Best Necromancer build in Baldur’s Gate 3: Race, spells, weapons & more

❘ Updated: 2024-06-10T16:59:31

Larian Studios

In Baldur’s Gate 3, Necromancers provide an exciting experience, especially for players who wish to resurrect the dead.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the most expansive RPGs to date, the plethora of classes and subclasses means endless possibilities for character development and reaching the max level. This richness is further enhanced by the distinct pathways each subclass offers, allowing for unique character trajectories.

One such Wizard subclass is the deadly yet mysterious Necromancy school of magic. It involves bending the dead to your will, manipulating their life force, and so much more. Here’s how to make the best Necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Best race for a Necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3

There are a few ideal races for your Necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Asmodeus Tiefling
High Half-Elf
Lolth-Sworn Drow

However, while you can choose any of these races, we suggest opting for the Asmodeus Tiefling for that Fire Resistance, Darkvision, and extra spells.

Best background for a Necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3

When it comes to your background, you need to choose one that fits best with the Wizard class and the Necromantic style of magic. Naturally, since the Wizard’s spellcasting stat is Intelligence, choosing a background that gives you proficiency in the Intelligence skill is ideal.

We recommend choosing the Noble or Sage backgrounds for proficiency in History and Persuasion or Arcana and History respectively.

Along with this, you should choose to specialize in these skills:

Investigation (Intelligence)
Insight (Wisdom)
Religion (Intelligence)

Best spells for a Necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3

The best spells for your Necromancer really depend on how you want to play the character. It all depends on whether you want to solely use Necromantic magic or if you’re okay trying different schools. So, we’ve listed the best spells for the Necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3, while also letting you know which ones are purely Necromantic:

Cantrip: Fire Bolt
Cantrip: Bone Chill
Cantrip: Chill Touch (Necromancy)
1st Level: Inflict Wounds (Necromancy)
1st Level: Ray of Sickness (Necromancy)
1st Level: Grease
1st Level: Magic Missile
1st Level: Thunderwave
2nd Level: Blindness (Necromancy)
2nd Level: Shatter
2nd Level: Misty Step
3rd Level: Animate Dead (Necromancy)
3rd Level: Vampiric Touch (Necromancy)
3rd Level: Revivify (Necromancy)
3rd Level: Counterspell
3rd Level: Fireball
4th Level: Dimension Door
4th Level: Wall of Fire
4th Level: Polymorph
5th Level: Contagion (Necromancy)
6th Level: Harm (Necromancy)
6th Level: Circle of Death (Necromancy)
6th Level: Create Undead (Necromancy)
6th Level: Harm (Necromancy)
6th Level: Disintegrate
7th Level: Polymorph
8th Level: Wall fo Fire
8th Level: Banishment
9th Level: Contagion
10th Level: Stoneskin
11th Level: Create Undead
12th Level: Disintegrate
12th Level: Circle of Death

Best armor and weapon for a Necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3

The best weapon and armor set is undoubtedly the one you get from Mystic Carrion in Act 3 of the game. After you complete all the quests related to this NPC and you kill him at the end, you’ll get these items:

Staff of Cherished Necromancy
Armour of the Sporekeeper
Veil of the Morning
Crypt Lord Ring

It’s well worth equipping all three of these as they’re perfect for a Necromancer and will give you tons of added bonuses to your Spell Save DC, Damage, and health.

Best build for a Necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3

Race: Asmodeus Tiefling

Background: Noble

Skills: Insight, Investigation

Weapon: Staff of Cherished Necromancy

Companions: Astarion, Shadowheart, Lae’zel

Level	Feature
1	Cantrips: Fire Bolt, Chill Touch, Bone Chill — Spells: Grease, Inflict Wounds, Magic Missile, Thunderwave, Ray of Sickness, Mage Armor
2	Subclass: Necromancy — Spells: Chromatic Orb, Shield
3	Spells: Blindness, Shatter
4	Cantrip: Mage Hand — Spells: Misty Step, Cloud of Daggers — Ability Increase: Intelligence +2
5	Spells: Counterspell, Vampiric Touch
6	Spells: Fireball, Revivify
7	Spells: Polymorph, Dimension Door
8	Ability Increase: Intelligence +2 — Spells: Wall of Fire, Banishment
9	Spells: Contagion, Cloudkill
10	Cantrip: Dancing Lights — Spells: Stoneskin, Grant Flight
11	Spells: Create Undead, Conjure Elemental
12	Spells: Disintegrate, Circle of Death — Feat: Magic Initiate Warlock (for Eldritch Blast, Hex, and Minor Illusion)

That’s all there is to know about the best Necromancer build in Baldur’s Gate 3. Check out how to respec your character if you wish to explore other build options. You can also take a look at the best Sorcerer build, the best Bard build and the best Barbarian build.