wizard necromancer build baldur's gate 3
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Best Necromancer Build BG3

The Best Necromancer Build for Baldur’s Gate 3! The Build uses the Wizard Class as its base and casts powerful Necromancer and necrotic damage based spells to defeat enemies. The Wizard is an excellent Class in Baldur’s Gate 3 to create a Necromancer build, thanks to their powerful thematic spells and unique mechanics.

Wizard Class Mechanics in BG3

The Wizard is one of the pure Spell caster Classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 with access to powerful Elemental based and Necromancy spells. A hard Class to master that rewards you with powerful spells and fun gameplay. Wizards have access to more Spells than Sorcerers and they can learn even more from Spell Scrolls they find! When you find a Scroll with an unknown Spell to your Wizard, you can choose to learn it and add it to your Spell Pool!

However they have to prepare a certain number of Spells before they can use them in combat. Arcane Recovery is another unique Wizard Class mechanic that allows you to restore Spell Slots once per day when out of combat! Combining this mechanic with Spellcrux Amulet, lets you recover more Spell Slots and have your favorite Spells ready when you need them.

wizard necromancer baldur's gate 3
Wizard Necromancer Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

Best Subclass

The Best Subclass for this Build in BG3 is Necromancy! The only option if you wish to create a powerful and effective Necromancer Build. Necromancy offers the following:

  • Level 2Grim Harvest: Once per turn, if you kill a creature with a spell, you regain Hit Points equal to twice the Spell Slot level used – thrice if it’s a Necromancy spell. Undead and Constructs are unaffected. It also halves the cost to learn Necromancy Spells from Scrolls.
  • Level 6 – Gain the Animate Dead Spell and can raise an additional corpse. Creatures created with  Animate Dead have additional hit points equal to your wizard level, and your Proficiency Bonus is added to their damage.
  • Level 10Inured to Undeath: You are Resistant to Necrotic damage, and moreover your hit point maximum cannot be reduced.

Best Race for Necromancer Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Best Race for the Wizard Necromancer Build in BG3 is the High Elf or High Half Elf! The High Elf and High Half-Elf Races offer you one extra Cantrip that you can use in the game. This is especially helpful early in the game since it gives you access to more sources of damage. A few more good Races you can pick for the build are:

  • Drow(either sub race)
  • Human
  • Dragonborn

You can pick any of the eleven available Races in BG3 and still have success with the Build!

Best Abilities

Intelligence is the main Ability for Necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3. What that means is that the higher Intelligence is, the more effective your build will be! Constitution and Dexterity are also important abilities that will help you stay alive but also get better initiative in battle!

You can use the recommended abilities setup or adjust them to get high Intelligence and good enough Dexterity and Constitution. For a powerful Necromancer Build that also has good initiative and survivability, you can use the following abilities setup:

  • Strength – 8
  • Dexterity – 14
  • Constitution – 15
  • Intelligence – 17
  • Wisdom – 10
  • Charisma – 10

Best Background for Necromancer Build BG3

The most important ability for the Wizard is Intelligence. To maximize the efficiency of the build you should pick a background that gives access to Skills that rely on Intelligence! The Best Background for the Necromancer Build is Sage, which gives you access to the Arcana and History Skills that are both Intelligence based. Other good Backgrounds you can use are:

  • Noble
  • Acolyte

Best Skills

Skills proficiency allows you to pursue different paths when picking dialogue option and can help you solve situations in a variety of ways. When you create your character you can pick two more skills to increase your proficiency with them. Arcana, History, Investigation, Religion and Perception are good skills to have!

Necromancer Build Leveling Guide in Baldur’s Gate 3

Below you can find the Best options for the Wizard Necromancer Build in BG3 for every Level!

