In the realm of Baldur’s Gate 3, where arcane arts intertwine with ancient mysteries, necromancy stands as a formidable power. Amidst the devastation it unleashes, one build reigns supreme: the potent necromancy build, a symphony of death and control that will strike fear into the hearts of foes. This build harnesses the dark arts to manipulate life, bending it to the necromancer’s whim through a blend of potent spells, strategic positioning, and cunning tactics.
As the necromancer wields their sinister power, they command an army of the undead, bending the spirits of fallen enemies to their will. These undead minions, in turn, become extensions of the necromancer, carrying out their bidding and overwhelming their foes with an unrelenting assault. Additionally, the necromancer’s spells inflict debilitating effects on the living, draining their life force, poisoning their minds, and leaving them vulnerable to the necromancer’s cruel manipulations. The battlefield transforms into a macabre dance, as the necromancer’s dark arts weave a chilling tapestry of death and despair.
The allure of the necromancy build lies in its versatility. It excels both in chaotic melee brawls, where undead minions swarm over enemies, and in ranged encounters, where the necromancer’s spells rain down destruction from afar. But true mastery of this build requires cunning strategy and meticulous planning. The necromancer must orchestrate their undead minions with precision, exploiting every advantage to outmaneuver and outlast their opponents. And as the necromancer’s power grows, so too does their command over the dark arts, unlocking devastating new abilities that will leave their enemies trembling in their wake.
Necromantic Spells: A Guide to Death and Decay
Blast from Beyond
Blast from Beyond is a powerful, early-game necromancy spell that inflicts heavy necrotic damage on a target within 30 feet. Additionally, the target’s movement speed is reduced by half for 1 minute. This ability is particularly useful for crippling enemy spellcasters or melee attackers.
Here is the table of the spell’s statistics:
|
| Casting Range: 30 feet |
| Damage: 7d12 necrotic |
| Effect: Reduces target’s movement speed by half for 1 minute |
Vampiric Touch
Vampiric Touch is a versatile necromancy spell that grants the caster temporary hit points while damaging the target. When cast, Vampiric Touch inflicts necrotic damage on a target within 60 feet, and the caster gains temporary hit points equal to half the damage dealt. This ability is excellent for sustaining in combat, especially when combined with other life-steal spells or abilities.
Here is the table of the spell’s statistics:
|
| Casting Range: 60 feet |
| Damage: 8d6 necrotic |
| Effect: Grants the caster temporary hit points equal to half the damage dealt |
Animate Dead
Animate Dead is a powerful necromancy spell that allows the caster to create undead servants from the corpses of humanoids. When cast, Animate Dead creates 1d6 zombies or 1d4 skeletons within 30 feet of the caster. These undead minions have their own initiative and can attack the caster’s enemies. Animate Dead is an incredibly versatile spell that can be used to bolster the caster’s party, overwhelm enemies with numbers, or serve as a distraction while the caster casts other spells.
The following table summarizes the statistics of the undead minions created by Animate Dead:
|
Zombie |
Skeleton |
| Hit Dice: |
8d8+16 |
8d8+16 |
| Armor Class: |
8 |
13 |
| Hit Points: |
44 |
44 |
| Speed: |
20 feet (walking) |
30 feet (walking) |
| Strength: |
15 |
10 |
| Dexterity: |
5 |
14 |
| Constitution: |
16 |
15 |
| Intelligence: |
3 |
6 |
| Wisdom: |
6 |
7 |
| Charisma: |
5 |
5 |
Summoning the Undead: Your Necromantic Legion
In Baldur’s Gate 3, necromancy grants you the ability to command the undead, forming a fearsome legion at your beck and call. From versatile skeletons to potent death knights, your undead army will spread terror and devastation across the battlefield.
Raise Dead
This fundamental spell is the cornerstone of your necromantic repertoire. Activate it to revive nearby corpses as skeletons, gaining control over these undead minions. As your power grows, so too does your ability to raise more potent forms of undead, such as zombies and ghouls.
