Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Sorcerer Class Build

The Sorcerer is one of the most volatile Classes in all of Baldur’s Gate 3 thanks to their wild spells and ability to use Metamagic to enhance their spellcasting skills. Sorcerers are at their best when they put all of their effort into maximizing their damage output, which the Draconic Bloodline subclass offers in spades.

Unlike Dragonborn, Sorcerers under the Draconic Bloodline don’t get a Breath-type spell based on the color chosen. Instead, Draconic Sorcerers get a spell related to their color – in the case of this best Sorcerer build, players can expect to cast a cone of fire or a puddle of Grease. Those are far from the only great spells Sorcerers have in BG3, though.

Updated November 2, 2024 by Erik Petrovich: When going for the best Sorcerer build BG3 players can make, you need to also consider factors beyond your character. After all, even with the best Baldur’s Gate 3 Sorcerer build, it’s nearly impossible to beat BG3 without a balanced Sorcerer party composition. Unless you are going for a solo run, it’s a good idea to consider your companion options before journeying out into the world – more often than not, this best BG3 Sorcerer build is improved with the right companions. This guide to the best Baldur’s Gate 3 Sorcerer build has been updated to add a section covering our best BG3 Sorcerer build companion and party composition recommendations, as well as to clarify some details so players can more easily follow this BG3 Sorcerer build guide.

Sorcerer Class Introduction & Overview

The Baldur’s Gate 3 Sorcerer Class, Explained

Sorcerer Playstyle & Signature Abilities

“Sorcerers are natural spellcasters, drawing on inherent magic from a gift or bloodline.”

The Sorcerer is one of the few Spellcasting-only classes, one that is nearly impossible to build into a melee fighter without multi-classing. Like the Wizard, Sorcerers can access a massive variety of useful spells that range from devastatingly damaging to enraging environmental effects. Unlike Wizards, Sorcerers cannot prepare new spells at will, and they use Charisma as the main spellcasting stat instead of Intelligence. These may all sound like downsides, but Sorcerers make up for their lack of versatility for sheer power.

Each Sorcerer subclass, and build option, gains incredibly powerful benefits like more AC and HP, compared to other spellcasters, the unique ability to Fly as a Bonus Action, and even completely random effects from Wild Magic. No matter which way one takes a Sorcerer, though, they all have the ability to use Metamagic, and Sorcery Points, to influence their spells. Metamagic can twin spells, make them more likely to hit, change their range, and even allow Sorcerers to cast spells while Silenced.

Base Sorcerer Class Proficiencies: Armor, Weapons, Saving Throws, & Skill Choices

When you first start creating your Sorcerer Build, BG3 offers a selection of basic Class Proficiencies, and a choice of two Sorcerer Skill Proficiencies.

In addition to Armor, Weapon, and Saving Throw proficiencies that vary for each class, the pool of Skills you can choose from are different for each class. These cannot be changed once you get past character creation without resetting your build.

All Sorcerer Subclasses

There are a total of three BG3 subclasses Sorcerer players can try out, each of which focuses on different aspects of the class, and offers a selection of unique skills, proficiencies, and other features. As you level up in one of these BG3 Sorcerer subclasses, you will gain more abilities that are unique to your subclass choice.

Your choice of Sorcerer subclass can be changed by speaking with Withers, but you will start at Level 1 and have to make your BG3 Sorcerer build from scratch. Though this chart displays information for all subclasses, if you want to make best Sorcerer build BG3 has to offer, you should go for the Draconic Bloodline.

Sorcerer Class Features – Level By Level

The max level in Baldur’s Gate 3 is Level 12, and most of the time, each level you gain will grant something new for your Sorcerer build. On character creation you gain the basics for the Sorcerer class, then steadily gain Feat Choices, new spells and abilities, subclass features, and increase your Proficiency Bonus.

This chart displays everything you can expect to get at each Level-Up as a Sorcerer in your Baldur’s Gate 3 journey.

Sorcerer Spell Slots & Prepared Spells – Level By Level

BG3 Sorcerer Subclass Choice – Draconic Bloodline

Overview Of BG3 Sorcerer Dragonic Bloodline Subclass

What Makes Draconic Bloodline the Best BG3 Sorcerer Subclass?

“Your veins carry draconic magic, the result of a powerful dragon ancestor.”

