Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

This guide focuses on the essential aspects of a Shadow Magic Sorcerer build in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) and how to use those powers to your advantage.

Larian Studios releases Patch 8, which includes 12 new subclasses, one for each class. In this guide, we will feature the Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build. As the name implies, you deal with darkness, shadows, and shadow arts. The subclass excels early on due to it’s powerful unlocks at level 1. Below, we explain the optimal and best say score, level progression, companions, weapons, armor, and consumables for a Shadow Sorcerer in BG3.

This build page has been updated for the patch 8 version of Baldur’s Gate 3.

Sorcerer Class Guide in BG3

The Sorcerer class excels as a spellcaster due to their unique “Metamagic” feature. This allows you to manipulate magic with a resource called sorcery points. Moreover, the Sorcerer class is excellent for multiclassing whether with the Warlock, Paladin, or others. The downside to the Sorcerer class is a limited spellbook in comparison to the Wizard. So while you won’t’ have as much spells, the amount of damage is substantial along with the utility thanks to metamagic.

Why you should choose the Shadow Magic Subclass for Sorcerer Class in BG3?

The best part of the Shadow Magic Sorcerer is being able to see in Darkness spell. You can cast this unique spell ontop of yourself that acts as a barrier for ranged spells and makes it near impossible for enemies to hit you. You can also combo this with Shadow Blade, which increases damage when obscured. This allows the Shadow Magic Sorc to play in melee range. Moreover, at level 6, you gain a Hound that can act as another ally in combat.

Everything About the Shadow Magic Sorcerer in Baldur’s Gate 3

What makes the Shadow Magic Sorcerer unique is the blending of melee attacks and spellcasting into one build. After Patch 8 in BG3, two new skills were introduced that allows a spellcaster to attack in melee, scaling off of strength: Booming Blade, Shadow Blade. Therefore, this build stacks strength and charisma as well as multiclassing to make it the most effective possible. You can cast darkness on yourself, which increases Shadow Blade’s effectiveness while you can see normally.

The downside to this build is the slow start due to needing Paladin multiclass for Divine Smites and it’s a bit complex. However, if you want a spellcaster that can destroy enemies up close or at range, this is for you.

Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build Pros	Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build Pros
Melee and Range	Slow Start
Heavy Armour Spellcaster	Multiclass
Psychic Damage Burst	Complex Spells

Features and Mechanics of the Shadow Magic Sorcerer

The following list presents all the essential Shadow Magic Sorcerer build Mechanics and Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Class: Sorcerer and Paladin
• Subclass: Shadow Magic and Oath of Vengeance
• Background: Entertainer
• Skills: Athletics, Persuasion
• Ability Score
  • Strength: 16
  • Dexterity: 10
  • Constitution: 14
  • Intelligence: 8
  • Wisdom: 8
  • Charisma: 17
• Saving Throw: Strength and Charisma
• Armour Proficiency: Light Armour, Medium Armour, Heavy Armour, and Shield
• Weapon Proficiency: Simple Weapons and Martial Weapons

Character Creation

Category	Selection
Character	Origin – Custom character
Race	Half-Orc
Racial Bonus	Relentless Endurance, Savage Attacks, Darkvision
Class	Sorcerer
Subclass	Shadow Magic
Cantrips	Booming Blade, Fire Bolt, Ray of Frost, Shocking Grasp
Spells	Shield and Thunderwave
Background	Entertainer
Ability Score	STR: 16 DEX: 10 CON: 14 INT: 8 WIS: 8 CHA:17
Skill Proficiencies	Athletics and Persuasion

Race Choice for Shadow Magic Sorcerer

Half-Orc is the best race choice for the Shadow Magic Sorcerer build because you gain Savage Attacks, dealing twice the damage on weapon melee attacks. This gives you the most burst possible and a bonus for intimidation and darkvision. The second choice is Zariel Tiefling because you gain an extra smite spell, fire resistance, and Thaumaturgy Cantrip. Lastly, we recommend High Elf because of the extra passive, specifically obtaining Booming Blade and others and extra proficencies.

Here is the best race choice for a Shadow Magic Sorcerer build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Race	Features
Half-Orc	Menacing Darkvsion Relentless Endurance Savage Attack
Zariel Tiefling	Hellish Resistance Darkvision Thaumaturgy Cantrip Smite Spells
Half-Elf	Civil Militia Darkvision Fey Ancestory 1 Cantrip

Sorcerer Subclass – Shadow Magic

The Shadow Magic subclass is unlocked at level 1 and grants immediate use of Eyes of Dark and Strength of the Grave. The Eyes of the Dark is helpful seeing in the dark, and at level 3 you gain eyes of the dark: darkness. This spell allows you to cast darkness and see through it. Therefore, enemies won’t be able to hit you, but you can hit them while in the cloud. This gives you a massive offensive and defensive bonus. At level 6, you gain a Hound summon very powerful creature and level 11 teleport into the shadows.