Level 1 Best Options

Level 1 is basically Character Creation for your Necromancer Build in BG3! Follow the above recommendations and proceed to pick your Cantrips and Spells! You can choose three Cantrips and six Spells in the first level. The Best Cantrips for the Necromancer Build are:

  • Bone Chill(pick as your High Elf Cantrip)
  • Toll the Dead
  • Poison Spray
  • Acid Splash

The Best Spells for the Necromancer Build are:

  • Ray of Sickness
  • Charm Person
  • Magic Missile
  • Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
  • False Life
  • Witch Bolt

Prepare the following Spells:

  1. Ray of Sickness
  2. False Life
  3. Magic Missile
  4. Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
Tasha’s Hideous Laughter in BG3

Level 2 Best Options

At level 2 you get to pick your Subclass, unlock two new Spells and prepare Spells for the first time. Pick Necromancy as your Subclass, Feather Fall and Ice Knife as your new spells and prepare the following:

  1. Ray of Sickness
  2. False Life
  3. Magic Missile
  4. Charm Person
  5. Feather Fall

Level 3 Best Options

At Level 3 you unlock two new Spells and Prepare six Spells for combat. Pick Ray of Enfeeblement and Hold Person. Prepare the following Spells:

  1. Ray of Sickness
  2. False Life
  3. Magic Missile
  4. Charm Person
  5. Feather Fall
  6. Tasha’s Hideous Laughter

Level 4 Best Options

At level 4 you unlock your first Feat, get to pick a new Cantrip and two new Spells. Feats are powerful passive effects that can enhance your play style or help you alter your build! You can pick 3 Feats for your Wizard Build at levels 4, 8 and 12!

For your first Feat, pick Ability Improvement and add 2 points to Intelligence. Like this your Intelligence score will rise up to 19 if you have followed the above recommendations and your spells will be more effective.

For your new Cantrip pick Acid Splash and unlock the Scorching Ray and Blindness Spells. You can now prepare seven Spells:

  1. Ray of Sickness
  2. False Life
  3. Charm Person
  4. Feather Fall
  5. Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
  6. Ray of Enfeeblement
  7. Scorching Ray
Scorching Ray in Baldur’s Gate 3

Level 5 Best Options

At level 5 you unlock level 3 Spells, can pick two new Spells and Prepare nine! Pick Vampiric Touch and Counterspell. Prepare the following Spells:

  1. Ray of Sickness
  2. False Life
  3. Charm Person
  4. Feather Fall
  5. Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
  6. Ray of Enfeeblement
  7. Scorching Ray
  8. Blindness
  9. Vampiric Touch

Level 6 Best Options

At level 6 you gain the Animate Dead spell and it is always prepared. You can also raise an additional corpse and your creatures have additional hit points equal to your wizard level, and your Proficiency Bonus is added to their damage. Pick Misty Step and Bestow Curse as your new Spells. Prepare the following Spells:

  1. Ray of Sickness
  2. False Life
  3. Charm Person
  4. Feather Fall
  5. Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
  6. Ray of Enfeeblement
  7. Scorching Ray
  8. Blindness
  9. Misty Step
  10. Counterspell

Level 7 Best Options

When you reach level 7 you unlock Level 4 Spells and can prepare eleven Spells! For your two new Spells take the powerful Blight and Ice Storm. Prepare the following Spells:

  1. Ray of Sickness
  2. False Life
  3. Feather Fall
  4. Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
  5. Ray of Enfeeblement
  6. Scorching Ray
  7. Misty Step
  8. Hold Person
  9. Counterspell
  10. Vampiric Touch
  11. Blight
Counterspell BG3

Level 8 Best Options

Two new Spells and a Feat are waiting for you at Level 8! You can also prepare twelve Spells now. For your second Feat pick Spell Sniper! Spell Sniper decreases the number you need to roll a Critical Hit while attacking with a spell by 1, making it easier to score critical hits! It also lets you pick another Cantrip. Get Shocking Grasp. Unlock Fireball and Phantasmal Killer as your new Spells. Prepare the following Spells:

  1. Ray of Sickness
  2. False Life
  3. Feather Fall
  4. Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
  5. Ray of Enfeeblement
  6. Scorching Ray
  7. Misty Step
  8. Hold Person
  9. Counterspell
  10. Vampiric Touch
  11. Blight
  12. Ice Storm

Level 9 Best Options

At level 9 you unlock Level 5 Spells and can pick two new Spells. Unlock Cloudkill and Sleet Storm. Prepare the following spells:

