BG3 Wizard levels 1–5: prepare spells for damage and survival

This starter plan assumes a single-class Wizard in the standard game. Intelligence drives Wizard spell attacks and save difficulty; Constitution helps health and concentration. Stay behind the front line and keep an escape option.

Learn, prepare, cast

At level 1, choose six spells for your spellbook. A learned spell is not necessarily prepared: outside combat, open the spellbook and select a limited set to use. Casting a leveled spell normally spends a spell slot; cantrips do not. Wizards learn two spells on each level-up and can also transcribe eligible scrolls for gold, consuming the scroll. Check the spell and cost before confirming.

For a first selection, Magic Missile provides dependable damage, Mage Armour helps an unarmoured Wizard and Shield can protect against an attack as a reaction. Prepare according to the coming encounter instead of filling every slot with damage.

Between fights, use Arcane Recovery outside combat to restore expended spell slots. It is available once per day; the slots you can restore depend on your recovery charges. Check the available choices before confirming.

Levels 2–5

At level 2, Evocation is one approachable school: Sculpt Spells protects allies from relevant Evocation spell effects, but does not make every area effect safe. At level 3, Misty Step offers repositioning. At level 4, consider an Intelligence increase. Level 5 opens level-3 spells such as Fireball; check the target area and available slots before casting.

Only one concentration spell can be maintained at a time. Taking damage can break it; starting another concentration spell ends the previous one. Use cover and protect the Wizard rather than placing them in the middle of a melee.

BG3 Wiki: Wizard progression · Wizard spell list