Below are the Shadow Magic Sorcerer subclass features that become available while leveling up in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Eyes of the Dark (level 1): You can see in the dark up to 24 meters.
• Strength of the Grave (level 1): After reaching 0 Hit Points, you regain 1 instead of becoming downed.
• Darkness (level 3): Cast as a level 2 spell at will.
• Eyes of the Dark: Darkness (level 3): Cast as a level 2 spell at will.
• Hound of Ill Omen (level 6): Summon forth a creature of darkness. (Recharge: Short rest.)
• Shadow Walk (level 11): Teleport into the shadows. The next spell you cast that turn will benefit from Distant Spell without costing any Sorcery Points.

Recommended Background for Shadow Magic Sorcerer

Entertainer is the Best background for the Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build because you gain proficiency in a dexterity and charisma-based skill. You can also increase your athletics skill with high strength or select Charlatan which similarly gives one dexterity and one charisma proficiency. Additional choices are:

1. Entertainer: Proficiency in Acrobatics (Dexterity) and Performance (Charisma). You live to sway and subvert your audience, engaging common crowds and high society alike. 
2. Charlatan: Proficiency in Deception (Charisma) and Sleight of Hand (Dexterity). You’re an expert in manipulation, prone to exaggeration, and more than happy to profit from it. A Charlatan companion is Astarion.
3. Urchin: Proficiency in Stealth (Dexterity) and Sleight of Hand (Dexterity). After surviving a childhood on the streets, you know how to make the most out of very little. Using your street smarts bolsters your spirit for the journey ahead.

Ability Score

The Best Ability Score for the Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build is 17 Charisma, 16 Strength, and 14 Constitution. Charisma is your primary stat for spellcasting, however, strength is also high since a new spell (Shadow Blade) scales in effectiveness off of strength. Therefore,

high Charisma influences spellcasting alongside dialogue and skills. Strength influences how far you can jump, how much you can carry and how far you can shove. Lastly, the Constitution score determines health and concentration saving throws.

Below is the best ability score for a Shadow Magic Sorcerer in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Ability	Recommended Score
Strength	16
Dexterity	10
Constitution	14
Intelligence	8
Wisdom	8
Charisma	17

You can increase your ability score via a quest in Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3. Make sure to check out our Permanent bonus guide on how you can boost your ability score through quests.

Recommended Skills for Shadow Magic Sorcerer

Athletics and Persuasion are the best skills for the Sorcerer in Baldur’s Gate 3 because they aid in dialogue, exploration, and discovery. In Baldur’s Gate 3, skills represent the abilities and proficiencies of your character that allow them to perform various actions and interact with the game world. Skills are associated with specific attributes and are used to determine the success or effectiveness of certain actions or abilities. They can be edited during character creation or with companions, during respec or reroll screen.

Here are the best skills for the Shadow Magic Sorcerer in Baldur’s Gate 3:

1. Athletics is a Strength Skill used to shove and to resists shoves.
2. Persuasion is a Charisma Skill used entirely for dialogue Ability Checks.

Illithid Powers For Shadow Magic Sorcerer

The best Illithid Powers for a Shadow Magic Sorcerer build are Luck of the Farm Realms, Black Hole, and Cull of the Weak. Luck of the Farm helps with critical hits and burst damage and, combined with Cull of the Weak, can trigger AOE damage passively. Black Hole requires you to take the Astral Tadpole in Act 2, but it sucks in 5 enemies, slows them, and can be recast for free. This is helpful in certain large-scale boss fights with many enemies. Below are the best Illithid Tadpole Powers for the Shadow Magic Sorcerer build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Illithid Powers	Description
Luck of the Far Realms	When you make a successful Attack Roll against a foe, you can change that hit into a Critical Hit.
Cull of the Weak	When you bring a creature down to fewer hit points than your number of evolved Illithid powers, it dies and all nearby creatures take 1-4 Psychic damage.
Psionic Backlash	When an enemy within 9m casts a spell, you can use your reaction to inflict ld4 Psychic damage to the caster per the spell’s level.
Blackhole	Area-based suck-in that slows targets.
Repulsor	Massive area knockback that can hit friendlies.
Charm	This is the priority power you want to obtain because you can force enemies to attack something else.

