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{{Guide
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This guide was initially in the [https://www.reddit.com/r/BaldursGate3/comments/14ugffa/guide%20to%20multiclassing%20in%20bg3%20and%20some/ form of a Reddit post] shared on r/BG3Builds and r/BaldursGate3, and is being copied over to the community wiki. Some of the guide's formatting may reflect this transition.  
This guide was initially in the [https://www.reddit.com/r/BaldursGate3/comments/14ugffa/guide%20to%20multiclassing%20in%20bg3%20and%20some/ form of a Reddit post] shared on r/BG3Builds and r/BaldursGate3, and is being copied over to the community wiki. Some of the guide's formatting may reflect this transition.  


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== Common Multiclassing Confusion and Pitfalls ==
== Common Multiclassing Confusion and Pitfalls ==
I will not cover all the multiclassing rules. They are described in depth [https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/customization-options#Multiclassing here] with examples. The basics are that when you level up you can choose to increase the level in your existing class. Or you can take a level in a different class. So a second level character may be a Level 1 {{Class|Fighter}}/Level 1 {{Class|Wizard}}, getting ''most'' of the benefits of each class. But I will provide emphasis to some common sources of confusion and pitfalls.
I will not cover all the multiclassing rules. They are described in depth [https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/customization-options#Multiclassing here] with examples. The basics are that when you level up you can choose to increase the level in your existing class. Or you can take a level in a different class. So a second level character may be a Level 1 {{Class|Fighter}}/Level 1 {{Class|Wizard}}, getting ''most'' of the benefits of each class. You also will get the recommended ability point spread from the first class you chose.
But I will provide emphasis to some common sources of confusion and pitfalls.




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Multiclassing spellcasters is the most complicated part. You determine your [[spells]] known/prepared (including cantrips) by looking at what spells you would know or prepare for each class with the Spellcasting feature. '''And you must use the spellcasting [[Ability Scores|ability]] ([[Charisma]], [[Intelligence]], [[Wisdom]]) for the class which gave you that spell.''' [https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/customization-options The D&D 5e multiclassing rules provide examples of how this works].
Multiclassing spellcasters is the most complicated part. You determine your [[spells]] known/prepared (including cantrips) by looking at what spells you would know or prepare for each class with the Spellcasting feature. '''And you must use the spellcasting [[Ability Scores|ability]] ([[Charisma]], [[Intelligence]], [[Wisdom]]) for the class which gave you that spell.''' [https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/customization-options The D&D 5e multiclassing rules provide examples of how this works].


However to determine the number of spell SLTOS you must determine your spellcaster level, and then use the [https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/customization-options caster level table provided in the rules] (which is identical to the spell slot table for any full caster). So while a second level {{Class|sorcerer}} would only have three spell slots of 1st level, and a third level {{Class|paladin}} would only have three spell slots of 1st level, a sorc 2/paladin 3 does NOT have six spell slots of 1st level. This character's spellcaster level would be third. 2 spellcaster levels from sorc, and only 1 spellcaster level from paladin since paladins are "half-casters" (like rangers), so you divide the class level by two and then round down to determine the spellcaster level. This means the character would have three first level spell slots, and a second level spell slot. But they won't actually know any second level spells, meaning that the second level spell slot can only be used to upcast the first level spells that they actually know.
However to determine the number of spell SLOTS you must determine your spellcaster level, and then use the [https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules/customization-options caster level table provided in the rules] (which is identical to the spell slot table for any full caster). So while a second level {{Class|sorcerer}} would only have three spell slots of 1st level, and a third level {{Class|paladin}} would only have three spell slots of 1st level, a sorc 2/paladin 3 does NOT have six spell slots of 1st level. This character's spellcaster level would be third. 2 spellcaster levels from sorc, and only 1 spellcaster level from paladin since paladins are "half-casters" (like rangers), so you divide the class level by two and then round down to determine the spellcaster level. This means the character would have three first level spell slots, and a second level spell slot. But they won't actually know any second level spells, meaning that the second level spell slot can only be used to upcast the first level spells that they actually know.


