In Baldur’s Gate 3, wizards typically showcase their prowess from a distance, contrasting sharply with melee-focused classes like Fighters or Barbarians. They dominate the battlefield by casting spells from behind the frontline. However, opting for a Bladesinger Wizard fundamentally shifts this stereotype by turning the wizard into a capable frontline combatant, adept at both melee and spellcasting.
The Bladesinger subclass allows you to blend ranged and melee attacks effectively, giving you the flexibility to slash at enemies up close before retreating to unleash damaging spells if necessary. If you seek a character that can seamlessly switch between fighting styles, the Bladesinger Wizard is an excellent choice to explore.
Optimal Character Creation for Bladesinger Wizard
This unique subclass provides a harmonious blend of melee and ranged capabilities, making it essential to consider your character’s race and statistics during the creation process. The Bladesong ability enhances your Armor Class and mobility, allowing you to pose a serious threat in both combat ranges.
When selecting a race, you might consider more combat-centric options due to the added melee engagements. While Gale offers a great Origin character, choosing a race provides beneficial racial bonuses. Here are some optimal race selections:
Ideal Race Options for Bladesinger Wizard
Given the Bladesinger’s hybrid nature, both traditional wizard races and those with a melee focus work well. Consider the following options:
| Race | Benefits |
|---|---|
| High Elf | High Elves possess Darkvision and Fey Ancestry, plus an extra cantrip from the Wizard spell list, a distinct advantage over other choices. |
| Half-Orc | Half-Orcs enjoy Relentless Endurance, maintaining health at 0, and Savage Attacks, allowing for increased damage on critical melee hits – ideal for melee-focused Bladesingers. |
| Asmodeus Tiefling | Offering fire resistance and Darkvision, Asmodeus Tieflings gain the Produce Flame cantrip along with Hellish Rebuke and Darkness spells, enhancing your magical arsenal. |
I personally lean towards choosing the High Elf race for the bonus cantrip, expanding spell diversity. The Asmodeus Tiefling presents a solid alternative with its additional magical skills. A Half-Orc is advantageous for a more melee-centric approach, capitalizing on damage boosts from Savage Attacks.
Recommended Starting Spells for Bladesinger Wizard
Wizards command the largest spellbook in Baldur’s Gate 3 and can even absorb spells from scrolls with a bit of gold expenditure. Here’s a curated list of spells that will enhance your Bladesinger’s combat versatility:
| Spell | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Blade Ward | Cantrip | Reduces damage from weapon attacks by half for two turns. |
| Firebolt | Cantrip | Send a fire projectile towards an enemy. |
| Ray of Frost | Cantrip | Deals cold damage and slows movement speed of the target. |
| Burning Hands | 1st-level spell | Unleashes a fiery spray that damages multiple creatures. |
| Thunderwave | 1st-level spell | Releases damaging thunder in an area that knocks back targets. |
| Longstrider | 1st-level spell | Enhances movement speed by 3 meters for a duration. |
| Witch Bolt | 1st-level spell | Generates a lightning connection to a target for sustained damage. |
| Shield | 1st-level spell | A reactive shield that can cause attacks to miss. |
| Magic Missile | 1st-level spell | Fires magical darts that are guaranteed to hit. |
As a Bladesinger, you gain healing and damage charges through melee attacks and spell casting, so reliable spells that affect multiple foes are crucial. Thunderwave and Burning Hands synergize well with your close-combat style, allowing you to gain charges while inflicting damage. Don’t neglect long-range spells like Magic Missile and Witch Bolt, as they will keep you effective at a distance. Additionally, Longstrider is valuable for enhancing mobility without consuming spell slots.
Background and Skills for Bladesinger Wizard
Focusing on Intelligence is essential, but Dexterity should not be neglected either. Therefore, I recommend the Acolyte background for the vital Insight and Religion skills, paired with the skills Arcana and Investigation to ensure a well-rounded approach.
Optimal Ability Scores for Bladesinger Wizard
Your primary Ability Scores must emphasize Intelligence and Constitution for effective spell damage and durability, while Dexterity is equally important for your combat effectiveness.
| Ability | Score |
|---|---|
| Strength | 8 |
| Dexterity | 14 |
| Constitution | 14 |
| Intelligence | 17 |
| Wisdom | 10 |
| Charisma | 12 |
Setting Intelligence to 17 maximizes your spellcasting abilities, while Dexterity at 14 equips you to use finesse weapons effectively.Constitution is also vital to provide extra health, thus set at 14. Other attributes like Strength and Wisdom take lower priority, while Charisma remains beneficial for social interactions.
