9+ Best BG3 Necromancer Builds [2023 Guide]


9+  Best BG3 Necromancer Builds [2023 Guide]

In the Baldur’s Gate 3 video game, the best necromancer build is one that focuses on maximizing the use of necromancy spells to control and manipulate the undead. This build is powerful because it allows players to create a large army of undead minions that can overwhelm their enemies.

There are many different ways to build a necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3, but some of the most important factors to consider include choosing the right class, race, and feats. The best class for a necromancer is the Wizard, as they have access to the most powerful necromancy spells in the game. The best race for a necromancer is the Drow, as they have a natural affinity for necromancy and gain bonuses to their necromancy spells.

Once you have chosen your class and race, you will need to select your feats. Some of the best feats for a necromancer include the Ritual Caster feat, which allows you to cast certain spells as rituals, and the War Caster feat, which gives you advantage on concentration checks when casting spells in combat.

With the right class, race, and feats, you can create a powerful necromancer that can dominate the battlefield. Here are some tips for playing a necromancer in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  • Use your necromancy spells to control and manipulate the undead.
  • Create a large army of undead minions to overwhelm your enemies.
  • Use your spells to debuff your enemies and buff your minions.
  • Be careful not to spread your forces too thin. Keep your minions close together so that they can support each other.

1. Wizard Class

In BG3, the Wizard class is an excellent choice for players who want to create a necromancer build. Wizards have access to a wide range of necromancy spells, including powerful spells like Control Undead, Animate Dead, and Create Undead. These spells allow wizards to control and manipulate the undead, creating a powerful army of minions that can overwhelm their enemies.

In addition to their necromancy spells, wizards also have access to a variety of other spells that can be useful in a necromancer build. For example, wizards can use spells like Magic Missile and Scorching Ray to deal damage to enemies, and spells like Shield and Absorb Elements to protect themselves and their minions from harm.

Overall, the Wizard class is a versatile and powerful choice for players who want to create a necromancer build in BG3. Wizards have access to a wide range of spells that can be used to control the undead, deal damage to enemies, and protect themselves and their minions.

2. Drow Race

In the world of Baldur’s Gate 3, the Drow race has a long and storied history with necromancy. As such, choosing the Drow race for a necromancer build can provide several benefits.

First, Drow have a natural affinity for necromancy. This means that they gain bonuses to their necromancy spells, making them more powerful and effective. Second, Drow have access to unique necromancy spells that are not available to other races. These spells can be very powerful, and they can give Drow necromancers a significant advantage in combat.

Finally, Drow are often feared and respected by other races. This can be a major advantage for a necromancer, as it can make enemies less likely to attack them. Additionally, Drow are often able to find allies and followers who share their interest in necromancy, which can be very helpful in building a powerful necromancer army.

Overall, the Drow race is a great choice for players who want to create a powerful necromancer build in Baldur’s Gate 3. Their natural affinity for necromancy, access to unique spells, and reputation for being feared and respected all make them a formidable force on the battlefield.

3. Ritual Caster Feat

The Ritual Caster feat is a valuable asset for any necromancer build in Baldur’s Gate 3, as it allows the character to cast certain spells as rituals. This can be a major advantage, as it frees up the necromancer’s spell slots for more powerful spells, such as Animate Dead and Create Undead.

  • Versatility: The Ritual Caster feat allows necromancers to cast a variety of spells as rituals, including spells from other classes. This gives necromancers greater flexibility and allows them to adapt to different situations.
  • Spell Slot Conservation: By casting spells as rituals, necromancers can conserve their spell slots for more powerful spells. This is especially important for necromancers, who often need to cast multiple spells in a single combat encounter.
  • Utility Spells: The Ritual Caster feat also allows necromancers to cast utility spells, such as Find Familiar and Detect Magic, as rituals. These spells can be very useful for scouting, exploration, and other non-combat situations.
  • Lore and Flavor: The Ritual Caster feat fits thematically with a necromancer build, as it suggests that the necromancer has studied and mastered ancient rituals.

