The BG3 fighter stands tall as one of the best classes for players who love raw power and simple fun in Baldur’s Gate 3. You swing big weapons, tank hits, and control fights. This class shines for newbies and pros alike. It offers tough armor, extra attacks, and cool tricks to crush foes.
Fighters master melee combat. They wear heavy armor like a second skin. You get tools to heal, surge ahead, and specialize fast. Whether you tank for your team or deal massive damage, the BG3 fighter fits every playstyle. Let’s dive in and build your champion.
Why Choose the BG3 Fighter? A Quick Overview
Fighters excel in close fights. They hit hard and last long. In Baldur’s Gate 3, you cap at level 12. This gives plenty of power without complexity.
Key perks include:
- All armor types: Light, medium, heavy, and shields for top defense.
- Every weapon: Simple and martial options let you pick swords, axes, bows, or throws.
- Extra actions: Surge for double turns and heal with Second Wind.
- Subclasses at level 3: Pick Battle Master for tricks, Champion for crits, Eldritch Knight for spells, or Arcane Archer for magic shots (Patch 8 update).
Stats show fighters top damage charts early. A level 5 BG3 fighter gets Extra Attack for double hits per turn. By level 11, you swing three times. Pair with feats, and you melt bosses.
For full details on core mechanics, check the official BG3 wiki Fighter page.
Perfect Ability Scores for Your BG3 Fighter
Start with smart stats. Fighters love Strength for melee damage and hits. Pump it to 17 at creation.
Top priority order:
- Strength (STR): Main damage stat. Aim for 16-17 start, max at 20 with feats.
- Constitution (CON): More HP and saves. Get 14-16.
- Dexterity (DEX): Initiative and light armor AC. 14 is fine.
- Wisdom (WIS): Perception checks. 10-12.
- Intelligence (INT): Spells for Eldritch Knight. Dump to 8 unless needed.
- Charisma (CHA): Least useful. Dump to 8.
Example starting array (Point Buy):
- STR: 17
- DEX: 14
- CON: 15
- INT: 8
- WIS: 10
- CHA: 8
Add racial bonuses. Half-Orcs boost STR and CON. At level 4, take Ability Improvement for +2 STR to hit 19, then Great Weapon Master feat later.
This setup gives 10 + CON mod HP at level 1 (about 13-15). Each level adds 6 + CON (8-10). You hit 150+ HP by endgame.
Proficiencies: Gear Up Like a Pro
BG3 fighters start loaded. You master:
- Saving Throws: Strength and Constitution. Resist grapples and poisons.
- Skills: Pick 2 from Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Survival. Go Athletics + Intimidation for a brute.
- Armor: Light, Medium, Heavy, Shields. Heavy gives 18+ AC easy.
- Weapons: All simple and martial. Swords, greatswords, bows, everything.
Pro Tip: Heavy armor needs 15 STR to avoid speed loss. Meet it early.
See proficiencies explained in Polygon’s Fighter guide.
Level 1: Kick Off Strong
At level 1, grab these:
- Fighting Style: Pick one forever (or more later).
- Great Weapon Fighting: Reroll 1s/2s on two-handers. Best for big damage.
- Defense: +1 AC in armor. Tank pick.
- Dueling: +2 damage one-handed + shield.
- Two-Weapon Fighting: Add STR to off-hand damage.
- Protection: Shield reaction for ally disadvantage.
- Archery: +2 ranged attacks (Arcane Archer loves).
- Second Wind: Bonus action heal 1d10 + level HP. Short rest recharge. Clutch for low health.
Start swinging! A greatsword deals 2d6 + STR (10-20 damage per hit).
Full BG3 Fighter Level Progression Table
Here’s your power curve. Fighters shine at odd levels.
