In Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3), choosing a school of magic for your wizard can greatly influence your playstyle and effectiveness in combat and exploration. Two of the most distinct schools Abjuration and Necromancy offer unique benefits, both thematically and mechanically. Whether you’re building a defensive support caster or a master of the undead, understanding the differences between Abjuration and Necromancy in BG3 can help you create a character that aligns with your preferred gameplay. These two schools may appear to contrast in theme one protective and the other destructive but each holds strategic value in the hands of a thoughtful player.
Understanding Wizard Specialization in BG3
In BG3, wizards can choose a school of specialization starting at level 2. This choice grants the wizard unique features tied to the chosen school. These bonuses not only deepen the roleplay potential of a character but also offer tangible advantages during encounters.
Both Abjuration and Necromancy come with passive benefits and subclass features that evolve as you level up. These features shape how your character contributes to party dynamics and overall survivability.
What Does Abjuration Focus On?
Abjuration is the school of protective magic. It is built around defensive spells, wards, and magical barriers. Wizards who specialize in Abjuration often act as magical tanks or protectors, enhancing the survivability of themselves and their allies.
What Is Necromancy All About?
Necromancy, by contrast, revolves around manipulating life energy, dealing with death, and commanding the undead. This school is darker in flavor but offers powerful offensive tools and sustainability by reanimating dead enemies to fight alongside you.
Abjuration School Features
Arcane Ward
The defining feature of the Abjuration wizard is the Arcane Ward. Upon casting an Abjuration spell, you create a protective barrier that absorbs damage. This ward grows stronger with your level and Intelligence modifier, making you extremely resilient in prolonged encounters.
- Acts as temporary hit points (HP) that refresh when you cast Abjuration spells
- Perfect for staying alive in the front line or shielding allies
- Scales with level, offering better protection over time
Spell Efficiency
As an Abjuration specialist, you also gain bonuses to casting Abjuration spells. You’re more efficient at using defensive magic such asShield,Counterspell, andMage Armor. These spells become more economical and more integral to your rotation.
Necromancy School Features
Grim Harvest
The core ability for Necromancy wizards in BG3 is Grim Harvest. When you kill an enemy using a spell, you regain hit points based on the spell’s level. This creates a self-sustaining loop where offensive casting also heals you.
- Restores HP when you kill with a spell
- Helps reduce reliance on healing items or party healers
- Promotes aggressive spellcasting and careful targeting
Undead Control
Necromancy wizards can raise the dead to serve as temporary minions. Spells likeAnimate DeadorDanse Macabrebecome more potent for necromancers. The subclass increases the number of undead you can control and their effectiveness in battle.
Abjuration vs Necromancy: Spell Overview
Abjuration Spell Examples
- Mage Armor: Boosts AC for allies without heavy armor
- Shield: Instantly raises AC when hit by an attack
- Counterspell: Cancels enemy spellcasting
- Protection from Evil and Good: Adds resistance and immunities
- Globe of Invulnerability: Prevents lower-level spells from affecting you or allies inside
Necromancy Spell Examples
- Ray of Enfeeblement: Weakens enemy physical attacks
- Animate Dead: Raises skeletons or zombies to fight for you
- Blight: Deals necrotic damage, especially effective on plants
- Finger of Death: Heavy necrotic damage with undead potential
- Danse Macabre: Summons a horde of undead for combat
Playstyle Differences
Abjuration Wizard Playstyle
Choosing Abjuration means focusing on shielding your party, maintaining magical defenses, and mitigating enemy threats. Your primary role is to support others by minimizing incoming damage while remaining hard to kill yourself.
- Ideal for players who enjoy tactical support
- Excels in high-risk environments with lots of incoming spells
- Pairs well with parties that rely on squishy damage dealers
Necromancy Wizard Playstyle
Necromancy wizards lean into offensive casting and battlefield manipulation. With minions to distract enemies and abilities that heal upon kill, they thrive in chaotic fights and prolonged skirmishes.
- Best for players who enjoy aggressive control and DPS
- Highly independent due to self-healing and summoned allies
- Shines in encounters with lots of weak or medium-tier enemies
Team Synergy and Role
The effectiveness of either school can also depend on party composition. Abjuration wizards fit best into groups that need magical defense or lack healing support. They prevent problems before they happen. Necromancers, meanwhile, work well in parties that already have solid frontliners but need extra DPS and battlefield pressure.
Abjuration Team Fit
- Complements ranged and fragile characters
- Helps mitigate incoming AoE or spell-based attacks
- Strengthens teams with little magical defense
Necromancy Team Fit
- Pairs well with melee-focused parties for flanking advantages
- Can serve as off-tank due to healing via Grim Harvest
- Excellent in attrition-based battles or undead-themed builds
Roleplaying and Narrative Flavor
Beyond mechanics, both schools offer compelling roleplay opportunities. An Abjuration wizard might be a noble protector or a former battle mage devoted to keeping others safe. A Necromancer may be driven by dark curiosity, revenge, or an obsession with power over death.
In BG3, your choice influences not only how you fight but also how you interact with the world. Necromancy may raise eyebrows among NPCs, while Abjuration might gain trust from cautious allies. Both can lead to rich story arcs based on your moral direction and dialogue choices.
Which Should You Choose?
The decision between Abjuration and Necromancy ultimately depends on your preferred style of play. Do you want to be the magical bulwark that holds the line and keeps everyone safe? Or do you prefer to bend death itself to your will and overwhelm enemies with relentless pressure?
Here’s a brief breakdown to help you decide:
Pick Abjuration If You:
- Prefer defensive and supportive roles
- Want to absorb damage and protect allies
- Enjoy strategic spellcasting that counters enemy moves
Pick Necromancy If You:
- Enjoy playing offensively with high risk/reward mechanics
- Like commanding undead minions and controlling the battlefield
- Want to self-sustain through offensive casting
In Baldur’s Gate 3, both Abjuration and Necromancy offer rich tactical and narrative opportunities. Abjuration wizards shine through durability and support, creating strong defensive frameworks that protect the team. Necromancers bring powerful aggression and autonomy, turning fallen enemies into loyal servants and healing through destruction. Whether you choose the noble ward or the dark summoner, each path can lead to rewarding and memorable adventures throughout the Forgotten Realms.