What is the best Baldur’s Gate 3 Wizard build? In some ways, the Wizard is the most pioneering of all the classes in BG3; they utilize the most cutting-edge technologies and research in an effort to tap into untold power. Couple this with complete knowledge of the arcane, and you’ve got a recipe for success.
If you’re just picking up Baldur’s Gate 3, or starting a new runthrough, it’s time to start theory-crafting your BG3 class build; what race will you choose? Where do you allocate your stats? What weapons can they use? Lucky for you, we’ve done a lot of the heavy lifting for you, and if you’re considering a powerful magic-user, here is the best BG3 Wizard build, so you can fry your enemies from the inside out.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Wizard character creation overview
Wizards are true scholars of magic and have a multitude of powerful spells at their disposal to both harm their foes and protect their party. Wizards have two subclasses to choose from, but these aren’t available until you hit level 2.
Class features
- Intelligence saving throw proficiency
- Wisdom saving throw proficiency
- Dagger proficiency
- Dart proficiency
- Sling proficiency
- Quarterstaff proficiency
- Light crossbow proficiency
Evocation school subclass
The Evocation school subclass can be accessed once you hit level 2, and focuses on enchantments and powerful magical attacks. This is the more offensive of the two subclass options for Wizard. The additional features of this subclass are:
- Evocation spells
- Evocation Savant
- Sculpt Spells
Abjuration school subclass
The Abjuration school subclass is for those Wizards who need their party to support them, rather than be a damage dealer. It revolves around protecting both themselves and the people around them. The additional features of this subclass are:
- Abjuration spells
- Arcane Ward
Best BG3 Wizard build
The best Baldur’s Gate 3 Wizard build is:
- Subclass – Evocation school
- Race – High-Elf
- Background – Guild Artisan
- Skills – Intelligence and Wisdom
- Weapon – Quarterstave
Subclass and spells
The best subclass for Wizard is the Evocation school due to its high damage potential.
While healing and protection can be vital in a tough fight, the amount of damage available to a Wizard of the Evocation school means that this is nearly always the best choice of subclass. Obliterating your enemy before they have a chance to act is infinitely better than giving them a chance to attack you, or your party.
Abilities
Here are the best abilities for the Wizard:
- Strength – 8
- Dexterity – 13
- Constitution – 14
- Intelligence – 16
- Wisdom – 11
- Charisma – 14
As you won’t be wearing much in the way of armor, or dealing much damage with weapons, the strength ability isn’t going to be of much. We do suggest putting some points into constitution, so you don’t get one-shot by the first enemy you see. Intelligence is the Wizard’s key ability, so dump as much as you can into that during the character creation process, and upgrade it whenever you can in-game.
Race
The Half-Elf race is perhaps the most suited to the Wizard class due to their ability to further customize their starting abilities with the ability improvements race feature. This allows us to put an extra point into both intelligence and wisdom.
Best background
The best background for Wizard is Guild Artisan.
The Guild Artisan background gives your Wizard proficiency in both insight and persuasion – couple this with the already high base charisma ability and you will be a proficient spokesperson for your party. Wizards are scholarly by nature, so having them come from a learning background also makes roleplaying sense and should be natural to follow during your playthrough.
Spells and leveling
There are a lot of spells at your disposal should you play as a Wizard, many of which are tied to your subclass. Here are the best spells for Wizard by level:
Level 2
- Colour Spray
- Burning hands
Level 3
- Flaming Sphere
- Misty Step
Level 4
- Blade Ward
- Melf’s Acid Arrow
- Cloud of Daggers
- War Caster
Level 5
- Animate Dead
- Counterspell
Level 6
- Bestow Curse
- Fireball
Level 7
- Banishment
- Evard’s Black Tentacles
Level 8
- Blight
- Confusion
- Alert
Level 9
- Conjure Elemental
- Telekenisis
Level 10
- True Strike
- Cloudkill
- Planar Binding
Level 11
- Chain Lightning
- Create Undead
Level 12
- Circle of Death
- Globe of Invulnerability
- Spell Sniper (Eldrich Blast)
Equipment
Due to not being able to wear most armor sets, the best equipment for the Wizard is a magical robe.
You’re vulnerable as a Wizard, but thankfully there are a lot of robes that have magical properties. While you’ll still be vulnerable to physical attacks, your spacing on the battlefield and your arsenal of spells should keep you safe from harm.
Now that you know the best Baldur’s Gate 3 Wizard build, get your robe on, find your best staff, and start exploding mindflayers. If you aren’t set on your class, we have the best BG3 Cleric build, and the best BG3 Paladin build here, and if you’re more of a lover than a fighter, we’ve got a rundown of romance in Baldur’s Gate.