Summary
Necromancy inBaldur’s Gate 3is just as dark as one would expect and equally fun. Typically, players will want to enroll in theWizard subclass, the School of Necromancy, as this provides relatively early access to theAnimate Deadspell. From Level 6 onwards, they can raise an additional corpse, and any undead created with this spell will have more HP and deal bonus damage.
However, this isn’t the only way to play as a necromancer inBG3, as other classes are capable of using necromancy spells. Clerics and Oathbreaker Paladins are two good options and can provide undead with extra bonuses. The Circle of the Spores Druid subclass is another great option, which uses a different kind of necromancy involving fungi. Whatever build players opt for, the followingnecromancy tips forBG3should help them get the most out of raising the dead.
6Store Corpses At Camp
While allWizards inBG3rely on Spell Slots as a kind of resource, Necromancers also require corpses and plenty of them. As not all creatures can be raised, especially in Act 2, players will want to store as many corpses as they can at camp. By doing so, they will also be able to use theirAnimate Deadspell before combat begins, meaning an action isn’t wasted.
However, there is some nuance to harvesting corpses to store at camp. Firstly, most characters and Wizards especially aren’t strong enough to pick up the vast majority of corpses. This can be circumvented with a strong Barbarian or the user of Strength elixers or even the Enlarge spell. Once a few corpses are in a character’s inventory, they can go back to camp and deposit them in the camp chest. Even once summoned, players could leave their undead at camp until there is going to be a fight, as moving them around, especially when traps are involved, can be a messy business.
5Not All Corpses Can Be Turned Into Undead
Unfortunately, for even the most skilled necromancers, not all corpses can be brought back from death withAnimate Dead. For example, targets must be medium or small corpses, and the undead cannot be raised again. Additionally, creatures such as constructs aren’t valid as they were never living beings to begin with.
The other thing to bear in mind is that certain damage types are too destructive to corpses and render them unusable by necromancers. Thesedamage typesare as follows:
If players havea multiclass build in mindwhere they constantly heal their undead to keep them dead for longer, this unfortunately doesn’t work. The vast majority of heals inBG3do not work on undead. However, their maximum HP can be raised with theAidspell.
Aid is an area-of-effect spell, meaning it can be used on the entire party, including summons. If Aid is upcast, then all beneficiaries could see a huge increase in their health, turning seemingly squishy zombies into meatshields. Having a Cleric to cast Aid, or at Level 12Heroes' Feast, is the best option, but if not, there are a few items that grant Aid. TheAbsolute’s Talismanis one example.
Cast It As A Level 4 Spell To Raise 3 Skeletons Or Zombies
For those who are unaware, upcasting inBG3is when you take a Level 3 spell, for example, and cast it using a Level 4 spell slot to gain additional benefits. Not all spells benefit from being upcast, butAnimate Deadcertainly does. If it is cast at Level 4, players can raise 3 skeletons or zombies, instead of just one. Additionally, members of the School of Necromancy Wizard subclass will raise an extra corpse regardless.
When players unlock Level 5 spell slots, they can upcast Animate Dead to raise Ghouls or Flying Ghouls. Then, at Level 6, the spell will raise 3 of these superior undead creatures. These are some of thebest summons inBaldur’s Gate 3.
This Is Great For Roleplay & Finding Out Secrets
Speak with Deadis easily one of themost interesting spells inBaldur’s Gate 3, but it feels even more powerful and harrowing when cast by a necromancer. For those who are unaware, the spell allows the caster to ask questions of a corpse, sometimes revealing secrets or useful information relating to quests.
Not all corpses will respond, especially those who have been decapitated and most dead characters are reluctant to talk their killer. By correctly studying the Necromancy of Thay book in Act 1 or wearingThe Amulet Of Lost Voices, characters can cast this spell for free, and the spell can always be recast on other corpses at no additional cost.
1Visit Necromany Locations & Complete Relevant Quests
This Is Great For Roleplay, As Well As Obtaining Necromancy Gear & Spells
Baldur’s Gate 3is agame with infinite replayability, and it’s almost impossible to find every location and engage in every quest in a single playthrough. As a necromancer, however, players will want to try and find all the locations and quests related to necromancy. They should do this for two reasons. Firstly, this is the best way to find gear and spells which enhance necromancy. The second reason is that at the end of the day,BG3is a role-playing game, and so it makes sense for a necromancer to seek out the macabre and kindred spirits.