  1. Ray of Sickness
  2. False Life
  3. Feather Fall
  4. Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
  5. Ray of Enfeeblement
  6. Scorching Ray
  7. Misty Step
  8. Hold Person
  9. Counterspell
  10. Vampiric Touch
  11. Blight
  12. Ice Storm
  13. Cloudkill

Level 10 Best Options

You gain the Indure to Undeath Subclass feature which makes you Resistant to Necrotic damage, and moreover your hit point maximum cannot be reduced! You can also unlock a new Cantriptwo new Spells and Prepare fourteen! Take Bursting Sinew as your new Cantrip, Remove Curse and Dominate Person as your new Spells. Prepare the following:

  1. Ray of Sickness
  2. False Life
  3. Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
  4. Misty Step
  5. Hold Person
  6. Counterspell
  7. Vampiric Touch
  8. Blight
  9. Ice Storm
  10. Cloudkill
  11. Fireball
  12. Sleet Storm
  13. Remove Curse
  14. Dominate Person
Cloudkill BG3

Level 11 Best Options

At level 11 you unlock powerful Level 6 Spells! Get Create Undead and Circle of Death! You can now prepare fifteen Spells:

  1. Ray of Sickness
  2. False Life
  3. Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
  4. Misty Step
  5. Hold Person
  6. Counterspell
  7. Vampiric Touch
  8. Blight
  9. Ice Storm
  10. Cloudkill
  11. Fireball
  12. Sleet Storm
  13. Remove Curse
  14. Dominate Person
  15. Create Undead

Level 12 Best Options

Finally at level 12 you unlock your third Feat, two new Spells and can prepare sixteen Spells for combat! For your new spells pick Globe of Invulnerability and Haste. For your final Feat pick Resilient to get your Intelligence to 20! Prepare the following Spells:

  1. Ray of Sickness
  2. False Life
  3. Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
  4. Misty Step
  5. Hold Person
  6. Counterspell
  7. Vampiric Touch
  8. Blight
  9. Ice Storm
  10. Cloudkill
  11. Fireball
  12. Sleet Storm
  13. Remove Curse
  14. Dominate Person
  15. Create Undead
  16. Circle of Death

Best Gear for Necromacer Build BG3

Below you can find the Best Gear for the Wizard Necromancer Build in Baldur’s Gate 3. The Best Weapons and Armor for the Wizard, as well as alternative options that can help you early in the game!

What is the Best Weapon for Necromancer in BG3

The Best Weapon for the Necromancer Build in Baldur’s Gate 3, is Staff of Cherished Necromancy! A Very Rare Quarterstaff that you can get from Mystic Carrion in Baldur’s Gate Act 3. A great alternative is the Markoheshkir, a legendary Quarterstaff and one of the Best Staff Weapons in BG3 that you can get in the Sorcerous Sundries store in Baldur’s Gate Act 3.

Markoheshkir in Baldur’s Gate 3

You can also use Woe which is another powerful Very Rare Quarterstaff, that you can get late in the game, during Act 3 by defeating Cazador inside his Palace! A few great weapons you can use early in the game are Hollow’s Staff that you can get from Lucretius in Circus of the Last Days in Act 3 and Staff of Crones that you can get on the ground in the treasure room of the Ancient Abode (the Hag’s lair) beneath Auntie Ethel’s Teahouse.

The table below shows you the best Gear for the Wizard Necromancer Build, as well as good alternative options to use early in BG3!

PieceBestEarly Game
HeadHood of the WeaveCircle of Bones
CapeCloak of the WeaveCloak of Protection
ChestRobe of the Weave or Potent RobePoisoner’s Robe
GlovesQuickspell Gloves or Helldusk GlovesDark Justiciar Gauntlets(Rare)
BootsDisintegrating Night Walkers or Helldusk BootsBoots of Speed or Boots of Genial Striding
NecklaceSpellcrux AmuletPearl of Power Amulet or Surgeon’s Subjugation Amulet
RingKiller’s SweetheartRing of Mental Inhibition
RingRing of RegenerationPoisoner’s Ring
WeaponStaff of Cherished Necromancy or Markoheshkir or WoeHollow’s Staff or Staff of Crones

What is the Best Armor for Necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Hood of the Weave is the best head armor for the Necromancer Build in BG3. A Very Rare armor that you can get from Mystic Carrion in Baldur’s Gate, in Act 3 and offers the Arcane Enchantment Effect. Arcane Enchantment grants you a +2 bonus to Spell Save DC and Spell attack rolls.

