Ultimate Shadow Sorcerer Build: Unleash Overpowered Magic!

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Shadow Magic is a fresh subclass for Sorcerers introduced in Baldur’s Gate 3 with patch 8. This subclass allows for immense damage output while also enabling the casting of life-saving spells for allies.

A Shadow Magic Sorcerer has the ability to summon Nimbus, a hound shrouded in dark omens. This loyal companion is a permanent ally that inflicts various types of damage on foes. Nimbus can also teleport the Sorcerer across the battlefield to launch surprise attacks.

While this may seem intricate, we’re here to guide you in crafting a powerful Shadow Magic build that can effortlessly defeat your adversaries.

Level 1 Choices for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

At level 1, after character creation, you can set the following attributes:

Race: Half-Elf

Subrace: Drow Half-Elf

Class: Sorcerer

Subclass: Shadow Magic

You’ll gain the following subclass features:

Strength of the Grave: When you drop to 0 HP, you regain 1 HP instead of falling unconscious.

Superior Darkvision: You can see in darkness up to 80 feet.

You can also choose 4 cantrips:

Bursting Sinew: Rips a corpse apart to deal 1d10 piercing damage to nearby enemies.

Bone Chill: Inflicts 1d8 necrotic damage; undead creatures take disadvantage on attack rolls.

Ray of Frost: Deals 1d8 cold damage, reducing the target’s movement speed by 10 feet.

Shocking Grasp: Inflicts 1d8 lightning damage, with an advantage against metal-clad enemies.

You can also prepare two spells at this stage:

Shield: Increases your Armor Class by 5 when an enemy attacks, making you immune to Magic Missile.

Magic Missile: Fires three missiles that each deal 3d4 + 3 force damage and push opponents back.

Skill Points: Strength (8), Dexterity (15 + 1), Constitution (14), Intelligence (10), Wisdom (10), Charisma (14 + 2).

With these selections, you’ll acquire the following proficiencies:

Weapons: Daggers, Quarterstaffs, Light Crossbows, Spears, Pikes, Halberds, and Glaives.

Armor: Light Armor and Shields.

Skills: Arcana, Medicine, Intimidation, and Persuasion.

Level 2 Choices for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

Upon reaching level 2, your HP increases from 8 to 14. You can learn an additional spell at this level:

Chromatic Orb: Inflicts 3d8 elemental damage while creating a surface of the same magic.

You also choose two Metamagics at this level:

Metamagic—Twinned Spell: Spells that target just one creature can now target an extra creature.

Metamagic—Distant Spell: Expands the range of spells by 50% (melee spells extend to 30 feet).

Level 3 Choices for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

At level 3, your HP will rise to 20. You also gain the feature Eyes of the Dark:

Eyes of the Dark – Darkness: Creates an area of darkness that blinds nearby creatures, preventing ranged attacks inside or out. It costs 2 sorcery points versus the usual level 2 spell slot.

At this level, you can learn a second-level spell, such as:

Hold Person: Paralyzes an enemy, preventing any movement, actions, or reactions. Attacks within 10 feet are always critical hits.

Select Quickened Spell for your Metamagic:

Metamagic—Quickened Spell: Cast spells using a bonus action instead of an action, at the cost of 3 sorcery points.

Level 4 Choices for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

Upon reaching level 4, your HP increases to 26. At this level, you gain an additional cantrip:

Fire Bolt: Deals 1d10 fire damage to enemies.

You can also select another spell at this level:

Scorching Ray: Fires three rays that collectively deal 6d6 fire damage.

Your first feat slot unlocks here:

Feat—Ability Improvement: Invest both points in Charisma to raise it to 18.

Level 5 Choices for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

At level 5, HP increases to 32, and you gain access to third-level spells:

Lightning Bolt: Deals 8d6 lightning damage to all creatures in the area of effect. Enemies can save for half damage.

