Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Wizard Class Build

In Baldur’s Gate 3, there are a few spellcasting-oriented Classes that players can choose from – Classes that actually thrive when normal weapons are taken out of the equation. The Wizard is arguably the most iconic Dungeons and Dragons spellcasting class thanks to the breadth of spells they can know. In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Wizard’s diversity makes it hard to pin down its best build.

In the Early Access version of Baldur’s Gate 3, there were only two subclasses (or Schools) of Wizard to choose from: Evocation, and Abjuration. Because Evocation focuses almost exclusively on damage output, it tends to be the best Wizard build to follow. Even though the full version of the game has quadrupled the number of available subclasses for Wizards, Evocation remains on top as the best pure Wizard build in BG3.

Updated January 27, 2024 by Erik Petrovich: Spending time optimizing the vast array of choices you must make in character creation might seem unnecessary, but these choices can have long-term effects on your character’s effectiveness in and out of combat. In addition to selecting the best Wizard subclass, race, and abilities, players have to make choices regarding their character’s skills and backstory. The best Wizard backgrounds are those that work seamlessly with typical Wizard gameplay, or offer the Wizard proficiency in useful skills for the class. After selecting a background, players then get to select from a list of starting skill proficiencies, some of which can be much better for the BG3 Best Wizard build than others. This guide has been updated to give more details and information on the best Wizard skills and background choices, as well as some other changes throughout to enhance readability.

As a guide-in-progress, this BG3 best Wizard build walkthrough will be continually updated with new information on what makes Evocation the best Wizard build BG3 offers to players.

Wizard Class Introduction & Overview

Wizard Playstyle & Signature Abilities

“Wizards master the arcane by specialising in individual schools of magic, combining ancient spells with modern research.”

Wizards are the classic spellcasting-focused class of Dungeons and Dragons, brought to Baldur’s Gate 3 with all the variety and complexity needed to make a class useful no matter the party. It’s nigh-impossible to make a melee Wizard, but their spells can be attuned for many different functions in combat: Evocation Wizards focus on damage, Illusion Wizards focus on tricking and deceiving enemies, and Necromancy Wizards summon and control the dead, as one might expect.

Because of their enormous repertoire of knowledge, and the ability to swap prepared spells from their entire available list of spells anytime outside of combat, Wizards are generally considered the class with the most diversity and utility in Baldur’s Gate 3. Wizards are the only class that can outright learn new spells directly from Scrolls rather than waiting for a level-up, which costs gold. But this cost is reduced if the spell corresponds with one’s chosen BG3 Wizard Subclass, or School.

Wizard Subclasses

• Abjuration School: Grants the ability to create Wards and other defense-oriented spells. Learns Abjuration spells for half the cost.
• Conjuration School: Grants the ability to conjure Water, Teleport, and maintain concentration. Learns Conjuration spells for half the cost.
• Divination School: Can re-roll die for Attack Rolls or Saving Throws twice each day, recovered with each Long Rest. Learns Divination spells for half the cost.
• Enchantment School: Improves ability to Charm enemies, and grants unique Charm spell Hypnotic Gaze. Learns Enchantment spells for half the cost.
• Evocation School: Prevents allies from taking damage – and forces successful Saving Throws – from Evocation spells. Learns Evocation spells for half the cost.
• Necromancy School: Refunds HP when killing enemies, and empowers Undead summons and resistances. Learns Necromancy spells for half the cost.
• Illusion School: Grants improved Illusion spells, like Minor Illusion, and the ability to see Invisible enemies. Learns Illusion spells for half the cost.
• Transmutation School: Focuses on potion brewing and alteration to buff and debuff targets, and can shapeshift into a Bird at later levels. Learns Transmutation spells for half the cost.

Wizard Class Proficiencies

• Wizard Armor Proficiencies: None (Robes/Clothing)
• Wizard Weapon Proficiencies: Daggers, Quarterstaves, Light Crossbows
• Wizard Saving Throws: Intelligence & Wisdom
• Wizard Skill Proficiency Choices: Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, & Religion

Wizard Class Features & Proficiency Bonus – Level By Level

Wizard Spell Slots & Prepared Spells – Level By Level

Best BG3 Wizard Build: Evocation Overview

What Makes Evocation the Best BG3 Wizard School?

“Evocation spells focus elemental energy into powerful attacks and enchantments. Those who specialize in this school are known as Evokers.”

All Wizards get access to a list of ridiculously useful out-of-combat spells, but Evocation Wizards specifically hone in on their ability to dish out massive damage in a short amount of time. All Wizards suffer from the lack of easily rechargeable spell slots, but Evocation Wizards can put these limited slots to good use – plus, Arcane Recovery can help when a Long Rest isn’t possible.

The Evocation Wizard is a master of all things related to magical combat, in large part because their offensive spells no longer damage (or affect) allies thanks to the Spell Sculpt passive. Just be sure to pick up Evocation spells to take advantage of the subclass’ passive, which lets melee party members stay in close range of enemies without worrying about an incoming AoE spell.

The Evocation Wizard is one of eight total Schools that players can choose from in selecting a Wizard Subclass.

RELATED: All Baldur’s Gate 3 Cleric Subclasses, RankedThe game’s full release further empowered Wizards with a slew of new abilities, proficiencies, bonuses, and the likes with all of the other Subclasses available. As time goes on, the best Wizard build Subclass could change. But until then, the Evocation Wizard’s ability to protect teammates from their own arcane destruction is really nice at Level 5, when Wizards pick up Fireball.

