Learn how to retrain your character’s class, stats, and build in Baldur’s Gate 3
What Does Respec Mean in BG3?
In Baldur’s Gate 3, respeccing allows you to rebuild your character from scratch. You can change your class, subclass, abilities, and spells. Race and appearance, however, remain fixed. Whether you made a poor early-game choice or simply want to try something new, respeccing gives you the freedom to experiment without restarting the entire game.
How to Unlock Respec: Finding Withers
To respec your character, you must first find Withers, a mysterious undead NPC who appears early in Act 1.
- Location: Dank Crypt, within the Chapel Ruins just northwest of your crash site
- How to Access:
- Enter through the ornate doors in the ruined chapel near the Overgrown Ruins waypoint
- Defeat the undead within the crypt and explore the hidden chamber
- Interact with the central sarcophagus to trigger a short encounter with Withers
- When: Available shortly after the prologue, before you leave the region for the Mountain Pass or Underdark
Once released, Withers relocates to your camp and stays with you for the remainder of the game.
How to Respec: Step-by-Step
- Visit your Camp
Make sure you’re not in a dungeon or active quest zone. Long rest or use the camp button to return. - Speak to Withers
He will offer you the option to “reform your essence.” - Pay the Fee
- Respec cost: 100 gold
- Paid once per character reset
- Choose a New Class
You can select any class currently available in the game, including multiclass combinations. - Reassign Ability Scores
You get a fresh set of point-buy or rolled stats depending on your settings. - Confirm Changes
Once confirmed, your character will retain the same name, race, and appearance but function entirely differently in combat and dialogue.
Can You Respec Companions?
Yes. Withers can also respec any of your Origin companions or custom party members.
- All companions are eligible
- You can change their classes independently from their narrative background
- Ideal for altering builds like Shadowheart from Cleric to Paladin or Gale to Sorcerer
Respec Restrictions
- Race and appearance are fixed
You cannot alter your character’s background, race, or physical features. - You cannot change Origin
Custom characters remain custom. You can’t switch to an Origin character like Astarion or Lae’zel through respec. - Level Cap Applies
You can only reallocate up to the maximum level you’ve reached so far. - No in-combat or mid-dungeon respeccing
Respeccing requires returning to camp.
Why Respec in BG3?
Some common reasons players choose to respec:
- Recover from poor early choices or misallocated stats
- Adjust to new difficulty settings
- Optimise party composition for specific challenges
- Try out new class features or subclass options without starting a new save
It’s a flexible system that respects player agency without removing all consequences.
Tips Before You Respec
- Save beforehand in case you want to revert
- Write down your current spell or feat choices if you might return to them later
- Use respeccing to test multiclassing options like Rogue/Wizard or Cleric/Sorcerer
- Plan your build around the strengths of your party to avoid overlapping roles
The Seven Swords Takeaway
Withers gives players a simple but powerful way to reshape their characters throughout Baldur’s Gate 3. Once unlocked, he stays with you at camp and allows you to experiment freely for a small gold cost. Whether you’re fixing mistakes or building the perfect party synergy, respec is one of BG3’s most player-friendly features.
