Completing the Best Giants Barbarian Build in BG3

The final major update for Baldur’s Gate 3 has arrived, bringing with it 12 new subclasses for players to explore. For Barbarians, this includes the Path of the Giants, where characters can exceed their usual size limits and enjoy the advantages that come with being larger.

Whether you’re looking to discover the new features of Giants or aiming to become a master of this subclass, we’ve got you covered. We will discuss every aspect of this powerful subclass, from its extended range capabilities to why it stands out as the top choice for Barbarians in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Overview of Path of the Giants Barbarian

Playing a Path of the Giants Barbarian is not solely about being massive, even though it has its advantages. Barbarians already excel as tanks, but when they grow in size while raging, they gain increased range and enhanced defensive capabilities. By level six, these Barbarians can also deal elemental damage more consistently than other subclasses. However, it’s wise to avoid having more than one Giant character on your team, as their size can complicate movement during battles.

Optimal Starting Stats and Species for a Path of the Giants Barbarian

While you won’t access the Giant’s Path until level three, certain decisions during character creation can help optimize your Barbarian. Luckily, there aren’t any bad choices, just a few recommended ones.

Species

You can assign your stats regardless of the species you choose, giving you a variety of great options. However, it’s best to avoid species that gain spellcasting abilities since you won’t be able to cast these spells while raging.

The most straightforward option, especially for the classic roles Barbarians take on, is the Gold Dwarf. As a Path of the Giants Barbarian, you can thrive without much aid, making the extra health from this species beneficial for enduring combat longer.

Background

The Athletics skill features heavily in the Path of the Giants abilities, so choosing a background that boosts this skill is advantageous. The Soldier background fits particularly well as it also provides training in Intimidation and could grant you inspiration following difficult battles.

Stats and Skills

The suggested stats are nearly ideal for the class, though minor tweaks can enhance your performance. By reducing Wisdom to 10 and increasing Dexterity to 14, you can gain an extra point on your armor class, which, when combined with a higher Constitution later, will significantly improve your durability in battle.

As mentioned, Athletics is crucial, so ensure you prioritize it, especially if you opt for a background other than Soldier. Beyond that, your additional skills can align with your personal playstyle, though you may find yourself using Stealth more frequently than expected, particularly on higher difficulty settings.

Tips for Playing a Path of the Giants Barbarian Effectively

Path of the Giants Barbarians are exceptional at engaging enemies from a distance, thanks to their increased size and abilities to throw weapons or opponents. Each new ability you acquire changes your combat approach, so take time to thoroughly understand each one.

By level five, you’ll gain the Boots of the Giants, which enhances the Shove action, allowing you to push foes while inflicting damage. Manipulating enemy positions can lead to devastating outcomes, like sending them off cliffs or into traps, making this ability particularly valuable.

At level six, you’ll unlock Elemental Cleaver, transforming any weapons you wield while raging into elemental force with the added bonus that they return to your hand when thrown. This feature means you won’t need to invest in ranged weapons; all your weapons effectively become ranged weapons.

The final ability, Mighty Impel, is available at level ten. Although it might seem similar to the throw action, it uniquely allows you to throw enemies without a Strength requirement and with a fixed distance. This bonus action is an excellent means of tossing enemies into danger without needing to make checks.

Best Equipment for a Path of the Giants Barbarian

Top Weapons

At the start, aim to wield the most powerful two-handed weapons available, often acquired from various bosses you’ll face throughout the game. As you progress, to maximize your size and range, consider the Polearm Master feat, which will allow you to make the most of a specific type of two-handed weapon in the late game.

Given the nature of your subclass, you won’t require traditional ranged weapons, but it might be wise to keep a crossbow handy until level six. After unlocking the Elemental Cleaver, you can simply rage and throw your primary weapon, which will always return to your hand.

Optimal Armor and Accessories

As a Barbarian, you shouldn’t wear traditional armor, but you can still dress appropriately. In Act Two, you can purchase the Mighty Cloth from Quartermaster Talli, which provides a beneficial two points of Strength to the wearer—making it advantageous to ally with the Druids in Act One.

In terms of accessories that enhance more than just statistics, several items are favored by Barbarians for their additional damage when throwing objects or enemies. Notable examples include the Ring of Flinging, available from Arron at the Druid Grove, and the Gloves of Uninhibited Kushigo, a reward for saving Baelen in the Underdark.

Level-Up Choices for a Path of the Giants Barbarian

The primary decisions you will face as a Barbarian relate to your subclass and the feats you choose. Below, we outline the feats recommended for each level, assuming you select the Path of the Giants at level three.