Baldur’s Gate 3: How to Build a Sorcerer (Class Guide)

Sorcerers cast fewer total spells than Wizards or Clerics, but their magic is far more potent in Baldur’s Gate 3. Some blast, while others protect.

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Larian Studios has updated Baldur’s Gate 3 and introduced the Sorcerer class. This new role is a dedicated spell caster who draws in magic via natural talent, rather than training or devotion. They also make for a great party leader, able to outwit others with silvered tongued words.

A Sorcerer might just seem like a re-skinned Wizard at first. However, by level two they will have distinguished themselves with metamagic. This will allow players to augment their spells with more power, range, or other benefits. But this may come at the cost of spell slots, resulting in the Sorcerer casting less frequently.

Sorcerer can be an intimidating class, requiring both good tactics and lacking defenses if something goes wrong. Players may want to first get their feet wet with more flexible mages like Warlock or Druid. That way, spell casting, and rest mechanics will be much easier to handle.

Sorcerer Character Creation in Baldur’s Gate 3

Sorcerers in Baldur’s Gate 3 gain 1d6 hit dice per level (rounded to 5 HP + Constitution at 2nd level and above). They add their proficiency bonus to Constitution and Charisma saving throws, daggers, quarterstaffs, and light crossbows. They do not use any armor, making it risky to go into melee.

Ability Scores

The Sorcerer’s casting ability is governed by Charisma, which will improve to hit and saving throw difficulty class (DC). Constitution will also be very important to both improve the low HP pool and concentration checks. Dexterity should be the third-highest, as it provides armor class (AC), initiative, and improves the use of the crossbow as a backup weapon. Wisdom should get any remaining points, as the saving throw is common and it will also improve some handy skills like Insight and Perception.

Strength can be dumped, as it will only help when using a quarterstaff. The low HP just makes being on the frontline risky. Intelligence is also not needed, unless one really wants to boost a skill like Arcana, Religion, or another one gained by background/race.

Background and Skills

Intimidation, Deception, and Persuasion are natural picks for the Sorcerer as they will already be investing in Charisma. Arcana might seem tempting at first, but if Baldur’s Gate 3 players recruit Gale or Wyll, they will be much better for making those checks. Shadowheart can also cover Religion checks.

One will want to go for a Background that includes Perception, Athletics, Acrobatics, or Stealth for more versatility. Criminal, Sailor, Soldier, Entertainer, and Charlatan will all offer one or more of those mentioned skills; they may even include some of the Sorcerer’s class skills. Soldier and Charlatan will likely have Background Goals that are easy to gain Inspiration and bonus EXP.

Races

Sorcerer has a few good racial options to consider in Baldur’s Gate 3. Half-Elves will be the most versatile due to a +2 in any ability score, along with already having +2 to Charisma. However, those going for a bit more protection may consider Dwarf or Halfling, despite the slower movement speed per turn.

• Drow Half-Elf: gain +2 Charisma, +2 to any other ability score, and the Dancing Lights cantrip
• Wood Half-Elf: gain +2 Charisma, +2 to any other ability score, Stealth Proficiency, and increased movement
• Wood Elf: gain +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom, Perception Proficiency, increased movement, and use of weapons like longbow and shortbow
• Gold Dwarf: gain +2 Constitution, +1 Wisdom, +1 HP per level, advantage, and resistance against poison. However, movement speed is lowered.
• Lightfoot Halfling: gain +2 Dexterity, +1 Charisma, Stealth Proficiency, and can reroll 1s on D20s but must take the new result. But, movement is low.

Sorcerer Subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3

Sorcerers must pick their subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 at level one. Currently, in the Early Access build, there are two options in the form of Wild Magic or a Draconic Bloodline. This choice cannot be changed later.

Wild Magic Sorcerer

Wild Magic creates random effects when casting spells. These can both be positive or negative results such as teleporting, summoning hostiles, or something completely unpredictable. This subclass should be used by players that want a very chaotic experience. One can also manipulate this surge with the following ability:

• Tides of Chaos: gain advantage on the next roll, and increase the odds of Wild Magic occurring on a future spell of 1st level or higher. Requires short resting to recharge.

Draconic Sorcerer

This subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a bit heartier, gaining +1 HP per level. All Draconic Sorcerers gain +3 AC when not wearing any other type of armor. One can select a specific elemental type, which grants a known spell, and will improve resistance and damage once the Early Access level cap is raised.

• Red: Fire, Burning Hands
• Black: Acid, Grease
• Blue: Lighting, Witch Bolt
• White: Cold, Armor of Agathys
• Green: Poison, Ray of Sickness
• Gold: Fire, Disguise Self
• Bronze: Lightning, Fog Cloud
• Silver: Cold, Feather Fall
• Copper: Acid, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
• Brass: Fire, Sleep

Sorcerer Magic in Baldur’s Gate 3

Unlike Wizards and Clerics, Sorcerers do not prepare spells. Instead, they only know a limited number of Baldur’s Gate 3 spells that can be cast before needing a long rest. In the interim, players will want to use a weapon like the light crossbow for remaining encounters.

Spell Progression

Players will want to focus on either buffing spells or damage. One can only use a single concentration spell up at a time, so consider learning only a few options for each spell level. Players should also avoid overlapping too much with companion spells. Some of the better cantrip and low-level spell options include:

• Acid Splash: acid damage, small radius burst, dexterity saving throw
• Chill Touch: necrotic damage, long-range, gives disadvantage to undead
• Firebolt: high fire damage, long-range
• Ray of Frost: cold damage, slows the enemy speed
• Burning Hands: fire damage in a cone, dexterity saving throw
• False Life: gain 5 temporary HP
• Feather Fall: become immune to fall damage, bonus action cast time
• Mage Armor: increase AC by 3 if the target is wearing no armor
• Magic Missile: deal force damage that cannot miss
• Sleep: puts 24 HP worth of creatures to sleep
• Thunderwave: deals thunder damage in an area and push creatures back

Metamagic and Sorcery Points

Starting at second level Sorcerers learn metamagic. This can be used to increase or change a spell’s effect. Each metamagic use costs a certain amount of sorcery points. A Sorcerer has a small pool of points per long rest, but can gain more by sacrificing spell slots. Alternately, Sorcerers can trade unused points to create more spell slots. The more potent and worthwhile metamagic include:

• Extend Spell: doubles the duration of spells, one sorcery point
• Twinned Spell: single target spells now target two creatures, one sorcery point
• Heightened Spell: targets of the spell have disadvantage on their saves, three sorcery points
• Quickened Spell: spell uses a bonus action to cast , three sorcery points

While these are great options for the current Early Access build, Larian Studios has promised that more features will come to Baldur’s Gate 3. Among them includes multiclassing, which will allow players to easily combine classes like Sorcerer, Warlock, and Paladin together. When that happens, all builds will need to be reexamined and planned.

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