While the basic rules version of multiclassing don't cover [[Eldritch Knight]] {{Class|Fighter}} and [[Arcane Trickster]] {{Class|Rogue}}, they follow the same rules as {{Class|Paladin}}s and {{Class|rangers}} except that EK fighter and AT rogues are 1/3 casters. Meaning you need to divide their level by 3 and then round down to get their effective spellcaster level.
While the basic rules version of multiclassing don't cover [[Eldritch Knight]] {{Class|Fighter}} and [[Arcane Trickster]] {{Class|Rogue}}, they follow the same rules as {{Class|Paladin}}s and {{Class|rangers}} except that EK fighter and AT rogues are 1/3 casters. Meaning you need to divide their level by 3 and then round down to get their effective spellcaster level.
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==== Making a spellsword or "gish" character ====  
==== Making a spellsword or "gish" character ====  
BG3 does not include the Hexblade subclass, which is overtuned at first level and has become a staple of "gish" builds. This is because the hexblade subclass allows you to use Charisma as both your spellcasting ability and your ability to determine accuracy and damage with weapon attacks. BG3 also does not seem to include the "SCAG" cantrips of booming blade or green flame blade. These spells help casters that don't have extra attack keep up in melee combat with martial characters that do have extra attack. It is a bit trickier to make gish characters without these options, but still doable. Single class options exist such as [[Eldritch Knight]] {{Class|fighter}}, [[Arcane Trickster]] {{Class|rogue}}, {{Class|ranger}}, {{Class|paladin}}, {{Class|warlock}} (pact of the blade at level 3, thirsting blade at level 5), swords {{Class|bard}}, and valor {{Class|bard}} are viable options. But if you want to make a multiclassed gish, then you will want to get to extra attack as soon as you can. Ideally level 5, though level 6 is doable. If you are at level 7 and playing in melee without extra attack or the SCAG cantrips, you're going to have a bad time.
BG3 does not include the Hexblade subclass, which is overtuned at first level and has become a staple of "gish" builds. This is because the hexblade subclass allows you to use Charisma as both your spellcasting ability and your ability to determine accuracy and damage with weapon attacks. BG3 also does not seem to include the "SCAG" cantrips of booming blade or green flame blade. These spells help casters that don't have extra attack keep up in melee combat with martial characters that do have extra attack. It is a bit trickier to make gish characters without these options, but still doable. Single class options exist such as [[Eldritch Knight]] {{Class|fighter}}, [[Arcane Trickster]] {{Class|rogue}}, {{Class|ranger}}, {{Class|paladin}}, {{Class|warlock}} (pact of the blade at level 3, thirsting blade at level 5), swords {{Class|bard}}, and valour {{Class|bard}} are viable options. But if you want to make a multiclassed gish, then you will want to get to extra attack as soon as you can. Ideally level 5, though level 6 is doable. If you are at level 7 and playing in melee without extra attack or the SCAG cantrips, you're going to have a bad time.




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==== Bardadin - Paladin X/Bard Y ====
==== Bardadin - Paladin X/Bard Y ====
This is very similar to the Sorcadin above, except {{Class|bard}} instead of sorcerer. You can make a caster heavy focused baradin or a melee focused one, just like the sorcadin. However unlike Sorcadin, the bard has the valor and swords bard subclass. This means a melee focused Bardadin will focus on swords or valor bard for the first 6 levels to get extra attack and then 2 levels in paladin to unlock [[Divine Smite|divine smite]], and then the rest can go in bard. But starting as a bard and multiclassing into Paladin means you do not get heavy armor proficiency, so you'll want to be dex based if you go this route.
This is very similar to the Sorcadin above, except {{Class|bard}} instead of sorcerer. You can make a caster heavy focused baradin or a melee focused one, just like the sorcadin. However unlike Sorcadin, the bard has the valour and swords bard subclass. This means a melee focused Bardadin will focus on swords or valour bard for the first 6 levels to get extra attack and then 2 levels in paladin to unlock [[Divine Smite|divine smite]], and then the rest can go in bard. But starting as a bard and multiclassing into Paladin means you do not get heavy armor proficiency, so you'll want to be dex based if you go this route.


This build will do a similar amount of damage as the melee sorcadin since you don't have metamagic to make more spell slots, but you also have more spell slots available and at higher levels due to all your bard levels. Sorcadin probably wins on damage if you are using metamagic to quicken cast buff spells. But Paladin already has a ton of damage potential, and you are supplementing it with your bard spell slots so Bardadin damage is nothing to scoff at whatsoever. However you will be better at out-of-combat support through extra skill proficiencies, jack of all trades, and bardic inspiration than a sorcadin would be. I would play a bardadin over a sorcadin any day thanks to this utility. Weigh the opportunity cost.
This build will do a similar amount of damage as the melee sorcadin since you don't have metamagic to make more spell slots, but you also have more spell slots available and at higher levels due to all your bard levels. Sorcadin probably wins on damage if you are using metamagic to quicken cast buff spells. But Paladin already has a ton of damage potential, and you are supplementing it with your bard spell slots so Bardadin damage is nothing to scoff at whatsoever. However you will be better at out-of-combat support through extra skill proficiencies, jack of all trades, and bardic inspiration than a sorcadin would be. I would play a bardadin over a sorcadin any day thanks to this utility. Weigh the opportunity cost.
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One of {{Class|Bard}}'s greatest down sides is a lack of a good damage source. But they are [[Charisma]] casters, {{Class|warlocks}} are charisma casters, warlocks get eldritch blast which is a decent damage [[Spells|cantrip]], but made into a great damage cantrip with the warlock's agonizing blast [[Eldritch Invocation|eldritch invocation]] at second level. So the build usually goes taking 2 levels in warlock, the rest in bard.
One of {{Class|Bard}}'s greatest down sides is a lack of a good damage source. But they are [[Charisma]] casters, {{Class|warlocks}} are charisma casters, warlocks get eldritch blast which is a decent damage [[Spells|cantrip]], but made into a great damage cantrip with the warlock's agonizing blast [[Eldritch Invocation|eldritch invocation]] at second level. So the build usually goes taking 2 levels in warlock, the rest in bard.