Best Companions for Shadow Magic Sorcerer

Shadowheart, Gale, and Astarion make the best companions for the Shadow Sorc build because you gain healing, range damage, and lockpicking.

• Shadowheart (Life Cleric) – utilize Shadowheart to buff, heal, and stun enemies.
• Gale (Evocation Wizard) – for ranged area damage.
• Astarion (Thief Rogue) – for lock picking and stealth.

Best Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build – Level Progression in Baldur’s Gate 3

Level	Class	Selection
1	Paladin	Subclass: Oath of Vengeance Armor/Weapon Proficiencies
2	Sorcerer	Subclass: Oath of Vengeance Armor/Weapon Proficiencies
3	Sorcerer	Metamagic: Careful Spell and Twinned Spell Spells: Chromatic Orb
4	Sorcerer	Metamagic: Quickened Spell Spells: Enlarge, Invisibility (Swap with Thunderwave)
5	Sorcerer	Feat: Ability Improvement (Str +2) Cantrip/Spell: Light and Mirror Image
6	Sorcerer	Spells: Fireball and Counterspell
7	Sorcerer	Spell: Lightning Bolt
8	Paladin	Spells: Wrathful Smite, Thunderous Smite, Command, Divine Favour, Bless.
9	Paladin	Spell: Cure Wounds
10	Paladin	Feat: Great Weapon Master Spell: Shield of Faith
11	Paladin	Spell: Magic Weapon
12	Paladin	Spell: Aid

Level 1

We’ll start our build with one level into the Paladin class. We’re doing this up front because you want to get the Armor and Weapon Proficencies that aren’t innate to the Sorcerer class. Once we have those, we’ll multiclass into our Shadow Magic Sorcerer. Moreover, you can alternatively do two levels to gain divine smite. However, you won’t have many spell slots, so 1 to gain access to proficiencies is optimal.

You can also pick your subclass; for this build, we want to select Oath of Vengeance.

Here’s a breakdown of what you get as a Level 1 Paladin:

• Channeled Oath Charges: Paladin-specific resource that allows the casting of spells and abilities.
  • Usage: used for three oath skills, can be recovered via short rest.
• Lay on Hands: Use your blessed touch to heal a creature or cure it of all diseases and poisons.
  • Usage: Single target melee heal using action or cure disease. This consumes Oath Charges but is an effective heal.
• Divine Sense: Gain Advantage on Attack Rolls against celestials, fiends, and undead.
  • Usage: This uses bonus action which can be used with an attack costing an action.
• Inquisitor’s Might: You or an ally’s weapon attacks deal an additional Charisma Radiant damage and can Daze enemies for 1 turn.
• Oath of Vengeance Tenets: Fight the Greater Evil. Exerting your wisdom, identify the higher morality in any given instance, and fight for it.
  No Mercy for the Wicked. Chasten those who dole out their villainy by wiping their blight from the world forever.
  • Usage: this isn’t really a mechanic portion, just an oath you need to maintain. If you break the oath, you can unlock a new subclass, Oathbreaker.

Level 2

At character Level 2, now we’ll multiclass into Sorcerer. To do this, simply click the + sign with two access for multiclass. Select your class, then a popup will appear on what you can select. As a Sorcerer, you can also choose your subclass at the first level. We’ll obviously be taking the Shadow Magic subclass for this build. However, if you want to get Divine Smite immediately, take another Paladin level (see level 8 below for details).

Shadow Magic subclass gets:

• Eyes of the Dark: You can see in the dark up to 24 meters.
• Strength of the Grave: After reaching 0 Hit Points, you regain 1 instead of becoming downed.

Cantrip Recommendations

• Booming Blade: Hit an enemy with your melee weapon to inflict them with resonance that deals Thunder damage when they move.
• Shocking Grasp: Melee ability Lightning springs from your hand and prevents the target from taking reactions. You have an advantage when using this spell on creatures wearing metal armor. Used to shut down melee aggressors with important reaction triggers. Consider this your flex spell which you can use something else in this position.
• Ray of Frost: Call forth a frigid beam of blue-white light and reduce the target’s Movement Speed by 3m.  This is a decent attack to prevent a melee aggressor from closing the distance on you. 
• Fire Bolt: Ranged fire spell that deals 1d10 fire damage. Simple ranged attack that can be combined with Grease early on for big area damage.