Evocation Subclass Features – Level By Level

Best BG3 Wizard Build: Roleplay & Character Creation Choices

Best BG3 Wizard Race: Githyanki or Half-Elf

The Githyanki are a severely underrated racial choice for most classes, as their innate race spells and Astral Knowledge passive, plus armor and weapon proficiencies, can open up a lot of doors for traditionally non-martial classes. Wizards have no shortage of spells ato choose from, but they can be lacking in spell slots. The improved Mage Hand at Level 1 is a strict upgrade over the default Mage Hand, and it saves a level 1 spell slot. At Level 5, Githyanki gain Misty Step, a normally level 3 spell that can be incredibly valuable for this Spell Slot-starved class.

But aside from useful racial spells, Githyanki give another important benefit to Wizards: armor proficiencies. As a Githyanki Wizard, players can equip Light and Medium armor, a huge AC boost over robes and clothing. The Astral Knowlegde ability can be incredibly useful for Dialogue checks and dice rolls, too.

When it comes down to it, the Githyanki are the best Wizard race BG3 players can choose because it saves players from using Spell Slots, and grants important proficiencies that greatly improve the Wizard’s survivability.

Best Wizard Backgrounds in BG3: Sage or Guild Artisan

Of the backgrounds Wizards can choose in BG3, the Sage is the most obvious choice. It might seem like it’s just a thematic fit, but there’s a gameplay reason the Sage is the best background for Wizards. Choosing the Sage background grants proficiency in History and Arcana checks, two skills that are based on INT, which just makes Wizards that much more effective when making these rolls. Also, Sages tend to trigger Inspiration from typical Wizard activities, like learning new spells, uncovering lost tomes, and otherwise engaging with the mystical forces of the Weave and other forms of magic.

However, if the Arcane lifestyle doesn’t feel right for you, the Guild Artisan arguably offers the best gameplay improvements for Wizards. The Guild Artisan background grants proficiency in Insight and Persuasion, the latter of which Wizards don’t usually have access to on character creation. As Persuasion comes up so often in BG3 dialogues, it can be worth swapping to this Background instead of the Sage.

Best BG3 Wizard Skill Proficiency Choices: Insight and Persuasion

Wizards get to choose two skills from a list of six at character creation, including Arcana, History, Investigation, Insight, Medicine, and Religion. Choosing the Sage background removes History and Arcana from the pool of other skill proficiencies Wizards can learn at Level 1, leaving four choices remaining, while Guild Artisans just lose Insight.

From the six options, be sure to have Insight and Investigation covered. Investigation is incredibly useful while exploring the world and locating items for quests, as it can highlight things before you even see them. Insight is mostly useful for dialogues and telling NPC’s true intentions, but doesn’t come up terribly often. If you already have Insight covered by your background, opt for Arcane or History, whichever suits your character more.

Best Wizard Ability Scores & Stat Distribution, Explained

Feats, Spells, & Leveling Choices For Evocation Wizard Builds

Best Wizard Equipment: Armor & Accessories In Every Act

This section covers the best equipment for Evocation Wizards in BG3 across all three Acts. Some pieces from early Acts may still be powerful in later ones, though, and will remain equipped through several Acts.

• Items with bolded names are new options for the build in each Act, and may replace older pieces of equipment.
• Items with unbolded names must be acquired in earlier Acts, but are strong enough that they don’t need to be replaced in Acts 2 or 3.

Best Evocation Wizard Items & Equipment: Act 1

Best Evocation Wizard Items & Equipment: Act 2

Best Evocation Wizard Items & Equipment: Act 3

Best Wizard Multiclass Choices & Builds

Players can choose to Multiclass beginning at Level 2. Look for the “Add Class” button on the top right of the level up overview menu – this will open up a new menu where players can choose one of any other class in Baldur’s Gate 3 when selected.

Fighter Multiclass – Wizard 10/Fighter 2

Allocating two levels into the Fighter class as any class grants access to one of the game’s most powerful class abilities: Action Surge. One of the iconic skills of the Fighter class, Action Surge is a Bonus Action that grants the caster another Action that turn. Action Surge can be used once every short or long rest, granting the Wizard another Action to cast a spell when needed.

The Fighter class does not normally start with this ability, meaning that players must invest two levels into it – and lose out on Level 6 Wizard spells. However, the ability to take two actions in one turn is remarkably strong for casters, and the added armor proficiencies granted by the Fighter class are just the cherry on top.

Cleric Multiclass – Cleric 11/Wizard 1

One of the best features of the Wizard class is its ability to learn abilities from scrolls, but this ability becomes more powerful when paired with another Prepared Spellcaster class, like the Cleric. This multiclass Wizard build is not one that focuses on the Wizard, as only one level is needed to learn from scrolls. Instead, it opts for 11 levels in Cleric, leaving just one in Wizard.

This multiclass choice has little impact on a character’s ability to use high-level spells. Because both classes are Prepared Spellcasters, and the ability to learn from scrolls only requires one level, a Cleric 11 Wizard 1 character will still be able to use Level 6 spells and have Level 6 spell slots unlocked. Players will lose out on Arcane Recovery slots, but lose very few other benefits of both classes. Clerics rely on Wisdom to cast, however, which can lead to competition between Wisdom and Intelligence at every ability score improvement opportunity.