Cloak of the Weave is the best Cape Armor for the Wizard Build in Baldur’s Gate 3. You can buy it from Helsik at Devil’s Fee in Act 3 and offers Arcane Enchantment and Absorb Elements.

hood of the weave
Hood of the Weave

For the chest you can wear either the Robe of the Weave or Potent RobeRobe of the Weave is a Very Rare clothing that you can get in the Sorcerous Sundries store in Baldur’s Gate Act 3 along with Markoheshkir. Potent Robe on the other hand is also a Very Rare Clothing that you can get as a Quest Reward for Rescuing the Tieflings.

The Quickspell Gloves or Helldusk Gloves are the best for the gloves Armor slot. You can buy Quickspell Gloves from Rolan at the Sorcerous Sundries in Act 3 and they grant you Quickspell Flinger: Cantrips that cost an action cost a bonus action instead. This effect can be used once per Short Rest. You can loot the Helldusk Gloves from Haarlap in the House of Hope again in Act 3.

The Disintegrating Night Walkers is the best Boots in BG3 that you can get early in the game as well! You can loot them from Nere in Grymforge(Act 1) and they offer Night Walker: Can’t be Enwebbed, Entangled, Ensnared and can’t slip on grease or ice, as well as access to the Misty Step Spell. The Helldusk Boots is a nice alternative you will find later in the game by looting a gilded chest in Gortash’s room on the top floor of Wyrm’s Rock Fortress.

The Spellcrux Amulet is the best Amulet in BG3 for the Wizard Build, thanks to its Spell Slot Restoration Class Action, that allows you to restore a Spell Slot once every Long Rest! Combining this action with Wizard’s Arcane Recovery is the best way to restore your higher Spell Slots before a tough fight. You can get the Amulet by defeating and looting the Warden in Moonrise Towers Prison during Act 2.

spellcrux amulet
Spellcrux Amulet

Killer’s Sweatheart and Ring of Regeneration are finally the best ring options for the Wizard Fire and Ice Build in Baldur’s Gate 3! You can get the Killer’s Sweatheart ring by defeating yourself in the Self-Same Trial inside the Gauntlet of Shar(Act 2). The ring grants you the Executioner effect: When you kill a creature, your next Attack Roll will be a Critical Hit. Once spent, this effect refreshes after a Long Rest.

You can buy the Ring of Regeneration from Rolan at the Sorcerous Sundries in Act 3 and get Combat Regeneration: At the beginning of your turn, the ring activates and heals you for 1-4 hitpoints.

Best Companion

Companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 are powerful Allies that can assist you in combat with their unique Actions and Spells! The BG3 Companions are divided in Origin and Story Companions. Origin Companions are important characters for the story of the game, that you can find and recruit early in Act 1. It is also possible to play Baldur’s gate 3 with one of them. Story Companions are NPC that you can recruit as Companions later in the game.

All Companions have their default Class in the game but it is possible to change their Class with the help of Withers after you find him inside the Dank Crypt! Which means that you can pick any Companion you like and change their Class in order to complement your Build and Play style. If you wish to remain true to the game lore and keep their default Class, then the Best Companions for the Build are:

  • Shadowheart. Shadowheart is a powerful Cleric that can support and heal your party with her spells.
  • Karlach or Lae’zel. Pick a strong melee character that can destroy enemies in close combat.
  • Astarion. Astarion is a great choice if you wish to have a stealthy assassin or Thief in your party!

If you have not unlocked some of the available Companions or if some of your Companions have fallen in combat, you can always use a Hireling Companion. Hireling Companions are available to get via Withers and can fulfill every role and class in Baldur’s Gate 3!