Each class in Baldur’s Gate 3 provides players with unique and interesting actions. One of those intriguing and beneficial actions comes from the Ranger class. Specifically, the Beast Master Subclass, allowing players to call upon an animal companion to help the party in fights. The feature allows players to call on one of a few different choices for animals, each with their own unique movement, health, and abilities. Since you can only summon one companion at a time, that leaves you with a tough choice. We’re going to help you with that decision, and take a look at the best animal companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) — ranked.
Best Animal Companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) — Ranked
This list is comprised of all 5 animal companions you can summon, ranking them from best to worst. However, while there are objective benefits to using certain animals over others, Larian Studios crafted each companion meticulously. With each one having their own situational advantages in certain areas/encounters. So if you are having trouble with a fight and your animal doesn’t seem to be helping much, consider trying a different animal more suited to the situation.
Related: How to Find the Blood of Lathander in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3)
#1 – Raven
The best animal, suited for (almost) every situation no matter what, is the Raven companion. Boasting 13 HP and 12 AC, where the aerial assailant really shines is its movement. By utilizing the Fly action, players can send the Raven all the way to the enemies backline. Combined with its other action Rend Vision, which blinds enemies for a round or two, the Raven works best if you’re trying to stall ranged enemies, as your party attempts to get up close and personal. Outside of fights, our flying friend is extremely useful for scouting areas ahead, spotting danger before you walk into it.
#2 – Giant Spider
Coming in at the second best animal for Beast Masters out there is the Giant Spider companion. While most people would think a spider is an enemy rather than friend, this one is a very large and very friendly one. What makes them a decent choice out of all the other animals, is the fact that the Giant Spider can inflict multiple de-buffs on enemies.
Their basic attack, deals damage and gives you a chance to poison the enemy. While the other action, Web, allows you to shoot a large AOE web attack, possibly enwebbing any enemies in the area. Even though movement on the spiders jump is significant, we place it under the Raven as there might be some fights where ground movement won’t be beneficial for a companion. And let’s face it, there are tons of times where you enter a fight on accident, giving you zero chance of setting up party placement beforehand.
#3 – Bear
Reaching our halfway point for the best animal companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, number three on our list is the Bear companion. Seemingly taking the place of a defacto-tank role, the Bear has the most HP of any companion on the list. Therefore, players can take advantage of it’s action move, Goading Roar. This AOE move makes any enemy within its range attack the Bear in lou of other party members. Helping you out in a pinch in case you get surrounded or cornered. The trade-off being the fact that: it’s a ginormous fuzzy bear. So if you’re looking to go in shields blazing, the Bear could be extremely favorable. However once Goading Roar has been used, your Bear is all but dead in a turn or two. All of that changes however, when you reach Ranger level 5, raising the stats for your companions. Because of this, make sure to keep the bear in mind if you need a damage sponge.
#4 – Boar
The second to last animal on our list is the Boar companion. 11 HP and AC puts it towards the lower side of companion health. That being said, if you’re going up against a lot of enemies that are grouped up together, the Boar will be your best friend. By utilizing Boar Charge, it can rush 30 ft forward, dealing damage to any enemies in its path, with a chance of making them prone. The main trade-off, along with their health, comes from its movement speed. This will make you think twice before sending them charging head-first into the enemies defensive line.
#5 – Wolf
Rounding out the best animal companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 list at the very bottom, is a common and cuddly friend for Beast Masters, the Wolf. There isn’t anything inherently negative to say about the Wolf companion, there isn’t a lot of extra use from it as well. The extra action move it has, Bite, serves as a slightly less effective Boar Charge (albeit with extra damage). Where it falls short is the fact that it can only target one enemy. And with its fairly low HP pool at 11, it won’t be around in a fight too long, like the Bear or even Raven.
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