Overall, the Ritual Caster feat is a powerful and versatile feat that can greatly benefit any necromancer build in Baldur’s Gate 3. It allows necromancers to cast a variety of spells as rituals, conserve their spell slots, and gain access to utility spells and lore-friendly options.

4. War Caster Feat

In Baldur’s Gate 3, the War Caster feat is a highly valuable asset for necromancers, as it enhances their ability to cast spells in combat and protect their undead minions.

  • Advantage on Concentration Checks: The War Caster feat grants advantage on concentration checks when casting spells in combat. This is crucial for necromancers, who rely on concentration spells such as Animate Dead and Create Undead to summon and control their undead minions. By gaining advantage on these checks, necromancers can significantly reduce the chance of their spells being interrupted.
  • Casting Spells with Somatic Components While Holding Weapons or Shields: The War Caster feat allows necromancers to cast spells with somatic components even while holding weapons or shields. This is particularly beneficial for necromancers who want to engage in melee combat while also casting spells. For example, a necromancer can use a quarterstaff as a weapon and still cast spells like Toll the Dead or Inflict Wounds without having to drop their weapon.
  • Casting Spells as Opportunity Attacks: With the War Caster feat, necromancers can cast spells as opportunity attacks when an enemy enters their reach. This can be a powerful tool for controlling the battlefield and preventing enemies from getting close to the necromancer or their minions. For instance, a necromancer can cast spells like Ray of Sickness or Witch Bolt as an opportunity attack to damage an enemy that tries to approach them.
  • Ritual Casting in Combat: The War Caster feat allows necromancers to cast ritual spells even in combat, provided they have the time to complete the ritual. This can be useful for casting spells like Tiny Hut or Leomund’s Tiny Hut to create a safe haven for the necromancer and their minions during a battle.

Overall, the War Caster feat provides necromancers with a range of benefits that enhance their combat effectiveness and versatility. By granting advantage on concentration checks, allowing for spellcasting with weapons or shields, enabling the casting of spells as opportunity attacks, and facilitating ritual casting in combat, the War Caster feat is a must-have for any necromancer build in Baldur’s Gate 3.

5. Control Undead

In Baldur’s Gate 3, the spell Control Undead is a vital component of the “best necromancer build” due to its ability to dominate and command undead creatures.

By casting Control Undead, a necromancer can exert their will over undead creatures, forcing them to fight for the necromancer or perform other tasks. This spell significantly enhances the necromancer’s combat prowess by providing them with a powerful army of undead minions.

The importance of Control Undead lies in its versatility and effectiveness in various combat situations. It allows necromancers to control a wide range of undead creatures, from weak zombies to formidable skeletons and powerful ghouls. These undead minions can be used to overwhelm enemies, distract them, or serve as a defensive barrier.

Furthermore, Control Undead is a valuable tool for necromancers who want to conserve their spell slots. By controlling undead creatures, necromancers can avoid spending spell slots on summoning spells and instead focus on using their spell slots for more powerful spells, such as Animate Dead or Create Undead.

In summary, the Control Undead spell is an essential component of the “best necromancer build” in Baldur’s Gate 3. It provides necromancers with a potent army of undead minions, enhances their combat effectiveness, and allows them to conserve their spell slots for more powerful spells.

6. Animate Dead

In Baldur’s Gate 3, the spell Animate Dead is a cornerstone of the “best necromancer build” due to its ability to raise undead creatures from corpses and bind them to the necromancer’s will.

  • Minion Creation: Animate Dead allows necromancers to create a powerful army of undead minions, providing them with a significant advantage in combat. These minions can be used to overwhelm enemies, distract them, or serve as a defensive barrier.
  • Resource Conservation: By raising undead minions, necromancers can conserve their spell slots. Instead of spending spell slots on summoning spells, necromancers can focus on using their spell slots for more powerful spells, such as Control Undead or Create Undead.
  • Variety of Undead: Animate Dead allows necromancers to raise a variety of undead creatures, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. This versatility enables necromancers to adapt their undead army to different combat situations and enemy types.
  • Lore and Flavor: Animate Dead is a thematically appropriate spell for a necromancer build, as it aligns with the necromancer’s mastery over the undead and their ability to manipulate life and death.

