All Baldur s Gate 3 Wizard Subclasses Ranked
If you are dead set on including a character in your party, simply talk to Withers to respec them to one of the optimal Druid companion classes listed above. This way, you won't miss out on that character's questline, and you won't have to suffer from an improperly balanced party.
To avoid being hindered by your own icy terrain, it's important to pick up the Hoarfrost Boots from the Inquisitor's Chamber at the Githyanki Creche too, taking the opportunity to buy Winter's Clutches from Lady Esther at the Rosymorne Monastery Trail too (These can also be acquired by completing the quest "Avenge Glut's Circle" in the Underdark, as long as players side with Glut.)
With just one point in Barbarian, for a Druid 11 Barbarian 1 build, the Druid will be able to use their bonus action for an additional attack while shapeshifted. Unfortunately, the Unarmored Defense passive of the Barbarian class doesn't stack with the Druid's AC while shapeshifted.
Updated on 20th April 2025, by Thomas Hawkins: With the addition of Patch 8's new subclasses to Baldur's Gate 3 Strategy Gate 3, players can select the Circle of the Stars for their Druids. This new subclass makes use of their Wildshape Charges to embody constellations and gain powerful new abilities, including firing blasts of light, healing a target for free after casting a spell, and unleashing a radiant breath attack. This guide has been updated to include information on this new subclass and discuss equipment and multiclassing options that benefit the Circle of the Stars.
The Berserker Subclass pairs exceptionally well with the "Gloves of Uninhibited Kushigo", which boost the damage dealt by improvised and thrown weapons. Used in conjunction with Enraged Throw, this can allow the Berserker to further dish out damage using whatever's close to hand. All Barbarian Subclasses will also get plenty of use out of the "Wrath" magic items, which allows them to build up a stacking damage bonus by taking damage and raging. These consist of the " Linebreaker Boots ", " Bloodguzzler Garb ", " Enraging Heart Garb ", and " Cap Of Wrath ."
Assuming players aren't taking levels in Fighter, Sorcerer, or Cleric, their top priority as an Abjuration Wizard should be improving their AC. In Act 1, players can grab the Ring of Protection in Act 1 by helping Mol steal the Idol at the Emerald Grove, collect the Bracers of Defense from the Apothecary's Cellar in the Blighted Village, and then purchase the Cloak of Protection from Talli at the Last Light Inn in Act 2. While at the Inn, buy the Evasive Shoes from Mattis for another +1 AC. These will provide +5 AC total, which raises the Wizard's AC to 18 when using Mage Armor even if they haven't invested in Dexterity (Important note here: They should absolutely invest in Dexterity for even better results.) If using heavy Armor, players can still grab the Ring, Boots, and Cloak for +3 AC. (Unfortunately, the Bracers only work on Unarmored Characters)
The Barbarian class has the ability to enter a Rage with a bonus action, granting the ability to use an extra attack with a bonus action on subsequent turns – the effect ends if players don't take or deal damage on a turn.
Wild Magic Barbarians channel Wild Magic when they enter a rage, causing a Wild Magic surge similar to the one some Sorcerers can cause when casting spells. They also get the ability "Magic Awareness," which lets them use a bonus action to allow themselves and allies within 3m to add their proficiency bonus to saving throws against spells.
Wizards who choose the School of Abjuration get "Abjuration Savant" and "Arcane Ward" at second level. The former allows them to scribe Abjuration Spells into their spellbook for 25gp per spell level instead of 50gp per spell level, while the latter gives the Wizard a shield whenever they cast an abjuration spell of level 1 or higher. The Ward gains charges equal to half the spell's level, rounded up, and can hold charges equal to twice the Wizard's level. At level 3, this means the Wizard can have six charges at once. When the Wizard takes damage with a Ward active, the damage is reduced by the number of charges, and then the Ward loses one charge. The ward resets to a number of charges equal to the Wizard's level on each long rest.
The Wild Magic Barbarian rolls on a different Wild Magic Table to the Sorcerer, with a different set of effects that are, as a whole, consistently beneficial to the Barbarian and their allies. Here's a complete list of Wild Magic effects available to the Barbarian:
The Circle of Spores Druid has a tremendous amount of synergy with the Necromancy School available to Wizards, and taking six levels of Wizard will allow them to create a much greater range of undead minions to aid them in battle. This has the added benefit of granting them access to the entire Wizard spell list thanks to both classes being full casters, though a character will need to invest in intelligence to make full use of the Wizard spells. The Circle of Spores also synergizes well with the Monk, allowing players to brawl in melee and improve their AC using their Wisdom, which will already be pretty high since it's the Druid's spellcasting stat. Fighter and Ranger are both excellent multiclass choices too, offering Extra Attack at level 5 to dish out more Necrotic Damage while using Symbiotic Entity. Ranger synergizes slightly better due to also providing additional spell slots. (Rangers are half-casters so half of the Ranger Level, rounded down, is added to the effective caster level when multiclassing.)