Spell Recommendations

• Shield: A defensive spell that helps when taking pressure with melee. When you are about to be hit by an enemy, use your Reaction to increase your Armour Class Armour Class by 5. You also take no damage from Magic Missile. These effects last until the start of your next turn.
• Thunderwave: Release a wave of thunderous force that pushes away all creatures and objects (2d8 Thunder). This spell acts as your knockback to melee characters and allows you to create distance and get away. It’s also great to knock enemies off ledges or high positions and keeps you having some defensive capabilities at the early level.

Level 2 Shadow Magic Sorcerer Spell Loadout: Shield and Thunderwave

At this stage, you play in melee range with Booming Blade in heavy armour with one hand and shield. Shadow Blade comes in level 2 spell slots, and we will switch to as your main damage source. This build starts off slow but will ramp up in power shortly.

Level 3

With this next level as a Sorcerer, you unlock Sorcery Points, Metamagic, and one additional spell. We suggest taking the Chromatic Orb spell with Twinned Spell and Careful Spell for metagmagic class passives.

Spell Recommendation

Chromatic Orb: Hurl a sphere of energy. It deals 3d8 element damage and creates a surface. This area damage spell is useful to cast at range and control choke points or proc certain elemental effects. The strength of this skill on a Sorcerer is you can use Sorcerery point Twinned and cast it twice even at level 2 with one action. This gives you a ton of power early on and even later in the game.

Metamagic as explained above, essentially lets you manipulate spells to add range, cast on multiple targets, and more. Sorcery Points can be converted into additional Spell Slots, allowing you to cast more spells in between long rests. At level two, you get to select two Metamagic Options out of four: Careful, Distant, Extended, and Twinned. We suggest taking Twinned and Distance.

• Twinned Spell: Cast a single target spell on multiple targets.
• Careful Spell: Allies automatically succeed in Saving Throws against spells that require them.

Level 3 Shadow Magic Sorcerer Spell Loadout: Shield, Thunderwave, and Chromatic Orb.

Level 4

With three levels into Sorcerer, you will unlock more metamagic options, Heighted, Subtle, and Quickened Spell. Moreover, we now gain the Shadow Blade spell.

New Spell and Replace Spell Recommendation

• Shadow Blade: summon with bonus action for a weapon in the main hand that hits with psychic damage and scales with strength.
• Replace Thunderwave with Invisibility: Touch a creature to turn it Invisible. Attacks against it have Disadvantage. It attacks with Advantage. Invisibility breaks when you fail Stealth Checks on attacking, casting spells, or interacting with items. You can use this spell to easily utilize the Thunderous Smite from stealth and trigger Surprise.

Level 4 Shadow Magic Sorcerer Spell Loadout: Shield, Chromatic Orb, Shadow Blade, Invisibility

At this level, you can now hit targets with Shadow Blade, which scales off of your strength. Act 2 has a resonance stone that doubles the damage of this attack. We will eventually combine this attack with Divine Smite via the Paladin. However, playing in melee range can be tough. Spells like Mirror Image and Blur are advised if you struggle with survival (or scrolls).

Level 5

At the next level of Sorcerer, you will gain a cantrip, spell, and feat. For feat, take Savage Attacker which doubles your dice rolls for melee attacks. You can alternatively increase strength or charisma, but for the most burst take Savage Attacker. For the cantrip, we recommend Light and for the spell, we recommend Mirror Image.

• Light (Cantrip): An evocation cantrip that allows you to infuse an item with an aura of light. It is a great spell that will help you explore dark places.
• Mirror Image (Spell): A defensive spell that helps when taking pressure with melee. It creates three images each increasing your AC by 3. They go away each time you get attacked. We err on the side of staying alive, and this will dramatically increase your survival at this level. Feel free to take Cloud of Daggers if you feel less damage at level five. Mainly Chromatic Orb for area damage should be the play.

Level 5 Shadow Magic Sorcerer Spell Loadout: Shield, Chromatic Orb, Darkness, Eyes of the Dark: Darkness, Shadow Blade, Invisibility, Mirror Image.

Level 6

With five levels in Sorcerer, you will get access to Level 3 spells. There are a lot of powerful spells to choose from at this point, but we suggest you to pick Fireball for more area damage. Moreover, we recommend you replace the Chromatic Orb with Counterspell for a bit more defense.

• Fireball: Shoot a bright flame from your fingers that explode upon contact, torching everything in the vicinity 8d6 18m range 6m radius. This is the “mega” spell that everyone wants as a Sorcerer, and you start to feel very powerful.
• Replace Chromatic Orb with Counterspell: It will allow you to interrupt the opposing spellcaster from casting the spell. However, you have to be cautious using this spell as it requires reactions. Save reactions for using this spell against the spellcasters.

