Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 8 introduced twelve new subclasses, encouraging many players to start new playthroughs and experiment with new builds and class combinations. Many of these new subclasses are well-suited not just for the player character, but for Baldur’s Gate 3’s many NPC companions as well. One such companion is Gale, the Wizard of Waterdeep. Some players feel that he is not particularly suited to the new Wizard subclass, Bladesinger, as he is not a particularly physically strong character. However, Gale can work as a Bladesinger, and can also fit into other subclasses as well.
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Bladesinger Wizard
On the surface, the Bladesinger Wizard may not seem like the obvious fit for Gale, who is a scholarly type who spent a year isolated in his tower prior to the events of Baldur’s Gate 3. He does not seem like someone who would be well-trained in weapons, which the Bladesinger Wizard uses as a hybrid of melee class and caster.
However, it could perhaps work if players went with the idea that Gale trained in weapons during his time alone in his tower, as he may have been afraid that Mystra, the Goddess of Magic, would forsake him and cut off his connection to the Weave due to his accidentally imbuing himself with a Netherese Orb. A Gale whose magic is growing unstable and is convinced that the Weave could leave him could easily study Bladesinging as an alternative to the pure casting he had previously depended on.
Shadow Magic Sorcerer
The Shadow Magic Sorcerer subclass works for Gale for one particular lore-related reason: the ability Strength of the Grave, which is unlocked automatically at Level 1. The in-game text for Strength of the Grave says the following:
“After reaching 0 hit points, you regain 1 instead of becoming downed.”
After his folly involving the Netherese Orb, Gale becomes extremely dedicated to preventing his own death, as the Orb’s explosion would cause a massive detonation that would destroy the entire Sword Coast. In-game, Mystra – via her messenger Elminster – gives him the option to regain her favor by detonating the Orb to defeat the Absolute.
Before that, however, Gale did everything he could to avoid dying – there is even a hidden quest that unlocks should Gale die, called “In Case of Death,” which deals with preparations Gale made to revive himself and provide the player with a Scroll of True Resurrection. Given his willingness to do anything to avoid death, it makes in-universe sense for Gale to study Shadow Magic to learn Strength of the Grave and prevent his own death.
Other Subclasses
The other subclasses introduced in Patch 8 do not make as much sense for Gale, either lore or mechanics-wise. However, players should be encouraged to experiment with subclasses whether or not they “fit” the character. Here are some examples of how other Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 subclasses could be fun to try Gale in, even if they aren’t necessarily the perfect fit:
- Make Gale a Path of the Giant Barbarian to enjoy his less-than-intimidating screams of rage.
- Give Gale a level or two of Hexblade Warlock to let him experiment with other weapons, such as the holy Blood of Lathander. Maybe he wants to connect with a different god since his relationship with Mystra has become strained?
- Make Gale a Circle of Stars Druid to reference the fact that he conjures up a beautiful star-filled sky in one of his romance scenes.
- Have Gale try out Death Domain Cleric to reflect the amount of time he has spent contemplating death and his changed relationship with death following the Netherese Orb fiasco.
Baldur’s Gate 3
9/10
- Released
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August 3, 2023
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Engine
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Divinity 4.0
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