Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide

This guide focuses on the best Fighter build in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Champion subclass, and includes all components to build a powerful character.

Baldur's Gate 3 Fighter Class

This build page has been updated for the patch 6 version of Baldur’s Gate 3.

Fighter Class Introduction Baldur’s Gate 3

The Fighter class is a great choice for players who want to focus on dealing damage and being a tough tank in Baldur’s Gate 3. Fighters have a high hit point pool and access to a variety of armor and weapons, making them very durable in combat. They also have a few abilities that can help them deal more damage, such as Action Surge and Second Wind. 

This build is focused on using a two-handed weapon style, ultra-aggressive and big damage. The subclass Champion prioritizes burst damage, and with a Two-Handed melee weapon, we will aim for big damage and a feat that feeds into a critical strike build. If you’re looking for a class that can dish out a lot of punishment and take a lot of hits, then the Fighter is a great choice for you. With their high damage output and survivability, Fighters are an asset to any party.

Fighter Class Features & Mechanics

The Fighter Class features Action Surge, giving you an extra action, second heal, which is a self-heal and proficiencies in all armor and weapon types. Consider the Fighter a versatile martial class that is ultra simple to play and very effective. At level 5, you unlock Extra Attack allowing you two attacks in one turn, along with Action Surge for even another action. The Champion subclass also helps with landing more critical strikes with the Improved Critical subclass feature.

The following list presents all the essential Champion Fighter Class Mechanics and Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  • Primary Ability: Strength
  • Saving Throws: Strength, Constitution
  • Armour Proficiency: Light Armour, Medium Armour, Heavy Armor, Shields
  • Weapon Proficiency: Simple Weapon, Martial Weapons
  • Health Points: 10 HP + their Constitution Modifier, and then gain 6 HP + their Constitution Modifier every level thereafter.
  • Second Wind: heal yourself with a bonus action, gain access to this at level 1.
  • Action Surge:  Gain one additional action, acquired at level 2.
  • Champion Subclass: Improved Critical your weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20.
  • Extra Attack: You can make an additional free attack after making an unarmed or weapon attack.

Fighter Best Subclass – Champion

BG3 Champion Subclass

The Champion subclass is a good subclass for the Fighter in Baldur’s Gate 3 because it has a unique bonus to critical damage. The Champion Fighter subclass has a unique advantage in burst damage while maintaining the hallmarks of the FIghter. It’s a tough, durable, two-handed playstyle. Subclass selection will be unlocked at level 3.

Here’s the list of the Fighter’s Subclasses:

  • Battle Master: is a more versatile subclass for the Fighter giving you Superiority Dice and extra control over attacks.
  • Champion: the subclass that emphasizes critical strikes and the simplest and most straightforward.
  • Eldritch Knight:  is a subclass that combines the martial prowess of the Fighter with spellcasting.

The Champion Fighter Subclass will give you Improved Critical which reduces your need to roll a D20 for a critical strike instead of a 19 or 20. This subclass is also very simple to understand and is the easiest to play for any new Baldur’s Gate 3 player.

BG3 Soldier Background

Soldier is the Best Background for a Champion Fighter in Baldur’s Gate 3 because you gain proficiency in Athletics and Intimidation.  This choice mostly influences roleplaying and dialogue options aspects and allows you to create unique characters. Additional choices are:

  1. Soldier: Proficiency in Athletics (strength) and Intimidation (Wisdom). You are trained in battlefield tactics and combat, having served in a militia, mercenary company, or officer corps. Soldier companions in BG3 are Jaheira and Lae’zel.
  2. Outlander: Proficiency in Athletics (strength) and Survival (Wisdom).  You grew up in the wilds, learning to survive far from the comforts of civilization.  Outlander companions in BG3 are Halsin and Karlach
  3. Urchin: Proficiency in Sleight of Hand (dexterity) and Stealth (dexterity). After surviving a poor and bleak childhood, you know how to make the most out of very little.

Best Race Choice Fighter Build

BG3 Fighter Race Choice

For a Champion Fighter build in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Half-Orc and Duergar Dwarf races stand out as the best choices. The Half-Orc’s innate abilities, including enhanced critical damage, resilience, and intimidation. The Duergar Dwarf Enlarge Spell and Invisibility, aiding in damage and defensive capabilities.

Here is the best race choice for a solo Fighter build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  1. Half-Orc
  2. Duergar
  3. Zariel Tiefling

The Fighter’s racial choice will not influence ability score, as everyone should get a +2 and +1 to spend regardless.  This frees your race choice up to not completely hinder yourself based on ability score, but race features. Each of these races offers unique advantages that can enhance your combat prowess, survivability, or utility. Additionally, consider the roleplaying opportunities and character concepts that resonate with you.

