Baldur’s Gate 3, a game based on Dungeons & Dragons, has a large array of races for the players to choose from. Besides races, it also has many options regarding the classes, subclasses, appearances, and much more regarding the player’s character.
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One race the player might be interested in is the Elf race, which is one of the most iconic and popular ones in Dungeons & Dragons. The Elf is wildly beloved by players old and new, and for good reasons. Here, the player will find everything they need to know about the Elf race before diving into Baldur’s Gate 3’s massive world.
The Elf Race Traits And Features In Baldur's Gate 3
Every race in Baldur’s Gate 3 has its own special perks that might be enticing to some players to pick. For the Elf race, these features are available:
- Base Racial Speed: With this, an elf character can move up to 9 meters every turn. This is the norm for most other races.
- Elven Weapon Training: This grants the character proficiency with the Longsword, the Shortsword, the Shortbow, and the Longbow.
- Darkvision: Allows the character to see up to 12 meters in the dark.
- Fey Ancestry: Veils the mind so that magic is unable to put elves to sleep. They are also less likely to be charmed by having an advantage on those saving throws.
- Perception: Elves are proficient in the perception skill (+3). They can observe their environment and spot hidden details better.
Subraces Of The Elf Race
Like many of the other races, the Elf race has two subraces, each with its own extra features and advantages.
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Elves, in general, are described as such by the game:
“With ethereal countenances and long lifespans, elves are at home with nature's power, flourishing in light and dark alike.”
High Elf
“Heirs of the mystical Feywild, high elves value magic in all its forms, and even those who do not study spellcraft can manipulate the weave.”
In addition to the regular Elf features, the High Elf can pick one cantrip from the Wizard spell list.
|
CANTRIPS |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
|
Acid Splash |
A conjuration cantrip. Throw a bubble of acid that damages each creature it hits. 1d6 acid damage. |
|
Blade Ward |
An Abjuration cantrip. Take only half the damage from bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing attacks. |
|
Bone Chill |
A Necromancy cantrip. Prevent the target from healing until your next turn. An undead target receives Disadvantage on attack rolls. 1d8 Necrotic damage. |
|
Dancing Lights |
An Evocation Cantrip. Illuminate a 9m radius. |
|
Fire Bolt |
An Evocation Cantrip. Hurl a mote of fire. 1d10 fire damage. |
|
Friends |
An Enchantment Cantrip. Gain advantage on charisma checks against a non-hostile creature. This spell can be cast while you are silenced. |
|
Light |
An Evocation Cantrip. Infuse an object with an aura of light. |
|
Mirror Illusion |
An Illusion Cantrip. Create an illusion that compels nearby creatures to investigate. You can remain hidden while casting this spell. |
|
Shocking Grasp |
An Evocation Cantrip. The target cannot use reactions. This spell has advantage on creatures with metal armor. 1d8 Lightning damage. |
|
True Strike |
A Divination Cantrip. Gain advantage on your next attack roll. |
These cantrips will all make use of the Elf’s intelligence when cast.
Wood Elf
“Wood elves spend their reclusive lives in Faerun's forests. Decades of training in archery and camouflage are enhanced by an otherworldly swiftness.”
Just like the High Elf, the Wood Elf has access to all the base features of the Elf. In addition, they also receive 2 more features:
- Fleet Of Foot: This increases the Elf’s movement from 9 meters to 10.5 meters per turn.
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- Mask Of The Wild: In addition to already being proficient in Perception, the Wood Elf is granted proficiency in Stealth with this.
Recommended Classes For Elf Race
The Elf is a very versatile race that can go both the magic or melee route, depending on the sub-race.
For the High Elf:
|
CLASS |
DESCRIPTION |
PRIMARY |
SPELLCASTING |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Warlock |
Bound by a pact to an all-powerful patron, warlocks trade their loyalty for supernatural abilities and unique magic. |
Charisma |
Charisma |
|
Wizard |
Wizards master the arcane by specializing in individual schools of magic, combining ancient spells with modern research. |
Intelligence |
Intelligence |
|
Rogue |
With stealth, skill and uncanny reflexes, a rogue's versatility lets them get the upper hand in almost any situation. |
Dexterity |
Intelligence |
For The Wood Elf:
|
CLASS |
DESCRIPTION |
PRIMARY |
SPELLCASTING |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rogue |
With stealth, skill and uncanny reflexes, a rogue's versatility lets them get the upper hand in almost any situation. |
Dexterity |
Intelligence |
|
Ranger |
Rangers are unrivaled scouts and trackers, honing a deep connection with nature in order to hunt their favored prey. |
Dexterity |
Wisdom |
|
Fighter |
Fighters have mastered the art of combat, wielding weapons with unmatched skill and wearing armor like a second skin. |
Strength |
Intelligence (Eldritch Knight) |
Elf RaceBest Build
The Elf has many options when picking classes, as seen before. This leaves the player wondering what could be the overall best class, subclass, origin story, skill proficiency, and all the rest for the Elf. While it is hard to go wrong when using the Elf, here’s a great build for new players to start with.
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For the High Elf, the ideal build would be made up of:
- Class: Warlock Class.
- Sub Class: Archfey.
- Most Important Abilities: Charisma and Wisdom.
- Background: Sage or Charlatan.
- Extra Proficiency Skills: Stealth and Sleight of Hand.
On the other hand, the Wood Elf’s ideal build is:
- Class: Rogue.
- Sub Class: Theif.
- Most Important Abilities: Dexterity and Intelligence.
- Background: Charlatan, Criminal, or Urchin.
- Extra Proficiency Skills: Deception, Stealth, Sleight of Hand, and Perception.
Notable Elves in Baldur’s Gate 3
The most well-known Elf that appears in Baldur’s Gate 3 is, undoubtedly, Astarion, who is a High Elf that also happens to be a vampire. He can be recruited by the player as a companion or even used by the player as an origin character to play as. He can be found very early on in the game, not far from the Nautiloid Ship’s crash site. As a Rogue, he can be extremely useful with his stealthiness and superior perception.
Another notable Elf in the game is Halsin, a Wood Elf the player can find and eventually recruit as a companion, if desired by taking on the “Rescuing the Druid Halsin” quest. He will however only officially join the player as a companion in Act 2.
He can be found deep in the Shattered Sanctum as a prisoner that the player can save. As a Druid, the player will make great use of his abilities. These include actions such as animal metamorphosis.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is now available to play on PC and PlayStation 5.