Baldur's Gate 3: Best Classes For Dragonborn In BG3

Baldur’s Gate 3: The Benefits of Playing a Dragonborn

Like most races in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Dragonborn has a subrace that needs to be selected. Dragonborn has the highest number of subraces, with ten to choose from: Black Dragonborn, Blue Dragonborn, Brass Dragonborn, Bronze Dragonborn, Copper Dragonborn, Gold Dragonborn, Green Dragonborn, Red Dragonborn, Silver Dragonborn, and White Dragonborn.

Each Dragonborn type has its own elemental affinity, determining the damage type of its breath attack and resistance.

Black Dragonborn: Acid breath (2d6 Acid damage or half on a Dexterity save) and Acid resistance.
Blue Dragonborn: Lightning breath (2d6 Lightning damage or half on a Dexterity save) and Lightning resistance.
Brass Dragonborn: Fire breath (2d6 Fire damage or half on a Dexterity save) and Fire resistance.
Bronze Dragonborn: Lightning breath (2d6 Lightning damage or half on a Dexterity save) and Lightning resistance.
Copper Dragonborn: Acid breath (2d6 Acid damage or half on a Dexterity save) and Acid resistance.
Gold Dragonborn: Fire breath (2d6 Fire damage or half on a Dexterity save) and Fire resistance.
Green Dragonborn: Poison breath (2d6 Poison damage or half on a Constitution save) and Poison resistance.
Red Dragonborn: Fire breath (2d6 Fire damage or half on a Dexterity save) and Fire resistance.
Silver Dragonborn: Frost breath (2d6 Cold damage or half on a Constitution save) and Cold resistance.
White Dragonborn: Frost breath (2d6 Cold damage or half on a Constitution save) and Cold resistance.

Dragonborn Draconic Bloodline Sorcerers Receive Double Resistance

It wouldn’t come as the biggest shock in the world to discover that a Dragonborn has a dragon somewhere in the family tree. You can use that drop of dragon blood to your advantage, as Baldur’s Gate 3 has the Draconic Bloodline subclass for Sorcerers, allowing you to double dip on your wyrm heritage.

At level 1, the Draconic Bloodline gives you extra hit points and a natural Armor Class bonus, both of which are good for a squishy caster, but it’s at level 6 when the subclass shines. When you pick the Draconic Bloodline, you select from one of the ten dragon types, which has its own associated element, and when you reach level 6, you gain a resistance to that damage type.

Selecting a Dragonborn subrace and a Draconic Bloodline with two different elements will give you two built-in resistances at level 6. The best combinations to select are Fire and Acid, as these are the most common damage types throughout Baldur’s Gate 3, so either pick Brass/Gold/Red and combine it with Black/Copper to make the most of this build.

Dragonborn Can Have a Natural Ignition Power

One useful application for creating fire is the ability to ignite surfaces and cause explosions. This means that creating a frontline warrior character (Barbarian, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger) or a mid-range spellcaster can work in tandem with an archer or spellcaster to abuse surface rules. You can have another character cast the Grease spell or set up an explosive barrel, then have a Brass, Gold, or Red Dragonborn follow up the second round with a fiery breath, which will not only damage foes, but cause an ignition that deals further damage. This is a great tactic to use during the early houses of the game, when many enemies are susceptible to fire damage.

The Dragonborn Cleric Has Some Much-Needed Boosts in Baldur’s Gate 3

It’s tempting to avoid playing a Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3, as the game gives you Shadowheart right off the bat. You might not want to keep an evil Cleric of the goddess of darkness around, so playing as the group’s Cleric might be your best bet. The Dragonborn make an excellent choice for the Cleric, as the added resistance given by their subrace makes it harder for them to die, while their breath weapon attack gives them a powerful attack to use when enemies get close, and that doesn’t burn precious spell slots.

The Dragonborn Fighter & Paladin Can Get in the Thick of Things

During the Baldur’s Gate 3 Early Access period, the Dragonborn was the best choice for the Paladin class, as they received +2 to Strength and +1 to Charisma. The full version of Baldur’s Gate 3 scrapped the racial bonus rules, so that’s no longer the case, but Dragonborn still makes for excellent frontline fighters.

The two best tank builds for the Dragonborn are the Fighter and Paladin, who both have full Martial and Heavy Armor Proficiency, allowing them to use the best gear in the game. The fact that they have the extra resistance makes them more likely to survive special attacks, while their Dragonborn breath attack is perfect to use on the front lines, where enemies tend to gather.

The benefit of selecting the Fighter is that they receive the Action Surge ability, which is great to combo with the breath attack, as you can still perform your regular attacks in the same round. Meanwhile, the Paladin has many healing abilities and magical attacks that can supplement your regular combat moves. Both are excellent choices for your player character, with many interesting options for progression.

Best Classes to Pair with Dragonborn in Baldur’s Gate 3

It can be difficult deciding what class to pick with Dragonborn in Baldur’s Gate 3. However, you don’t have to look much farther than the Fighter, Paladin, or Sorcerer.

Fighter

Fighter is the best class to pick for a Dragonborn. A Dragonborne’s high offensive and defensive stats pair exceptionally well with melee classes like the Fighter. Given that Fighters are also close-range attackers, being able to use a Dragonborne’s ranged breath attack makes them even more versatile in most combat situations.

Paladin

Like the Fighter, Paladins also work very well with Dragonborn. Paladins synergize especially well with high defense, as they often deal damage and dish out plenty of healing. This class ensures that both you and your teammates will survive most encounters.

Sorcerer

Sorcerers make quick work of enemies with their annihilating meta-magic. Dragonborns are good, but their casting side isn’t the strongest. Taking advantage of a Dragonborn’s innate elemental resistance synergize well with the Sorcerer class.

Whether you’re slinging spells as a Warlock or breathing fire as a Dragon, we’ve got the best guides at Gamepur to help you maximize your potential. Check out our complete Baldur’s Gate 3 guide to help you get started.

About the author

Scott Baird

Scott has been writing for Gamepur since 2023, having been a former contributor to websites like Cracked, Dorkly, Topless Robot, Screen Rant, The Gamer, and TopTenz. A graduate of Edge Hill University in the UK, Scott started as a film student before moving into journalism. Scott covers Dungeons & Dragons, Final Fantasy, Pokémon, and MTG. He can be contacted on LinkedIn.

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