In summary, the Animate Dead spell is a key component of the “best necromancer build” in Baldur’s Gate 3, providing necromancers with a powerful army of undead minions, conserving their spell slots, and enhancing their combat effectiveness.

7. Create Undead

In Baldur’s Gate 3, the spell Create Undead is a central element of the “best necromancer build” due to its ability to generate formidable undead creatures under the necromancer’s command.

Creating undead through this spell grants necromancers several significant advantages. Firstly, it allows them to establish a potent undead army that can overwhelm opponents, distract them, and act as a defensive barrier. This army of undead minions significantly enhances the necromancer’s combat capabilities and strategic options.

Moreover, Create Undead enables necromancers to conserve their valuable spell slots. Instead of expending spell slots on summoning spells, necromancers can focus on utilizing their spell slots for more powerful spells, such as Animate Dead or Control Undead. This efficient use of spell slots allows necromancers to maximize their effectiveness in combat.

Create Undead also contributes to the necromancer’s versatility by allowing them to create a diverse range of undead creatures. Each type of undead creature possesses unique strengths and weaknesses, enabling necromancers to adapt their army to specific combat situations and enemy types. This adaptability further enhances the necromancer’s combat prowess.

In conclusion, the Create Undead spell plays a pivotal role in optimizing the “best necromancer build” in Baldur’s Gate 3. It empowers necromancers with a formidable undead army, conserves their spell slots, and grants them versatility in combat. Understanding the significance of this spell is crucial for players seeking to create a powerful and effective necromancer.

8. Debuff Enemies

Within the realm of Baldur’s Gate 3, harnessing the technique of debuffing enemies is a pivotal aspect of optimizing the “best necromancer build.” Debuffing, the act of weakening or impairing opponents through magical effects, synergizes exceptionally well with a necromancer’s strategic approach to combat.

Necromancers, masters of manipulating life and death, excel at controlling the battlefield by summoning undead minions and manipulating the undead. By incorporating debuff spells into their arsenal, necromancers can cripple enemy defenses, hinder their movement, and reduce their damage output. This strategic combination empowers necromancers to maximize the effectiveness of their undead army and secure victory in combat.

For instance, the spell “Ray of Enfeeblement” reduces an enemy’s strength, making them more vulnerable to physical attacks from the necromancer’s undead minions. “Blindness” impairs an enemy’s vision, hindering their ability to target the necromancer or their undead companions. Additionally, spells like “Silence” prevent enemies from casting spells, effectively neutralizing enemy spellcasters and disrupting their strategies.

In conclusion, the synergy between debuffing enemies and the “best necromancer build” in Baldur’s Gate 3 cannot be overstated. By impairing enemy capabilities and enhancing the potency of their undead minions, necromancers establish a formidable presence on the battlefield, solidifying their position as masters of undeath.

9. Buff Minions

In the realm of Baldur’s Gate 3, the concept of “Buff Minions” holds immense significance for the optimization of the “best necromancer build.” Buffing minions, the act of enhancing the capabilities of summoned undead creatures, empowers necromancers to establish an even more formidable presence on the battlefield.

By employing spells and abilities that augment the attributes, resistances, and damage output of their undead minions, necromancers can transform them into a relentless force. Spells like “Bless” and “Prayer of Healing” increase the overall stats of minions, making them more resilient and deadly in combat. “Stoneskin” and “Mirror Image” bolster their defenses, rendering them more resistant to enemy attacks and granting them a strategic advantage.

The importance of buffing minions extends beyond their combat prowess. For instance, enhancing the Perception of minions allows them to detect hidden enemies, providing valuable information to the necromancer. By granting minions abilities like “False Life” or “Mage Armor,” necromancers can extend their survivability, ensuring they remain on the battlefield for longer durations.