The Fly ability granted by Storm Sorcery subclass is indeed powerful, though Wild Magic has a tendency to cause chaos and go wrong in all the worst (and funniest) ways. Draconic Bloodline Sorcerers are able to not only more easily control The Weave than Wild Magic users, but they also have better survivability than the Storm Sorcery subclass thanks to the extra HP and Draconic Resilience passive, which boosts Armor when not wearing any (aside from robes).

Though Sorcerers might think they should stay away from combat, a Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer performs just as well up close as they do at a range. Their higher AC and HP compared to other casters is really noticeable, and the class’ use of Metamagic skills to amplify the effects of their spellcasting just makes close-range and AoE spells hit more often, or hit harder.

Draconic Bloodline Sorcerers can choose a color of their Draconic Ancestry, which offers both a visual change to a character’s model as well as a new ability. Of the eight choices of Ancestry, Red and Black are arguably the most useful. The Red Ancestry grants Burning Hands, a short-range cleaving spell with Fire damage, while the Black Ancestry grants the Grease spell, which can be ignited with any source of Fire and has a good chance to knock enemies Prone.

Draconic Bloodline Subclass Features – Level By Level

In addition to everything you unlock while leveling as a Sorcerer, your Subclass also determines what you unlock at certain levels. As a Sorcerer, you can select a subclass at Level 1, in the character creation menu.

For the purposes of this guide to the BG3 best Sorcerer build, choose the Draconic Bloodline when prompted to choose a Subclass.

Best BG3 Sorcerer Build Character Creation Choices

BG3 Sorcerer Build Race, Background, Proficiency, Feats, & Stat Choices

Best BG3 Sorcerer Race: Drow, or Wood Half Elf

The Drow are one of the most versatile, role-filling Races in Baldur’s Gate 3 for a few important reasons. Their enhanced Darkvision is not to be sneered at, especially when one considers that it helps spells hit their targets in the dark. Plus, Drow have Advantage on Perception through Keen Senses. The additional proficiency in Rapiers, Shortswords, and Hand Crossbows can come in handy sometimes, though Sorcerers tend to stick with a Quarterstaff for their main weapon.

The three Drow cantrips – Dancing Lights, Faerie Fire, and Darkness – are all situationally useful, too. Faerie Fire, granted at Level 3, is the most useful as it grants Advantage on all attacks against affected targets.

The Wood Half-Elf is another very strong choice for the best Sorcerer BG3 race because of its improved movement. Though the Wood Half Elf doesn’t have any notable spells like the Drow race, this extra 1.5m movement distance is a bigger benefit than it might seem, and all Half-Elf subraces get immunity to Sleep as well as Advantage against being Charmed from Fey Ancestry. The Drow is the more powerful race, but Half-Elf can be better for Sorcerers who have difficulty navigating combat before unlocking spells like Misty Step.

Best Sorcerer Backgrounds in BG3: Noble or Sage

The Sorcerer pairs best with the Noble or Sage Backgrounds because they will naturally trigger Inspiration moments more often. Nobles get proficiency in History and Persuasion, and tend to trigger inspiration when performing noble, heroic acts (or literally engaging with the nobility of Baldur’s Gate and beyond). Sages, on the other hand, gain proficiency in Arcana and History, and tend to trigger Inspiration when engaging with the mystical and magical elements of the world, like uncovering a lost book, or figuring out the historical background of a statue.

Either way, Sorcerers will have plenty of ways to get Inspiration from these two backgrounds. However, they do remove some choices from the starting Skill Proficiency list for the class.

Best BG3 Sorcerer Skill Proficiency Choices: Persuasion and Deception

Sorcerers can choose two skills from a list of six, but depending on the background you choose, one will not be an option (as it will already be taken). The Noble background gives proficiency on History and Persuasion, which removes one choice from the Sorcerer’s relatively brief list of six skill proficiencies. The Sage gives both Arcana and History proficiency, once again leaving Sorcerers with five remaining options.

No matter which Sorcerer background you choose, make sure to get the Persuasion proficiency. Both Deception and Insight serve as equally viable backups for the sake of unlocking dialogue options, but Deception tends to come up more often. If you get Persuasion through the Noble background, pick up Insight or Intimidation instead.