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Key Features | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | +2 | Fighting Style, Second Wind | Heal 11 HP avg. |
| 2 | +2 | Action Surge | Extra action once/turn, short rest. |
| 3 | +2 | Subclass | Battle Master maneuvers or spells. |
| 4 | +2 | Feat/ASI | +2 STR to 19. |
| 5 | +3 | Extra Attack | Two attacks/action. Damage doubles! |
| 6 | +3 | Feat/ASI | Tavern Brawler for throws. |
| 7 | +3 | Subclass Feature | More maneuvers/spells. |
| 8 | +3 | Feat/ASI | Great Weapon Master. |
| 9 | +4 | Indomitable | Reroll one failed save/long rest. |
| 10 | +4 | Subclass Feature | Superiority Dice upgrade. |
| 11 | +4 | Extra Attack (Improved) | Three attacks! Boss killer. |
| 12 | +4 | Feat/ASI | Max STR or Alert. |
By level 5, you outpace most classes in DPR (damage per round). Tests show 40-60 DPR with a greatsword.
Subclasses: Pick Your Path at Level 3
Choose wisely. Each shines differently.
Battle Master: King of Maneuvers
Control the field with Superiority Dice (4d8 at L3, recharge short rest). Spend on 14 maneuvers.
Top Maneuvers:
- Precision Attack: Add die to attack roll. Never miss bosses.
- Riposte: Counterattack if foe misses you (reaction).
- Trip Attack: Prone enemies for advantage.
- Menacing Attack: Frighten and +1d8 damage.
- Pushing Attack: Shove 15ft.
- Disarming Strike: Drop their weapon.
- Goading Attack: Taunt to attack only you.
- Sweeping Attack: Hit two foes.
Level Progression:
- L3: 4 dice, 3 maneuvers.
- L7: +2 maneuvers, +1 die.
- L10: Dice to d10s, +2 maneuvers.
Pros: Versatile, team support, short rest power. Cons: Dice run out in long fights.
Build example: Greatsword + Riposte. Deal 100+ DPR with surges.
Battle Master tops tier lists for pure fighters.
Champion: Simple Crit Machine
Crit on 19-20 (stacks to 18-20). Pure damage.
Features:
- L3: Improved Critical.
- L10: Extra Fighting Style.
Pros: Easy, high crit damage (especially Half-Orc). Cons: No utility.
Perfect for new players. Pair with Great Weapon Master for 30-50 DPR bursts.
Eldritch Knight: Spellblade Hybrid
Mix melee and magic. INT caster.
Spells (Abjuration/Evocation focus): Cantrips (pick 2-4): Fire Bolt (1d10 fire), Shocking Grasp (1d8 lightning, no reaction), True Strike (advantage next hit). L1 Spells: Shield (+5 AC reaction), Magic Missile (guaranteed 10 force), Burning Hands (AoE fire), Thunderwave (push + 2d8). L2: Mirror Image (dodge copies), Scorching Ray (3x 2d6 fire).
Features:
- L3: Weapon Bond (summon weapon), 2 cantrips, 3 spells, 2 L1 slots.
- L4: +1 spell.
- L7: War Magic (cantrip + bonus attack).
- L10: Eldritch Strike (disadvantage on saves vs your spells).
Pros: Defense (Shield AC 23+), utility. Cons: Weak spells compared to Wizards.
Throw builds love this: Bond Nyrulna trident for infinite throws.
Full spell list on Fextralife Fighter page.
Arcane Archer (Patch 8): Magic Bow Master
Ranged focus. 4 Arcane Shots (magical arrows).
Shots: Banishing Arrow (Feywild exile), Bursting Arrow (AoE), Grasping Arrow (restrain), etc.
Pros: Ranged control. Cons: Bow-only.
Great for snipers.
Best Races for BG3 Fighter
Races boost your build:
- Half-Orc: Relentless Endurance (1HP from 0 once/rest), Savage Attacks (+die on crits). Crit fisher king.
- Human: +1 all stats, Civil Militia (polearms).
- Githyanki: Jump/Misty Step, big weapons.
- Gold Dwarf: +1 HP/level.
- Wood Elf: +speed for positioning.
