What is the best multiclass option for a Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3?

Multiclassing a Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3 can significantly enhance your character's versatility, allowing you to combine the divine power of the Cleric with the strengths of another class. One of the best multiclass options for a Cleric is the Sorcerer, particularly the Divine Soul Sorcerer if available, or the Wizard for a more spell-focused build. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this effectively.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics involved. Multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3 follows the Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition rules. To multiclass, your character must meet the ability score prerequisites for both your current class and the new class you wish to take. For a Cleric, this means having a Wisdom score of 13 or higher, and for a Sorcerer or Wizard, you need a Charisma or Intelligence score of 13 or higher, respectively.

When you multiclass, you gain some of the benefits of the new class, such as hit points, proficiencies, and class features. However, you do not gain all the benefits. For example, you wonÔÇÖt gain the saving throw proficiencies of the new class, and your hit points will be calculated based on the hit dice of both classes.

Step-by-step, hereÔÇÖs how to multiclass a Cleric with a Sorcerer or Wizard. Start by creating your character as a Cleric. Choose a domain that complements your desired playstyle. For example, the Light Domain offers strong offensive spells, while the Life Domain focuses on healing and support. Level up your Cleric to at least level 5 to gain access to powerful spells like Spirit Guardians and Revivify.

At level 6, you can choose to multiclass into Sorcerer or Wizard. If you choose Sorcerer, youÔÇÖll gain access to Metamagic, which allows you to modify your spells in powerful ways, such as Twinned Spell for casting a single-target spell on two creatures. If you choose Wizard, youÔÇÖll gain access to a wider variety of spells and the ability to learn new spells from scrolls.

Important tips and considerations include managing your ability scores. Since Clerics rely on Wisdom and Sorcerers/Wizards rely on Charisma/Intelligence, youÔÇÖll need to balance these stats. Consider starting with a high Wisdom score and a decent Charisma or Intelligence score, depending on your multiclass choice. Use ability score improvements or feats to boost these stats as you level up.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your primary ability score. While itÔÇÖs tempting to focus on the new classÔÇÖs abilities, remember that your Cleric spells and abilities still rely on Wisdom. Also, avoid spreading your levels too thin. ItÔÇÖs generally better to focus on one class for the first few levels before multiclassing to ensure you have a strong foundation.

Advanced techniques include optimizing your spell selection. For example, as a Cleric/Sorcerer, you can use Twinned Spell to cast healing spells like Cure Wounds on two allies simultaneously. As a Cleric/Wizard, you can use the WizardÔÇÖs spellbook to learn utility spells like Shield or Misty Step, which can complement your Cleric abilities.

Related D&D rules and mechanics include understanding how spell slots work when multiclassing. When you multiclass, your spell slots are determined by your combined levels in spellcasting classes. This means a Cleric 5/Sorcerer 3 has the same number of spell slots as an 8th-level spellcaster, allowing you to cast higher-level spells than a single-classed character of the same level.

Specific examples and scenarios include a Cleric/Sorcerer using Twinned Spell to cast Hold Person on two enemies, effectively taking them out of the fight. Another example is a Cleric/Wizard using the WizardÔÇÖs ritual casting to prepare spells like Detect Magic or Identify without using a spell slot, freeing up your Cleric spells for combat.

In conclusion, multiclassing a Cleric with a Sorcerer or Wizard in Baldur's Gate 3 can create a highly versatile and powerful character. By carefully managing your ability scores, spell selection, and class features, you can optimize your build for both combat and roleplay. Remember to plan your levels carefully and avoid common pitfalls to make the most of your multiclass character.