Baldur’s Gate 3recently introduced twelve new subclasses with Patch 8. Its new subclasses add more variety and potential for interesting builds that change the party dynamics and strategy. Another advantage to the new subclasses is how they giveBaldur’s Gate 3’s players the chance to roleplay new kinds of characters, and more closely connect their backstories to their class.
Shadowheart is defined by her faith in Shar for most ofBaldur’s Gate 3, and so Cleric makes the most sense for her character in terms of lore and role in the party. Thenew subclass for Cleric is Death Domain, which deals necrotic damage and can raise the undead. These are all abilities related to Shar, who is also one of the few deities in the Forgotten Realms associated with the Death Domain alongside Kelemvor.
Shadowheart’s Subclass Options
The new subclasses are available to the entire party. Because some of thenew subclasses are closely connected to the lore ofBaldur’s Gate 3, some subclasses are more suited to certain characters than others. As the characters ofBaldur’s Gate 3are well-written and have strong backstories, motivations, and morals, certain subclasses are more suitable for them, even though they can be subclassed into any of them.
Shadowheart’s connection to Shar and the Shadowfell gives her several lore-friendly options. There are two new subclasses that are connected to the Shadowfell: Hexblade Warlock and Shadow Magic Sorcerer. The Hexblade Warlock gets their magic through a deal they made with a denizen of the Shadowfell, while theShadow Magic Sorcerergets theirs through an innate connection with the Shadowfell. Both the Hexblade Warlock and Shadow Magic Sorcerer can summon creatures from the Shadowfell, and their magic is closely connected to the darkness.
Shadowheart is Best as a Cleric
These are all abilities that would complement Shadowheart, thanks to her own close connections to the Shadowfell. However, there is one other subclass that would be even better suited to her. As a Cleric, Shadowheart gains her power directly from Shar because of her faith and devotion. Shadowheart’s original subclass is Trickery Domain Cleric, which doesn’t align perfectly with Shar’s aims as a goddess. In contrast, the new Death Domain subclass for Clerics suits Shadowheart as it primarily deals necrotic damage. Shar is also one of the three deities associated with the Death Domain.
Thebiggest show of Shar’s power inBaldur’s Gate 3is the Shadow Cursed Lands in Act 2. Shar’s Shadow Curse turns anything living into undead, while the Shadow enemies and other enemies created by the Shadow Curse deal necrotic damage. As Shadowheart’s faith is one of her defining traits and sets her story in motion, keeping her as a Cleric suits her better than reclassing her as a Warlock or Sorcerer.
This is also pertinent if she rejects Shar and instead embraces Selune. Shadowheart notes that her magic is granted by a different deity if she rejects Shar, keeping her abilities. Many players choose to change Shadowheart’s subclass if they take this route, switching instead to the Light Domain. This makes sense ifShadowheart chooses Selune over Shar, but it only happens at the end of Act 2. For the majority ofBaldur’s Gate 3, having Shadowheart be a Death Cleric makes the most sense because it aligns with her beliefs, her role as a Cleric, and the abilities it grants her in and out of combat.
