View source for Races

{{PageSeo
| description = There are a great variety of Races in Baldur's Gate 3. A creature's race determines its lineage and innate powers and abilities.
| image = Playable Races.webp
}}

There are a great variety of '''Races''' that can be found in the [https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Forgotten_Realms Forgotten Realms] setting and played in [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. 

'''Note: Baldur's Gate 3 does not use the term "race" the way it's used in common English. Races in the game are more akin to species.'''

A creature's race determines its lineage and innate powers and abilities. All races have their own strengths and many possess unique abilities and powers. Sometimes creatures can even cast spells as a result of their racial heritage. Race affects NPC reactions and available interactions during conversations. Each race also has unique attack animations (while spellcasting animations are based on class).

There are several playable and non-playable Races of characters and creatures in Baldur's Gate 3.

==Overview of playable races==
There are 11 playable races in [[Baldur's Gate 3]]. Many playable races are divided into '''subraces''', which further defines a character's strengths, abilities, and appearance.

Refer to individual Race pages for further details.

<center><gallery class="bg3wiki-gallery-drop-shadow" heights="100px" perrow="6" mode="nolines">
Race Human.png|class=bg3wiki-lightmode-drop-shadow|[[Human]]|link=Human
Race Elf.png|[[Elf]]|link=Elf
Race Drow.png|[[Drow]]|link=Drow
Race Half-Elf.png|[[Half-Elf]]|link=Half-Elf
Race Half-Orc.png|[[Half-Orc]]|link=Half-Orc
Race Halfling.png|[[Halfling]]|link=Halfling
Race Dwarf.png|[[Dwarf]]|link=Dwarf
Race Gnome.png|[[Gnome]]|link=Gnome
Race Tiefling.png|[[Tiefling]]|link=Tiefling
Race Githyanki.png|[[Githyanki]]|link=Githyanki
Race Dragonborn.png|[[Dragonborn]]|link=Dragonborn
</gallery></center>

''Unless otherwise noted, spells gained from race may only be cast once per Long Rest.''

In D&D 5e, playable races tend to receive fixed ability score bonuses as racial bonuses. [[Baldur's Gate 3]] instead awards each race the following ability score bonuses for the player to freely allocate:
*+2 to any [[Ability Scores|Ability Score]]
*+1 to any other [[Ability Scores|Ability Score]]

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" scope="col" |Race and Subraces
! rowspan="2" style="width: 50pt;" scope="col" |Base Speed
! colspan="2" scope="col" |{{SmallIcon|Proficiency Icon.png}} [[Proficiency|Proficiencies]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" |Features
|-
! style="width: 100pt;" |From Race
! style="width: 90pt;" |From Subrace
! style="width: 160pt;" |From Race
! style="width: 160pt;" |From Subrace
|- style="border-top: 10px solid #765111;"
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center" scope="row" |[[File:Race Human.png|60px|link=Human]]<br><big>[[Human]]</big>
|<small>'''Standard'''</small><div><small>{{Distance|m=9|ft=30}}</small>
| colspan="2" |'''Weapons'''
*{{WeaponIcon|Spears}}[[Spears]]
*{{WeaponIcon|Pikes}}[[Pikes]]
*{{WeaponIcon|Halberds}}[[Halberds]]
*{{WeaponIcon|Glaives}}[[Glaives]]
'''Armour'''
*{{LightArmour}}
*{{Shields}} 
'''Skills'''
*One [[Skill]] of choice
| colspan="2" |{{Pass|Human Versatility}}
*Increased {{SmallIcon|Weight Icon.png}} [[Carrying Capacity]] by 25%
|- style="border-top: 10px solid #765111;"
! rowspan="2" style="text-align: center" scope="row" |[[File:Race Elf.png|60px|link=Elf]]<br><big>[[Elf]]</big>
![[File: Race High Elf.png|40px|link=Elf#High Elves]]<br>[[Elf#High elf|High Elf]] 
|<small>'''Standard'''</small><br><small>{{Distance|m=9|ft=30}}</small>
| rowspan="2" |'''Weapons'''
*{{WeaponType|Shortswords}}
*{{WeaponType|Longswords}}
*{{WeaponType|Shortbows}}
*{{WeaponType|Longbows}}
'''Skills''' 
*{{Skill|Perception}}
|
-
| rowspan="2" |{{Pass|Fey Ancestry}}
*{{Advantage}} against being {{Cond|Charmed}}
*Immune to magical {{Cond|Sleeping|Sleep}}
{{Pass|Darkvision}}
|
*One [[Spells#Cantrips|Cantrip]] of choice from the [[List of Wizard spells|Wizard spell list]]
|-
![[File: Race Wood Elf.png|40px|link=Elf#Wood Elves]]<br>[[Elf#Wood elf|Wood Elf]]
|<small>'''Fast'''</small><br><small>{{Distance|m=10.5|ft=35}}</small>
|'''Skills'''
*{{Skill|Stealth}}
|'''[[Fleet of Foot]]''' 
*Increases base movement speed by {{Distance|m=1.5}}
|- style="border-top: 10px solid #765111;"
! rowspan="2" style="text-align: center" scope="row" | [[File:Race Drow.png|60px|link=Drow]]<br><big>[[Drow]]</big>
! [[File: Race Lolth-Sworn Drow.png|40px|link=Drow#Lolth-Sworn Drow]]<br>[[Drow#Lolth-sworn drow|Lolth-Sworn Drow]]
| rowspan="2" |<small>'''Standard'''</small><br><small>{{Distance|m=9|ft=30}}</small>
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |'''Weapons''' 
*{{WeaponType|Rapiers}}
*{{WeaponType|Shortswords}}
*{{WeaponType|Hand Crossbows}}
'''Skills'''
*{{Skill|Perception}}
| rowspan="2" |{{Pass|Fey Ancestry}} 
*{{Advantage}} against being {{Cond|Charmed}}
*Immune to magical {{Cond|Sleeping|Sleep}}
{{Pass|Superior Darkvision}}
*Can see in the dark up to {{c|24 m / 80 ft}}.