BG3 Fighter Skills

Acrobatics and Athletics are the best skills for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide because they complement your class abilities and enhance your effectiveness in various situations. In Baldur’s Gate 3, skills represent the abilities and proficiencies of your character that allow them to perform various actions and interact with the game world. Skills are associated with specific attributes and are used to determine the success or effectiveness of certain actions or abilities. Skills can be edited during character creation or with companions, during respec or reroll screen.

Here are the skills for Fighter in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  1. Acrobatics: Dexterity Skill that helps resist being shoved.
  2. Perception: Wisdom skill that spots hidden containers, mechanisms, traps, and creatures.

Best Fighter Ability Score

Best Fighter Ability Score - Baldur’s Gate 3
Fighter Ability Score

Below is the best ability score to unlock the full potential of the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide:

AbilityPoints Goal
Strength16
Dexterity 14
Constitution16
Intelligence8
Wisdom 10
Charisma10

The best Champion Fighter Ability Score reaches 16 Strength and 16 Constitution to increase your damage potential and survivability. Dexterity is an optional ability score because you will be using heavy armor. Additional Dexterity will help you in other combat environments and it’s recommended to reach 14.

After you choose the class, subclass, race, and background, the game will automatically distribute your abilities in the character creation abilities tab. You will need to reprioritize your Champion stats for the chart for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Build.  Simply use the plus-minus in the character creator and make sure you have the suggested race, or the numbers will be off.

You can increase your ability score via a quest in Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3. Make sure to check out our Permanent bonus guide on how you can boost your ability score through quests.

Fighter Illithid Powers

BG3 Illithid Powers

Illithid Powers are unlocked later in the game when you learn more about the Mind Flayers and Tadpoles.  You can gain jars of Mind Flayer Parasite Specimens, and consume them to gain one point.  This is essentially another skill tree advancement with some very strong powers.  If you decide to advance this skill line, these are the choices we suggest.

Here are the best Illithid Powers for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide:

  • Luck of the Far Realms: When you make a successful Attack Roll against a foe, you can change that hit into a Critical Hit.
  • Cull of the Weak: When you bring a creature down to fewer hit points than your number of evolved Illithid powers, it dies and all nearby creatures take 1-4 Psychic damage.
  • Psionic Backlash: When an enemy within 9m casts a spell, you can use your reaction to inflict ld4 Psychic damage to the caster per the spell’s level.
  • Blackhole: Area-based suck-in that slows targets.
  • Repulsor: Massive area knockback that can hit friendlies.
  • Charm: Channel the dark allure of the tadpole to Charm an enemy that attacks you, preventing them from attacking you until their next turn.  This is the priority power you want to obtain because you can force enemies to attack something else. 

Fighter Class Level Progression

Level 1

BG3 Fighter Character Creation

Level one follow our character creator to pick all correct backgroundraceskills, and ability distribution focusing on Strength and Constitution. At this level you unlock an ability that allows you to heal yourself. Don’t expect much gameplay-wise outside of attacking with a melee weapon. Aim to pickup a Greatsword right away. Level 3 you will get your subclass pick and a lot of utility then. Your goal is to get a two-handed weapon. Ideally, during the prologue, you get the Everburn Blade and give it to Lae’zel. Use the medium armor you have until you find better heavy and get a crossbow.

BG3 Great Weapon Fighting
  • Health Points: The Fighter class will have higher health than other classes, so be aware and prepare to force fights and jump in. 
  • Second Wind: You will receive a very powerful self-heal immediately called Second Wind.  This allows you to heal yourself using a bonus action, not an action.  This is very important because you can heal and attack in one turn. 
  • Great Weapon Fighting: When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack with a two-handed melee weapon, that die is rerolled once. This just helps us not fail on dice rolls and gives us more reason to use two-handed weapons.
Champion Fighter Gameplay & Priorities

At the start of the game, you will feel weak until level 5 where you gain Extra Attack. Your priority for a Fighter build is locating heavy armour, a two-handed Greatsword, and a Longbow or Heavy Crossbow. Lae’zel, who you meet in the prologue has powerful medium armour with 15 AC along with a Heavy Crossbow. If you don’t plan on using this companion, take her gear immediately and equip her for a big boost in overall survivability and ranged damage.

From this point, you need to hoard potions, arrows, and consumable potions. Moreover, look to acquire Elixir of Hill Giant Strength, Potion of Speed, and Oil of Accuracy consumables. These three consumables “stack” allowing for massive damage. Your overall priority with this build is the following:

Following these steps ensures a strong foundation, especially if you plan on playing solo or on Honour Mode difficulty.

