With Patch 8 on the horizon, many Baldur’s Gate 3 players are considering how to revisit the game with another playthrough. Coming up with a different playthrough to explore the over one-hundred hours of Baldur’s Gate 3 is a daunting task that hinges on critical decisions. From pivotal narrative choices to deciding who to romance, it almost seems like no two Baldur’s Gate 3 playthroughs are the same. However, one decision stands at the forefront of them all: choosing a Tav or Durge’s backstory, class, and, eventually, subclass. Class choice in Baldur’s Gate 3 can make or break a character’s effectiveness, shaping their strengths in combat, exploration, and roleplay. While many subclasses complement their base class perfectly, some struggle to stand out, overshadowed by options that offer better synergy or more powerful abilities. In rare cases, a subclass might even feel like it belongs to a different class altogether, one that executes its core fantasy far more effectively.
This issue becomes especially clear with one subclass that, while thematically intriguing, finds itself competing against another class that simply does everything it tries to do, only better. Whether due to spell selection, utility, or combat effectiveness, this subclass ends up feeling redundant, leaving players to wonder if they would have been better off choosing a different path entirely. In a game filled with powerful classes and new subclasses, some stand out as clear winners while others feel like they might be missing their moment to shine. Players who opt for the Illusion Wizard class and subclass combo may be better off choosing other options entirely, as it is outclassed by a few other approaches.
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The Illusion Wizard is Not the Best Option for Stealthy Gameplay
Some players want their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthroughs to be full of trickery and stealth. If players don’t want to depend on a certain pale elf for all things stealth, they have a plethora of class and subclass options to choose from. One of the Wizard subclasses, the Illusion School, could be a way to add some trickster flair to Tavs and Durges. Wizards who select the Illusion School subclass specialize in illusory magic, with the ability to conceal their location, see the unseen, and deceive their foes. They manipulate reality, deceiving everyone from the unsuspecting to the monstrous.
However, players who might be eyeing an Illusion Wizard for their next playthrough may want to think twice about committing. Unless building a unique narrative for a specific protagonist in true Dungeons and Dragons-style storytelling, an Illusion Wizard may not bring enough to the table to make a player shine. And if committed to playing a Wizard, there are other subclasses for an arcane master. Players looking for a trickster-type build will get more mileage and fun out of choosing other options while creating their Tav or Durge.
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Other BG3 Classes and Subclasses Trickster Players Should Consider
Players who are considering starting a new playthrough as an Illusion Wizard should have no fear. Baldur’s Gate 3 offers plenty of alternatives for those who enjoy deception, misdirection, and more. Whether leaning into shadowy subterfuge through Rogue characters, or theatrical flair with a bard, several classes and subclasses provide a more seamless experience for players who want to outwit their enemies rather than overpower them. There’s no shortage of ways to embody the ultimate trickster in Faerûn.
Bards Play a Song of Deception
Any person who has played Dungeons and Dragons understands the narrative strengths of a Bard. In Baldur’s Gate 3, Bards continue their legacy of being absolutely versatile and even comedic. Bards are performers, artists, and skilled storytellers who harness their power through performance, speech, or song to cast Spells. The reason why Bards are a great choice for players looking to harness the power of deception is because Bards depend on Charisma as their main stat. And after leveling up to level 3, players get to take their abilities and pair them up with an ideal bardic subclass.
College of Lore
Players who still yearn to tie their magical abilities with trickery can depend on the College of Lore. The College of Lore Bard in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a versatile and skill-focused subclass that emphasizes knowledge, wit, and the ability to manipulate situations both in and out of combat. It’s perfect for players who want a more spellcasting-oriented Bard with strong support capabilities, enhanced battlefield control, and who don’t want to sacrifice Charisma.
College of Glamour
Coming to Baldur’s Gate 3 with the release of Patch 8, the College of Glamour is a new subclass that is perfect for players looking to play supportive roles on the battlefield. This Bard subclass has two key abilities: Mantle of Inspiration, which provides temporary hit points and charms enemies; and Mantle of Majesty, which allows the Bard to exert control over their foes, similar to the Command spell, potentially disarming, routing, or immobilizing them. This subclass would probably fare well with players interested in multiclassing their BG3 characters.
Rogues: The Old Reliable
For players who thrive on deception and precision, Rogues have always been the old reliable in Baldur’s Gate 3. Masters of stealth, sleight of hand, and devastating sneak attacks, they offer a playstyle that rewards cunning over brute force. Whether slipping through the shadows, disarming traps, or manipulating dialogue with a silver tongue, Rogues excel at staying one step ahead. Their subclass options only enhance their ability to control the battlefield with misdirection and calculated strikes, making them a go-to choice for any trickster at heart.
Swashbuckler
Two years after the game’s release, Larian Studios is still spoiling Baldur’s Gate 3 players with new content. Patch 8 will roll out the Swashbuckler subclass for Rogues. The Swashbuckler subclass, inspired by pirates and duelists, introduces a nimble and refreshing playstyle to the Rogue class. It provides players with unique combat and movement abilities, offering an alternative to the typical Rogue experience.
Arcane Trickster
The Arcane Trickster takes everything that makes a Rogue deadly and adds a touch of magic to the mix. By weaving illusion and enchantment spells into their skill set, they can manipulate enemies, create distractions, and even turn the tide of battle without ever drawing a blade. The Rogue subclass Arcane Trickster utilizes spells from the Wizard spell list to supplement combat abilities. Intelligence governs an arcane trickster’s spellcasting ability, so players should prioritize increasing this stat.
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.
THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCE
Choose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.
A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPIC
Forged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.