'''[[Drow Magic]]'''
*{{SAI|Dancing Lights}}, {{SAI|Faerie Fire}}, and {{SAI|Darkness}} [[Spells]] at levels 1, 3, and 5
| rowspan="2" |''The only difference between Drow subraces lies in their available dialogue options and deity selection as clerics''
|-
![[File: Race Seldarine Drow.png|40px|link=Drow#Seldarine Drow]]<div>[[Drow#Seldarine drow|Seldarine Drow]]
|- style="border-top: 10px solid #765111;"
! rowspan="3" style="text-align: center" scope="row" |[[File:Race Half-Elf.png|60px|link=Half-Elf]]<br><big>[[Half-Elf]]</big>
![[File: Race High Half-Elf.png|40px|link=Half-Elf#High Half-Elves]]<br>[[Half-Elf#High half-elf|High Half-Elf]]
|<small>'''Standard'''</small><br><small>{{Distance|m=9|ft=30}}</small>
| rowspan="3" |'''Weapons''' 
*{{WeaponType|Spears}}
*{{WeaponType|Pikes}}
*{{WeaponType|Halberds}}
*{{WeaponType|Glaives}}
'''Armour'''
*{{LightArmour}}
*{{Shields}}
|
-
| rowspan="3" |{{Pass|Fey Ancestry}}
*{{Advantage}} against being {{Condition|Charmed|inline=true}}
*Immune to magical {{Condition|Sleeping|inline=true|altname=Sleep}}
{{Pass|Darkvision}}
*Can see in the dark up to {{c|12 m / 40 ft}}.
|
*One [[Spells#Cantrips|Cantrip]] of choice from the [[List of Wizard spells|Wizard spell list]]
|-
! [[File: Race Wood Half-Elf.png|40px|link=Half-Elf#Wood Half-Elves]]<br>[[Half-Elf#Wood half-elf|Wood Half-Elf]]
|<small>'''Fast'''</small><br><small>{{Distance|m=10.5|ft=35}}</small>
|'''Skills''' 
*{{Skill|Stealth}}
|'''[[Fleet of Foot]]''' 
*Increases base movement speed by {{Distance|m=1.5}}
|-
![[File: Race Drow Half-Elf.png|40px|link=Half-Elf#Drow Half-Elves]]<br>[[Half-Elf#Drow half-elf|Drow Half-Elf]]
|<small>'''Standard'''</small><small>{{Distance|m=9|ft=30}}</small>
|
-
|'''[[Drow Magic]]'''  
*{{SAI|Dancing Lights}}, {{SAI|Faerie Fire}}, and {{SAI|Darkness}} [[Spells]] at levels 1, 3, and 5
|- style="border-top: 10px solid #765111;"
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center" scope="row" | [[File:Race Half-Orc.png|60px|link=Half-Orc]]<br><big>[[Half-Orc]]</big>
|<small>'''Standard'''</small><small>{{Distance|m=9|ft=30}}</small>
| colspan="2" | '''Skills'''
*{{Skill|Intimidation}}
| colspan="2" |{{Pass|Darkvision}}
* Can see in the dark up to {{c|12 m / 40 ft}}.
{{Pass|Savage Attacks}}
*Add one additional dice of damage when scoring a critical hit with a melee weapon
{{Pass|Relentless Endurance}}
*Drop to 1 hit point instead of being downed, once per long rest
|- style="border-top: 10px solid #765111;"
