The Sorcerer is one of the most volatile Classes in all of Baldur's Gate 3 thanks to their wild spells and ability to use Metamagic to enhance their spellcasting skills. Sorcerers are at their best when they put all of their effort into maximizing their damage output, which the Draconic Bloodline subclass offers in spades.
Unlike Dragonborn, Sorcerers under the Draconic Bloodline don't get a Breath-type spell based on the color chosen. Instead, Draconic Sorcerers get a spell related to their color – in the case of this best Sorcerer build, players can expect to cast a cone of fire or a puddle of Grease. Those are far from the only great spells Sorcerers have in BG3, though.
Updated August 4, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: With the full release of Baldur's Gate 3 a lot of things have changed from the Early Access version. Thanks to the new subclasses and expanded maximum level, players' ideas about the best Sorcerer build in BG3 have changed, and will very likely continue to evolve as fans get deeper into the game. This guide has been updated to be accurate to the full release version of Baldur's Gate 3, but it doesn't recommend build choices past Level 5. Check back regularly for more advice on how to make the best Sorcerer build as the Baldur's Gate 3 community continues to learn more about how the class plays at higher levels.
As a guide-in-progress, this build will be continually updated with more information about choices in the mid to late game as players make their way through the expansive Baldur's Gate 3.
Best Sorcerer Build Overview
"Your veins carry draconic magic, the result of a powerful dragon ancestor."
The Draconic Bloodline and Wild Magic subclass are the two current options for the Sorcerer class, but of the two, one is much more reliable than the other. Wild Magic has a tendency to cause chaos and go wrong in all the worst (and funniest) ways. Draconic Bloodline Sorcerers are able to not only more easily control The Weave, but they also have better survivability thanks to the extra HP and Draconic Resilience passive, which boosts Armor when not wearing any (aside from robes).
Though Sorcerers might think they should stay away from combat, a Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer performs just as well up close as they do at a range. Their higher AC and HP compared to other casters is really noticeable, and the class' use of Metamagic skills to amplify the effects of their spellcasting just makes close-range and AoE spells hit more often, or hit harder.
Draconic Sorcerer Character Creation
Best Sorcerer Race: Drow
The Drow are one of the most versatile, role-filling Races in Baldur's Gate 3 for a few important reasons. Their enhanced Darkvision is not to be sneered at, especially when one considers that it helps spells hit their targets in the dark. Plus, Drow have Advantage on Perception through Keen Senses. The additional proficiency in Rapiers, Shortswords, and Hand Crossbows can come in handy sometimes, though Sorcerers tend to stick with a Quarterstaff for their main weapon.
The three Drow cantrips – Dancing Lights, Faerie Fire, and Darkness – are all situationally really useful, too.
Best Sorcerer Subclass: Draconic Bloodline
Draconic Bloodline Sorcerers can choose a color of their Draconic Ancestry, which offers both a visual change to a character's model as well as a new ability. Of the eight choices of Ancestry, Red and Black are arguably the most useful. The Red Ancestry grants Burning Hands, a short-range cleaving spell with Fire damage, while the Black Ancestry grants the Grease spell, which can be ignited with any source of Fire and has a good chance to knock enemies Prone.
The Wild Magic subclass is too unpredictable to build a powerful Sorcerer build off of. However, Storm Sorcery is not a bad alternative to the Draconic Bloodline for a few reasons, particularly the ability to Fly as a bonus action. Time will tell which subclass is ultimately the best choice for Sorcerers.
Best Sorcerer Proficiencies and Background: Noble or Sage
The Sorcerer pairs best with the Noble or Sage Backgrounds because they will naturally trigger Inspiration moments more often. The Noble background gives proficiency on History and Persuasion, leaving one extra Class-based proficiency to take. The Sage has both Arcana and History, once again leaving one extra Proficiency on the table. No matter which background you choose, make sure to have Persuasion proficiency, with Deception and Insight as equally viable backups for dialogue's sake.
Draconic Sorcerer Cantrips
Level 1: Blade Ward, Mage Hand, Fire Bolt, Ray of Frost
Level 4: Minor Illusion
Draconic Sorcerer Spells
Level 1: Magic Missile, Thunderwave
Level 2: Ice Knife
Level 3: Misty Step
Level 4: Cloud of Daggers OR Web
Level 5: Fireball
Draconic Sorcerer Best Metamagic Choices
Level 2: Careful Spell, Twinned Spell
Level 3: Quickened Spell
Baldur's Gate 3 is available for PC and will release for PlayStation 5 on September 6, 2023. A version for Xbox Series X/S is currently in development.