Baldur's Gate 3 Character Building Guide: Top 11 Builds for Honor Mode

Introduction

• Overview of the top 11 builds for winning in Honor Mode.
• Discussion of strengths, weaknesses, and unique mechanics of each build.
• Links to detailed build guides in the description for in-depth exploration.
• Emphasis on powerful builds to help carry a party through Honor Mode.

Criteria for "Best Builds"

• Definition of "Best": Easiest builds to win with, especially for new players.
• Important Criteria:
  • Power: Damage output, control capabilities, tankiness, armor class, saving throws.
  • Resiliency: Ability to recover from bad situations (RNG, bugs, mistakes).
  • Ease of Play: Complexity of decisions, smoothness of gameplay.

Top 11 Builds

11. Lodin (Paladin/Warlock)

• Combines Paladin's melee strength with Warlock's spellcasting.
• Strengths:
  • High burst damage with Warlock spells.
  • Charisma-based control and attack bonuses.
  • Versatile in melee and ranged combat.
• Weaknesses:
  • Primarily melee-focused; relies on positioning.
  • Relatively slow early game development.

10. Moon Druid

• Best early game character; excels from levels 1-3.
• Strengths:
  • High tankiness with multiple hit point pools.
  • Access to powerful control spells.
  • Great mobility through wild shape forms.
• Weaknesses:
  • Setup turns required, low burst damage in melee.

9. Assassin Archer

• Builds around Gloomstalker Ranger and Assassin Rogue.
• Strengths:
  • Massive burst damage with critical hits on first turn.
  • High survivability with good armor class.
  • Great utility spells and mobility.
• Weaknesses:
  • Relatively slow early game.

8. Fire Sorcerer

• Uses Draconic Sorcerer to maximize fire damage.
• Strengths:
  • High burst damage with Scorching Ray.
  • Great control and utility spells.
  • Excellent action economy with multiple spell casts.
• Weaknesses:
  • Rest dependent for high damage output.
  • Relatively squishy.

7. Cleric

• Versatile support class with strong spells.
• Strengths:
  • Great utility spells and healing.
  • Can fill many roles within the party.
  • Strong defensively with armor and spells.
• Weaknesses:
  • Rest dependent; low skill access for non-combat roles.

6. Lightning Lord (Sorcerer/Wizard/Cleric)

• Combines powerful elemental damage with utility spells.
• Strengths:
  • High burst damage with Witch Bolt.
  • Excellent utility and control options.
  • Great action economy with multiple spell casts.
• Weaknesses:
  • Relatively squishy; slow early game.

5. Abjuration Wizard

• Defensive wizard build with damage mitigation.
• Strengths:
  • Nearly invulnerable with Arcane Ward.
  • Great control spells and consistent damage.
  • Can absorb significant damage.
• Weaknesses:
  • Rest dependent; difficult to attract enemy attention.

4. Berserker Barbarian Thrower

• Uses thrown weapons for high damage output.
• Strengths:
  • Consistent and high damage output.
  • Range and damage versatility.
  • Good utility with rogue skills.
• Weaknesses:
  • Requires setup turn for rage activation.
  • Delayed access to alert bonus.

3. Open Hand Monk

• High mobility and burst damage with melee attacks.
• Strengths:
  • Extremely high attack potential and crowd control.
  • Never misses attacks; high burst damage.
  • High mobility and utility.
• Weaknesses:
  • Squishy compared to other melee characters.
  • Multi-attribute dependent.

2. Eldritch Knight Thrower

• Focuses on ranged weapon attacks with fighter and wizard abilities.
• Strengths:
  • Highest burst damage potential with multiple attacks.
  • Good survivability and utility options.
  • Excellent action economy.
• Weaknesses:
  • Requires setup for maximum effectiveness.
  • Slow early game.

1. Swords Bard Archer

• Combines bard utility with high damage ranged attacks.
• Strengths:
  • Best all-around character with the ability to do everything.
  • High burst and sustained damage output.
  • Versatile in skills and spells.
• Weaknesses:
  • Lower hit points compared to other characters.
  • Depends on items to maximize effectiveness.

Conclusion

• Acknowledgment of the subjective nature of "best builds."
• Encouragement to explore and experiment with different builds.
• Invitation for feedback and comments on favorite builds.