Why Druids Are Secretly The Most Overpowered Class In Baldur’s Gate 3 -

There are several choices of class available for players to choose from in Baldur’s Gate 3, originating from its tabletop source of Dungeons & Dragons. Each class comes with its own subclasses, which are usually gained at first or third level. When choosing their class and subclass, players will want to consider the best fit for their party and preferred play style.

With so many options to choose from, it’s inevitable that some choices receive more love than others. Baldur’s Gate 3 was many players’ first introduction to the Dungeons & Dragons world, so it’s understandable that classes that are seemingly more niche, such as the druid, are often sidelined in favor of typical melee classes that are easier for players to wrap their heads around. However, the druid may just be one of the most overpowered yet underrated classes in the game.

Circle Of The Moon Druids Can Tank As Early As Level 2

The Bear Wildshape Form Is One Of The Most Useful Assets In The Early Game

Baldur's Gate 3 Druid In Bear Wildshape With Astarion, Lae'zel and Shadowheart At The Roadside Cliffs

The druid class is one of the least popular in Baldur’s Gate 3 — in the one-year anniversary statistics released by Larian Studios on X, it was the third least chosen class in the game to date. It was only slightly more popular than the ranger and the least popular class, the cleric. However, especially in the early stages of the game, the Wild Shape forms that come with the Circle of the Moon subclass can allow characters to become very overpowered tanks with up to 180 extra HP at second level.

The bear Wild Shape form has a base of 30 HP when it is first acquired at level two, which increases every two druid levels. In Act 1, players will have two maximum Wild Shape charges, which replenish on taking a short rest.

At level two, depending on the game mode, class, and constitution scores, characters will typically have between 11 and 34 health.

The Wild Shape advantage means that druids essentially always have an extra 60 HP at their disposal at the beginning of the game, and perhaps even 90 if they rest while in Wild Shape. Since the party gets two short rests per long rest, a druid character can use Wild Shape six times per day.

Druids Are Extremely Versatile & Excel As Damage Dealers, Spellcasters & Healers

Druids May Rival Paladins In Melee Ability

For those who aren’t keen on having party cleric, a druid is a good substitute, since they have access to many of the same healing spells. They’re also great spellcasters in general with an array of powerful area-of-effect spells. Even if the party never recruits Halsin or Jaheira, they may still witness Jaheira taking out cultists with ice storm in Act 2’s battle for Moonrise Towers. Druids also gain access to one of the most powerful summons, with the conjure woodland being spell calling forth a dryad who can summon an ally of her own — a wood woad.

Jaheira from Baldur's Gate 3 with the druid class' symbol behind her.

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The multi-attack ability available in many Wild Shape forms is gained at druid level five, which is very similar to how melee classes such as paladins, fighters, and barbarians gain an extra attack at the same level. In some cases, druids can even deal more damage than these classes, since forms like the Air Myrmidon unlocked at level 10 allow for three individual attacks with a chance of stunning opponents. Druids may be the true jack-of-all-trades in Baldur’s Gate 3 – even more so than the popular paladin class.

Lesser Wildshape Forms Are Extremely Overlooked

Forms Like The Cat And Dire Raven Have Unique Abilities

Baldur's Gate 3 Druid In Cat Wildshape Next To A Burrow Hole In The Selunite Temple In The Goblin Camp

Though the tankier Wild Shape forms are undeniably powerful, the smaller Wild Shape forms aren’t given enough credit for just how useful they can be. For example, the cat form can lure NPCs to a specific area with its meow and fit through crevices and burrow holes. The Dire Raven form grants the player the ability of flight, allowing them to reach areas and unique positions they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. Both of these forms may allow character access to places with unique loot that a player without Wild Shape on hand would never find.

Druid from Baldur's Gate 3 with magic items

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It’s easy to dismiss druids as weak due to their reputation as animal-loving spellcasters, but this is far from the case. The first druid companion players meet, Halsin, is a strong subversion of this stereotype. The druid is one of the most underrated classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, which is a little disappointing given how they can rival the majority of the other classes when it comes to tanking, damage-dealing, and support. For anyone unsure about which class to choose who wants something more than a generic melee character, the druid is a fantastic option.

Source: Larian Studios/X