Baldur’s Gate 3 Guides
Gale stands as a pivotal ally in Baldur’s Gate 3, a mysterious wizard from Waterdeep who invites players to explore a rich arcane toolkit. Newcomers often find the wizard class daunting because spellcasting systems are broad and nuanced. This guide compiles top wizard builds with a focus on Gale, detailing spell choices, tactics, and class features to help players master this arcane path.
How to play wizard
The wizard’s strength comes from powerful spellcasting. The sheer variety can feel overwhelming at first. Players benefit from understanding which spells shine in different situations and how to chain them for maximum effect. The guide also explains managing spell slots and treats this as a core skill for playing a wizard well.
Wizards generally have modest hit points. Early on, they tend to stay lean around eight health, prioritizing speed and spellpower over front-line durability.
At first level, recommended attributes
Initial attributes shown in the accompanying screenshot guide the setup. Skill choices should align with each player’s preferred style; overall impact tends to be similar across options.
Why does a wizard (Gale) prioritize Dexterity?
In Baldur’s Gate 3, Constitution matters less for wizards who avoid direct melee. Increasing Dexterity raises armor class (AC), computed as 10 plus the Dexterity modifier. A higher AC helps Gale endure longer in both close and ranged fights, even with limited starting health.
Gale begins without armor, which contributes to a lower initial AC.
The best wizard builds – what to level up at each stage
At level one, players can pick a broad set of spells. A practical focus includes:
- fire bolt
- mage hand
- minor illusion
Many players lean on the first spell, as the others are situational and offer limited benefits early on.
From the following, consider adding:
- burning hands
- thunder wave
- arcane armor
- safeguard fall
- dream
- magic arrow
Before combat, casting Magic Armor is a crucial opening move.
New spells can be learned using scrolls.
How to choose a level 2 subclass
Choosing a subclass marks a turning point, shaping comfort in combat. Divination should not be dismissed as trivial; its omen mechanic provides a meaningful edge in Baldur’s Gate 3.
What is “Omen”?
Omen can tilt battles in a moment. Picture a boss fight where the team’s momentum flags. A single Omen cube can shift outcomes, turning a looming failure into a survivable moment by altering an enemy’s roll, helping the party endure the encounter.
What spells to choose at level 2
Selecting Chromatic Orb and False Life gives reliable options to handle goblins at level 2.
What spells to choose at level 3
Recommended choices include Misty Step and Shatter to improve mobility and damage, helping Gale stay engaged while staying alive.
Learned spells can be swapped in the Spellbook as the journey continues.
What tricks and spells to choose at level 4
While any focus is possible, Cold to the Bone stands out. It can weaken foes and hinder healing for several turns, often shifting battlefield momentum.
Featured Spells:
- gust of wind
- invisibility
The gust disrupts foes much like Thunder Wave, while invisibility remains invaluable in many scenarios.
What trait should you pick for a wizard (Gale)
A trait offers a free boost every few levels. For Gale and most wizards, the practical choice is “Tough” to increase health and overall survivability.
Which spells to choose on the 5th and 6th level
The fifth and sixth levels unlock the third circle of spells. Four essential spells can be chosen in any order:
- fireball
- counterspell
- blink
- horror
Remember that having a spell in the Book of Spells is not enough—prepared spells must be ready for use.
What spells to choose at level 7
Ice Storm and Door to Space are solid late-game options. Ice Storm helps in moments of crowd control when enemies are clustered, while Door to Space offers rapid repositioning with a companion.
What spells and abilities to choose at level 8
Fire Wall and Stone Skin help dominate the battlefield and boost survivability. A new special ability becomes available at this tier as well.
Among wizard options, Performance Enhancement stands out. Pushing intelligence toward 18 increases spell accuracy and makes enemy saves tougher. It serves as a strong anchor, though players may tailor it to fit their style.
What spells to choose at the 9th level
Suggested choices include:
- brick wall
- death cloud
Which spells and focus to choose at the 10th level
Another focus option appears. It may not deliver dramatic benefits yet, but Light can help when night vision or illumination is needed.
The strongest options at this stage are two spells for crowd control:
- monster paralysis
- humanoid subjugation
What spells to choose at the 11th level
At level eleven, lifesaving spells reveal themselves to protect the whole party in a single action:
- invulnerability aura
- lightning bolt
The invulnerability aura should be used when the tide of battle turns, and the lightning bolt adds decisive damage when needed.
What spells to choose at the 12th level
Near the final stretch, Wall of Ice and Sunbeam become indispensable aids. With few sixth-circle slots left, these spells deserve careful use.
The prepared spell list at level 12 should resemble the example in the screenshot. Each spell remains versatile, with room to swap similar tricks to reserve a slot for key offensive options when necessary.
The final enhancement may be applied again, focusing on survivability. Common choices include boosting constitution for health, intelligence for spell accuracy and saves, or dexterity for a sturdier AC. Intelligence provides a solid baseline, but players may adapt to their preferred playstyle.
The most useful spells for a wizard
Here is a list of potent spells that may not be learned automatically but deserve a spot in the spellbook:
- circle of death
- overthrow
- strategy guide: the art of war
- disintegration
All of these spells are strong tools. Scrolls for them can be found in Ramazitin towers in Baldur’s Gate, within the lower town’s basement. [Citation: Wizarding resources guide]