How does character creation work in Baldur's Gate 3?

Close up of an Elf in Baldur's Gate 3
Credit: Larian Studios


Close up of an Elf in Baldur's Gate 3
Credit: Larian Studios

Here are all the character creation options in Baldur's Gate 3. The great thing about RPGs, and Baldur's Gate 3 is no exception, is the character creation before you even start the game. It gives you the ability to render a character perfectly suited to your aesthetic and ability needs. This is the ultimate feature that will not only open up interactions and how you approach the game's several challenges, but also make it totally unique. Basically, it is you against the world.

In Baldur's Gate 3, the process of customising your character will go from the most basic and general traits like race, all the way through to the specific proficiencies your character can possess. You can even randomise everything or not customise anything at all! It all depends on how you want to experience the game.

For more guides on the game, check out how to save in the game, as well as the Baldur's Gate 3 PC requirements.

What are the character creation options in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Origins

Origins acts as a template for players who do not wish to dive into the various character creation options in Baldur's Gate 3.

But if you prefer to make a character from scratch rather than using an Origin character, you can select Custom, which will enable all character creation options. Each of these character options will provide different Backgrounds and Classes, which will ultimately determine several different interactions during your playthrough. Later on in the story, you will be able to find the Origin characters and have them as companions. Here are all the origin characters:

  • Astarion
    • Rogue
    • Hugh Elf
    • Noble
  • Lae'zel
    • Githyanki
    • Fighter
    • Soldier
  • Gale
    • Human
    • Wizard
    • Sage
  • Shadowheart
    • High Half-Elf
    • Cleric
    • Trickery Domain
    • Urchin
  • Wyll
    • Human
    • Warlock
    • The Fiend
  • Karlach
    • Asmodeus Tiefling
    • Barbarian
  • The Dark Urge
Character creation screen showing a Wood Elf in Baldur's Gate 3.
expand image
Credit: Larian Studios

Appearances

Depending on your character creation selections and the Race of your character, these options may change. You can even opt out of extensive customisation by just randomising each of the following values:

  • Body Type
  • Identity
  • Voice
  • Face
  • Skin Colour
  • Scarring
  • Genitals
  • Crest
  • Chin
  • Jaw

Several customisation options will be determined by the use of a slider, which indicates the amount of a certain trait as reflected on your character:

  • Maturity
  • Freckle Quantity
  • Freckle Intensity
  • Vitiligo Pigmentation

Some of the following customisation options will be exclusive to certain races, with each of the following options having a specific menu to further edit your character.

  • Body Art
  • Eyes
  • Makeup
  • Hair
  • Facial Hair
  • Tail
  • Horns

Race

By hovering over the available races in Baldur's Gate 3, you'll be shown their specific features:

  • Elf
  • Tiefling
  • Drow
  • Human
  • Githyanki
  • Dwarf
  • Half-Elf
  • Halfling
  • Gnome
  • Dragonborn
  • Half-Orc

Classes

Just like races, you will be able to see all the class-specific descriptions, actions, and features. You will have the ability to change classes in-game by talking with specific characters, but you can also experience a multi-class build in Baldur's Gate 3. Below you can find the various different classes available:

  • Barbarian
  • Bard
  • Cleric
  • Druid
  • Fighter
  • Monk
  • Paladin
  • Ranger
  • Rogue
  • Sorcerer
  • Warlock
  • Wizard

Subclasses

After choosing your class, you can customise your character even further by selecting a subclass, which comes with its own actions and features.

  • Barbarian
    • Berserker
    • Wildheart
    • Wild Magic
  • Bard
    • College of Lore
    • College of Valour
    • College of Swords
  • Cleric
    • Life Domain
    • Light Domain
    • Trickery Domain
    • Knowledge Domain
    • Nature Domain
    • Tempest Domain
    • War Domain
  • Druid
    • Circle of the Moon
    • Circle of the Land
    • Circle of Spores
  • Fighter
    • Battle Master
    • Eldritch Knight
    • Champion
  • Monk
    • Way of the Open Hand
    • Way of Shadow
    • Waw of the Four Elements
  • Paladin
    • Oath of Devotion
    • Oath of Ancients
    • Oath of Vengeance
    • Oathbreaker
  • Ranger
    • Beast Master
    • Hunter
    • Gloom Stalker
  • Rogue
    • Thief
    • Arcane Trickster
    • Assassin
  • Sorcerer
    • Draconic Bloodline
    • Wild Magic
    • Storm Sorcery
  • Warlock
    • The Fiend
    • The Great Old One
    • Archfey
  • Wizard
    • Abjuration School
    • Conjuration School
    • Divination School
    • Enchantment School
    • Evocation School
    • Necromancy School
    • Illusion School
    • Transmutation School

Backgrounds

The background modifier will determine your character's starting Proficiencies. These will also affect your character's interactions and their success rate in-game.

  • Acolyte
    • Insight Proficiency
    • Religion Proficiency
  • Charlatan
    • Deception Proficiency
    • Stealth Proficiency
  • Entertainer
    • Acrobatics Proficiency
    • Performance Proficiency
  • Folk Hero
    • Animal Handling Proficiency
    • Survival Proficiency
  • Guild Artisan
    • Insight Proficiency
    • Persuasion Proficiency
  • Noble
    • History Proficiency
    • Persuasion Proficiency
  • Hermit
    • Medicine Proficiency
    • Religion Proficiency
  • Outlander
    • Athletics Proficiency
    • Survival Proficiency
  • Sage
    • Arcana Proficiency
    • History Proficiency
  • Sailor
    • Athletics Proficiency
    • Perception Proficiency
  • Soldier
    • Athletics Proficiency
    • Intimidation Proficiency
  • Urchin
    • Sleight of Hand Proficiency
    • Stealth Proficiency

Once you have chosen your character and customised it to your liking, you will then be met with a screen detailing your stats, cantrips, actions, and proficiencies, along with your race, class, subclass, and background. If you want to edit any option before diving into your first adventure, this will be your last option to do so. Otherwise, you are ready to start the game.

Once you've created your perfect character, be sure to check out our Baldur's Gate 3 max level and whether you can play solo or not. Good luck and have a great adventure!

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