Like classes, races play a large role in forging your character’s identity in Baldur’s Gate 3. Whether you opt to play as a human, demon-like tiefling, or anything else, they influence far more than your looks.
Each of Baldur’s Gate 3’s races come with their own features, traits, and spells that can provide an edge both in and outside of combat. With the cRPG now available in early access, let’s dive into the available choices and what makes them special.
Baldur's Gate 3 Races and Subraces
Baldur’s Gate 3 launched into early access with several playable races and subraces. Since the game is very much still in development, we can end up seeing more picks becoming available further down the line, although there’s more than enough for a couple of playthroughs already.
Elf
Race Features
- Keen Senses
- Dexterity +2
- Longsword Proficiency
- Shortsword Proficiency
- Longbow Proficiency
- Shortbow Proficiency
- Darkvision
- Fey Ancestry
High Elf
Described as the“heirs of the mystical Feywild,” high elves understand the value of magic in all its forms, which is why they start with a choice of one high elf cantrip alongside the following features:
Subrace Traits
- Base Racial Speed
- Intelligence +1
Wood Elf
The swift, reclusive wood elves are at home in Faerûn’s forests, favoring training in archery and making use of camouflage.
Subrace Traits
- Fleet of Foot
- Mask of the Wild
- Wisdom +1
Tiefling
Race Features
- Hellish Resistance
- Darkvision
Asmodeus Tiefling
Bound to Nessus, the deepest layer of the Hells, the archdevil Asmodeus grants tieflings of his bloodline the power to wield fire and darkness.
Subrace Traits
- Base Racial Speed
- Intelligence +1
- Charisma +2
Cantrips
- Thaumaturgy
Mephistopheles Tiefling
- The archdevil Mephistopheles gifts Tieflings of his bloodline an affinity for arcane magic.
Subrace Traits
- Base Racial Speed
- Intelligence +1
- Charisma +2
Cantrips
- Mage Hand/
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Zariel Tiefling
- Zariel’s Tiefling bloodline inherits more martial strength than its counterparts.
Subrace Traits
- Base Racial Speed
- Strength +1
- Charisma +2
Cantrips
- Thaumaturgy
Drow
Race Features
- Base Racial Speed
- Keen Senses
- Dexterity +2
- Charisma +1
- Rapier Proficiency
- Shortsword Proficiency
- Hand Crossbow Proficiency
- Superior Darkvision
- Fey Ancestry
Lolth-Sworn Drow
Followers of a corrupt and merciless goddess raised in the city of Menzoberranzan, these drow can be recognized by their bright red eyes.
Seldarine Drow
Seeking to put an end to the conflict with their Lolth-sworn counterparts, the Seldarine drow are in search of allies from across Faerûn.
Human
Race Features
- Base Racial Speed
- Strength +1
- Dexterity +1
- Constitution +1
- Intelligence +1
- Wisdom +1
A common sight across Faerûn, humans are tenacious, creative creatures, always seeking to grow in their efforts of creating a legacy for themselves.
Githyanki
Race Features
- Base Racial Speed
- Intelligence +1
- Strength +2
- Light Armor Proficiency
- Medium Armor Proficiency
- Shortsword Proficiency
- Longsword Proficiency
- Greatsword Proficiency
Peerless warriors from the Astral Plane, Githyanki seek to eradicate all mind flayers, whose ancient empire enslaved their race for millennia.
Dwarf
Race Features
- Dwarven Resilience
- Constitution +2
- Battleaxe Proficiency
- Handaxe Proficiency
- Light Hammer Proficiency
- Warhammer Proficiency
- Darkvision
Gold Dwarf
Confident and known to have a keen intuition, the Gold Dwarves value family, ritual, and fine craftsmanship.
Subrace Traits
- Dwarven Toughness
- Base Racial Speed
- Wisdom +1
Shield Dwarf
The cynical nature of the shield dwarves doesn't stop them from enduring anything as they battle to regain control of their ancient kingdoms from orcs and goblins.
Subrace Traits
- Base Racial Speed
- Strength +2
- Light Armor Proficiency
- Medium Armor Proficiency
Half-Elf
Race Features
- Can spend 2 points to improve an ability of their choice
- Charisma +2
- Darkvision
- Fey Ancestry
High Half-Elf
High half-elves retain a touch of the Feywild, which grants even those untrained in magic a hint of wild power.
Subrace Traits
- 1 High Elf Cantrip
- Base Racial Speed
Wood Half-Elf
Swift and with a penchant for stealth, wood half-elves are more prone to trade isolation for adventuring across the world.
Subrace Traits
- Fleet of Foot
- Mask of the Wild
Drow Half-Elf
Resulting from the union between Seldarine drow and surface-dwellers, half-drow aren't exactly strangers to magic, but don't often get to know the Underdark while growing up.
Subrace Traits
- Base Racial Speed
Cantrips
- Dancing Lights
Halfling
Race Features
- Lucky
- Brave
- Dexterity +2
Lightfoot Halfling
Stealthy but social, lightfoot halflings travel all over Faerûn, in an effort to make their name known.
Subrace Traits
- Naturally Stealthy
- Base Racial Speed
- Charisma +1
Strongheart Halfling
Hardy and resistant to poison, strongheart halflings shouldn't be underestimated, as they're very much capable of holding their own.
Subrace Traits
- Strongheart Resilience
- Base Racial Speed
- Constitution +1
Gnome
Race Features
- Base Racial Speed
- Intelligence +2
- Gnome Cunning
Rock Gnome
The most common gnome sub-race on the surface of Faerûn, the hardy rock gnomes have an affinity for metal.
Subrace Traits
- Constitution +1
- Darkvision
- Artificer's Lore
Deep Gnome
More guarded by nature, deep gnomes use darkvision and stealth to survive in the Underdark.
Subrace Traits
- Dexterity +1
- Superior Darkvision
- Stone Camouflage
Forest Gnome
Smaller and more reclusive, Forest Gnomes spend their time away from civilization, mastering magic and craftsmanship.
Subrace Traits
- Dexterity +1
- Darkvision
Spells
- Speak with Animals
This is quite a hefty serving of playable Baldur's Gate 3 races and subraces and chances are that we'll encounter more throughout the full campaign.
That being said, Dungeons and Dragons lore is vast and it will be certainly interesting to see whether or not developer Larian Studios decides to offer even more options in the lead-up to or after launch.
For more info on Larian's upcoming RPG, check out everything we know about Baldur's Gate 3.
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