Vampiric Touch
Drain the life force of your enemies with this damaging spell. Vampiric Touch deals necrotic damage to a single target while restoring your own hit points. This ability becomes even more formidable when combined with feats that enhance your necromancy.
Command Undead
As your necromantic prowess progresses, you gain the ability to command more powerful undead creatures. This spell empowers you to dominate nearby hostile undead, adding them to your growing army. With a horde of undead at your disposal, you can unleash a devastating assault on your foes.
Undead Forms
Your necromantic powers allow you to assume various undead forms, each with its own unique abilities.
| Undead Form |
Benefits |
| Skeleton |
Increased AC, immunity to poison and slashing damage |
| Zombie |
Toughness, immunity to poison and disease |
| Ghoul |
Increased speed, claw attacks, frenzy ability |
| Wight |
Life drain aura, spellcasting abilities |
| Death Knight |
Powerful melee fighter, immunity to fear and exhaustion |
Mastering the Dark Arts: Necromancy Feats
Harness the power of necromancy and command the undead with these potent feats:
Necromancy Initiate
Gain access to the Animate Dead cantrip, allowing you to summon a skeletal warrior to aid in combat.
Sculpt Flesh
Mold the flesh of your undead minions, altering their appearance and abilities. Transform a skeleton into a fearsome zombie or a zombie into a resilient ghoul.
Grim Harvest
Upon killing an enemy, you can use your bonus action to drain their soul and regain hit points or cast Vampiric Touch.
Mastery of Death
Obtain proficiency in Constitution saving throws and Death saving throws, bolstering your resilience against harmful effects and granting you a greater chance of surviving near-death encounters.
Master Necromancer
Summon a powerful undead lieutenant, such as a Wight or a Banshee, that fights alongside you as an ally. Additionally, you can cast Create Undead without expending a spell slot, enabling you to bolster your undead army.
| Feat |
Effects |
| Necromancy Initiate |
Summons an undead skeletal warrior |
| Sculpt Flesh |
Alters appearance and abilities of undead minions |
| Grim Harvest |
Drains souls for hit points or casts Vampiric Touch |
| Mastery of Death |
Proficiency in Constitution and Death saving throws |
| Master Necromancer |
Summons an undead lieutenant, casts Create Undead without a spell slot |
Death’s Embrace: Necromancy for the Cleric
Death Domain
The Cleric’s Death Domain grants access to powerful necromancy spells. These spells allow you to damage enemies, heal allies, and control the battlefield.
Animate Dead
Animate Dead is a 3rd-level spell that allows you to create undead minions. These minions can fight alongside you, distract enemies, and provide you with a source of healing.
Vampiric Touch
Vampiric Touch is a 3rd-level spell that deals damage to an enemy and heals you for half the damage dealt. This spell is a great way to sustain yourself in combat.
Revivify
Revivify is a 5th-level spell that allows you to bring a dead ally back to life. This spell can be a lifesaver in combat or during exploration.
Word of Radiance
Word of Radiance is a cantrip that deals radiant damage to nearby enemies. This spell is a good way to deal with weak enemies or to finish off wounded ones.
Toll the Dead
Toll the Dead is a cantrip that deals necrotic damage to a single enemy. This spell is a good way to deal consistent damage over time.
| Spell |
Level |
Effect |
| Animate Dead |
3rd |
Creates undead minions |
| Vampiric Touch |
3rd |
Deals damage and heals you |
| Revivify |
5th |
Brings a dead ally back to life |
| Word of Radiance |
Cantrip |
Deals radiant damage to nearby enemies |
| Toll the Dead |
Cantrip |
Deals necrotic damage to a single enemy |
The Shadow Priest: A Necromantic Take on the Warlock
The warlock is a diverse class in Baldur’s Gate 3, with a wide range of subclasses that cater to different playstyles. If you’re looking to embrace the dark arts of necromancy, the Shadow Priest is the perfect choice for you.
From Darkness, Power
The Shadow Priest’s defining feature is its ability to summon and control undead minions. This subclass gains access to the Create Undead spell, which allows it to animate corpses into powerful allies. These undead minions can be used to tank damage, deal damage, or provide support, making them a versatile addition to any party.
