Wizards in Baldur’s Gate 3 have eight subclass options to choose from once they reach level two. That’s a lot, so to narrow things down let’s look at the best Wizard subclasses in this ranked Baldur’s Gate 3 list.
No other class has eight different subclass options to choose from, which makes picking your Wizard subclass a challenge. Fear not; this guide will help you decide which is the best subclass for your Wizard.
What are the best Wizard subclasses in BG3?
In Baldur’s Gate 3, Wizards get access to eight different subclasses: Evocation, Conjuration, Necromancy, Abjuration, Enchantment, Divination, Illusion, and Transmutation. Out of all the Wizard subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3, I think Evocation is the best because it focuses specifically on high-damage spells, but most of the subclasses are good. Let’s break down all the Wizard subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3 so you know exactly which subclass is best for you.
- Evocation
- Necromancy
- Abjuration
- Conjuration
- Divination
- Enchantment
- Illusion
- Transmutation
Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3): Best Wizard subclasses tier list
1. Evocation Wizard
Evocation is the best Wizard subclass if you want to stay in the back and hurl insanely powerful spells at your enemies, that also avoid hurting your friends. Here is what the Evocation subclass unlocks as you level up:
- Evocation Savant (Level 2) – Learning Evocation spells from scrolls now costs 25 gold instead of 50.
- Sculpt Spells (Level 2) – Allies within the area of Evocation spells automatically succeed their Saving Throws and take no damage.
- Potent Cantrip (Level 6) – When a creature succeeds its Saving Throw against one of your cantrips, they still take half damage but suffer no additional effects.
- Empowered Evocation (Level 10) – Add your Intelligence modifier to damage rolls with all Evocation spells.
2. Necromancy Wizard
I love the Wizard Necromancy subclass not only because summoning minions is great, but you get to roleplay a darker, more macabre Wizard. Here are the Necromancy subclass bonuses you unlock as you level up:
- Necromancy Savant (Level 2) – Learning Necromancy spells from scrolls now costs 25 gold instead of 50.
- Grim Harvest (Level 2) – Once per turn, if you kill an enemy with a spell, gain HP equal to twice the spell slot level used and three times the level if it’s a Necromancy spell.
- Undead Thralls: Additional Undead (Level 6) – Raise an additional corpse when you Animate Dead.
- Undead Thralls: Better Summons (Level 6) – Animate Dead creatures have additional HP equal to your Wizard level, and your proficiency bonus is added to their attacks.
- Animate Dead (Level 6) – Permanently learn Animate Dead which allows you to create an animated minion from a corpse.
- Inured to Undeath (Level 10) – Resistant to Necrotic damage and your maximum HP can’t be reduced.
Related: Best Wizard spells and cantrips in Baldur’s Gate 3
3. Abjuration Wizard
Abjuration is a solid Wizard subclass if you want to play support by protecting yourself and your allies from harm. Here are the Abjuration subclass level-up bonuses:
- Abjuration Savant (Level 2) – Learning Abjuration spells from scrolls now costs 25 gold instead of 50.
- Arcane Ward (Level 2) – Your Arcane Ward blocks damage equal to its charges then loses one charge. Casting Abjuration spells increases charges equal to the level of the spell.
- Projected Ward (Level 6) – When a nearby ally takes damage and you have an active Arcane Ward, you can sacrifice your ward to reduce the damage they take.
- Improved Abjuration (Level 10) – Each time you Short Rest, the intensity of your Arcane Ward increases by an amount equal to your Wizard level.
4. Conjuration Wizard
Conjuration is a personal favorite of mine because you can learn some pretty useful spells that allow you to do interesting things on the battlefield. As you level up your Conjuration Wizard, here is what you unlock:
- Conjuration Savant (Level 2) – Learning Conjuration spells from scrolls now costs 25 gold instead of 50.
- Minor Conjuration: Create Water (Level 2) – Permanently learn Create Water.
- Benign Transposition: Teleport (Level 6) – Permanently learn Benign Transposition: Teleport which allows you to teleport anywhere you want or swap places with an ally.
- Focused Conjuration (Level 10) – Taking damage while concentrating on a Conjuration spell doesn’t break your concentration.
5. Divination Wizard
Divination is the Wizard subclass that focuses on channeling divine energy to interesting results. Here are the Divination Wizard subclass bonuses:
- Divination Savant (Level 2) – Learning Divination spells from scrolls now costs 25 gold instead of 50.
- Portent (Level 2) – After each Long Rest, gain two random Portent Dice. Use your reaction to change the die of any Attack Roll or Saving Throw rolled near you to one of your Portent Dice. You can only use a Portent Die once and they are lost and restocked at the end of each day.
- Expert Divination (Level 6) – Gain an extra Portent Die and recharge your Portent Dice on Short Rests.
- Third Eye: Darkvision (Level 10) – Permanently learn an ability to gain Darkvision.
- Third Eye: Invisibility (Level 10) – Permanently learn an ability to see Invisible targets.
6. Enchantment Wizard
The Wizard Enchantment subclass is the opposite of Abjuration in that you’re supporting your team by debuffing enemies with charms. As you level up as an Enchantment Wizard, you’ll unlock these subclass bonuses:
- Enchantment Savant (Level 2) – Learning Enchantment spells from scrolls now costs 25 gold instead of 50.
- Hypnotic Gaze (Level 2) – Permanently learn Hypnotic Gaze which charms a creature to not attack or act. Takes a Wisdom Saving Throw to avoid and can last for two turns or be extended.
- Instinctive Charm (Level 6) – Charm an enemy attacking you. They will attack a new target as a Reaction if possible.
- Split Enchantment (Level 10) – Target two creatures with Enchantment spells.
7. Illusion Wizard
Illusion is a good Wizard subclass if you want to multiclass as a Rogue because you’ll learn a lot of stealthy spells. Here are the Illusion Wizard subclass bonuses:
- Illusion Savant (Level 2) – Learning Illusion spells from scrolls now costs 25 gold instead of 50.
- Improved Minor Illusion (Level 2) – Cast Minor Illusion as a bonus action. You can also cast this while Silenced and you’ll stay hidden.
- See Invisibility (Level 6) – Permanently learn the spell See Invisibility.
- Illusory Self (Level 10) – When attacked, you can use your reaction to have an illusion take the blow. The attack misses and the illusion dissipates. This is recharged on Short and Long Rests.
8. Transmutation Wizard
Last, and also least in my opinion, is the Wizard Transmutation subclass. Transmutation is the worst Wizard subclass because alchemy isn’t all-too useful and the bonuses aren’t very good. As you level up as a Transmutation Wizard, you’ll unlock these subclass bonuses:
- Transmutation Savant (Level 2) – Learning Transmutation spells from scrolls now costs 25 gold instead of 50.
- Experimental Alchemy (Level 2) – You can brew two alchemical solutions instead of one when combining extracts, if you succeed a 15 Medicine check.
- Transmuter’s Stone (Level 6) – Store some of your Transmutation magic in a small stone. A creature carrying the stone gains a benefit of your choice.
- Shapechanger (Level 10) – Permanently learn the ability to transform into a blue jay. You can fly and when your HP hits zero, you revert to your original form.
Now that you know about the best Wizard subclasses, let’s discuss the best Wizard multiclass builds in Baldur’s Gate 3.
