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{{Guide}} | |||
This guide is to introduce players new to D&D 5e, the Forgotten Realms, or Baldur's Gate 3 to the [[Races|races]] available for you to use for your custom character "Tav," [[The Dark Urge|Dark Urge]], or [[Companions#Hirelings|hirelings]] and to understand the races of [[Origins|origin]] characters and [[Companions|companions]]. It will go over how the dialogue tag system may cause a character's race to play a role in conversation options and how the world reacts to your character. And it will cover the mechanical features of the races, and what [[Classes|classes]] or builds may go well with each race. | This guide is to introduce players new to D&D 5e, the Forgotten Realms, or Baldur's Gate 3 to the [[Races|races]] available for you to use for your custom character "Tav," [[The Dark Urge|Dark Urge]], or [[Companions#Hirelings|hirelings]] and to understand the races of [[Origins|origin]] characters and [[Companions|companions]]. It will go over how the dialogue tag system may cause a character's race to play a role in conversation options and how the world reacts to your character. And it will cover the mechanical features of the races, and what [[Classes|classes]] or builds may go well with each race. | ||
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In BG3's Early Access different races have fixed [[Ability Scores|ability score]] increases. For example, [[Githyanki]] have a +2 bonus to [[Strength]] and a +1 bonus to [[Intelligence]]. This leads many to recommend Githyanki for character builds that use at least one if not both of these abilities, so they may be recommended for something like an [[Eldritch Knight]] [[Fighter]] or a [[Wizard]]. However at launch this is going to change and all races will have a floating +2 that they can put into any ability score, and a +1 they can put into a different ability score. So you may see old build guides out there saying that a [[Elf#Wood_Elf|Wood Elf]] is a bad choice for say a [[Paladin]], while [[Dragonborn]] would be a bad choice for [[Monk]] based off the ability score increases for these races vs. the ability scores that the respective classes focus in. However those recommendations will be out of date when launch comes around and you will be able to put the ability scores wherever you want. | In BG3's Early Access different races have fixed [[Ability Scores|ability score]] increases. For example, [[Githyanki]] have a +2 bonus to [[Strength]] and a +1 bonus to [[Intelligence]]. This leads many to recommend Githyanki for character builds that use at least one if not both of these abilities, so they may be recommended for something like an [[Eldritch Knight]] [[Fighter]] or a [[Wizard]]. However at launch this is going to change and all races will have a floating +2 that they can put into any ability score, and a +1 they can put into a different ability score. So you may see old build guides out there saying that a [[Elf#Wood_Elf|Wood Elf]] is a bad choice for say a [[Paladin]], while [[Dragonborn]] would be a bad choice for [[Monk]] based off the ability score increases for these races vs. the ability scores that the respective classes focus in. However those recommendations will be out of date when launch comes around and you will be able to put the ability scores wherever you want. | ||
There are three races that lose out by this change however. [[Human|Humans]] used to get a +1 to all ability scores. [[Half-Elf|Half-elves]] used to get a +2 to [[Charisma]] and then a +1 they could put in any two other ability scores of their choosing. And a [[Dwarf#Shield_Dwarves|Shield Dwarf]] (a.k.a. Mountain Dwarf) would get a +2 to Strength as well as a +2 to Constitution | There are three races that lose out by this change however. [[Human|Humans]] used to get a +1 to all ability scores. [[Half-Elf|Half-elves]] used to get a +2 to [[Charisma]] and then a +1 they could put in any two other ability scores of their choosing. And a [[Dwarf#Shield_Dwarves|Shield Dwarf]] (a.k.a. Mountain Dwarf) would get a +2 to Strength as well as a +2 to Constitution. | ||
== Racial Spellcasting == | == Racial Spellcasting == | ||