But now that Larian is changing Pact of the Blade to use Cha on weapon attack and damage rolls, it becomes tempting to take 5 levels in warlock and then go into bard (likely lore subclass, but you can argue valor or swords) to make a spellsword character. Weigh the opportunity cost.
But now that Larian is changing Pact of the Blade to use Cha on weapon attack and damage rolls, it becomes tempting to take 5 levels in warlock and then go into bard (likely lore subclass, but you can argue valour or swords) to make a spellsword character. Weigh the opportunity cost.




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The best {{Class|monk}} features often rely on Ki points, which you can only get more of by taking more levels in Monk. If you want to multiclass out of monk, most find that the opportunity costs are too high and you would have been better off just staying with monk. Taking a dip into monk grants you melee combat focused features that only work if you are unarmored, so will be useless on most characters. The monk's unarmored defense does not stack or otherwise interact with unarmored defense from a wildshaped druid, or a barbarian's unarmored defense. These reasons are some of the more prominent ones for why monk multiclasses are not common in tabletop. Larian has said they are making changes to monks in BG3. Depending on these changes, monk may become a more tempting multiclass target
The best {{Class|monk}} features often rely on Ki points, which you can only get more of by taking more levels in Monk. If you want to multiclass out of monk, most find that the opportunity costs are too high and you would have been better off just staying with monk. Taking a dip into monk grants you melee combat focused features that only work if you are unarmored, so will be useless on most characters. The monk's unarmored defense does not stack or otherwise interact with unarmored defense from a wildshaped druid, or a barbarian's unarmored defense. These reasons are some of the more prominent ones for why monk multiclasses are not common in tabletop. Larian has said they are making changes to monks in BG3. Depending on these changes, monk may become a more tempting multiclass target


Some entertaining monk rogue multiclass options include Monk 11/Spore Druid 1. Or Shadow Monk 9/warlock 3 so that you can cast [[Darkness|darkness]] on yourself and enemies blinding them, but not blinding yourself thanks to devil's sight [[Eldritch Invocation|eldritch invocation]] which allows you to attack with [[Advantage|advantage]]. Until we know what changes Larian makes to monk, it is difficult to recommend any Monk builds.
Some entertaining monk rogue multiclass options include Monk 10/Spore Druid 2. Or Shadow Monk 10/warlock 2 so that you can cast [[Darkness|darkness]] on yourself and enemies blinding them, but not blinding yourself thanks to devil's sight [[Eldritch Invocation|eldritch invocation]] which allows you to attack with [[Advantage|advantage]]. Until we know what changes Larian makes to monk, it is difficult to recommend any Monk builds.


== A note on Thief Rogue ==
== A note on Thief Rogue ==
The [[Thief|thief]] {{Class|rogue}}'s Early Access ability Fast Hands allowing them to take two bonus actions each round may be the most power shifting feature in BG3. Many martial characters will get benefit from dual wielding, crossbow expert, or polearm master with a 3 level dip in thief rogue. This is especially the case for ranger, which is notoriously starved for bonus actions. Bonus action controllable spells like spiritual weapon or flaming sphere just got their damage doubled by this. Currently in BG3 early access, Larian does not restrict you from casting a leveled spell with your action and bonus action. This means that a Thief Rogue 3/Fighter 2/Sorc 7 would be able to cast a spell with their action, action surge and get another action to cast a leveled spell, use metamagic to cast a powerful spell as a bonus action, and use metamagic to cast another powerful spell with your extra bonus action. You will burn everything you have to do this, and you will be limited to 4th level spells, so maybe that will balance things. A raging berserker barbarian now gets two very powerful bonus action attacks when they rage, which could go great with the Angry Rogue build. But if thief rogue is going to launch as it is in early access, you should always ask yourself, "Is 3 levels in thief rogue worth the opprotunity cost."
The [[Thief|thief]] {{Class|rogue}}'s Early Access ability Fast Hands allowing them to take two bonus actions each round may be the most power shifting feature in BG3. Many martial characters will get benefit from dual wielding, crossbow expert, or polearm master with a 3 level dip in thief rogue. This is especially the case for ranger, which is notoriously starved for bonus actions. Bonus action controllable spells like spiritual weapon or flaming sphere just got their damage doubled by this. Currently in BG3 early access, Larian does not restrict you from casting a leveled spell with your action and bonus action. This means that a Thief Rogue 3/Fighter 2/Sorc 7 would be able to cast a spell with their action, action surge and get another action to cast a leveled spell, use metamagic to cast a powerful spell as a bonus action, and use metamagic to cast another powerful spell with your extra bonus action. You will burn everything you have to do this, and you will be limited to 4th level spells, so maybe that will balance things. A raging berserker barbarian now gets two very powerful bonus action attacks when they rage, which could go great with the Angry Rogue build. But if thief rogue is going to launch as it is in early access, you should always ask yourself, "Is 3 levels in thief rogue worth the opprotunity cost."
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