Half-Orc Battle Master hits hardest.
Top Feats for Maximum Power
Feats every 4 levels:
- Great Weapon Master (GWM): Bonus attack on crit/kill, -5 hit/+10 damage. Must-have L8.
- Tavern Brawler: STR throws as melee, double proficiency. Thrower god.
- Ability Improvement: +2 STR.
- Sentinel: Lock enemies down.
- Alert: +5 initiative.
- Tough: +2 HP/level (retroactive).
Sequence: L4 ASI STR 19, L6 Tavern Brawler, L8 GWM, L12 Alert.
Killer BG3 Fighter Builds
1. Tavern Brawler Thrower (Pure Fighter)
- Race: Half-Orc
- Subclass: EK (bond returning weapons)
- Weapons: Nyrulna (Act 3), Returning Pike
- Feats: Tavern Brawler, GWM
- Stats: 17 STR, 15 CON
- Play: Throw for 4-5 attacks/turn. 200+ DPR. Use Haste.
Step-by-Step:
- L1-3: Build STR, EK for bond.
- L4: Tavern Brawler.
- L5: Extra Attack (throw twice).
- Gear: Gloves of Uninhibited Kushigo (+throw damage).
2. GWM Battle Master Tank
- Race: Githyanki
- Style: Great Weapon
- Maneuvers: Precision, Trip, Riposte
- Feats: GWM, Sentinel, Tough
- AC: 20+ with plate/shield.
Control fights: Trip, taunt, counter.
3. Crit Fishing Champion
- Race: Half-Orc
- Style: Great Weapon
- Feats: GWM, Savage Attacker
Crits on 18-20. Savage Attacks double dice.
4. Arcane Archer Sniper
- Race: Elf
- Style: Archery
- Shots: Bursting, Piercing
Safe ranged DPS.
Pure fighter throws 150 DPR endgame. Multiclass boosts higher.
Multiclassing: Supercharge Your BG3 Fighter
Dip 1-2 levels elsewhere:
- 3 Barbarian: Rage (+damage, resist physical). Wildheart for totems.
- 1 Paladin: Divine Smite (nova bursts).
- 2 Cleric (War): Heavy armor, Spirit Guardians.
- 1 Wizard: EK dips for more spells.
Tavern Thrower Multiclass: Fighter 5/ Thief Rogue 3/ Berserker Barb 4. 4 throws + bonus. 300 DPR.
Avoid deep multiclass; lose Extra Attack 3.
Tips and Tricks to Win Every Fight
- Short Rest Often: Recharges Surge, Wind, Dice. Fighters love them.
- Position Smart: Use high ground (+2 attack).
- Action Surge Early: Double Extra Attacks = 6 hits.
- Throw Everything: Tavern Brawler makes barrels deadly.
- Gear Up: Blood of Lathander (Act 1 mace), Helldusk Armour (Act 3).
- Party Synergy: Protect casters with Sentinel.
Quote from pros: “Fighters solve problems with punching.” – Polygon guide.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Low STR: Can’t hit or damage.
- No CON: Die fast.
- Skip Heavy Armor: Low AC loses fights.
- Bad Maneuvers: Precision > damage ones.
- Long Rests Only: Waste short rest power.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the best BG3 fighter subclass? Battle Master for versatility, EK for magic throws.
Can BG3 fighter use spells? Yes, Eldritch Knight gets Wizard spells.
Best BG3 fighter race? Half-Orc for survivability.
Is BG3 fighter good for beginners? Yes! Simple and strong.
How much damage does BG3 fighter do? 40-100+ DPR depending on build.
Conclusion: Rule the Battlefield as a BG3 Fighter
The BG3 fighter delivers non-stop action. From level 1 punches to level 11 triples, you dominate. Pick Battle Master for tricks, EK for flair, or pure tank. With GWM and throws, no foe stands. Build smart, rest short, and win big.
Ready to forge your legend? What’s your favorite BG3 fighter build?
