Which new Baldur’s Gate 3 subclasses do the most damage? [Patch 8] Simulation & Benchmark
With the 12 newly added subclasses to BG3, the question “Which of them does the most damage?”, and how it changed to the previous options, comes up anew!
To answer this, I conducted a systematic standardized benchmark, as explained and first executed in the initial video:
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TL;DW: Warlock benefitted the most from the new Hexblade subclass, Ranger and Monk lost the most, Rogue (Swashbuckler) is still too weak to not be a multiclass-only.
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Chapters and Links to the (interactive) graphs:
00:00 Introduction
01:33 Relative Win/Loss of all Classes
01:55 Swarmkeeper (-54%)
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_2_1741293806231
02:16 Drunken Master (-45%)
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_2_1741208366560
02:40 Oath of the Crown (-38%)
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_2_1738892045793
03:01 Circle of Stars (-25%)
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_2_1741202843438
03:33 Shadow Magic (-21%)
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_2_1741302351578
03:54 College of Glamour (-12%)
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_2_1741011796442
04:11 Swashbuckler (-8%)
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_2_1738696564595
04:31 Death Domain (-3%)
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_2_1738692740831
04:47 Bladesinging (+7%)
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_2_1741485515186
05:36 Path of Giants (+18%)
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_2_1738784210829
05:59 Arcane Archer (+31%)
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_2_1738772030320
06:18 Hexblade (+109%)
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_2_1744555259431
07:11 Average Damage per Round of all new Subclasses
07:37 1-Turn NOVA Burst
https://gw2wingman.nevermindcreations.de/rotationOptimizer/bg3?sessionID=gorKjan.5019_12_1744559743321
08:29 Summary
Limitations apply!
– Only 1 static opponent (fixed AC & Saving Throws)
– Only standard equipment
– No Multiclassing
– No Party Support
These choices were made to measure the “core” damage of every single class, not the contribution that items, other characters, or other (multi-)classes would add to that.
Of course this is interesting as well – let me know what you would like to see next!
EDIT:
Hexblade does not get Extra Attack for free anymore, so you would go with Pact of the Blade instead of Haste, which cuts down the damage increase by approximately half, but does not change the message. The graph at 06:18 already shows the non-Haste numbers. So its not +196%, but +109%, which still makes Hexblade benefit the most here.
A mistake in your video I noticed is that Hexblade no longer gets extra attack. You have to go Pact of the Blade for it now.
Bear in mind that raw damage isn't the only thing that makes a build great; the ability to shut down enemy actions (including by drawing fire away from damage dealers) is equally powerful.
bg3wingman incoming
Wouldn't Eldrich Knight with booming blade do more damage than Arcane Archer ? Not only do you get bonus damage (2d8 at max level) on all 3 of your attacks, it also procs War Magic letting you swing one additional time.
thx for data
Very interesting work. I think that all of the classes will need an update because of the new patch 8 to see how the 12 new subclasses stack in all areas.
Damage plays an important role, but it's only part of the picture, such as durability, crowd control, and utility.
Despite what the build planner shows, hexblade does NOT get extra attack on its own. You need pact of the blade's deepened pact.
Im stoked for the arcane archer
So many factual wrongs in this video regardinh so much information that your calculations are wrong.
I'm playing a Bladesinger/Barbarian (for UD).
How does Way of Four Elements compare to Drunken Master in terms of damage potential? I always went with Four Elements because I thought it was cool to throw fire punches, but Drunken Master might be better for role playing. But I know both aren't super powerful.
I’m surprised shadow sorc is so high
Not comparing hexblade to an Eldritch blaster feels a bit clickbaity
how would 1 hexblade and 11 eldrich knight be a good idea? isnt Eldrich a int caster?