In conclusion, buffing minions is an integral component of the “best necromancer build” in Baldur’s Gate 3. Through strategic use of spells and abilities that empower their undead companions, necromancers elevate their combat capabilities, gain a tactical advantage, and establish an unyielding presence on the battlefield.

FAQs on “bg3 best necromancer build”

This section addresses frequently asked questions and provides informative answers to guide players in optimizing their necromancer builds in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Question 1: What is the optimal class and race for a necromancer build?

For maximum effectiveness, choosing the Wizard class and Drow race is recommended. Wizards have access to a wide range of necromancy spells, while Drow possess a natural affinity for necromancy, granting bonuses to their necromancy spells.

Question 2: Which feats are most beneficial for a necromancer?

Consider selecting the Ritual Caster feat to cast certain spells as rituals, and the War Caster feat to gain advantage on concentration checks and cast spells while holding weapons or shields.

Question 3: How can I effectively control undead creatures?

Utilize the Control Undead spell to dominate and command undead creatures, forcing them to fight for you or perform other tasks.

Question 4: What is the significance of the Animate Dead spell?

Animate Dead allows you to raise undead creatures from corpses, creating a powerful army of minions that can overwhelm enemies and conserve your spell slots.

Question 5: How can I enhance the capabilities of my undead minions?

Employ spells and abilities that buff your minions, such as Bless, Prayer of Healing, Stoneskin, and False Life, to increase their stats, resistances, and survivability.

Question 6: What are some effective strategies for debuffing enemies?

Utilize spells like Ray of Enfeeblement, Blindness, and Silence to weaken enemies, impair their vision, and prevent them from casting spells.

These FAQs provide valuable insights into creating a powerful necromancer build in Baldur’s Gate 3. By understanding the optimal class, race, feats, and strategies, players can maximize the effectiveness of their necromancer and dominate the battlefield with their undead army.

For further exploration of necromancer builds, refer to the “Advanced Necromancer Strategies” section below.

Tips for Optimizing Your Necromancer Build

To maximize the effectiveness of your necromancer build in BG3, consider implementing these strategies:

Prioritize Control Spells: Focus on acquiring spells that grant you control over undead creatures, such as Control Undead and Animate Dead. This allows you to dominate and manipulate undead, enhancing your battlefield presence.

Maximize Minion Buffs: Enhance the capabilities of your undead minions by utilizing spells like Bless, Prayer of Healing, and Stoneskin. These buffs increase their stats, defenses, and survivability, making them formidable allies.

Utilize Debuffing Spells: Weaken your enemies by employing spells that inflict debuffs, such as Ray of Enfeeblement, Blindness, and Silence. These spells impair enemy attributes, hinder their movement, and prevent spellcasting, giving you a tactical advantage.

Choose Wisely Between Minions: Different undead creatures possess unique abilities and strengths. Consider the specific challenges of each encounter and summon minions that complement your strategy. For instance, Skeletons excel in ranged combat, while Zombies are resilient tanks.

Position Your Minions Strategically: Effective minion placement is crucial. Position them to flank enemies, protect vulnerable allies, or block enemy movement. Proper positioning enhances their effectiveness and ensures their survival.

By incorporating these tips into your necromancer build, you can harness the full potential of necromancy in BG3. Control undead creatures, enhance their abilities, weaken your enemies, and position your minions strategically to dominate the battlefield and achieve victory.

Conclusion

In summary, the “best necromancer build” in Baldur’s Gate 3 revolves around manipulating the powers of necromancy to dominate and control the undead. By harnessing spells like Control Undead, Animate Dead, and Create Undead, necromancers establish a formidable army of undead minions that overwhelms enemies and disrupts their strategies.

Maximizing the effectiveness of this build requires strategic decision-making, such as selecting the appropriate class and race, choosing beneficial feats, and utilizing spells that debuff enemies and buff minions. Necromancers who master these techniques become formidable opponents on the battlefield, capable of controlling the flow of combat and achieving victory through the manipulation of life and death.