Using Fireball as a Shadow Magic Sorcerer

Up until now, we’ve set up your Sorcerer to be survivable and lean on Chromatic Orb and Twinned Metamagic for damage. This is the point at which we switch to huge damage. With the introduction of Fireball, expect massive area damage. However, you are not an Evocation Wizard, so you do not want to hit friendly targets. Placing the circle radius just at the edge to hit as many targets as possible is the key to using this ability.

With Quickened Metamagic, you can cast this spell and another with a bonus action (3 Sorcery Points).  Once you get more spell slots, you guessed it, you can cast two Fireballs on your first turn. The key to mastering the damage output is using Metamagic Quickened for area-based spells and Twinned for single targets. This also applies to buffs, debuffs, and crowd control, not just magic. 

At this stage, you can do ranged AOE burst damage with Fireball or play in melee range with Shadow Blade and Boom Blade.

Level 6 Shadow Magic Sorcerer Spell Loadout: Shield, Darkness, Eyes of the Dark: Darkness, Shadow Blade, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Counterspell.

Level 7

With six levels into Sorcerer, you will gain a Sorcery Point and an additional Level 3 spell. We recommend you pick the Lightning Bolt spell.

• Lightning Bolt: Call forth a blast of lightning that hits all creatures in the line of the eruption. Another powerful spell that will help you deal extensive area damage.

Additionally, the Shadow Magic subclass will receive a unique class action called Hound of Ill Omen.

• Hound of Ill Omen: Summons Nimbus, a shadow mastiff. Has actions Ominous Bite, Umbral Tangle, and Splinter Shadow.

Level 7 Shadow Magic Sorcerer Spell Loadout: Shield, Darkness, Eyes of the Dark: Darkness, Shadow Blade, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Counterspell.

Level 8

At character Level 8, we’ll now switch back and invest more into the Paladin class. At level two the Paladin gains access to five prepared spells, choose a fighting style, and Divine Smite. We recommend choosing the Defence Fighting Style for +1 AC.

• Divine Smite: uses spell slot and hits in conjunction with weapon strike. Can be automatically applied, only during critical hits or have a popup box via the reactions menu. Be cautious at first about using this too often. You will burn through your spell slots quickly at this low level, and either have to rest or just use melee attacks only.

Paladin Divine Smite Explained

Divine Smite is a signature ability of the Paladin class in Baldur’s Gate 3. It allows a Paladin to expend a spell slot to deal additional radiant damage to a creature they have hit with a melee weapon attack. The extra damage amount equals 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st. The damage increases by 1d8 if the target is an undead or a fiend.

Divine Smite can be toggled on or off in the reactions menu under the user interface. This allows you to decide if you want to use it or not. This is very important because the Paladin can run out of Spell Slots quickly, limiting damage. The last thing you want is to expend a spell slot needlessly on a weak creature.

Spells Recommendations

Here is a list of spells you must select as a Level 2 Paladin.

• Wrathful Smite: Your Weapon absorbs the wrath as you strike the target, possibly frightening the target. A target with Wrathful Smite takes 1d6 Psychic damage.
• Thunderous Smite: Your weapon rings with thunder as you strike, pushing your target 3m away and possibly knocking it Prone.
• Command: Command a creature to flee, move closer, freeze, drop to the ground or drop its weapon. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw in order to resist the effects.
• Divine Favor: Your prayer empowers you with divine radiance. Your weapon attacks deal an additional 1d4 Radiant Damage.

Level 8 Shadow Magic Sorcerer Spell Loadout: Shield, Darkness, Eyes of the Dark: Darkness, Shadow Blade, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Counterspell, Wrathful Smite, Thunderous Smite, Command, Divine Favor.

Level 9

With three levels into Paladin, you will gain 1 spell and a few spells unique to the Oath of the Vengenace subclass. For the spell, we recommend taking the Cure Wounds. Here are all the unique subclass spells that you will unlock at Level 3.

• Abjure Enemy (subclass): Frighten an enemy. They’ll have Disadvantage on ability checks and Attack rolls, and they cannot move.
• Vow of Enmity (subclass): Gain Advantage on Attack Rolls against an enemy.
• Bane (subclass): Up to 3 creatures receive a -1d4 penalty to Attack rolls and Saving throws.
• Hunter’s Mark (subclass): Mark a creature as your quarry to deal an additional 1d6 Weapon damage whenever you hit it with a weapon attack.

Spell Selection

For your third main spell, select the Cure Wounds spell.