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| [[Githyanki]] || [[Intelligence]] || [[Mage Hand]]* | | [[Githyanki]] || [[Intelligence]] || [[Mage Hand]]* | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Tiefling#Asmodeus_Tieflings|Asmodeous Tiefling]] || [[Charisma]] || [[Produce Flame]]** [[Hellish Rebuke]] | | [[Tiefling#Asmodeus_Tieflings|Asmodeous Tiefling]] || [[Charisma]] || [[Produce Flame]]**, [[Hellish Rebuke]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Tiefling#Mephistopholes_Tieflings|Mephistopholes Tiefling]] || [[Charisma]] || [[Burning Hands]], [[Flame Blade]], [[Mage Hand]]* | | [[Tiefling#Mephistopholes_Tieflings|Mephistopholes Tiefling]] || [[Charisma]] || [[Burning Hands]], [[Flame Blade]], [[Mage Hand]]* | ||
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====Build Synergy==== | ====Build Synergy==== | ||
[[Darkvision (Passive Feature)|Darkvision]] is always great to have. Relentless Endurance goes great with any melee character that you will have getting up into the thick of things and is especially desired on tanky characters like [[Barbarian|Barbarians]], [[Circle_of_the_Moon|Moon]] [[Druid|Druids]], [[Fighter|Fighters]], and [[Paladin|Paladins]]. Meanwhile Savage Attacks goes great with anyone making melee weapon attacks which goes great with tons of characters. We'll have to see if Larian applies the Savage Attacks damage to a Monk's unarmed strikes or a wildshaped Druid's natural attacks, which is normally not allowed per D&D 5e but I suspect Larian may change this. It isn't a massive damage increase but can become more notable on Champion [[Fighter]] characters with their increased chance to critically hit, or any melee character where parties can guarantee crits such as if you have casters who can consistently land [[Hold Person]]. The proficiency in [[Intimidation|intimidation]] is a nice tassel on the end, but could become more significant for classes with a high [[Charisma]] like a [[College of Valour| | [[Darkvision (Passive Feature)|Darkvision]] is always great to have. Relentless Endurance goes great with any melee character that you will have getting up into the thick of things and is especially desired on tanky characters like [[Barbarian|Barbarians]], [[Circle_of_the_Moon|Moon]] [[Druid|Druids]], [[Fighter|Fighters]], and [[Paladin|Paladins]]. Meanwhile Savage Attacks goes great with anyone making melee weapon attacks which goes great with tons of characters. We'll have to see if Larian applies the Savage Attacks damage to a Monk's unarmed strikes or a wildshaped Druid's natural attacks, which is normally not allowed per D&D 5e but I suspect Larian may change this. It isn't a massive damage increase but can become more notable on Champion [[Fighter]] characters with their increased chance to critically hit, or any melee character where parties can guarantee crits such as if you have casters who can consistently land [[Hold Person]]. The proficiency in [[Intimidation|intimidation]] is a nice tassel on the end, but could become more significant for classes with a high [[Charisma]] like a [[College of Valour|Valour]] [[Bard]] or Swords Bard or [[Paladin]] or Pact of the Blade [[Warlock]]. | ||
Overall the Half-Orc is one of the best races for melee combat characters with a heavy emphasis on the combat part. Outside of melee characters they will offer a little bit of something if mechanically implemented as expected. | Overall the Half-Orc is one of the best races for melee combat characters with a heavy emphasis on the combat part. Outside of melee characters they will offer a little bit of something if mechanically implemented as expected. | ||
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* In my opinion Mephistopheles Tiefling is the most difficult one to say has clear synergy with specific builds. [[Mage Hand|Mage hand]] is a nice utility spell and good to have as a cantrip. [[Burning Hands]] conversely does pretty good damage at low levels, but scales very poorly by the time you are character level 4. [[Flame Blade]] is a great spell for some builds, but the fact you can only cast it once per long rest and it requires concentration can make it tough to recommend building a character around this spell when you get it from a racial feature. Because if you do not have another source of this spell, you build your whole character around using this spell, but then lose [[Concentration|concentration]] then your build has just shut down until you long rest again. If you are able to cast Flame Blade using