Baldur's Gate 3: Best Sorcerer build Baldurs Gate 3 guide, walkthrough

Sorcerers are powerful magic users with an innate talent for spells. This guide page will help you create a powerful representative of this class.

Last update: 27 November 2023

Sorcerers are a class encompassing unique individuals with natural talent and affinity for magic. Their extraordinary gifts, when properly harnessed, may turn out to be a real gamechanger on the battlefield. On this page of our Baldur's Gate 3 guide, we show how to lead this class through development for your hero to become an all-powerful Sorcerer.

• Character creation wizard
• Class progression
• Choosing Illithid Powers
• Allies, their skills and spells
• Equipment and bonuses from it
• Consumables

Character creation wizard

To get the most out of your Sorcerer in the initial stages of character development, we recommend High Elf, Human, or Dragonborn as the race of choice.

1. The first variant means access to an additional Cantrip which will broaden your magic repertoire.
2. Choosing a Human as the race for your Sorcerer means proficiency in light armor which when equipped should help you survive longer during the most dangerous of battles. Additionally, an extra Proficiency of your choice is definitely a useful bonus.
3. Dragonborns, on the other hand, with their natural resistances and the ability to spew fire/ice/poison have access to more tactical options and ways to hurt the opponent or mitigate his attacks (especially at the beginning of the game).

When choosing a background, we recommend Noble, Charlatan, or a Criminal. All of the above options mean Proficiency in Charisma-related skills - which should be the defining stat of the Sorcerer.

Class progression

1. Sorcerers make the choice regarding the subclass already at level 1 (as we mentioned earlier, on this page we focus on Storm Sorcerer). The subclass we're discussing here has a big starting advantage in the form of Tempestuous Magic skill which after casting a spell of level 1 or higher, allows the hero to fly as a Bonus Action available until the end of the turn. Flying is a very useful tool, increasing your mobility immensely. Use this advantage to cleverly position yourself on the battlefield and run from trouble (once in the air, the enemies won't be able to use Opportunity Attacks on you). When choosing initial spells, we recommend Fire Bolt, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Magic Missile, Witch Bolt, Thunderwave, and Mage Armour.

1. With the ascension to level 2, you'll receive access to a signature class feature - Sorcery Points. You can use these points, renewed every long rest, to alter the properties of the spells you cast. The available modifiers differ in terms of application and operation, and once chosen, they cannot be changed. We especially recommend these metamagic modifiers - Distant Spell and Twinned Spell. An interesting feature of a Sorcerer from level 2 onwards is the ability to exchange unspent Spell Slots for Sorcery Points and vice versa. Thanks to this feature, you can decide on the fly which "resource" you need the most at the given moment.

1. At level 3, you'll have to choose 1 additional metamagic modifier. From the options available at this stage, we recommend Heightened Spell or Quickened Spell. Additionally, you'll receive access to level 2 spells. From the available options, we recommend Scorching Ray, Misty Step, or Cloud of Daggers.
2. On level 4, you'll need to choose a Feat. We recommend Ability Improvements and improving Charisma ability. The better this statistic the larger the damage-dealing potential of your spells.
3. With level 5, you'll get to know your initial level 3 spells. Among the available options, consider Lightning Bolt, Fireball, Counterspell, or Haste.
4. After reaching level 6, Storm Sorcerer receives access to a choice of useful features. Heart of the Storm makes level 1 spells or higher dealing Lightning or Thunder damage summon a small, local thunderstorm. It damages enemies caught in its radius. The Storm Sorcerer himself with this feature has improved Resistance to the aforementioned damage types. Finally, your hero automatically learns a variety of spells connected to his troubled heritage.
5. Among level 4 spells, consider Ice Storm, Dimension Door, and Confusion.
6. Level 8 means choosing another Feat. Once again, we recommend Ability Improvements and improving Charisma (in order to reach max level of the ability as fast as possible). Alternatively, you can choose War Caster or Spell Sniper.
7. When choosing level 5 spells, consider: Cloudkill, Insect Plague, or Cone of Cold.
8. At level 10, you can choose another Metamagic modifier. It is best to choose the one that you've omitted during the choice at level 3.
9. Having reached level 11, as a Storm Sorcerer you receive the final unique feature for this subclass - Storm's Fury, - that makes opponents that struck you in melee combat receive 11 Lightning Damage. Moreover, such an opponent will be additionally pushed away. When choosing your level 6 spells, consider Chain Lightning, or Disintegrate.
10. Finally, level 12, means choosing another Feat. If you have previously chosen Ability Improvements and thus have full Charisma, choose one of the Feats that we listed at level 8.

Choosing Illithid Powers

If you decide to harness Illithid Powers, consider activating Charm, Repulsor, and Stage Fright. The universal nature of these powers, however, means that every single one may turn out to be useful in combat.

Party members - their skills and spells

Even the most powerful Sorcerer won't do much without a team. For this reason, is worth to carefully plan the party composition so skills of individual team members complement each other. When playing as a Sorcerer, make sure you have a "tank" character that will soak all damage from melee combat and if needed, distract the attention of incoming enemies. This role is best played by a Paladin, Fighter, heavily armored Cleric, or Barbarian.

Don't forget about support. A Cleric, Druid or Bard with prepared healing spells will help your team get through the most dangerous encounters.

Equipment and bonuses from it

When choosing equipment for a Sorcerer, focus on items that increase magical power and the defensive potential of this fragile hero. In the early stages of the game, in the cellar below Blighted Village, you'll find Bracers of Defence, that add +2 to AC if you aren't wearing armor or a shield. Another noteworthy item is the Psychic Spark which is an amulet that adds an additional charge for your Magic Missile.

Same as with Bard, in later stages of the game, consider equipping Birthright hat that adds +2 to Charisma. If your Sorcerer is a Human, you can consider equipping him with a set of Light Armor.

Consumables

Here is a list of useful consumables that the Sorcerer should keep at hand:

1. All kinds of healing potions - they will quickly allow you to regenerate lost health points.
2. All kinds of resistance potions - they will help you when fighting opponents who specialize in specific types of attacks.
3. Potion of Speed - gives haste, provides an additional action, and temporarily increases your AC.