Okay, so I’ve been messing around with Gale in Baldur’s Gate 3, trying to figure out the absolute best way to build him. I’m no min-maxer, but I like to get the most out of my companions, and Gale’s got that whole ticking time bomb thing going on, so you gotta make him count!
Early Game Struggles (Levels 1-4):
- Straight Wizard, baby! No multiclassing nonsense just yet. I started him as a straight Evocation Wizard. The idea is to blast everything into oblivion.
- Cantrips are your friends. Seriously. Fire Bolt for single targets, Ray of Frost for slowing, and Acid Splash for groups. Don’t sleep on these, especially early on.
- Magic Missile is KING. Seriously, this spell carries you through the early game. Always have it prepared.
- Positioning, Positioning, Positioning! Gale is squishy. Keep him in the back, behind your tanks. If he gets targeted, he’s probably going down.
- Scrolls are your emergency fund. Stock up on scrolls. They can save your bacon when you’re out of spell slots.
Mid-Game Power Spike (Levels 5-8):
- Fireball time! Level 5 is where Gale really comes online. Fireball is just devastating. Learn it, love it, live it.
- Counterspell is clutch. Seriously, learn Counterspell. It can shut down enemy casters and completely change the tide of battle.
- Haste is amazing. Haste your melee characters for extra attacks. Gale becomes a support powerhouse here.
- Still Evocation Wizard. We’re sticking with Evocation. The Sculpt Spells ability is too good to pass up – no more friendly fire!
- Consider gear! Look for items that boost spell save DC or spell attack rolls. Anything that makes your spells harder to resist.
Late-Game God (Levels 9-12):
- Level 11 Wizard is HUGE. Getting a 6th level spell slot is a game changer. Chain Lightning, Disintegrate, Globe of Invulnerability – so many options!
- Spell choice is key. Experiment with different spells. Find what works best for your party and your playstyle. I personally love Chain Lightning for massive AoE damage.
- Keep Sculpt Spells in mind. It’s still relevant! Especially when you’re throwing around high-level AoE spells.
- Potent Robe (if you can get it). This robe is nuts for any charisma caster, but its synergy with a Wizard and the friends cantrip is awesome.
- Elixir of Arcane Cultivation! Before any major fight, drink an Elixir of Arcane Cultivation. You regain a level 1 spell slot on each kill. Gale can kill many weak enemies with cantrips, giving him many free spell slots.
Multiclassing? Maybe… but probably not.
I experimented with a few different multiclasses, but honestly, I think sticking with straight Wizard is the way to go. The higher-level spells are just too good to pass up. You could dip into Fighter for Action Surge, but I didn’t find it worth the trade-off.
Final Thoughts:
Gale is a glass cannon, plain and simple. But with proper positioning, spell selection, and a little bit of luck, he can absolutely shred through enemies. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you! Good luck blasting!
Important considerations:
- His “condition.” You know, the whole orb thing. Make sure you’re doing his questline!
- Dialogue choices. Gale has some interesting dialogue options. Play him as you see fit!
