Baldur’s Gate 3: Half-Elf Race Overview

In Baldur’s Gate 3 Half-Elf race is an adaptable and powerful choice for players who want a character with a wide range of options.

Baldur's Gate 3 Update 9 When Will Be The Next Patch
Baldur’s Gate 3 Companion Jaheira
Source: Larian Studios

As a Half-Elf, you find yourself at the crossroads of human and elven heritage, allowing for a versatile and charismatic character that can excel in various roles. In this guide, we’ll explore how the Half-Elf race works in Baldur’s Gate 3 and discuss some effective builds to make the most of your character.

Half-Elf in Baldur’s Gate 3

Curious, ambitious, and versatile, half-elves are welcome everywhere, but struggle without a community to call their own.

Abilities

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:

  • 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.
  • Darkvision
    • Can see in the dark up to 12 meters.
Baldur's Gate 3 Perception Skill
Source: Larian Studios

Sub-Races

High Half-Elf

A touch of the Feywild remains in half-elves with this bloodline, and even those untrained in magic possess a hint of wild power.

Additional Racial Features:

  • Base Racial Speed
    • The distance a race can travel per turn. For most races, including Half-Elves, that distance in 9 meters.
  • High Elf Cantrip
    • You can choose one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is the spellcasting ability for it.

Drow Half-Elf

Most half-drow are a result from liaisons between Seldarine drow and surfacers. While half-drow inherit a few magical gifts, they aren’t usually raised in the Underdark.

Additional Racial Features:

  • Base Racial Speed
    • The distance a race can travel per turn. For most races, including Half-Elves, that distance in 9 meters.
  • Dancing Lights Spell
    • Create wisps of light that illuminate a 12 meter radius.

Wood Half-Elf

Like their wood elf parent these half-elves have a quickened stride and eye for stealth. Yet many break away from isolation in Faerun’s forests to explore the rest of the Realms.

Additional Racial Features:

  • Fleet of Foot
    • The distance Wood Half-Elves can move per turn is 10.5 meters
  • Mask of the Wild
    • Grants proficiency in Stealth.

Best Builds for Half-Elves

Warlock

As a Half-Elf with a Charisma bonus, you are a natural fit for spellcasting classes that rely on this ability score, such as a Warlock. (But can also beneficial for Sorcerers and Bards.) Focus on spells that enhance your social interactions and enchant your enemies into submission. Use your Darkvision to scout ahead during the night and uncover hidden threats.

Ranger

Baldur's Gate 3 Ranger Critical
Baldur’s Gate 3 Ranger Critical Hit

Embrace the elven connection to nature and consider playing as a Ranger. Half-Elves’ skill versatility can be used to bolster your survival skills, and their Darkvision proves invaluable when tracking enemies or exploring the wilderness at night. The Hunter sub-class is a great choice for this build.

Rogue

With their skill versatility, Half-Elves (and particularly Wood Half-Elves) make excellent Rogues. Utilize their Darkvision to sneak through shadows and surprise enemies. Consider a Dexterity-focused build to maximize your effectiveness in ranged combat and improve your chances of success in stealth situations.

Cleric

Half-Elves can also excel as Clerics, especially those devoted to deities of Nature or Light. Their Fey Ancestry helps protect against charm spells, ensuring your Cleric can maintain focus on healing and buffing allies without interruption.

Conclusion

Half-Elves in Baldur’s Gate 3 are versatile and charming characters, able to excel in various roles and classes. Whether you choose to be a charismatic spellcaster, a stealthy rogue, a supportive cleric, or a nature-loving ranger, your Half-Elf character will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the world of Baldur’s Gate. Embrace your heritage, make the most of your abilities, and embark on an epic adventure like no other!


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