spell slots then it could be worthwhile. Unfortunately only [[Druid|Druids]] get access to this spell and they use [[Wisdom]] for their spellcasting ability modifier while this racial form of Flame Blade uses [[Charisma]], meaning you will have a tough time getting the spell to work well in both casting scenarios. The only situation I see this spell being useful enough to consider building a character around is on a Pact of the Blade [[Warlock]] who can use it using Charisma, and if they lose concentration on Flame Blade then they can revert back to using their typical weapon attacks. | * In my opinion Mephistopheles Tiefling is the most difficult one to say has clear synergy with specific builds. [[Mage Hand|Mage hand]] is a nice utility spell and good to have as a cantrip. [[Burning Hands]] conversely does pretty good damage at low levels, but scales very poorly by the time you are character level 4. [[Flame Blade]] is a great spell for some builds, but the fact you can only cast it once per long rest and it requires concentration can make it tough to recommend building a character around this spell when you get it from a racial feature. Because if you do not have another source of this spell, you build your whole character around using this spell, but then lose [[Concentration|concentration]] then your build has just shut down until you long rest again. If you are able to cast Flame Blade using spell slots then it could be worthwhile. Unfortunately only [[Druid|Druids]] get access to this spell and they use [[Wisdom]] for their spellcasting ability modifier while this racial form of Flame Blade uses [[Charisma]], meaning you will have a tough time getting the spell to work well in both casting scenarios. The only situation I see this spell being useful enough to consider building a character around is on a Pact of the Blade [[Warlock]] who can use it using Charisma, and if they lose concentration on Flame Blade then they can revert back to using their typical weapon attacks. | ||
* Zariel Tiefling is a great option for [[Charisma]] based spell sword characters, whether that be a Pact of the Blade [[Warlock]], [[Paladin]], Swords [[Bard]], | * Zariel Tiefling is a great option for [[Charisma]] based spell sword characters, whether that be a Pact of the Blade [[Warlock]], [[Paladin]], Swords [[Bard]], Valour [[Bard]], or even a [[Fighter]] or [[Rogue]] who had some [[Ability Scores|ability score]] points to spare and put them in Charisma. The two smite spells let you do a bit more damage in combat and are not something to scoff at. [[Thaumaturgy]] is also a great spell for party face characters to have, which this high [[Charisma]] character can likely fill the shoes of. | ||
* Asmodeous Tiefling is nice for anyone, but definitely favors Charisma casters like [[Bard|Bards]] and [[Warlock|Warlocks]]. Other races can certainly make use of the [[Darkness]] spells both in and out of combat, whether that be to blind the enemies you are fighting or to sneak through difficult locations. But a Warlock with the Devil's Sight [[Eldritch Invocation]] will get the most use from it. [[Produce Flame]] could be a nice damage cantrip for a bard, if only it was not bugged and currently scaling off of Wisdom as of Launch Patch 1. And [[Hellish Rebuke]] does scale off Charisma, but its damage is not so substantial that you should be worried about this spell being a waste in the event your character does not have a high Charisma. This race is actually what my first character was. Save the best for last. | * Asmodeous Tiefling is nice for anyone, but definitely favors Charisma casters like [[Bard|Bards]] and [[Warlock|Warlocks]]. Other races can certainly make use of the [[Darkness]] spells both in and out of combat, whether that be to blind the enemies you are fighting or to sneak through difficult locations. But a Warlock with the Devil's Sight [[Eldritch Invocation]] will get the most use from it. [[Produce Flame]] could be a nice damage cantrip for a bard, if only it was not bugged and currently scaling off of Wisdom as of Launch Patch 1. And [[Hellish Rebuke]] does scale off Charisma, but its damage is not so substantial that you should be worried about this spell being a waste in the event your character does not have a high Charisma. This race is actually what my first character was. Save the best for last. | ||