background, look for proficiency in skills related to Strength or Dexterity. The ideal backgrounds for this class are:

1. Urchin, granting proficiency in Sleight of Hand and Stealth.
2. Soldier, granting proficiency in Athletics and Intimidation.
3. Outlander, granting proficiency in Athletics and Survival.

Best race for a Barbarian

The main abilities of Barbarians are Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity, so the following races will work best:

1. Shield Dwarf with a +2 in Strength and Constitution.
2. Strongheart Halfling, with a +2 to Dexterity and +1 to Constitution.
3. Human with +1 to every ability.

Barbarian's Ability Scores

1. The most important attribute of the Barbarian is Strength, affecting attack rolls and inflicted damage.
2. The second most important ability for a Barbarian is Constitution. It affects the maximum amount of hit points and provides better protection if you are not wearing armor. The Barbarian's Constitution should not be less than 14 points.
3. Dexterity affects armor class. Regardless of whether you want your Barbarian to wear armor or not, this ability should not be less than 14 points.

Should the Barbarian wear armor?

Many of you probably imagine Barbarians as muscular warriors clad in leather scraps. If you plan to play BG3 as a typical Barbarian, below we have explained one of the most important features of this class - Unarmoured Defence.

Unarmoured Defence grants 10 base armor class points and adds your Constitution and Dexterity modifier to it when not wearing armor.

The Barbarian also comes with several features that makes them benefit from taking damage during combat. Rage is an additional class action that can last 10 turns. Rage ends early if your character has not attacked any creature or has not taken damage since the last turn. If, during your turn, you use an action to do something other than attack, without taking any damage, Rage will end. If your character will be wearing armor, the likelihood of receiving any damage significantly decreases. When creating a Barbarian who's not to wear armor, you must therefore invest more points in Constitution and Dexterity.

If you give your Barbarian more Strength, you'll have higher armor class wearing medium armor, which grants about 15 Armor Class plus your Dexterity modifier. However, you should remember that playing such a Barbarian may cause your Rage to drop more easily in combat.

Best Barbarian class actions

1. Rage - a bonus action available from Level 1 onwards. While Raging, the Barbarian deals 2 extra damage with melee weapons and when throwing items. They also receive damage resistance and advantage in Strength checks and saving throws. Rage ends prematurely if the Barbarian has not attacked anyone or has not taken any damage during their turn.
2. Danger Sense - available from Level 2 onwards. A feat that grants advantage on Dexterity saving throws against traps, spells, and surfaces.
3. Reckless Attack - a class action available from Level 2 onwards, giving advantage on attack rolls to both the Barbarian and all enemies attacking the Barbarian.

Best Barbarian subclass

When your Barbarian reaches Level 3, you will be able to choose a subclass:

1. Berserker - has a bonus class action, which turns Rage into Frenzy. In this state, the Barbarian gains access to two new actions and can attack with an improvised weapon as a bonus action. One of the available bonus actions during a Frenzy is Enraged Throw, which lets you pick up an object or a creature and throw it at a target, dealing bludgeoning damage and knocking it prone.
2. Wildheart - lets you choose out of five different options based on animals:

Bear grants resistance to all damage except for psychic damage and gives you access to self-healing.

Eagle makes the character almost invincible, grants Diving Strike to attack an enemies on lower ground, and Dash as a bonus action.

Deer lets you charge when Raging, dealing 1d4+2 damage and knocking targets prone. The charge does not trigger opportunity attacks. Rage increases your maximum movement.

Tiger can deal damage to three enemies at once and inflict bleeding. Rage increases the range of the character's jumps.

Wolf lets your allies move an additional 3 meters, while your Rage buffs them in combat.

Best Barbarian build

If you prefer a stereotypical Barbarian who doesn't wear armor, choose:

1. Race: Strongheart Halfling
2. Subclass: Berserker
3. Background: Urchin
4. Ability Scores: Strength 14, Dexterity 16, Constitution 15, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma around 10.
5. Weapon: Everburn Blade
6. Armor: Barbarian Clothes

If you prefer a more powerful armored Barbarian, choose:

1. Race: Shield Dwarf
2. Subclass: Wildheart
3. Background: Soldier
4. Ability Scores: Strength 17, Dexterity 14, Constitution 15, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma around 10.
5. Weapon: Blooded Greataxe
6. Armor: Robust Chain Shirt