Level 6 Choices for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

At level 6, your HP goes up to 38, and you unlock an exceptional subclass bonus action:

Hound of the Ill Omen: Summons a creature of darkness to aid you.

You can also prepare another third-level spell at this level:

Haste: Grants you or an ally an extra action and boosts speed, along with a +2 bonus to Armor Class.

Level 7 Choices for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

At level 7, your HP will rise to 44, and you can prepare one fourth-level spell:

Ice Storm: Inflicts 2d8 bludgeoning damage plus 4d6 cold damage to all enemies in the area. Enemies can save for half damage.

Level 8 Choices for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

At level 8, your HP increases to 50, and you can prepare another spell:

Fireball: Explodes at impact, dealing 8d6 fire damage to all enemies nearby. Enemies can save for half damage.

Your second feat slot unlocks at this level:

Feat—Ability Improvement: Invest both points in Charisma, raising it to 20.

Level 9 Choices for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

At level 9, your HP rises to 56, and you’re able to prepare a fifth-level spell, such as:

Cone of Cold: Deals 8d8 ice damage to enemies within range. Enemies can save for half damage.

Level 10 Choices for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

At level 10, your HP increases to 62. You also receive a bonus cantrip:

Acid Splash: Inflicts 3d6 acid damage on enemies.

You can prepare another fifth-level spell:

Hold Monster: Paralyzes a creature, making it unable to move, act, or react; any attack on it within 10 feet is always a critical hit.

Your next Metamagic choice should be:

Metamagic—Extended Spell: Doubles the duration of conditions, surfaces, and summons from your spells.

Level 11 Choices for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

By level 11, your HP will reach 68, and you’ll unlock an additional class action:

Shadow Walk: Teleport into the shadows; the next spell you cast benefits from Distant Spell at no cost in sorcery points.

You can prepare a sixth-level spell:

Chain Lightning: Inflicts 10d8 lightning damage to a target, with additional bolts dealing the same damage to nearby enemies. Enemies can save for half damage.

Level 12 Choices for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

At level 12, your HP rises to 74. You can prepare another sixth-level spell:

Globe of Invulnerability: Creatures within this globe become immune to all damage for three turns.

You also unlock your final feat slot:

Feat—Alert: Gain a +5 bonus on initiative rolls and immunity to surprise.

Top Gear and Accessories for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

Head: Hood of the Weave—grants a +2 bonus to Spell Attack Rolls and Spell Save DC.

Cloak: Cloak of Protection—provides a +1 bonus to Armor Class and saving throws.

Armor: Wavemother’s Robe—enhances Armor Class by +1 and grants resistance to Fire and Cold damage. Restores 1-4 HP if you start your turn standing in water.

Gloves: Daredevil Gloves—offer a +1 bonus to spell attack rolls.

Boots: Evasive Boots—provide a +1 bonus to Armor Class and Acrobatics checks.

Rings: Killer’s Sweetheart (after taking down a foe, your next attack is guaranteed to be a critical hit; usable once per long rest), and Ring of Protection (increases Armor Class and Saving Throws by 1).

Amulet: Amulet of Greater Health—increases Constitution to 23.

Top Weapons for Your Shadow Magic Sorcerer Build

Your primary weapon should be the legendary staff, Markoheshkir, which possesses these properties:

+2 weapon enchantment.
Deals 1d8 + 10 bludgeoning damage.
Grants a +1 bonus to Spell Save DC and Spell Attack Rolls.
Features Arcane Battery: the next spell cast does not require a spell slot.
Includes Kereska’s Favor spell.
Boasts a Topple weapon action.

For a shield, consider the legendary Viconia’s Walking Fortress:

When hit by a melee attack, you can react to deal 2-8 Force damage, knocking the attacker prone unless they pass a Dexterity saving throw.
You have advantage on saving throws against spells, and attackers have disadvantage on their spell rolls against you.

Opt for the Hellrider’s Longbow as your long-range weapon: