Concept

Gale is a wizard prodigy whose love for a goddess made him attempt a dread feat no mortal should.

Blighted by the forbidden magic of ancient Netheril, Gale strives to undo the corruption that is overtaking him and win back his goddess’ favour before he becomes a destroyer of worlds.

For my Gale build I wanted to lean into two facets of Gale’s character concept:

  1. He is self described as being a magic prodigy from a young age, with some degree of innate mastery over the Weave.
  2. He is clearly an Intelligence based spell caster. There are many dialogues which make it clear that Gale has an academic approach to spell casting and looks down upon the messy, instinctive magic of Sorcerers.

Therefore, on my shopping list to make my version of Gale feel like a magic prodigy were:

  • Full Caster: Must take all levels in full spell casting classes to unlock the maximum number of spell slots and Level VI spells.
  • Meta Magic: Some levels in Sorcerer to unlock Meta Magic, representing Gale’s mastery over the Weave in game. It is also funny to me that Gale may overestimate how much of his talent comes from hard work versus how much is innate.
  • Spellcasting Ability, Intelligence: Gale will use Intelligence as his Spellcasting Ability (for Spell DC and attack rolls). Therefore he must predominately use Wizard spells learned from leveling up or scrolls.
    Spells learned from Sorcerer levels will need to be spells without an Attack Roll or Spell Difficulty Check (DC), such as Magic Missile and Mage Armor.

Usage

Combat:

  • With access to any Spell for which there is a Scroll, Gale has a tool in his kit for every situation
  • Metamagic allows for powerful combinations, such as Twin Spell Haste

Non-combat:

  • Intelligence based skill checks
  • Ritual spells like Feather Fall, Longstrider, and Enhanced Leap

Build

Party Roles Race Background Skill Proficiencies
Controller, Support Human Sage Arcana, Deception, History, Investigation
Attribute Base Score Base Modifier Lvl 12 Score Lvl 12 Modifier
Str 8 -1 8 -1
Dex 14 +2 14 +2
Con 16 +3 16 +3
Int 16 +3 20 +5
Wis 10 0 10 0
Cha 10 0 10 0
Level Class Notes
1 Sorcerer Storm Sorcery, Saving Throw Proficiency Constitution (for advantage on Concentration checks), Magic Missle, Shield, Utlity cantrips
2 Wizard Attack cantrips (e.g. Firebolt)
3 Wizard Evoker subclass for Sculpt Spells
4 Wizard Arcane Lock (Scroll not availabile until Act III)
5 Sorcerer Meta Magic - Twinned Spell, Meta Magic - Heighten Spell
6 Sorcerer Meta Magic - Quickened Spell (Max. action ecconomy)
7 Sorcerer Ability Score Improvement (Int, Int)
8 Sorcerer Counterspell
9 Wizard Ability Score Improvement (Int, Int)
10 Sorcerer
11 Sorcerer
12 Sorcerer Dual Wielder (Hold two Staves)

Gains and Losses

When compared with a pure Wizard, this build makes the following trade-offs:

Gains

  • Constitution Proficiency for Concentration checks
  • 9 spontaneous Sorcerer Spells
  • 8 Sorcery Points (for Meta Magic)
  • Meta Magic: Twinned Spell, Distant Spell, Quickened Spell
  • Storm Sorcery: Spells, Bonus Damage, Fly as a Bonus Action

Loses

  • 4 Arcane Recovery Charges
  • 8 prepared Wizard spells
  • Access to Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere and Create Undead (no spell scrolls for these)
  • Potent Cantrip, Empowered Evocation

Equipment

Gale’s equipment is geared towards improving Spell Save DC, Spell Attack Rolls, and action economy.

Additionally, my version of Gale focuses on Cold damage to gain extra crowd control via the Encrusted with Frost condition.

Slot Item Notes
Head Coldbrim Hat Encrusted with Frost
Chest Robe of the Weave
Gloves Winter’s Clutches Encrusted with Frost
Boots Boots of Arcane Bolstering
Cloak Cloak of the Weave
Amulet Necklace of Elemental Augmentation
Ring 1 Snowburst Ring Ice surface added to Cold damage spells like Ray of Frost
Ring 2 Ring of Mental Inhibition
Melee (Main) Markoheshkir Encrusted with Frost via Frost of Dark Winter
Melee (Off) Staff of Spell Power
Ranged (Main) Ne’er Misser Extra Magic Missile per short rest
Ranged (Off)