Harnessing the Shadow
In addition to its undead minions, the Shadow Priest also has access to a variety of other necromancy spells. These spells include:
| Spell |
Effect |
| Animate Dead |
Animates a corpse into an undead minion. |
| Vampiric Touch |
Deals damage and heals the caster for the damage dealt. |
| Cloud of Flies |
Deals damage over time and grants advantage on saving throws against charmed and frightened effects. |
| Bones of the Earth |
Calls forth a swarm of undead bones that deal damage. |
| Summon Undead III |
Summons a powerful undead minion that can be controlled by the caster. |
A Master of the Dark Arts
As you level up your Shadow Priest, you’ll gain access to even more powerful abilities that enhance your necromantic prowess. At level 6, you can choose the Shadow Step ability, which allows you to teleport to any undead minion within 30 feet.
At level 10, you can choose the Master of the Undead ability, which gives you command over all undead creatures within 60 feet. You can use this ability to force them to fight for you, or to heal them with your spells.
With its ability to summon and control the undead, the Shadow Priest is a formidable force on the battlefield. If you’re looking for a subclass that will let you embrace the dark arts of necromancy, the Shadow Priest is the perfect choice.
The Arcane Necromancer: Wizardry of the Undead
Necromancy is the arcane art of manipulating the dead. In Baldur’s Gate 3, there are numerous ways to build a necromancer, but one of the most effective and versatile is the Arcane Necromancer.
Subclass Features
The Arcane Necromancer subclass gains several unique features that enhance their necromantic abilities:
- Grim Harvest: When you kill a creature with a necromancy spell, you regain hit points equal to half your wizard level.
- Animate Dead: You can cast animate dead without using a spell slot, but the risen undead are more powerful and have a longer duration.
- Create Undead: At level 10, you can cast create undead, which allows you to create a more powerful undead creature.
Race
The best races for Arcane Necromancers are those that provide bonuses to Intelligence, Constitution, or both. Some of the best options include:
- Drow: +2 to Intelligence and +1 to Charisma.
- High Elf: +2 to Intelligence and +1 to Dexterity.
- Tiefling: +2 to Intelligence and +1 to Charisma.
Background
Any background can be suitable for an Arcane Necromancer, but some of the most thematic options include:
- Acolyte: Provides proficiency in Religion and Insight.
- Hermit: Provides proficiency in Medicine and Survival.
- Sage: Provides proficiency in Arcana and History.
Stats
The most important stat for an Arcane Necromancer is Intelligence, followed by Constitution. Dexterity is also important for initiative and AC.
Skills
The most important skills for an Arcane Necromancer are Arcana, Religion, and History. Other useful skills include Persuasion, Insight, and Stealth.
Feats
Some feats that can benefit an Arcane Necromancer include:
- Necromancer Adept: This feat grants proficiency in necromancy spells and increases the damage of your necromancy spells.
- Resilient: Constitution: This feat increases your Constitution score, which improves your hit points and concentration saves.
- War Caster: This feat allows you to cast spells with somatic components while holding a weapon or shield.
Spells
The Arcane Necromancer’s spell list is full of powerful necromancy spells. Some of the most useful spells include:
- Animate Dead: Summons undead creatures to fight for you.
- Create Undead: Creates a more powerful undead creature.
- Vampiric Touch: Deals necrotic damage and heals you for half the damage dealt.
- Finger of Death: Deals massive necrotic damage to a single target.
Equipment
The Arcane Necromancer’s best equipment includes items that increase their spellcasting ability. Some of the best options include:
- Staff of Power: A powerful quarterstaff that increases your spellcasting ability and grants you access to additional spells.
- Ring of Mind Shielding: Protects you from mental attacks.
- Cloak of Protection: Increases your AC and provides resistance to all damage types.
Beyond the Boundaries: Multiclassing Necromancy
Character Creation: Embracing the Darkness
Begin your journey as a Tiefling or Drow, races imbued with necrotic affinity. Consider the Shadow Sorcerer or Death Cleric subclasses for their potent necromancy spells.
