What Class Should I Be to be a Necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3?
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The definitive answer for those seeking to command the undead in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the Wizard, specifically with the School of Necromancy subclass. While other classes can dabble in necromantic spells, the Necromancy Wizard provides the most comprehensive and powerful toolkit for creating and commanding an undead army. The subclass features directly buff your summons, increases the number of undead you can control, and offers impactful necromantic abilities, setting it apart from other classes that simply gain access to Animate Dead.
Why Necromancy Wizard is the Top Choice
The Necromancy Wizard’s features enhance the undead horde in ways that other classes simply cannot replicate. Let’s delve deeper into why this subclass reigns supreme:
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Grim Harvest: This early-game feature allows you to regain hit points whenever you kill a creature with a necromancy spell. This sustain helps keep your squishy wizard alive, especially in the early levels.
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Undead Thralls: At level 6, this is where the Necromancy Wizard truly begins to shine. Animate Dead and similar spells allow you to summon an additional undead, effectively doubling your early-game necromantic power. Furthermore, your undead minions gain additional hit points, making them far more resilient in combat.
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Inured to Undeath: Reaching level 10 grants you resistance to necrotic damage, and also reduces your maximum hit points can be reduced by magical means. This boost to survivability is crucial for a wizard who is often the target of enemy attacks.
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Command Undead: At level 14, you gain the ability to attempt to control an undead creature you encounter. This is highly situational, but can be incredibly powerful if used strategically against powerful undead enemies.
Alternative Necromantic Options (and Why They Fall Short)
While the Necromancy Wizard is the clear frontrunner, other classes can offer a taste of necromantic power. However, their capabilities are limited compared to the specialized wizard.
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Cleric (Grave Domain): Clerics can learn Animate Dead, and the Grave Domain provides some useful bonuses against vulnerable targets. They also get access to strong healing spells, providing good support for your undead army. However, they lack the direct buffs to their undead minions that the Wizard receives.
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Spores Druid: This subclass focuses on symbiotic relationships with fungi and can reanimate corpses as fungal zombies. While thematic, the damage and control options pale compared to the raw power of a dedicated Necromancy Wizard.
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Oathbreaker Paladin: The Oathbreaker Paladin has access to Animate Dead and gets some bonuses to controlling undead but also lacks the robust support for undead and spellcasting prowess of the Necromancer Wizard.
Race Considerations for Your Necromancer
While class is paramount, race provides key benefits that complement the Necromancy Wizard’s strengths. Here are a couple of excellent racial choices:
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Asmodeus Tiefling: This race provides Darkvision, fire resistance, and access to the Produce Flame cantrip, as well as the spells Hellish Rebuke and Darkness later on. The fire resistance helps protect your typically fragile Wizard, while Produce Flame and Hellish Rebuke provide some useful damage options early on.
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High Half-Elf: A solid choice for the extra cantrip, and they also gain proficiency with Light Armor.
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Drow: Superior Darkvision helps to play in the Underdark and other dark environments, and the Drow also get access to the Faerie Fire spell, which gives advantage on attack rolls against affected targets.
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Githyanki: The Githyanki offer proficiency with Light Armor, Medium Armor and Shortswords, Longswords and Greatswords, which can help provide some additional survivability early on. They also get access to the Mage Hand cantrip and Jump spell, and can get the Misty Step spell at level 5.
Necromancer Build Tips
- Stats: Prioritize Intelligence for spellcasting, followed by Constitution for survivability and Dexterity for initiative and armor class.
- Feats: Consider War Caster for maintaining concentration, Spell Sniper for increased spell range, and Ability Improvement to maximize your Intelligence.
- Spells: Essential necromantic spells include Animate Dead, Danse Macabre, Blight, Circle of Death, and Create Undead. Also, select defensive spells such as Misty Step and Shield.
- Equipment: Look for items that boost your spellcasting ability, improve your armor class, or enhance your summoned undead.
Mastering the Art of Necromancy
Playing a Necromancy Wizard effectively requires understanding how to manage your undead army and position yourself strategically in combat.
- Strategic Positioning: Keep your wizard protected behind your undead horde.
