Baldur’s Gate 3: Drow Race Overview

The Drow race in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a dark and mysterious race that is well-suited for characters who want to be both stealthy and powerful.

In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Drow race presents players with a dark and intriguing choice. As Drow, you are a subterranean elf, dwelling in the depths of the Underdark. With unique abilities and traits, Drow characters can excel in various playstyles. This guide will provide an overview of how the Drow race works and suggest some effective builds for your character.

Drow in Baldur’s Gate 3

Drow are the result of an ancient schism between the elven deities Corellon Larethian and Lolth. The latter’s treachery drove the drow into the Underdark, where they splintered into warring factions.

Abilities

Ability Score Increase:

Upon release of the full game, racial choices will no longer be tied to specific ability score bonuses. Each character will get a +2 and +1 bonus to spend on whatever ability stat they would like, regardless of race.

Consequently, this means that the non-ability score traits and racial features are vitally important selecting the appropriate build. Moreover, you won’t be as restricted to certain races when min-maxing by only being able to select a specific race for optimal ability score.

Racial Features:

• Base Racial Speed
  • The distance a race can travel in a single turn. For most races, including the Drow, this is 9 meters.
• Fey Ancestry
  • Advantage on saving throws when an enemy attempts to charm you, and prevents from being put to sleep by potions, scrolls and spells.
• Superior Darkvision
  • Can see in the dark up to 24 meters.
• Proficiency in Rapier, Shortsword, and Hand Crossbow

Drow Spellcasting:

• Dancing Lights (Cantrip)
  • Create wisps of light that illuminate a 12m radius. Available at level 1.
• Faerie Fire
  • Encase multiple targets in colorful light. The targets turns visible, and attack rolls against the targets have advantage.
  • Unlocks at level 3. Can cast once per long rest.
• Darkness
  • Create a cloud of magical darkness to Heavily Obscure and Blind creatures within. Creatures cannot make ranged attacks into or out of the darkness
  • Unlocks at level 5. Can cast once per long rest.

Sub-Races

There are two sub-races of the Drow, the Seldarine Drow and the Lolth Drow. Mechanically in game they are no different – they start with the same base abilities and racial features. Furthermore, they can both learn the same spells as they level up.

The difference between the two comes down to more of a roleplaying decision and will effect dialogue and responses from NPCs in the game. The Lolth Drow are devout followers of Lolth, an evil drow spider goddess. The Seldarine Drow, as the name implies, follow the goddess Seldarine, who is from the surface elven pantheon.

Seldarine Drow

Seldarine drow can be found seeking allies from all over Faerun, aiming to settle their conflict with Lolth – and each other – by any means necessary.

Lolth Drow

Raised by Lolth’s cult in the city of Menzoberranzan, these drow extol the virtues of their corrupt and merciless goddess. Lolth marks her followers with bright red eyes so the Underdark will learn to fear drow on sight.

Best Builds for Drow

Rogue

Drow Rogues are a great choice for players who want to create a character who can sneak around and pick off enemies from the shadows. They can use their Dexterity bonus to boost their Stealth checks, and their Superior Darkvision allows them to see in the dark without being detected. Focus on Dexterity and Charisma for ability score improvements and choose the Assassin or Thief sub-class.

Warlock

Drow Warlocks are a powerful ranged damage-dealers. They can use their Charisma bonus to boost their spellcasting ability, and their Darkness spell can be used to create a cloud of magical darkness that can be used to great effect with their Eldritch Blast spell. Focus on Charisma for spellcasting and Dexterity for improved armor class and choose The Archfey or The Fiend as your patron

Ranger

Embrace your Drow heritage with the Ranger class, becoming an expert in archery or dual-wielding. The Superior Darkvision complements your Ranger’s scouting abilities, making you an efficient tracker and ambusher. Prioritize Dexterity and Wisdom for ability score improvements and choose either then Hunter or Gloom Stalker sub-class.

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