Bladesinger Wizard Leveling Abilities and Feats
The cornerstone of the Bladesinger Wizard is the Bladesong ability, crucial for combat. This ability enhances armor proficiency and provides several bonuses in battle.
| Ability | Description |
|---|---|
| Training in War and Song | Gives proficiency in light armor and several weapon types, plus the performance skill. |
| Bladesong | Enhances Armor Class, boosts movement speed, and provides advantage on acrobatics and Constitution saving throws. Each melee attack grants healing charges, while spellcasting grants damage charges. |
| Bladesinger’s Weapon | Choose a primary weapon that channels your powers in combat. |
| Extra Attack | Allows one additional attack during your turn. |
| Song of Defense | Expend a spell slot to reduce damage taken while Bladesinging. |
Activating Bladesong at the start of combat is essential to increase your AC and movement speed, pairing well with the Longstrider spell for additional mobility.
Conserving healing and damage charges allows you to maximize the impact of your Bladesong’s climactic release. Utilize this ability effectively among both allies and foes for beneficial outcomes.
| Feat | Description |
|---|---|
| War Caster | Provides advantage on concentration rolls. |
| Ability Score Improvement | Increases Intelligence to 18, Dexterity or Constitution to 15. |
| Spell Sniper | Reduces the number required for spell critical hits by one. |
| Mobile | Prevents opportunity attacks after melee attacks. |
Among these feats, War Caster stands out, providing critical support for concentration while facing multiple attacks.Mobile enhances your ability to maneuver on the battlefield, while Spell Sniper can help increase your critical hit chances with spells.
The Ability Score Improvement feat serves as a solid alternative for increasing primary stats as needed. You might also engage in actions such as consuming certain items to enhance your attributes.
Spell Selection for Bladesinger Wizard
The expansive spell list available to wizards allows for frequent adjustments to your selections outside of combat. Consider these spells as you progress:
| Spell | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow Blade | 2nd-level spell | Summons a shortsword that inflicts psychic damage. |
| Haste | 3rd-level spell | Increases target’s speed and grants an additional action. |
| Fireball | 3rd-level spell | Casts a devastating fire explosion. |
| Vampiric Touch | 3rd-level spell | Allows melee attacks that heal you. |
| Blur | 2nd-level spell | Makes attackers miss more often due to disadvantage. |
Early on, consider using Shadow Blade for reliable damage without carrying a physical weapon, while Fireball will later help in clearing groups of enemies effectively. Utilizing Vampiric Touch during close combat can turn the tide in your favor as you regain health. Likewise, Blur enhances survivability in the heat of battle.
Top Equipment for Bladesinger Wizard
The right equipment elevates your effectiveness as a Bladesinger Wizard. The following items are highly recommended:
| Equipment | Slot | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Main | Recovers a 1st-level spell slot upon defeating an enemy. |
| Elegant Studded Leather | Chest | +2 to initiative rolls and grants Shield spell ability. |
| Mask of Soul Perception | Head | +2 to attack rolls, initiative rolls, and perception checks. |
| Cloak of Displacement | Back | Causes disadvantage for enemies trying to hit you until they succeed. |
| Spell Savant Amulet | Neck | Grants an additional 2nd-level spell slot. |
| Ring of Protection | Finger | Increases armor class. |
Wielding the Arcane Absorption Dagger or the Gleamdance Dagger can provide significant advantages, as the former restores spell slots while the latter boosts your Armor Class. Consider the Executioner Sword as a viable alternative to eliminate enemies while triggering free spell casting.
By utilizing Elegant Studded Leather armor, you can benefit from increased initiative and access to the Shield spell, allowing more flexibility in combat. Additionally, the Robe of the Weave enhances your spellcasting proficiency while also improving your Armor Class.
For headgear, the Hood of the Weave increases your spell effectiveness, while the Mask of Soul Perception suits a more aggressive melee style. The Cloak of Displacement serves as an excellent protective layer against incoming attacks, allowing you to focus on offense.
The combination of the Helldusk Boots for mobility and defensive capabilities, alongside rings that enhance your durability, solidifies your survivability on the battlefield. Explore the variety of available equipment to find the perfect loadout for your Bladesinger Wizard.
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