- Concentration: Protecting your concentration is critical as many necromantic spells require it.
- Resource Management: Managing spell slots and undead numbers is important for long battles.
While challenging, mastering the art of necromancy in Baldur’s Gate 3 is incredibly rewarding. With the Necromancy Wizard, you will become a master of life and death, commanding an unstoppable legion of undead to crush your enemies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I play a good Necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Yes, you absolutely can. While necromancy often has an evil connotation, Baldur’s Gate 3 allows for nuanced roleplaying. You can play a Necromancer who uses their powers for good, such as defending the innocent or seeking to understand the mysteries of life and death without causing harm. Your choices and actions will determine whether you are perceived as good or evil.
2. Does race matter for a Necromancer build in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Yes, to some extent. While class is the most critical choice, race provides beneficial traits. As mentioned earlier, Asmodeus Tiefling offers fire resistance and useful spells, while High Half-Elf provides a free cantrip. Ultimately, choose a race that complements your desired playstyle and provides useful passive bonuses.
3. What are the essential spells for a Necromancy Wizard?
Key spells include Animate Dead, Danse Macabre, Blight, Circle of Death, and Create Undead. You’ll also want defensive spells like Shield, Misty Step, and crowd control options such as Hold Person or Web.
4. How many undead can I control as a Necromancy Wizard?
The number of undead you can control is dependent on your level and specific spells. With the Undead Thralls feature, you can summon an additional undead with spells like Animate Dead. The higher-level spells, like Create Undead and Danse Macabre, also allow for summoning multiple undead creatures simultaneously.
5. What are the best feats for a Necromancy Wizard?
Excellent feat choices include War Caster for maintaining concentration, Spell Sniper for increased spell range, Ability Improvement to maximize your Intelligence, and Tough for increased survivability.
6. Is Necromancer a difficult class to play in Baldur’s Gate 3?
It can be initially challenging, especially in the early levels when resources are limited. However, once you acquire key spells and abilities, the Necromancy Wizard becomes a powerful and versatile class. Strategic positioning and resource management are essential for success.
7. Can I multiclass a Necromancy Wizard with another class?
While possible, it’s generally not recommended, as you want to get to the class-defining features like Undead Thralls.
8. What equipment should I look for as a Necromancy Wizard?
Focus on items that boost your spellcasting ability (Intelligence), improve your armor class, or enhance your summoned undead. Look for robes, staffs, and accessories that provide bonuses to spell attack rolls, spell save DC, or grant additional spell slots.
9. How does the AI handle my undead minions in combat?
The AI will generally follow your commands, but you need to issue specific orders for movement and attacks. It’s crucial to position your undead strategically to maximize their effectiveness and protect your squishy wizard.
10. Can I customize the appearance of my undead minions?
While the base appearance of undead minions is fixed, you can often apply status effects or use spells to alter their visual appearance. Customization options are limited but can add a personal touch to your undead army.
11. Are there any unique dialogues or interactions related to being a Necromancer?
Yes, depending on your choices, you may encounter NPCs who react differently to you based on your necromantic powers. Some may be fearful or hostile, while others may be intrigued or even supportive. These interactions add depth and flavor to your roleplaying experience.
12. What are some common mistakes to avoid when playing a Necromancy Wizard?
Common mistakes include neglecting defensive spells, failing to manage spell slots effectively, and positioning your wizard too close to the front lines. Always prioritize your survival and ensure your undead minions are properly positioned to protect you.
13. Does the Necromancy Wizard work well in a party?
Yes, a Necromancy Wizard can be a valuable asset to a party. They provide crowd control, sustained damage output, and the ability to summon additional allies in combat. Their undead minions can also serve as effective meat shields, protecting your party from harm.
14. Can I find unique necromantic items in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Yes, there are several unique necromantic items scattered throughout the game, often found in hidden locations or as rewards for completing quests. These items can significantly enhance your necromantic abilities and provide additional bonuses to your undead minions.
15. Where can I learn more about game-based learning and the educational aspects of games like Baldur’s Gate 3?
You can explore resources and research related to game-based learning at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org promotes the use of games in educational settings and provides valuable insights into how games can enhance learning and skill development.