Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Gale Build in BG3

The best Gale build in BG3 will turn our magical companion into a potent force on the field. As a Wizard, he’s not the most resilient party member. So, we don’t want him at the forefront of any battle. However, Gale can deal some good damage as he hangs in the back. Of course, we also want him to help his allies. That means you’ll need a more versatile design for Gale in Baldur’s Gate 3 so he will be pleasantly dynamic.

BG3 Gale Build – Wizard Class

Gale is one of the many optional companions you can recruit in Baldur’s Gate 3 with a funny introduction. You’ll meet him in Act I after the Nautiloid crash. Simply explore near the center of the Ravaged Beach. It’s hard to miss him, in fact. He’s one of the early companions you can get not too far away from where you wake up. 

Do some exploring north of where you wake up, and you’ll notice some strange magical sigil. You might think it’s dangerous, but go ahead and approach it. Give a helping hand if you’d like.

Now, we don’t want to get into too many story spoilers, so let’s dive into our favorite setup for him. But first, let’s address the features and skills you’re working with:

• Stats
  • STR: 8
  • DEX: 13
  • CON: 14
  • INT: 17
  • WIS: 10
  • CHA: 13
• Proficiencies
  • Arcana
  • History
  • Investigation
  • Insight
  • Persuasion

You can take your Gale build in BG3 in different ways without respecing or multiclassing. Both Evocation and Abjuration subclasses are strong choices. Evocation is excellent for a damage-heavy build, while Abjuration is better for a versatile build.

Evocation Gale Build

At Level 2, you can upgrade Gale to the Evocation subclass. Evocation Wizards focus on damaging elements and attacks. So, it’s a great choice if you want to create a strong-hitting team.

Here’s what you’ll learn at this stage:

• Evocation Savant: Any Evocation spells learned from scrolls will cost half as much. They’ll cost 25 gold pieces per spell level.
• Sculpt Spells: You’ll create pockets of safety within your Evocation spells. Also, your allies will succeed at their throws and take no damage from them.

By Level 6, your Gale build in BG3 improves with Potent Cantrip. It makes it harder for enemies to evade your Cantrips. If the enemy succeeds its Saving Throw against it, it will only take half of the Cantrip’s damage.

Lastly, Level 10 will see Gale learn Empowered Evocation. It lets you add your Intelligence modifier to damage rolls with your Evocation spells.

Recommended Spells

Since this is our damaging subclass build for Gale in Baldur’s Gate 3, we want to focus on optimal spells. Whether you’re scribing or learning as you level up in BG3, the best spells for Gale with the Evocation subclass are listed below:

• Magic Missile
• Chromatic Orb
• Feather Fall
• Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
• Misty Step
• Scorching Ray
• Shatter
• Fireball
• Darkness
• Thunderwave
• Counterspell

Abjuration Gale Build

Abjuration is a solid Gale build in BG3 if you want him focused on helping allies. It’s handy if you need to balance your team composition with more defense players.

At Level 2, once you select Abjuration as a subclass, you’ll also get these features:

• Abjuration Savant: Learning Abjuration spells from scrolls is halved. They’re 25 gold pieces per spell level.
• Arcane Ward: It will block damage equal to its charge, but it’ll lose one charge. As you cast Abjuration spells, your charges increase based on the spell level.

Next up in our Gale build in BG3, he’ll learn Projected Ward at Level 6. If a nearby ally takes damage, you can sacrifice your Arcane Ward to reduce their damage.

Level 10 will teach Gale Improved Abjuration. You’ll increase the intensity of your Arcane Ward by the amount equal to your Wizard level whenever you take a Short Rest.

Recommended Spells

For this Baldur’s Gate 3 Gale subclass, we need balance. The Abjuration Wizard can help allies and keep himself safe. So, consider using these spells for Gale:

• Misty Step
• Haste
• Grant Flight
• Heal
• Hold Monster
• Hold Person
• Fireball
• Magic Weapon
• Fire Shield
• Banishment
• Mirror Image

Best Feats for Gale

Feats are vital for whatever you pick as the best Gale build in BG3. The right ones will improve any build. Gale only has three chances to choose Feats. These happen at Levels 4, 8, and 12. 

For Levels 4 and 8, we strongly suggest the Ability Improvement Feat. Gale’s Intelligence stat is not where it should be. So, if you improve his ability twice, you should get it up to 20. You’ll have some points left, so share some of them with Constitution.

The final Feat depends on how you’re playing Gale:

• Moderately Armored: If you lack magical items helping Gale’s AC, this Feat will help. It gives Gale proficiency with shields and Medium Armor. Also, it’ll nudge his Dexterity up to 14.
• Elemental Adept: Spells will ignore resistance to the damage type you choose. 
• Spell Sniper: The Feat teaches you a Cantrip, and it reduces the number you must roll for a crit hit with a spell by 1. It’s perfect for the Evocation build to create powerful attacks.

Related:

Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Shadowheart Build in BG3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on PC and will release on September 6 for PS5.