Baldur’s Gate 3released its final patch in April. Patch 8 tied up the loose ends that Larian wanted to address before moving on fromBaldur’s Gate 3and onto its own, unannounced IP. As one of the biggest patches released forBaldur’s Gate 3, it included some long-awaited features, such as cross-play multiplayer, a photo mode, and twelve new subclasses.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s new subclasses are split across the twelve base classes, with one new subclass per class. Sorcerers getShadow Magic as their new subclass. Like all other Sorcerer subclasses, Shadow Magic Sorcerers get access to Shadow Magic at Level 1 during character creation. According to lore, these Sorcerers get their magic from the Shadowfell, the dark realm of the goddess Shar. While Shar’s clerics gain their magic by worshiping the goddess, Shadow Magic Sorcerers instead have an innate connection to the Shadowfell and a darkness within them that makes their magic natural, rather than relying on Shar.
The Origins & Abilities of Shadow Magic Sorcerers
Shadow Magic Sorcerer made itsDungeons & Dragonsdebut inXanathar’s Guide to Everything, a sourcebook that was published in 2017. Sorcerers with this subclass are deeply affected by the Shadowfell, possibly due to being exposed to it or having an ancestor from it. As the Shadowfell plays a massive role inBaldur’s Gate 3’s Act 2, this subclass feels like a perfect fit for the game.
Shadow Magic Sorcerers have magic related to darkness and the Shadowfell itself. They can cast Eyes of the Dark: Darkness, which creates an area of darkness that blinds all, aside from the caster, who are trapped within it, and they can alsocast Hound of Ill Omen, which summons a dog from the Shadowfell to assist the Sorcerer in battle. Shadow Magic Sorcerers also get Shadow Walk at Level 11, which allows them to teleport into a shadowy area and cast their next spell with the Distant Spell metamagic effect.
Playing a Shadow Magic Sorcerer in Baldur’s Gate 3
Shadow Magic Sorcerers get an entire act during which their magic aligns with the setting. The subclass is a seamless addition toBaldur’s Gate 3, and their spells and abilities, such as those that allow them to see through darkness, feel thematically relevant. Shadow Magic Sorcerers specialize in mobility and restraining their targets, and that is extended to theirsummoned hellhound, Nimbus, who restrains enemies and deals Necrotic damage.
The Shadowfell plays a large role inBaldur’s Gate 3’s loreand story, particularly in Act 2, which takes place entirely within the Shadow-Cursed Lands. This region is cursed by Shar, and every living thing in it is susceptible to that curse. However, because the curse is from Shar, the area is especially suited to the Shadow Magic Sorcerer, who draws their power from the same shadows. As many of the enemies in Act 2 are cursed shadows, or they are beings afflicted by the shadow-curse, the Shadow Magic Sorcerer fits right into the setting.
Shadow Magic works particularly well for the Dark Urge. The default Dark Urge is a Sorcerer, and the theme of darkness overpowering light works well for a character who constantly battles their inner demons. As the Shadowfell appears at several notable moments, including a visit late in Act 2, changing a character’s class to Shadow Magic due to exposure would be an interesting way to roleplay.