Level 2

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide Level 2
Baldur's Gate 3 Action Surge

Level two of our Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide gives you one new skill, Action Surge.

  • Action Surge:  gain one additional action. This allows the Fighter very early to take multiple actions, which will likely be attacked. This makes you formability very early in the game. Moreover, you only need a Short Rest to replenish this, which can be done twice in the bottom right of your User Interface. Take a Long Rest via camp to fill Short Rest.

Gameplay you now have a way to get two attacks in one turn along with a self-heal. Play aggressively and charge in. Don’t forget to equip a bow because you want some type of range weapon when melee isn’t an option because of distance.

Level 3

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide Level 3 Subclass
BG3 Improved Critical Hit

Level three you get access to your subclass and for this build, we want to select Champion.

Champion Subclass Unlocked: Improved Critical Hit The number you need to roll a Critical Hit while attacking is reduced by 1 and this effect can stack. The Champion subclass remains the simplest and easiest to understand. You can further reduce the critical hit dice roll, which by default is 20, even further with a item sets. Stacking means you can add more and more ways to reduce the number via feat and gear.

Using this subclass means you lack spellcasting or superiority dice from the other two. Look to either weapon skills or companion spells for providing stuns, buffs, and crowd control. Your goal is to reach enemies and do damage with an advantage at every turn. Advantage mechanic rolls two D20 and selects the higher of the two.

Another thing that will help you with utility is weapon poisons and elemental arrows. Always stockpile these so you can use ice to proc prone or put an enemy asleep if you really need a stun.

Level 4

BG3 Great Weapon Master Feat
Baldur's Gate 3 Great Weapon Master All In Toggle

At level four of our Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide you can take a feat or increased ability score for your main stat Strength. I recommend taking the Great Weapons Master feat at level 4 because it will help you make use of your bonus action offensively.

Great Weapon Master: When a melee attack scores a critical hit or kills a creature, you can make another melee attack as a bonus action. When attacking with Heavy Weapons you are proficient with, attack rolls take a -5 penalty, but their damage increases by 10.

Great Weapon Master does two things for you. One, it has a high risk high reward ability to add 10 damage BUT -5 attack roll penalty. You can turn this off in the Passive section on your toolbar, which will give you the normal percentage. At level four, this will lower your percentage significantly, but as your Strength goes up along with buffs like Bless, the percentage will come up into a respectable range of 60% or greater. Just go to passives and toggle GWM off, if you are in the 30% and want more consistent damage until a higher level.

Secondly, this feat allows you to use your bonus action after you successfully critical strike or kill an enemy. At level four, this is very helpful because our one weakness early is bonus action utility. Constantly getting kills and critical strikes turns the Fighter into an offensive juggernaut. Considering the Champion is built for critical strikes, the Great Weapon Master feat is a must!

Combat should therefore be initiated using your action first, saving your bonus action for a Great Weapons Master attack.

Level 5

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide Level 5
BG3 Extra Attack Explained

Level five is where the Fighter starts to feel very powerful. You get Extra Attack, along with Action Surge AND Great Weapon Master. Extra Attack does the following:

  • Extra Attack: allowing you to make two attacks when you take the Attack action on your turn. This significantly boosts your damage potential in combat

In one turn, you can attack twice with Extra Attack, kill an enemy or critical strike and attack again with Great Weapon Master. That’s three so far.

You use Action Surge and attack another two times for a total of 5 in one turn. You can make it 7 by either using a Potion of Speed or having someone cast Haste on you. This gives you another action once per turn.

And this is why the Fighter is so strong, in an action meta game, nothing beats it. You need to use superiority dice and those attacks sparingly when the situation calls for it. Otherwise, just keep it simple and blast people with multiple attacks!

Level 6

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide Level 6 Feat

At level 6, of our Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide you get another feat or ability improvement. We want to increase strength by +2 for a total of 18. This will help us hit harder, and more likely to land which is especially handy with Great Weapons Master. If you have this toggled off due to lower percentages of chances to strike, turn it back on. Also, use the spell Bless or have someone cast it on you for much higher percentages and big damage!

Gameplay remains unchanged, get aggressive and try to land critical strikes with advantage dice rolls. The nice thing about Fighter is you get feats at levels 4, 6, 8, and 12. Most classes give you just 3 so this is a big advantage for staying in the class only and not multi-classing.