! rowspan="2" style="text-align: center" scope="row" |[[File:Race Halfling.png|60px|link=Halfling]]<br><big>[[Halfling]]</big>
![[File: Race Lightfoot Halfling.png|40px|link=Halfling#Lightfoot Halflings]]<br>[[Halfling#Lightfoot halflings|Lightfoot Halfling]]
| rowspan="2" |<small>'''Slow'''</small><br><small>{{Distance|m=7.5|ft=25}}</small>
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" | -
| rowspan="2" |{{Pass|Halfling Luck}}
*Single reroll on a 1 for an Attack Roll, Ability Check, or Saving Throw.
{{Pass|Brave}}
*{{Advantage}} against being {{Cond|Frightened}}
|{{Pass|Naturally Stealthy}}
*{{Advantage}} on {{Skill|Stealth}} [[Ability Check|checks]]
|-
![[File: Race Strongheart Halfling.png|40px|link=Halfling#Strongheart Halflings]]<br>[[Halfling#Strongheart halflings|Strongheart Halfling]]
|{{Pass|Strongheart Resilience}}
*{{Advantage}} against being {{Cond|Poisoned}} and [[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Poison}} damage
|- style="border-top: 10px solid #765111;"
! rowspan="3" style="text-align: center" scope="row" |[[File:Race Dwarf.png|60px|link=Dwarf]]<br><big>[[Dwarf]]</big>
![[File: Race Gold Dwarf.png|40px|link=Dwarf#Gold Dwarves]]<br>[[Dwarf#Gold Dwarves|Gold Dwarf]]
| rowspan="3" |<small>'''Slow'''</small><br><small>{{Distance|m=7.5|ft=25}}</small>
| rowspan="3" |'''Weapons''' 
*{{WeaponType|Battleaxes}}
*{{WeaponType|Handaxes}} 
*{{WeaponType|Light Hammers}}
*{{WeaponType|Warhammers}}
|
-
| rowspan="3" |{{Pass|Dwarven Resilience}}
*{{Advantage}} against being {{Cond|Poisoned}} and [[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Poison}} damage
{{Pass|Darkvision}}
* Can see in the dark up to {{c|12 m / 40 ft}}.
|'''[[Dwarven Toughness]]'''
*Maximum [[Hit Points|Hit Point]] increased by 1 per level
|-
![[File: Race Shield Dwarf.png|40px|link=Dwarf#Shield Dwarves]]<br>[[Dwarf#Shield Dwarves|Shield Dwarf]]
|'''Armour'''
*{{LightArmour}} ([[Dwarven Armour Training]])
*{{MediumArmour}} ([[Dwarven Armour Training]])
|
-
|-
![[File: Race Duergar.png|40px|link=Dwarf#Duergar]]<br>[[Dwarf#Duergar|Duergar]]
|
-
|
{{Pass|Duergar Resilience}}
*{{Advantage}} on {{SavingThrow}}s against [[Illusions]] and against being {{Condition|Charmed|inline=true}} or {{Condition|Paralysed|inline=true}}
{{Pass|Superior Darkvision}} 
* Can see in the dark up to {{c|24 m / 80 ft}}.
'''Duergar Magic'''
*{{SAI|Enlarge (Duergar)|Enlarge}} and {{SAI|Invisibility (Duergar)|Invisibility}} spells at levels 3 and 5

