Baldur’s Gate 3: All 8 Wizard Subclasses [Our Expert’s Take]
This Baldur's Gate 3 guide will showcase all eight Wizard subclasses alongside their features, level progression, and the best subclass!
Fact Checked By Ibrahim Akhtar
Baldur’s Gate 3 has a wide range of classes that players can choose from, from melee to ranged classes. Each class will also have its subclasses, with the Wizard class having its own Baldur’s Gate 3 Wizard Subclasses. Players might want to know each class’s features, leveling progression, and the best subclass; therefore, a detailed overview is required!
- The Wizard class in Baldur’s Gate 3 focuses on using diverse spells and having Intelligence as a primary ability.
- Eight subclasses range from Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment, Evocation, Necromancy, Illusion, and Transmutation.
- Each subclass will have two main features, a Savant and another effect.
- As players level up with each subclass, they will be able to unlock further sub-class features, as well as action skills or even spells.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Wizard Subclasses
Below is my overview of all 8 Baldur’s Gate 3 Wizard Subclasses and their main features:
| Baldur's Gate 3 Wizard Subclasses | Features |
|---|---|
| Abjuration | Abjuration Savant, Arcane Ward |
| Conjuration | Conjuration Savant, Minor Conjuration Create Water |
| Divination | Divination Savant, Portent |
| Enchantment | Enchantment Savant, Hypnotic Gaze |
| Evocation | Evocation Savant, Sculpt Spells |
| Necromancy | Necromancy Savant, Grim Harvest |
| Illusion | Illusion Savant, Improved Minor Illusion |
| Transmutation | Transmutation Savant, Experimental Alchemy |
BG3 Wizard Class Overview
Let’s look at what the Wizard class is and what kind of features it has. The Wizard class is a spell-casting class through which players are able to cast out spells that can further help them in combat.
- Diverse Spells: Wizards also have a vast range of spells that players can choose from, allowing them to render enemies useless.
- Intellect: While Wizards are praised for their spells, it’s also their intellect, as well as wisdom, that allows them to cast out these spells.
- Primary Ability: The Wizard class has its primary ability catered to that of Intelligence, while its saving throw proficiencies are both Wisdom and Intelligence.
Abjuration
One of the initial Wizard Subclasses is Abjuration. Wizards have subclasses categorized as “schools” like Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, etc., each with unique defining features. Abjuration specializes in using spells to create protective wards and eliminate adversaries.
Features
The Abjuration subclass has two features that can allow players to make the most out of their class. I have listed the features below:
| Abjuration School Features | Effects | Requirements |
| Abjuration Savant | Whenever players end up learning Abjuration spells using scrolls, it will only cost half as much to do so. | Players need to have the Abjuration School at level 2. |
| Arcane Ward | The player’s Arcane Ward will continue to block out damage equivalent to its charges and then lose a charge. | Level 2 Abjuration school |
Also, inherited features are listed as follows, most of them being proficiencies:
- Intelligence Saving Throw Proficiency
- Wisdom Saving Throw Proficiency
- Dagger Proficiency
- Quarterstaff Proficiency
- Arcane Recovery
- Light Crossbow Proficiency
Leveling Progression
As you choose the subclassand level up, you can unlock several subclass features, and when you reach level 10, there will be a progression from level 2, then to level 6 and then 10.
| Leveling Progression | Features | Effects |
| 2 | Arcane Ward | The Arcane Ward will block damage equal to all of its charges. |
| 2 | Abjuration Savant | Learning any Abjuration spells from scrolls will cost only half. |
| 6 | Projected Ward | If a fellow teammate will intake damage and your Arcane Ward is active, you can sacrifice it to gain damage negation. |
| 10 | Improved Abjuration | If you take a rest, the intensity of Arcane Ward is enhanced. |
Conjuration
The second subclass available is Conjuration. As a Conjurer, your focus lies in casting spells to summon and create creatures. This subclass specializes in shaping and conjuring objects, as well as removing them.
