BG3 Elf Race

Information on the Elf race in Baldurs Gate 3. Best Classes, Basic Info, Comparison to 5e, etc.

Looking for information on the Elf Race in Baldurs Gate 3? Get in here! Here you'll find Basic info on the Elf race, "best" classes for Elf, differences of Elf in 5e vs BG3, and more!

Note that all races in BG3 gain a +2 and +1 bonus to ANY two Ability Points ("stats") during character creation or while respeccing. And most, if not all racially tied stat bonuses are not present.

Elf Race Basic Information

Here's a summary of the basic racial "traits" of Elf in BG3.

Race Features

Base Racial Speed: 9m / turn

Elven Weapon Training: Proficiency with Longsword, Shortsword, Shortbow, Longbow.

Darkvision: Can see in the dark up to 12m.

Fey Ancestry: You have Advantage on Saving Throws against being Charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.

Elf has NO Race Actions.

Elf Subraces

High Elf

Gain a Cantrip, chosen from a small group of choices. Notably, my favorites are Minor Illusion, True Strike, and Blade Ward.

Wood Elf

Fleet of Foot: Gain an extra 1.5m of Movement. This is alot better than it sounds.

Which Elf Subrace is best?

Inevitably this question will always come up! In BG3, however, Wood-Elf seems to be best generally speaking. I don't know, I won't really miss any of those cantrips - and if I HAD to make a general recommendation, this is it.

This depends on your goals, of course, but If I had to recommend one, this would be it.

Best Classes for Elf in BG3?

Elf is a good choice for ANY CLASS. There's actually no wrong choice, like literally. Why? Fey Ancestry and Darkvision are VERY POWERFUL effects in combat (Wood Elf Movement too!). Darkvision also helps in exploration!

Another reason to take Elf is Elven Weapon Training. It's an easy source of Longbow proficiency if you want it. Longsword, Shortsword, and Shortbow are a little more common, but if proficiencies in these weapon types will always be of some use.

Note that there's no right or wrong answer here, haha. There's always a crazy build out there, flavor or RP, or a plethora of other reasons to choose Elf over another with any combination!

Elf in BG3 vs. 5e: Differences

Wondering about the main differences of the Elf race in Baldurs Gate 3 vs. DnD 5e?

5E had Elves always proficient in Perception, which was great. Losing their racial stats kinda "hurt" them, but ultimately they still remain an amazing choice for any class.

BG3 Did not decide to implement Trance for Elves (and other races with similiar traits). I understand... it. It would be weird for resting time to matter for only one character and so on.

See also: External link to Elf in 5e.

Obviously one of the main blanket changes (I mentioned it above), all races in BG3 get a free +2 and +1 to any two stats of choice, as well as racial stat bonuses being removed.

Summary and Closing

That about wraps it up for BG3's Elf race!