|- style="border-top: 10px solid #765111;"
! rowspan="3" style="text-align: center" scope="row" |[[File:Race Gnome.png|60px|link=Gnome]]<br><big>[[Gnome]]</big>
![[File: Race Forest Gnome.png|40px|link=Gnome#Forest Gnomes]]<br>[[Gnome#Forest gnomes|Forest Gnome]]
| rowspan="3" |<small>'''Slow'''</small><br><small>{{Distance|m=7.5|ft=25}}</small>
| rowspan="3" | -
|
-
| rowspan="3" |{{Pass|Gnome Cunning}}
*{{Advantage}} on [[Intelligence]], [[Wisdom]], and [[Charisma]] {{SavingThrow}}s

{{Pass|Darkvision}}
* Can see in the dark up to {{c|12 m / 40 ft}}.
|'''Additional Spell'''  
*{{SAI|Speak with Animals}} (at will)
|-
![[File: Race Deep Gnome.png|40px|link=Gnome#Deep Gnomes]]<br>[[Gnome#Deep gnomes|Deep Gnome]]
|
-
|{{Pass|Superior Darkvision}}
* Can see in the dark up to {{c|24 m / 80 ft}}.
{{Pass|Stone Camouflage}}
*{{Advantage}} on {{Skill|Stealth}} [[Ability Check|checks]]
|-
![[File: Race Rock Gnome.png|40px|link=Gnome#Rock Gnomes]]<br>[[Gnome#Rock gnomes|Rock Gnome]]
|'''Skills'''
*Expertise in {{Skill|History}} ([[Artificer's Lore]])
|
-
|- style="border-top: 10px solid #765111;"
! rowspan="3" style="text-align: center" scope="row" |[[File:Race Tiefling.png|60px|link=Tiefling]]<br><big>[[Tiefling]]</big>
! [[File: Race Asmodeus Tiefling.png|40px|link=Tiefling#Asmodeus Tieflings]]<br>[[Tiefling#Asmodeus tieflings|Asmodeus Tiefling]]
| rowspan="3" |<small>'''Standard'''</small><br><small>{{Distance|m=9|ft=30}}</small>
| colspan="2" rowspan="3" | -
| rowspan="3" |{{Pass|Hellish Resistance}}
*[[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Fire}} damage
{{Pass|Darkvision}}
*Can see in the dark up to {{c|12 m / 40 ft}}.
|'''Tiefling Magic'''
*{{SAI|Produce Flame}}, {{SAI|Hellish Rebuke}}, and {{SAI|Darkness}} [[Spells]] at levels 1, 3, and 5
|-
![[File: Race Mephistopheles Tiefling.png|40px|link=Tiefling#Mephistopheles Tieflings]]<br>[[Tiefling#Mephistopheles tieflings|Mephistopheles Tiefling]]
|'''Tiefling Magic'''
*{{SAI|Mage Hand}}, {{SAI|Burning Hands}}, and {{SAI|Flame Blade}} [[Spells]] at levels 1, 3, and 5
|-
![[File: Race Zariel Tiefling.png|40px|link=Tiefling#Zariel Tieflings]]<br>[[Tiefling#Zariel tieflings|Zariel Tiefling]]
|'''Tiefling Magic'''
*{{SAI|Thaumaturgy}}, {{SAI|Searing Smite}}, and {{SAI|Branding Smite}} [[Spells]] at levels 1, 3, and 5
|- style="border-top: 10px solid #765111;"
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center" scope="row" |[[File:Race Githyanki.png|60px|link=Githyanki]]<br><big>[[Githyanki]]</big>
|<small>'''Standard'''</small><br><small>{{Distance|m=9|ft=30}}</small>
| colspan="2" |'''Weapons'''
*{{WeaponType|Shortswords}}
*{{WeaponType|Longswords}}
*{{WeaponType|Greatswords}}
'''Armour'''
*{{LightArmour}}
*{{MediumArmour}}
| colspan="2" |{{SAI|Astral Knowledge}}
*Gain [[Proficiency]] in all [[Skill]]s corresponding to a chosen [[Ability Score|Ability]] each [[Long Rest]]
'''[[Githyanki Psionics]]'''
*{{SAI|Mage Hand}}, {{SAI|Enhance Leap}}, and {{SAI|Misty Step}} [[Spells]] at levels 1, 3, and 5
|- style="border-top: 10px solid #765111;"
! rowspan="10" style="text-align: center" scope="row" |[[File:Race Dragonborn.png|60px|link=Dragonborn]]<br><big>[[Dragonborn]]</big>
![[File: Race Black Dragonborn.png|40px|link=Dragonborn#Black Dragonborn]]<br>[[Dragonborn#Black dragonborn|Black Dragonborn]]
| rowspan="10" |<small>'''Standard'''</small><br><small>{{Distance|m=9|ft=30}}</small>
| colspan="2" rowspan="10" | -
| rowspan="10" | -