Ending Act 1 as a Champion Fighter

By you should be close to transitioning out of Act 1. Be sure to visit traders and stock up on camp and alchemy supplies. Additionally, make sure to find the best Act 1 items. Furthermore, there are also permanent bonuses you don’t want to miss in Act 1. Finally, the Grymforge has powerful armor and weapons (Adamantine) that can be used well into Act 3. Consider taking the time to collect the crafting items before moving on to Act 2, where you won’t be able to return.

Level 7

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide Level 7

At level 7 the Champion Subclass gets two features: Athlete Proficiency and Jump. In combat, the only benefit is the jump distance. You can also reach other ledges that you wouldn’t normally, which is somewhat helpful. Combat remains the same.

  • Remarkable Athlete: Proficiency (You’re a master of your own body, your athletic prowess extended beyond the usual. You can add half of your Proficiency Bonus to any Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution Checks that you are not Proficient in.)
  • Remarkable Athlete: Jump (You’re a master of your own body, your athletic prowess extended beyond her usual. Your Jump distance is increased by 3m.)

Level 8

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide Level 8 Feat

At level 8 of our Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide you get another feat choice. Alert makes the most sense for the build.

Alert: You gain a +5 bonus to Initiative and can’t be Surprised.

At first, this feat seems to be lack luster, but it’s incredible. The weakness of the Fighter is having their turn way later in the round. If you can open up with the Fighter, crowd control, or kill multiple targets, your incoming damage is significantly reduced. Not to mention, just having a Fighter with high health and AC near targets will create a distraction. The initiative is a big weakness of the Fighter because we don’t stack that much Dexterity, due to wearing heavy armor and strength-based damage. With 8 initiative you are going pretty early in the round if not first and that gives you a huge advantage in combat.

Another reason this is so strong is the Surprised status effect. This essentially skips one round for you. In some fights, particularly dialogue-based consequences later in Acts 2 and 3, you will be Surprised after a conversation with combat starting immediately. Without this benefit, your entire team will miss one turn, then return to you. With high difficulty and the enemy is given a free round, you are starting a massive disadvantage. When you cannot be surprised and you go first, second or third, you can crowd control or outright kill high-damage dealers. This prevents a catastrophic round one nuke, and I cannot recommend this enough for specifically a Fighter build.

Level 9

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide Level 9

Not much happens at level 9 for the Fighter besides getting the class feature Indomitable. Indomitable: Whenever you fail a Saving Throw, you can roll again, using the new result instead. This is a simple passive feature that helps increase our survivability and requires zero action by you the player.

Level 10

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide Level 10 Fighting Style

At level 10 the Champion Fighter subclass gets to pick an additional fighting style. The logical choice here is Defence which increases our Armour Class (AC) by +1 while wearing armor. You can swap this to Archery if you find yourself using range, which shouldn’t be likely. Combat remains unchanged, just slightly more durable.

Level 11

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide LEvel 11

At level 11, the Fighter receives another INSANE bonus, Improved Extra Attack. You can make two additional attacks after attacking with your main-hand weapon.

This makes the Fighter the most action-heavy class and build in Baldur’s Gate 3. You get multiple actions, then two more, along with an action surge for another action, and with Great Weapon Master you can use your bonus action for another attack. Not to mention if someone cast Haste on you or you use a Potion of Speed. This is why that Alert feat is so powerful at this level. If the Fighter goes early in the turn, and they cannot be crowd controlled by a caster, it’s nearly game over for the entire opposition.

Level 12

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide Level 12 Feat

We’ve reached max level in Baldur’s Gate 3, and improving our Strength to 20 is the play with this feat. At this level, you should feel insane powerful and we hope you enjoyed reading our leveling progression.

Best Companions for Fighter Build

Shadowheart, Gale, and Astarion make the best companions for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide. We do not recommend additional front-line fighters and damage dealers. The idea is, your character charges in melee range with support, range damage, or even stealth attacks.  If you have multiple melee characters, 2-3, it can be troublesome in close-quarters combat. 

It’s important to note that party composition and synergy play a significant role in determining the effectiveness of your companions. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each companion and how they align with your main character’s abilities and playstyle.  You can go more range with Wyll or a double melee setup with Lae’zel.  Also, feel free to swap out and explore different options.

Best Gear for Champion Fighter Build

In Games like Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll explore the world, loot chests and your enemies’ dead bodies, and complete quests, and all those activities can reward you with useful items, potionsarmorweapons, scrolls, and much more. There are three Acts in BG3, and Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Champion Fighter Build Guide includes suggested sets and alternatives for Act 1 and Act 3.

