So you've checked out Baldur's Gate 3's Honor Mode, and you'll still want to give it a try, even if you're faced with a series of single save files that force you to really deal with the consequences of your actions, Abyssal dice rolls, party permadeaths, and boss fights reworked into legendary actions.
Your ambition and courage are admirable, but don't expect a quick and easy journey, but rather an intense test of all your knowledge of the game. For the majority of players, utilizing as many in-game mechanics and systematic strategies as possible will be the best tactic for achieving those awesome golden dice.
Updated on January 16, 2026 by Lucas Olah. Between all the updates and new builds made by the fanbase, there's always another way to progress through this game. Even in honor mode, one method is not enough. So here we'll look at some of the different ways you can beat this game on the hardest difficulty.
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light domain cleric
If you want a reliable healer with massive AoE spells, Light Domain Cleric is a great option for honor mode. As a more attack-focused cleric, he can fill a support role and cause real damage on the battlefield.
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Spells like Fireball, Flame Strike, and Radiance of the Dawn deal heavy damage over a large area, while Word of Mass Heal, Bless, and Guidance support and heal the party. If the Light Cleric is drowsy, he or she gains a bonus to Perception checks and superior darkvision, making him less likely to be surprised by enemies.
It's worth noting that almost any cleric is a good option for running Honor Mode. Life Clerics are the best healers, and Tempest Clerics are devastating in their damage output as well.
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dragon wizard
If you're someone who likes to watch the world burn every now and then, it's time to try your hand at being a fire-throwing wizard. Of course, you'll need to rely on tanky party members to save you from critical damage, but if you're safe from the back, you can deal massive bursts of damage.
You can pump almost every level into a Sorcerer, a point or two as a Mage to learn spells through scrolls, and even a Warlock for an additional spell slot and Eldritch Blast. Use the Draconic Bloodline subclass and utilize high charisma, metamagic like Quickened and Twinned spells, Illithid powers (if you wish), and blast your enemies with powerful burst spells. Make sure you have other elements in case your enemy is resistant or immune to fire. Also keep in mind that spells like Scorching Ray deal a guaranteed critical hit as long as you are close enough to the creature trapped by the Hold Person/Monster.
Multiple builds are available here, one for each character in the party, but the game becomes easier if the party leader has high charisma, allowing them to easily handle conversations and avoid fights altogether.
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Arcane Archer
Despite being generally known as a melee character, Fighters have one of the most powerful ranged subclasses in the game in the form of the Arcane Archer.
A pure Arcane Archer is a solid choice for a ranged character in your party, with arrows that can deal high damage, conditions, and AoE damage. This means that if this character is the party leader, it will give you relatively good Charisma and a Rogue level, giving you access to expertise and good conversation without ruining your build.
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cal university bard
A bard can do more than just play battle music, play romance bartender, or give buffs to party members. Pick up the College of Swords subclass and utilize a bit of multiclass magic, and you'll see how overpowered the Bard can be.
The Bard class should get the most levels, at least 6 and up to 10, but a good multiclass combination includes Rogue, Fighter, and Ranger. The biggest reason for this is that the Bard can utilize various mechanics such as Slashing Flourish to attack multiple enemies in a single turn, even if it is a ranged attack. be careful. Bards tend to be squishy.
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shadow monk
The Shadow Monk subclass is perfect for those who want incredible mobility, with the ability to crit left and right and gap close high-threat enemies across the entire battlefield in one turn.
Combine that with the Rogue's Assassin subclass, a race that uses the unique weapon proficiency you want to use, points allocated to Dexterity, Wisdom, and Constitution, ability enhancements, feats like Savage Assault or Alert, the appropriate equipment, and Shadow Step to close the gap, and you can instantly assassinate your target.
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Circle of the Moon Druid
Subclassing into Circle of the Moon as a Druid is a fantastic way to turn your party members into an incredibly solid and versatile asset thanks to multiple Wild Shape charges that allow them to transform into fearsome, high-life creatures like bears and owlbears.
Speaking of Owlbears, it's no surprise that this Wild Shape is still pretty reliable even in honor mode. This is because it can do anything from leaping onto enemies from a high altitude, absorbing many hits in a way that deals massive damage, and taking down enemies that are prone to turning themselves into the equivalent of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The Tavern Brawler operates while in animal form.
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Life Domain Cleric
We told you that most clergy work here, right? Since storing trash is no longer an option, you need a party member with high Wisdom who has the highest chance of succeeding on Wisdom-related checks, but more importantly, you need someone who will keep the party alive.
Go ahead and make Shadowheart a Life Domain Cleric (or really anything that isn't a Trickery Domain Cleric) and prioritize Wisdom, Constitution, and Dexterity in that order for the added initiative. Also, the higher the AC, the better, and life clerics can use heavy armor. Regarding your order, you need to know at least the following:
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words of healing
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healing prayer
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Words of Mass Healing
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Damaging spells or spells that grant status effects best complement the party.
Moonrise Towers has a Warden with the Spellcrux Amulet, which can restore a spell slot of any level once per long rest. Giving it to a life cleric allows him to cast Aid and Heroes' Feast at 6th level whenever he completes a long rest. This will greatly increase the health bar of the entire party.
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Storm Mage and Storm Cleric
If you like the idea of a party member who can deal high lightning damage while still being able to talk friendly to NPCs with a high Charisma stat to increase their chances of passing Persuasion checks and making better deals with merchants (damn you, Myrkul), then it's time to learn about the Storm Sorcery and Tempest subclasses.
For maximum damage, you can't go wrong with using Blue Dragonborn for Lightning Breath, but you probably won't be using it very often. This allows you to choose the race you want and put your stat points mainly into Charisma, while Stamina and Dexterity also help.
Ultimately, you'll get at least 9th level in Storm Sorcery, 2nd level in Tempest Domain Cleric for extra DPS with a Channel Divinity job on the Cleric class's damage rolls, and at level 12 you'll be shooting for whatever you want.
Don't forget to add Water Creation and Destruction to your arsenal, as it makes enemies vulnerable to lightning damage.
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dwarf barbarian
You don't have to, but choosing a Duergar Dwarf is the best option for a Barbarian-Fighter who wants to magnify themselves and throw things at maximum damage. In this build, Strength is your best friend, followed by Stamina, and ideally Dexterity is the last stat you should focus on.
Tying this build together are the Enraged Throw from the Barbarian's Berserker subclass for an extra throw per turn, the Tavern Brawler feat for adding two Strength modifiers to attack rolls, and the Fighter's three levels for the Improved Critical Hit passive from the Champion subclass. Otherwise, choose gear that boosts your strength and choose the legendary Trident Nyrulna as your primary throwing weapon.
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path of the open hand monk
Subcategorized as the Way of the Open Hand, monks are versatile and mobile warriors who can deal massive damage to a single target, deflect arrows, and harass their enemies as a bonus action thanks to their Flurry of Blows.
Strength, Dexterity, and Wisdom are the main attributes you'll want to prioritize. It may take a while for the Monk to become a powerhouse, but once he gets there, this character can be one of the most destructive characters in your party.