• Cure Wounds: Touch a creature to heal it.
  • Usage: decent melee-based heal that consumes an action and spell slot. Early in the game, not having healing or potions spells doom, and depending on group composition, this spell can be flexed in or out.

Level 9 Shadow Magic Sorcerer Spell Loadout: Shield, Darkness, Eyes of the Dark: Darkness, Shadow Blade, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Counterspell, Wrathful Smite, Thunderous Smite, Command, Divine Favor, Bless.

Level 10

Putting four levels into Paladin now gives you a critical decision between increasing your ability score like Charisma or taking a feat. Feats we already have Savage Attackers and we can increase our strength to 27 with Cloud Giant Potion in Act 3. Charisma is a good play here by +2 or Alert if you don’t want to be surprised.

You get one additional spell to slot and I recommend taking the Shield of Faith.

• Shield of Faith: Surround a creature with a shimmering field of magic that increases its Armour Class by 2.
  • Usage: This uses a bonus action and requires concentration. It should be used prior to fights where you expect to take the majority of the damage.

Level 11

With five levels invested in Paladin, the Oath of Vengeance subclass unlocks a lot. Extra attack, more spell slots, and two subclass spells. Here are all the features that you will get on Level 5 in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Extra Attack: Beginning at level, you can attack twice, by the Attack action on your turn. This combined with Divine Smite and the added spell slots allows you to mega single target damage pure turn.
• Subclass Spells:
  • Hold Person (Subclass Feature): Hold a humanoid enemy still. They can’t Move, Act, or React. Attacks from within 3 m / 10 ft are always Critical Hits.
  • Misty Step (Subclass Feature): Surrounded by silver mist, you teleport to an unoccupied space you can see.

Spell Selection

• Magic Weapon: Infuse a weapon with arcane energy. The weapon becomes magical, receiving a +1 bonus to Attack rolls and Damage Rolls.
  • Usage: This is a decent buff to damage, but it comes at the cost of a high-level spell slot and concentration. Another decent spell to add to our arsenal.

At this level and beyond, you should feel very powerful. You can buff and debuff with a bonus action, mobility with Misty Step, and huge damage for the scenario or enemy using Smite.

Level 11 Shadow Magic Sorcerer Spell Loadout: Shield, Darkness, Eyes of the Dark: Darkness, Shadow Blade, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Counterspell, Wrathful Smite, Thunderous Smite, Command, Divine Favor, Bless.

Level 12

At character Level 12and Paladin Level 6, you unlock 1 more prepared spell, Aura of Protection. Moreover, you will be able to select 1 Level 2 spell.

• Aura of Protection: You and nearby allies gain a bonus to Saving Throws equal to your Charisma modifier.

Spell Recommendation

We suggest you to pick the Aid spell at this level.

• Aid: Bolster your allies with toughness and resolve to heal and increase their Hit Points maximum.

Level 12 Shadow Magic Sorcerer Spell Loadout: Shield, Darkness, Eyes of the Dark: Darkness, Shadow Blade, Invisibility, Mirror Image, Counterspell, Wrathful Smite, Thunderous Smite, Command, Divine Favor, Bless.

How to Play Shadow Magic Sorcerer

The best way to play Shadow Magic Sorcerer is by using the Shadow Blade level 2 spell and Booming Blade. With Shadow Blade, you can attack based off your strength ability score, which can be improved to 27 via Cloud Giant Elixir. Moreover, you can pick up the resonance stone in Act 2 and double psychic damage. Then, spec into Paladin to gain Divine Smite and Extra Attack. Now, use your spell slots for divine smites while attacking with your Shadow Blade.

Below are some general tips on how to play the best Shadow Magic Sorcerer build in BG3:

• Loot Everything: You will need a lot of gold to buy consumables, potions, and ammunition so loot and sell constantly.
• Crafting: Elixirs and potions are vital, and you need to purchase materials when trading for crafting.
• Reach Level 6: Spend the early part of the game completing every quest to reach level 6 where your power dramatically increases.
• Sell Often: Your carrying capacity will be limited so sell often, and store excessive items in your traveler’s chest.
• Stealth: Start combat in stealth if at all possible to trigger the Surprise status effect.
• Consider Illithid Powers: While it can come with an altered appearance, the powers are powerful and can help you.
• Oils + Elixiris: Combine both oils/coatings and Elixir during combat for a dual benefit.
• Persuasion: Try to avoid combat through dialogue if possible.