Features
Regarding the features, there are two main features that players can encounter with the Conjuration subclass, and they are as follows:
| Conjuration School Features | Effects |
| Conjuration Savant | Learning any Conjuration spells with the help of scrolls will only cost half as usual. |
| Minor Conjuration Create Water | Bring forth rain from the skies above, eliminating flames and summoning a puddle. |
Leveling Progression
Following are the features I obtained after leveling up the Conjuration subclass:
| Leveling Progression | Features | Effects |
| 2 | Minor Conjuration Create Water | Cast down rainfall during combat. |
| 2 | Conjuration Savant | When players learn the Conjuration spells, it will cost only 25 gold pieces for every spell level. |
| 6 | Benign Transportation Teleport | You can teleport to an area where there is no one. |
| 10 | Focused Conjuration | Intaking damage while focusing on a Conjuration spell will not eliminate your Concentration. |
Divination
Another top Baldur’s Gate 3 Wizard Subclass is Divination, centered around divination and using spells to gain advantages. It offers features and action skills that players can unlock as they level up from 2-10, including Divination Savant and Expert Divination.
Features
When it comes to the features, the class has two main features that I have listed below:
| Divination School Features | Effects |
| Divination Savant | If players learn Divination spells using scrolls, it will cost 25 gold for each of it’s levels. |
| Portent | After Long Rest, you will get two Portent Dice and can use it to change the action of your dice. |
For its inherited features, they are listed as follows:
- Intelligence Saving Throw Proficiency
- Dagger Proficiency
- Wisdom Saving Throw Proficiency
- Quarterstaff Proficiency
- Light Crossbow Proficiency
- Arcane Recovery
Level Progression
In my experience, players can unlock five different subclass features and actions as they level up if they choose the Divination subclass.
| Leveling Progression | Features | Effects |
| 2 | Portent | Players will get two Portent Dice at random, and they can be used to change the action of the Attack Rolls. |
| 2 | Divination Savant | Learning spells through scrolls costs half. |
| 6 | Expert Divination | Players will gain an extra Portent Die. |
| 10 | Third Eye (Darkvision) | You will be able to see things in the dark for a radius of 24 meters. |
| 10 | Third Eye (See Invisibility) | You can see invisible creatures and can showcase them to others. |
Enchantment
I advise considering the Enchantment subclass, where Intelligence is the primary ability and saving throw proficiencies include Wisdom and Intelligence. This subclass revolves around using magic to influence and manipulate the will of others.
Features
In my opinion, Enchantment as a subclass has two main defining features: Enchantment Savant and Hypnotic Gaze.
| Enchantment School Features | Effects |
| Enchantment Savant | Once you learn Enchantment spells, it will only cost half as much as usual. |
| Hypnotic Gaze | You can cause a creature to be charmed and incapacitated, and it won’t be able to attack you at all. |
Like the other subclasses, it also has inherited features such as its proficiencies:
- Intelligence Saving Throw Proficiency
- Dagger Proficiency
- Wisdom Saving Throw Proficiency
- Quarterstaff Proficiency
- Light Crossbow Proficiency
- Arcane Recovery
Level Progression
The Enchantment Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Wizard Subclass level progression is from 2 to 10, as listed below:
| Leveling Progression | Features | Effects |
| 2 | Enchantment Savant | Once you learn Enchantment spells, it will only cost half as much as usual. |
| 2 | Hypnotic Gaze | You can charm a creature and hinder it, and it won’t be able to attack you at all. |
| 6 | Instinctive Charm | Any opponent that is attacking you can be charmed by you. |
| 10 | Split Enchantment | You will be the master of your enchantments. |
Evocation
Next, consider the Evocation subclass, which focuses on casting spells that channel elemental energy into powerful attacks and enchantments, earning players the title of evokers. Progression subclass features include Evocation Savant, Sculpt Spells, Potent Cantrip, and Empowered Evocation.
Features
Two main features are known as Evocation Savant and Sculpt Spells.
| Evocation School Features | Effects |
| Evocation Savant | Whenever players are learning Evocation spells, it will cost only half. |
| Sculpt Spells | You can create pockets of safety to protect yourself within your spell. |
The inherited features are the same as the other subclasses, such as proficiencies in Intelligence Saving Throw, Dagger, and Quarterstaff, as well as Light Crossbow and Wisdom Saving Throw Proficiency.