Best BG3 Sorcerer Feats: Alert, War Caster, and Spell Sniper

• Alert Effects: You gain +5 to Initiative and can’t be Surprised
• War Caster Effects: Grants two new passive abilities, War Caster: Concentration and War Caster: Opportunity Spell
  • Concentration is a passive that grants Advantage on Concentration Saving Throws
  • Opportunity Spell lets you cast Shocking Grasp on enemies that move away from melee range instead of attacking them normally
• Spell Sniper Effects: The number needed to roll a Critical Hit for Spells is reduced by 1 (so, instead of hitting a 20, you need a 19 or a 20).
  • Additionally, learn one Cantrip from a select list of level 1 Cantrips.

Best Sorcerer Ability Scores & Stat Distribution

To create the best BG3 Sorcerer build, we recommend putting the majority of points into your Dexterity and Charisma, followed by Constitution. The primary stat for most Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer spells and abilities in BG3 is Charisma, but Dexterity should follow closely behind, with a little put into Constitution. Wisdom, Strength, and Intelligence are not essential for the Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer build.

Best BG3 Sorcerer Leveling Choices

Best Sorcerer Spells, Feats, & Other Choices At Every Level

Best Sorcerer Build Companions & Party Composition

Best Companions For Draconic Sorcerer Builds

The best Sorcerer companions in BG3 are X, X, and X. Though you can change the class and specialization of any of your companions, these three come with strong pre-determined class and spec combos to balance out your Sorcerer party composition.

• Shadowheart: A Trickery Cleric, Shadowheart serves as a good companion for hybrid damage and support, which mirrors (and complements) the Circle of the Moon Druid playstyle well.
• Lae’Zel: Best suited for the Battle Master subclass, Lae’Zel can almost singlehandedly handle your front line, drawing attention from enemies and able to withstand attacks better than some other classes.
• Astarion: Best suited for the Thief subclass, Astarion lets you access hidden, locked areas more easily and is capable of setting up complex combat strategies without attracting attention with Stealth

If you are dead set on including a character in your party, simply talk to Withers to respec them to one of the optimal Sorcerer companion classes listed above. This way, you won’t miss out on that character’s questline, and you won’t have to suffer from an improperly balanced party.

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Sorcerer Build Equipment

Get The Best BG3 Sorcerer Gear In All Three Acts

This section covers the best equipment for Draconic Sorcerers 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 Draconic Sorcerer Items & Equipment: Act 1

Best Draconic Sorcerer Items & Equipment: Act 2

Best Draconic Sorcerer Items & Equipment: Act 3

Best BG3 Sorcerer Multiclass Choices

Maximize Your BG3 Sorcerer Build With Complimentary Sorcerer Multiclass Options

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.

Warlock Multiclass – Sorcerer 10/Warlock 2

The Sorcerer and Warlock multiclass build is one of the most popular in BG3 because of high damage potential, both class’ reliance on Charisma, and the added bonuses that the Warlock class can provide to a Sorcerer, like armor proficiency. With just two points invested in Warlock (after around level 5), players gain access to the most powerful Cantrip in BG3 and modifiers that further enhance its damage.

At Level 2, a Warlock can choose two Eldritch Invocations, like Repelling Blast and Agonizing Blast, and gain two Level 1 spell slots that refresh with each short rest. With spells like Haste, as well as the Sorcerer’s Metamagic options like Quickened Spell, this simple cantrip becomes one that can strike an enormous number of enemies at once. By investing further in Warlock, players can hit even more times with Eldritch Blast and gain Pact Boons, but this of course comes at the cost of late-game Sorcerer abilities.

Wizard Multiclass – Sorcerer 11/Wizard 1

The Sorcerer class is pretty powerful on its own, and the Warlock is the only option that adds meaningful damage to the class’ already-powerful toolkit. However, by speccing into the Wizard class, the Sorcerer gains the ability to learn spells from Scrolls, vastly expanding its repertoire of options.

Sorcerers are not prepared spellcasters, and must select their available spells from their known spells when they level up. It’s important to optimize a Sorcerer’s spell list with each level up and cut some abilities to make room for new ones – putting one level into Wizard early gives you more options to choose from, though it becomes a bit useless at max level, when Sorcerers can no longer swap spells.

Consider going
down to Sorcerer 10
and putting two levels in Wizard to unlock the Evocation subclass. This comes with the Sculpt Spells passive, negating the negative effects of your spells on allies in their area of effect (like Fireball).