Best Gear for Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

Beginner

Here’s the best beginner gear, items, and equipment for a Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Gear Slot	Best Gear Item	Effect
Head	Shadow of Menzoberranzan	Invis Spell
Cape	Deathstalker Mantle (optional)	Invisibility on Kill
Chest	Dark Justiciar Mail	1d4 while obscured
Gloves	Gloves of the Growling Underdog	Advantage on Melee
Boots	Disintegrating Night Walkers	Free Misty Step
Necklace	Broodmother’s Revenge	1d6 when healed
Ring	Strange Conduit Ring	Concenreation + Damage
Ring	Caustic Band	Poison Damage
Weapon 1 Main Hand	Shadow Blade (weapon)	Summoned with Spell
Off-Hand	Adamantine Shield	+2 AC
Weapon 2 Ranged	Bow of Awareness	+1 Initiative

• Shadow of Menzoberranzan: Ebonlake Grotto X: 52 Y: -70 (Alternatives Haste Helm, Cap of Wrath, or Grymskull Helm).
• Deathstalker Mantle: Automatically acquired as part of Dark Urge story.
• Dark Justiciar Mail: found in Grymforge coordinates X: -655 Y: 424 (Alternatives Chain Mail +1, or Githyanki Half Plate).
• Gloves of the Growling Underdog: Chest behind Razglin’s throne room (Alternatives Gloves of Heroism, Gloves of Dexterity, or Gloves of Missile Snaring).
• Disintegrating Night Walkers: Obtained in Gyrmforge as part of Free True Soul Nere questline (Alternatives Boots of Striding, Boots of Genial Striding, or Boots of Speed).
• Broodmother’s Revenge: Carried by Kagha’s body in the Emerald Grove.
• Strange Conduit Ring: Crèche Y’llek X: 1360 Y: -657.
• Caustic Band: Obtained from merchant Derryth Bonecloak in the Myconid Colony (Alternatives Fetish of Callarduran Smoothhands, or The Sparkswall).
• Shadow Blade (weapon): created via a spell or item. Alternatively, use Phalar Aluve.
• Adamantine Shield: Crafted in Adamantine Forge.
• Bow of Awareness: Sold by Vendor Roah Moonglow in the Shattered Sanctum (Alternatives Hunting Shortbow, Bow of Banshee, Titanstring Bow).

Advanced

The following table presents the best gear, items, and equipment for the Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Gear Slot	Best Gear Item	Effect
Head	Helm of Balduran	Cannot be Stunned
Cape	Deathstalker Mantle	Invisibility on Kill
Chest	Dark Justiciar Half-Plate	+Damage Obscured
Gloves	Craterflesh Gloves	Crits + Damage
Boots	Helldusk Boots	Mobility
Necklace	Amulet of Greater Health	23 Constitution
Ring	Killer’s Sweetheart	Auto Critical
Ring	Strange Conduit Ring	Self-healing
Weapon 1 Main Hand	Nyrulna	+ Movement
Off-Hand	Viconia’s Walking Fortress	+3 AC
Weapon 2 Ranged	Hellriders	+3 initiative
Misc	Resonance Stone	Double Psychic Damage

List of best Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build Baldur’s Gate 3 Equipment in the end-game:

• Helm of Balduran: Obtained in Dragon’s Sanctum (Alternatives Helldusk Helmet, Sarevok’s Horned Helmet,  Mask of Soul Perception).
• Deathstalker Mantle: Automatically acquired as part of Dark Urge story. (Alternatives Cloak of Protection, Fleshmelter).
• Dark Justiciar Half-Plate: Act 2 conclusion (Alternatives Helldusk Armour, Armour of Persistence).
• Craterflesh Gloves: murder tribunal vendor (Alternatives Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength, Helldusk Gloves, Legacy of the Masters)
• Helldusk Boots: In a locked chest, Wyrm’s Rock Fortress (Alternative Disintegrating Night Walkers).
• Amulet of Greater Health: Obtained in Archive of the House of Hope (Alternative Surgeon’s Subjugation Amulet).
• Killer’s Sweetheart: Obtained from the Gauntlet of Shar in Act 2 (Alternative Ring of Protection, Risky Ring).
• Ring Of Regeneration: Sold by Rolan at Sorcerous Sundries (Alternative Ring of Free Action, Shifting Corpus Ring).
• Nyrulna: Obtained from Akabi in the Circus of the Last Days (Alternatives Balduran’s Giantslayer, Sword of Chaos, Silver Sword of the Astral Plane).
• Hellriders: Rivington X: 43 Y: -101: Sold by Ferg (Alternative darkfire shortbow).
• Resonance Stone: End of act 2 in puzzle mind flayer colony.