Level Progression
For its level progression, I gained 4 subclass features at level 2, then at levels 6 and 10.
| Leveling Progression | Features | Effects |
| 2 | Sculpt Spells | You can make pockets of safety to protect yourself within your spell. |
| 2 | Evocation Savant | Whenever players are learning Evocation spells, it will cost only half as much. |
| 6 | Potent Cantrip | The cantrips that you use will become difficult to evade. |
| 10 | Empowered Evocation | You excel even more at casting Evocation magic. |
Necromancy
Consider the Necromancy class, where Intelligence serves as the primary ability, and saving throw proficiencies includes Wisdom and Intelligence. Necromancy delves into the exploration of life, death, and the forces bridging them, allowing manipulation of these forces with expertise. Necromancers are often seen as menacing and deadly, which can be advantageous in certain situations.
Features
It has two main features: the Necromancy Savant and Grim Harvest.
| Necromancy School Features | Effects |
| Necromancy Savant | While learning Necromancy spells, it will cost only half. |
| Grim Harvest | At every turn, if you end up murdering a creature using a spell, you can get back hit points that are equal to twice that of the spell slot. |
Level Progression
Compared to the other subclasses, the Necromancer class will have quite a few level progress spells and subclass features you get as you level up.
| Leveling Progression | Features | Effects |
| 2 | Grim Harvest | If you assassinate a creature using a spell at every turn, you can get back hit points equal to twice that of the spell slot. |
| 2 | Necromancy Savant | While learning Necromancy spells, it will cost only half. |
| 6 | Undead Thralls (Better Summons) | Creatures that have been summoned using Animate Dead will have extra hit points. |
| 6 | Undead Thralls (Additional Undead) | If you use Animate Dead, you can raise an extra corpse. |
| 10 | Animate Dead | Use a corpse to your advantage to create a servant from the undead. |
| 10 | Inured to Undeath | Players will become resistant to Necrotic damage. |
Illusion
Next, players can choose the Illusion class, which focuses on hypnotizing and controlling the minds of their darkest enemies. It is also one of Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Wizard Subclass.
- Players will be able to specialize in taking control of enemies that are rather gullible and can be easily fooled.
Features
There are two main features, such as that of Illusion Savant as well as Improved Minor Illusion, which are listed as follows:
| Illusion School Features | Effects |
| Illusion Savant | Learning illusion spells using scrolls will only cost half as much as it typically would. |
| Improved Minor Illusion | Players will be able to use Minor Illusion as a bonus action. |
Transmutation
Last, the final Wizard Subclasses will be known as Transmutation, focusing mainly on the players’ ability to control and modify energy for their means.
Features
The Transmutation Savant and Experimental Alchemy are the two main features of the Transmutation subclass.
| Transmutation School Features | Effects |
| Transmutation Savant | While learning Transmutation spells, it will cost half. |
| Experimental Alchemy | Players can brew two solutions when they combine extracts. |
My Opinion On The Best Wizard Subclass
So far, in my 50+ hour experience playing Baldur’s Gate 3, I have grown especially fond of casters. While Sorcerers are my go-to class, I’ve had my fair share of time with Wizards. Though not as strong in the later stages, they can still make your enemies whimper in fear.
The subclasses do ultimately come down to how you want to play, but the one that stood out to me is the Necromancy school. It is on the more evil side of magic, but it is quite “deadly.” My strategy involved having Karlach go on a killing spree and reanimating all the dead corpses she leaves behind.
And that’s just about it! All that players need to know about the Baldur’s Gate 3 Wizard Subclasses, and with that, let’s wrap up the guide! While you’re here, why not read the Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions guide, detailing the companions present? Alongside that, the Baldur’s Gate 3 All Feats New Old guide will entail all the feats available!
Other than that, the Baldur’s Gate 3 Halsin guide is a must-read! Lastly, skim through the Baldur’s Gate 3 Strange Ox guide.
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Fact Checked By Ibrahim Akhtar
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