Best Shadowmagic Sorcerer build in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Baldur’s Gate 3 Shadowmagic Sorcerer is among one of the coolest new subclasses in the game, offering fantastic power, a pet, and some amazing new class features. However, they’re only great if you have the best Shadowmagic Sorcerer build.

Baldur’s Gate 3’s final major patch has released 12 new highly anticipated subclasses, one for each class in the game. Not only does this offer a brand new way to play, but also a new way to maximise your power, if you build your character correctly.

One such subclass is the Shadowmagic Sorcerer, which focuses primarily on thriving in the darkness with powers coming from Shadowfell itself. It’s a much bleaker take on the traditional Sorcerer and features plenty of spells, all of which surround the theme of darkness, death, and ill omens.

So, if you’re looking to dip into the dark side of the Sorcerer class, then you’ll need to use the best Shadowmagic Sorcerer build in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Be sure to check out our guide for the best traditional Sorcerer build in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Best Shadowmagic Sorcerer build

• Race: Githyanki
• Skills: Persuasion, Perception, Intimidation, Arcana, History, Deception.
• Background: Sage
• Ability order from highest to lowest: Charisma, Intelligence, Constitution, Dexterity, Wisdom, Strength

Best Shadowmagic Sorcerer build

Level	Feature
1	Subclass: Shadow Magic Cantrips: Bursting Sinew, Bone Chill, Ray of Frost, Shocking Grasp Spells: Shield, Magic Missile Features: Superior Darkvision, Strength of the Grave
2	Spell: Chromatic Orb Metamagic: Twinned Spell, Extended Spell Features: Darkness spell, Eyes of the Dark – Darkness
3	Spell: Ray of Sickness Metamagic: Quickened Spell
4	Cantrip: Poison Spray Spell: Scorching Ray Ability Score Improvement: Charisma x2
5	Spell: Haste
6	Feature: Hound of Ill Omen Spell: Lightning Bolt
7	Spell: Counterspell
8	Spell: Fireball Ability Score Improvement: Charisma x2
9	Spell: Cone of Cold
10	Cantrip: Fire Bolt Spell: Hold Monster Metamagic: Careful Spell
11	Feature: Shadow Walk Spell: Chain Lightning
12	Spell: Circle of Death Feat: Alert

Race

Given the fact that you get Superior Darkvision at level 1, it makes no sense to go for a race that already has darkvision, as it’ll be a wasted race feature. As such, the best race you’ll want to choose for your Shadowmagic Sorcerer is the Githyanki.

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Not only do they get Astral Knowledge, letting you gain temporary Proficiency in an Ability Score’s skills, but they also receive a variety of additional spells through Githyanki Psionics.

At level 1, you get Mage Hand, perfect for altering elements while staying safe. Then at level 3, you get Enhance Leap for additional traversal, and at level 5, you’ll get Misty Step, ideal for escaping a tricky battlefield. Finally, you’re proficient in Light Armor, perfect for a little more survivability.

Any race will work nicely for the Shadowmagic Sorcerer, but the Githyanki is by far the best.

Background

Your background is mostly down to your own preference, but one of the most effective for the Shadowmagic Sorcerer is the Sage.

Thanks to the background, you’ll get proficiencies in Arcana and History, two pretty useful skills. It also leaves room for you to activate proficiencies in Persuasion, Deception, and other Charisma-based skills.

Ability Score spread

The recommended Ability Score spread for the Sorcerer is pretty strong, so you don’t have to change it if you don’t want to.

However, if you want to create a character from the ground up and optimize wherever you can, these are the scores you should choose:

• Strength: 8
• Dexterity: 14
• Constitution: 16
• Wisdom: 12
• Intelligence: 8
• Charisma: 16

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Naturally, Charisma is the highest, given it’s the Sorcerer’s main stat, and keeping it on an even number helps it increase during your 4th and 8th level-ups. Then, you’ll want to focus on Constitution for the extra health and Dexterity for your Armor Class. Lastly, Wisdom is great for insight.

Best spells

There are tons of spells available for the Shadowmagic Sorcerer, and while you can choose your favorites, the following selection complements the dark design and elemental focus of the subclass:

• Cantrip: Bursting Sinew
• Cantrip: Bone Chill
• Cantrip: Ray of Frost
• Cantrip: Shocking Grasp
• Cantrip: Poison Spray
• Cantrip: Fire Bolt
• Level 1: Shield
• Level 1: Magic Missile
• Level 1: Chromatic Orb
• Level 1: Ray of Sickness
• Level 2: Scorching Ray
• Level 3: Haste
• Level 3: Lightning Bolt
• Level 3: Counterspell
• Level 3: Fireball
• Level 5: Cone of Cold
• Level 5: Hold Monster
• Level 6: Chain Lightning
• Level 6: Circle of Death

Multiclass options

While multiclassing isn’t exactly recommended if you want to max out your Shadowmagic Sorcerer, there are a few good choices you can try out.

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Wizards are a good multiclass option, though you’ll only want to put in a few levels. This will essentially ensure you get a few more spells, including powerful additions that aren’t available for the Sorcerer, like Globe of Invulnerability and the Minor Elementals.

Lastly, capitalizing on the Charisma is the combination of Paladin and Sorcerer. The darker design works well with an oathbreaker, and the same ability preference certainly helps. Plus, it’ll make you a more powerful spellcaster with the higher armor and melee abilities.

That’s the best Shadowmagic Sorcerer build in Baldur’s Gate 3. If you want to try out other playstyles, check out the best Wizard build, Ranger build, as well as Druid build guides, or our Best Bladesinging Wizard build.