Best Tips and Tricks for Shadow Magic Sorcerer

Before combat, make sure to pre-buff with spells that do not cost concentration. You can also expend sorcerery points to increase spell slots. This is helpful to cast higher power spells or upcast something like Shadow Blade. Then, you want the remainder of your spell slots for Divine Smite when attacking in melee range. Another help trick is to cast Eyes of the Dark: Darkness ontop of yourself to protect and increase damage with Shadow Blade. If you run out of spell slots, use Booming Blade as your main attack.

Best Consumables, Potions, Ammunition, and Items

The following list is the best consumable items that will aid in our Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build Guide:

• Elixir of Bloodlust: Once per turn when you kill a foe, you gain HP 5 temporary hit points and an additional action.
• Elixir of Hill Giant Strength: Increases Strength ability score to 21 until Long Rest.
• Potion of Speed: Gain extra action, +2 AC, Advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws, and double movement speed.
• Drow Poison: Weapon poison that adds Constitution Saving Throw or becomes Poisoned and falls Asleep.
• Potion of Flying: Drink to gain a flying speed of 60ft for one hour.
• Elixir of Heroism: Gain 10 temp HP and become Blessed until a long rest.
• Potion of Greater Healing: 4d4 + 4 hit points restored.
• Oil of Accuracy: Coat Weapon. Bonus of +2 in Attack Rolls.
• Elixir of Vigilance: Drink to gain a +5 bonus to Initiative and you can’t be Surprised.

Permanent Bonuses

Throughout Baldur’s Gate 3, you will have the ability to gain permanent bonuses to your character. These can grant additional spells, ability scores, and other bonuses. Permanent Bonuses are not displayed throughout the campaign but are vital to increase overall combat performance. We have all permanent bonuses here in a guide, but the most important ones for you to collect are listed below.

Act 1	Act 2	Act 3
Auntie Ethel’s Hair: Gain +1 to an Ability Score.	Potion of Everlasting Vigour: Gain +2 Strength.	Mirror of Loss – +2 to an Ability Score of your choice.
Awakened: Use illithid powers as a Bonus Action.	Slayer Form: Ability to transform into the Slayer.	Partial Ceremorphosis: Access to tier 3 illithid Powers.
Scratch: Gain Find Familiar Scratch.	Summon Us: Allows you to summon Us.	Sweet Stone Features: Blessed permanent.
Cheeky Quasit: Gain Summon Quasit Shovel.		Statue of the Gods: +2 to Saving Throws
Loviatar’s Love: 30% Hit Points or less, you gain a +2 bonus to Attack Rolls and Wisdom saving throws.
Necromancy Of Thay: access to powerful spells in Act 3.
Volo’s Ersatz Eye: See Invisibility

Shadow Magic Sorcerer Changes in Patch 8 for BG3

The release of Patch 8 for BG3 adds three important parts to the game: Shadow Magic Sorcerer Subclass, Shadow Blade spell, and Booming Blade cantrip. Shadow Blade spell exited previously via a weapon granted by a ring. Now, you can summon the weapon with a bonus action and it deals psychic damage scaling off of your strength stat. Therefore, Sorcs can now play melee with high strength and be very effective.

Build Summary – Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Shadow Magic Sorcerer

FAQs about the Shadow Magic Sorcerer build in Baldur’s Gate 3

What abilities should the Shadow Magic Sorcerer prioritize for my class?

Charisma and Strength if using the Shadow Blade spell. Charisma is your spell-casting modifier, while Shadow Blade scales in effectiveness based off your strength. You can also use an elixir for increased strength and forgo this ability.

What are the best feats for Shadow Magic Sorcerer builds?

Spell Sniper, Savage Attacker, and ability improvement are the best feats for Shadow Magic Sorcerer. Spell Sniper helps with critical hits on spells while Savage Attacker increases raw damage for melee attacks when using Shadow Blade. Lastly, increasing charisma is always a safe bet.

What are the best multiclass combos?

The best multiclass combos for a Shadow Sorcerer are 6 Sorc / 6 Paladin or 2 Warlock / 6 Sorc / 4 Paladin.

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• BG3 Tier Lists and Rankings All BG3 Builds
• All BG3 Classes, Companions and Multiclassing
• All BG3 Comprehensive Guides
• All Permanent Bonuses You Should Get in BG3
• Act 1 Checklist for Baldur’s Gate 3
• Act 2 Checklist for Baldur’s Gate 3
• Act 3 Checklist for Baldur’s Gate 3