|{{Pass|Draconic Ancestry (Acid)}}
*[[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Acid}} damage
{{SAI|Acid Breath}}
*{{AOE|line|m=5|ft=17}} of {{DamageType|Acid}} damage
|-
![[File: Race Blue Dragonborn.png|40px|link=Dragonborn#Blue Dragonborn]]<br>[[Dragonborn#Blue dragonborn|Blue Dragonborn]]
|{{Pass|Draconic Ancestry (Lightning)}}
*[[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Lightning}} damage
{{SAI|Lightning Breath}}
*{{AOE|line|m=5|ft=17}} of {{DamageType|Lightning}} damage
|-
![[File: Race Brass Dragonborn.png|40px|link=Dragonborn#Brass Dragonborn]]<br>[[Dragonborn#Brass dragonborn|Brass Dragonborn]]
|{{Pass|Draconic Ancestry (Fire)}}
*[[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Fire}} damage
{{SAI|Fire Breath (Line)}}
*{{AOE|line|m=5|ft=17}} of {{DamageType|Fire}} damage
|-
![[File: Race Bronze Dragonborn.png|40px|link=Dragonborn#Bronze Dragonborn]]<br>[[Dragonborn#Bronze dragonborn|Bronze Dragonborn]]
|{{Pass|Draconic Ancestry (Lightning)}}
*[[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Lightning}} damage
{{SAI|Lightning Breath}}
*{{AOE|line|m=5|ft=17}} of {{DamageType|Lightning}} damage
|-
![[File: Race Copper Dragonborn.png|40px|link=Dragonborn#Copper Dragonborn]]<br>[[Dragonborn#Copper dragonborn|Copper Dragonborn]]
|{{Pass|Draconic Ancestry (Acid)|Draconic Ancestry}}
*[[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Acid}} damage
{{SAI|Acid Breath}}
*{{AOE|line|m=5|ft=17}} of {{DamageType|Acid}} damage
|-
![[File: Race Gold Dragonborn.png|40px|link=Dragonborn#Gold Dragonborn]]<br>[[Dragonborn#Gold dragonborn|Gold Dragonborn]]
|{{Pass|Draconic Ancestry (Fire)|Draconic Ancestry}}
*[[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Fire}} damage
{{SAI|Fire Breath (Cone)}}
*{{AOE|cone|m=5|ft=17}} of {{DamageType|Fire}} damage
|-
![[File: Race Green Dragonborn.png|40px|link=Dragonborn#Green Dragonborn]]<br>[[Dragonborn#Green dragonborn|Green Dragonborn]]
|{{Pass|Draconic Ancestry (Poison)}}
*[[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Poison}} damage
{{SAI|Poison Breath}}
*{{AOE|cone|m=5|ft=17}} of {{DamageType|Poison}} damage
|-
![[File: Race Red Dragonborn.png|40px|link=Dragonborn#Red Dragonborn]]<br>[[Dragonborn#Red dragonborn|Red Dragonborn]]
|{{Pass|Draconic Ancestry (Fire)}}
*[[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Fire}} damage
{{SAI|Fire Breath (Cone)}}
*{{AOE|cone|m=5|ft=17}} of {{DamageType|Fire}} damage
|-
![[File: Race Silver Dragonborn.png|40px|link=Dragonborn#Silver Dragonborn]]<br>[[Dragonborn#Silver dragonborn|Silver Dragonborn]]
|{{Pass|Draconic Ancestry (Cold)}}
*[[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Cold}} damage
{{SAI|Frost Breath}}
*{{AOE|cone|m=5|ft=17}} of {{DamageType|Cold}} damage
|-
![[File: Race White Dragonborn.png|40px|link=Dragonborn#White Dragonborn]]<br>[[Dragonborn#White dragonborn|White Dragonborn]]
|{{Pass|Draconic Ancestry (Cold)}}
*[[Damage Types#Resistance|Resistance]] to {{DamageType|Cold}} damage
{{SAI|Frost Breath}}
*{{AOE|cone|m=5|ft=17}} of {{DamageType|Cold}} damage
|}

{{clear}}

==Non-playable races==
There are many more non-playable races in the game. See below for a list of all non-playable races and their abilities.
*[[:Category:Non-playable Races|List of all Non-Playable Races]]

==See also==
*[[D&D 5e Race Changes]] for a summary of all changes to races in [[Baldur's Gate 3]] from the 5e ruleset.

{{NavGameplay}}
[[Category:Gameplay mechanics]]
[[Category:Character creation]]