Wizards, as one of the classic D&D classes, is one of the six classes players can choose from in the early access version of Baldur's Gate III. Wizards are known for being a type of mage who studies to gain their power over magic. They specialize in a specific school or two of magic and spend their life dedicated to the craft. So, what choices are available for those with an interest in the scholarly pursuit?

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As this is the early access version of the game, other schools of magic and specializations should come once the full official game is released. This is also not a guide on the only way to build a Wizard, but rather a guide on what will make the character more proficient and capable. Gale is the current Wizard companion available to players, who gives a bit more insight into what a level one Wizard is capable of.

Race and Subrace Choices for Wizards in Baldur's Gate III

race and subrace are directly linked to the player's ability scores. Of the six ability scores, Intelligence is the most important for Wizards. Good secondary scores to put points into are Constitution and Wisdom. Due to this, what races would make the best cut for a Wizard?

High Elves get a natural +2 to Dexterity and a +1 to their Intelligence as well as an extra cantrip of their choice. Asmodeus and Mephistopheles Tieflings are naturally gifted with a +2 in Charisma and a +1 in Intelligence. Half-Elves get a +2 in Charisma and a +1 in two other stats of the player's choice. The Githyanki receive a +1 to Intelligence and a +2 to Strength. All of these make great choices. For a more standard Wizard High Elves, Tiefling, and Half-Elves make the best choices. However, Githyanki can make for a good aggressive Wizard, and Humans make a well-rounded Wizard.

Origins and Skill Selection for Wizards in Baldur's Gate III

Origins are a type of background that identifies what skills the players have developed. Each class gets several skills to pick for their proficiency and so does their background. The Wizard gets to pick two of the following skills to start proficient with Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, and Religion.

Depending on the type of wizard the player wants, a more scholarly wizard might pick Arcana and History whereas a healer-type might want Medicine and Religion. Insight and Investigation would also work well for more of an explorative Wizard. However, if a player wants more than just these options or to cover more than these skills, they should look into origins.

Skill proficiencies cannot overlap so their origin skills and chosen class skills are all added up. Some standard good origins available for Wizards are Acolyte, Noble, Guild Artisan, Hermit, and Sage. All of these could easily fit into the wizard archetype and add to similar skills as to what the class suggests. However, a player who wants to be more well-rounded should look into backgrounds like Charlatan, Criminal, Entertainer, or Sailor.

Spells and Schools of Magic for Wizards in Baldur's Gate

Wizards, being the only entirely magic-based class available currently, have a lot of spells to choose from. They also get to choose between two schools of magic at level two. These two schools are Abjuration and Evocation. Abjuration is the school of magic that covers protection and blocking. Evocation is the school of magic that covers dangers elemental spells. Due to this players can pick between being a defensive or aggressive wizard.

There are quite a few spell choices available to Wizards. that early on in the game, wizards have very few spell slots, so choosing useful cantrips is especially important. These are the spell choices currently available.

Cantrips:

• Acid Splash - A two-meter AOE attack dealing 1d6 acid damage to each creature caught within it.
• Blade Ward -Gives the player resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from weapon attacks.
• Chill Touch - Touch-based attack spell dealing 1d8 necrotic damage which the target cannot heal from. This spell also gives undead targets disadvantage on their attack rolls.
• Dancing Lights - Creates several wisps of light that illuminate a 12-meter radius from the caster.
• Fire Bolt - An attack spell that deals 1d6 fire damage and create a flammable surface.
• Friends - Gives the caster advantage on Charisma checks against a non-hostile target for up to 10 rounds.
• Light - Infuses a selected object with light.
• Mage Hand - Creates a spectral hand that can interact with objects.
• Minor Illusion - Creates an illusory image that distracts nearby creatures, compelling them to investigate.
• Poison Spray - Creates a puff of noxious gas that deals 1d12 poison damage.
• Ray of Frost - An attack spell that deals 1d8 cold to a target and reduce their speed by three meters.
• Shocking Grasp - A touch-based spell that deals 1d8 lightning damage.
• True Strike - Gives the caster advantage on attack rolls against the target.

Level One Spells:

• Burning Hands - A touch-based attack spell dealing 3d6 fire damage.
• Charm Person - Magically charms a humanoid the player can see.
• Color Spray - Creates a dazzling array of flashing, colored lights that blinds creatures up to a combined 33 hit points.
• Disguise Self - Changes the appearance of the caster.
• Expeditious Retreat - Grants a chosen character extra speed and allows them to also dash on their turn.
• False Life - Gives a chosen character an extra 1d4 +4 temporary hit points.
• Feather Fall - Slows the descent of a chosen character, gives them zero fall damage, and helps them land on their feet.
• Find Familiar - Summons one of the following creatures: a cat, a rat, a frog, a spider, a raven, or a crab. Each has its own abilities and attacks.
• Fog Cloud - Creates a cloud concealing those within and beyond it.
• Grease - Creates a pool of grease on the ground making it difficult terrain.
• Jump - Extends the distance a chosen character can jump.
• Longstrider - Extends the distance a chosen character can run.
• Mage Armor - Gives a selected character an extra three points to their armor class.
• Magic Missile - An attack spell that sends out three darts each dealing 1d4 +1 force damage that is guaranteed to hit.
• Ray of Sickness - An attack spell dealing 2d8 poison damage and can set poison on the target.
• Sleep - Puts creatures up to a combined 24 hit points into a magical slumber.
• Thunderwave - A 15ft cube attack spell-based around the caster dealing 2d8 thunder damage.
• Witchbolt - An attack spell that deals 1d12 lightning damage upon the hit and connects the target and player. Once connected, the player can activate the arc and deal another 1d12 lightning damage.

Level Two Spells:

• Melf's Acid Arrow - An attack spell that shoots a single shot dealing 4d4 Acid on , and an additional 2d4 acid if the enemy stands in the acid.
• Blindness - Magically blinds a character for up to 10 rounds.
• Blur - The caster's body becomes blurred for up to 10 rounds giving attackers disadvantage on their rolls against the caster.
• Darkness - Creates a cloud of magical darkness that cannot be seen through with darkvision.
• Darkvision - Grants a target darkvision for one round.
• Detect Thoughts - Allows the caster to read the mind of a target.
• Hold Person - Paralyzes a target for up to 10 rounds.
• Invisibility - Turns a target invisible for one round.
• Mirror Image - Creates three illusory duplicates of the caster, distracting the enemy and giving the caster an extra three points of armor class.
• Misty Step - Disappear into a dark mist and teleport to another unoccupied space.
• Ray of Enfeeblement - Causes a target to deal half damage with Strength-based weapons.
• Scorching Ray - An attack spell that creates three targeted rays each dealing 2d6 fire damage.
• Shatter - AOE attack spell dealing 3d8 thunder damage.
• Web - Creates an area of webbing that traps characters who walk through it.

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Baldur's Gate III early access is now available on PC.