Beginner: Act 1

BG3 Sword of Justice
Adamantine Splint Armour BG3
Grymskull Helm - Baldur’s Gate 3

Here’s the best beginner gear for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Champion Fighter Build Guide:

Gear SlotBest Gear ItemEffect
HeadGrymskull Helm Critical Hit Protection
Cape
ChestAdamantine Splint Armour18 AC
GlovesGloves of the Growling UnderdogAdvantage on Melee
BootsDisintegrating Night WalkersMobility
NecklaceMoondrop PendantNo Opportunity Attacks
RingCrusher’s RingIncrease Movement
RingCaustic BandPoison Damage
Weapon 1 Main HandSword of Justice2d6 Slashing
Weapon 2 RangedTitanstring BowAdd STR modifier
Best Beginner Champion Fighter Gear BG3

Below is a list of the best Act 1 equipment for the Champion Fighter in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Advanced: Act 3 End-Game

BG3 Balduran's Giantslayer
Baldur's Gate 3 Helldusk Armor
BG3 Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength

The following table presents the best advanced and end-game gear for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Champion Fighter Build Guide:

Gear SlotBest Gear ItemEffect
HeadHelm of BalduranSelf-healing
CapeFleshmelterReturn Damage
ChestHelldusk Armour21 Armour Class
GlovesGauntlets of Hill Giant Strength23 Strength
BootsHelldusk BootsMobility
NecklaceAmulet of Greater Health23 Constitution
RingKiller’s SweetheartAuto Crit
RingRing Of RegenerationSelf-healing
Weapon 1 Main HandBalduran’s GiantslayerBest Greatsword
Weapon 2 RangedDarkfire ShortbowBest Longbow
Best Champion Fighter Gear BG3

Below is a list of the best gear, weapons, and armour for the Champion Fighter build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Best Fighter Consumables, Potions, and Items

Baldur's Gate 3 Elixir of Hill Giant Strength tooltip
Baldur's Gate 3 Potion of Speed
Elixir of Bloodlust - Baldur's Gate 3

Consumables are items that can be used once and then destroyed. They are typically used to restore health or other resources. Some common types of consumables include potions, scrolls, food, drinks, and arrows.

The following list represents the best individual use consumable items that will aid in our Fighter Build:

Combat, Gameplay Tips, and Tricks in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build uses a combination of aggression, damage, and movement speed to survive and fight. You will need to play aggressively but also use terrain, consumables, and companions to help you in combat.

Here are 10 combat gameplay tips and tricks specifically for playing the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Champion Build Guide:

  1. Initial Turn: Make sure your initial move either puts you in melee range so you can strike or attack with a range weapon.
  2. Bonus Action: Make use of your bonus action with skills like Pommel or even shove to knock back enemies.
  3. Potion of Speed: Use these potions to gain movement and more actions in challenging fights.
  4. Rest: Make sure to rest when your superiority dies are low so you start with many available.
  5. Equip Range: Find and equip a bow early because it will increase your kill potential and take advantage of Fighters weapon versatility.
  6. Make use of Action Surge: Save Action Surge for critical moments in combat or to gain an advantage over tough opponents. 
  7. Action and Bonus Actions: Try to make use of both your action and bonus action every turn, especially with Great Weapon Master.
  8. Maximize your Attacks: Consider using Action Surge for an additional set of attacks with Extra Attack after level 5.
  9. Weapon Selection: Use a Greatsword due to their secondary ability and bonuses in BG3.
  10. Utilize Maneuvers: Maneuvers are great for crowd control and should be used early in combat.

Remember, this build guide serves as a foundation, and you can always adapt it to suit your preferences and the needs of your campaign. Enjoy playing as a The best Champion Fighter Build in Baldur’s Gate 3!

Baldur’s Gate 3 Fighter Build Summary Guide

Subclass: Champion

Armor: Heavy

Weapons: Greatsword

Race Half-Orc

Background – Soldier

Ability Score

  • Strength – 16
  • Dexterity – 14
  • Constitution – 16
  • Intelligence – 8
  • Wisdom – 10
  • Charisma -10

Level Progression

  • Level 1 – Great Weapon Fighting
  • Level 2 – Action Surge
  • Level 3 – Champion Subclass
  • Level 4 – Great Weapons Master Feat
  • Level 5 – Extra Attack
  • Level 6 – Feat +2 Strength
  • Level 7 – Remarkable Athlete
  • Level 8 – Alert Feat
  • Level 9 – Indomitable
  • Level 10 – Sweeping Attack
  • Level 11 – Improved Extra Attack
  • Level 12 – Feat +2 Strength

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