Baldurs Gate 3: Race Half-Elf Guide Baldurs Gate 3 guide, walkthrough
The Half-Elf race in BG3 can see in the dark (Darkvision) and has the Fey Ancestry feature. Read on our BG3 guide if you want to find out what classes are best suited for the Half-Elf.
Last update: 05 October 2023
Half-elves are the result of a relationship between a Human and an Elf. Beings created from the mixed blood of two races combine the abilities and numerous talents of both. This versatility makes them extremely flexible character who are able to play various roles in the party. This oage of the guide will help you understand their phenomenon and assess whether a Half-Elf character is the right choice for you.
Basic stats and race abilities
After leaving early access, BG3 abandoned the mechanic of adding bonuses to stats depending on race. From now on, every player can choose a +1 and +2 bonus to any stat, regardless of race. This means that choosing a race will mainly influence the appearance of your character and the presence of appropriate race abilities.
Base race speed: The distance you can travel each turn is 9 meters.
Darkvision: up to 12 meters.
Civil Militia
Characteristic feature of the human side of half-elven lineage. Weapon training makes Half-Elves proficient at using spears, pikes, halberds, and glaives. In addition, representatives of this race can wear light armor and proficiently use a shield.
Broad access to a wide range of weapons means that a Half-elf character will be able to defend themselves on the battlefield even in a situation when their class is not associated with direct combat.
Fey Ancestry
Racial ability inherited along with elfish blood. It helps Half-Elves on saving throws against the charmed effect.
Additionally, representatives of this hybrid race are resistant to all forms of magical sleep.
Subraces
High Half-Elf
The subrace of Half-Elves is determined by which of the elven peoples was represented by the ancestor or ancestors of the character. Their specific racial abilities are also similar to those manifested by their forefathers.
Half-high elves are therefore able to learn one cantrip from the wide repertoire of Mage cantrips.
The stat used by the high Half-Elf to cast said cantrip is Intelligence.
Wood Half-Elf
These agile characters inherit from their forest-dwelling ancestors the ability to move at high speeds. Their natural movement speed is increased by 1.5 m amounting to a total of 10.5 meters.
Drow Half-Elf
Beings inheriting the blood of the dark Elves have access to the characteristic magic of the Drow.
At level 1, they know the Dancing Lights cantrip, which illuminates a space within a 9-meter radius .
At level 3, they receive the Faerie Fire spell. This spell reveals designated targets and makes attacks against them easier.
Level 5 brings another spell, Darkness, enshrouding a chosen area in a dark cloud and blinding creatures within its radius.
The stat that Drow Half-Elves use to cast racial spells is Charisma.
Best class for a Half-Elf
The mixed heritage of Half-Elves makes representatives of this race very versatile characters. The high mobility of Wood Half-elves can be very useful on the battlefield, making them perfect for example as hunters or rogues.
High and Drow half-elves, with their access to magical abilities, will also work well as powerful spellcasters with a wide repertoire of spells.