Spell Selection: A Symphony of the Dead
Acquire spells such as “Animate Dead,” “Create Undead,” and “Danse Macabre” to summon and command an army of the undead.
Stat Distribution: Balancing Mind and Bone
Prioritize Charisma for spellcasting, followed by Constitution for survivability and Intelligence for additional spell slots.
Skill Proficiency: Beyond the Arcane
Choose skills like Religion (for communion with the dead), Intimidation (to command your undead minions), and Arcana (for necromantic knowledge).
Cantrip Mastery: Death’s Touch
Master the “Toll the Dead” cantrip for consistent necrotic damage and increased damage against wounded targets.
Level Progression: A Path of Power
Progress primarily as a Necromancer Wizard or Death Cleric, unlocking higher-level necromancy spells and abilities.
Fighting Style: Dance with the Dead
Adopt a ranged combat style, utilizing your undead minions to distract and harass enemies while you unleash your necromantic spells from afar.
Equipment: Tools of the Trade
Equip a Necromancer’s Tome for access to additional necromancy spells, and consider a Staff of Power for heightened spellcasting abilities.
Feats: Enhancing Necromancy
Consider feats like “Necromantic Resilience” for increased resistance to necrotic damage and “Spell Sniper” for extended spell range.
Roleplay: A Master of Darkness
Embrace the enigmatic and sinister nature of necromancy, forging alliances with dark forces and manipulating the boundaries of life and death to achieve your goals.
Best Necromancy Build for Baldur’s Gate 3
For those seeking to harness the power of the undead in Baldur’s Gate 3, necromancy offers a compelling path. This guide will outline the optimal build for a necromancer, empowering you to master the art of summoning and controlling the dead.
Race: Drow Elf or Tiefling
Class: Wizard (School of Necromancy)
Background: Hermit or Acolyte
**Stats:**
Prioritize Intelligence, Dexterity, and Constitution
**Skills:**
Arcana, History, Investigation, Perception
**Cantrips:**
Mage Hand, Minor Illusion
Level 1:
+2 Intelligence
+1 Dexterity
Necromancy Cantrips: Chill Touch, Spare the Dying
Necromancy Spells: False Life, Magic Missile
Level 2:
Choose the Pact of the Tome
Choose the Invocation: Book of Ancient Secrets
Ritual Spell: Find Familiar
Level 3:
+2 Intelligence
+1 Constitution
Necromancy Spells: Create Undead, Ray of Sickness
Ritual Spell: Speak with Dead
Level 4:
Feat: War Caster
Necromancy Spells: Blight, Vampiric Touch
Level 5:
+2 Intelligence
+1 Dexterity
Necromancy Spells: Animate Dead, Magic Missile
Level 6:
Necromancy Spells: Eyebite, Revivify
Ritual Spell: Gentle Repose
Invocations: Agonizing Blast
Level 7:
+2 Intelligence
+1 Constitution
Necromancy Spells: Summon Undead, Conjure Fey
Level 8:
Feat: Resilient (Constitution)
Necromancy Spells: Danse Macabre, Magic Jar
Level 9:
+2 Intelligence
+1 Dexterity
Necromancy Spells: Create Greater Undead, Finger of Death
People Also Ask
Does the Drow’s Sunlight Sensitivity hinder a necromancer?
While Sunlight Sensitivity can be a minor inconvenience, it can be mitigated by remaining indoors or casting spells that create darkness. Additionally, the ability to summon undead creatures alleviates the need for direct combat in open areas.
Are there any alternative races or classes for a necromancer?
While Drow Elf and Wizard are optimal, other options include Tiefling (for innate spellcasting) and Cleric (for access to Healing Word). Half-Elf and Half-Drow can also provide versatility.
How important is the Pact of the Tome for a necromancer?
The Pact of the Tome grants access to the Book of Ancient Secrets, which expands the necromancer’s spellbook. It also allows for the creation of ritual scrolls, reducing the need for spell components.
