Dungeons & Dragons is a fun and beloved game because it allows players to be as creative as they want with their characters. What happens in every session is entirely up to a DM and their players. Players not only choose their stats, race, and class but develop their own backstory. With all that freedom, it might be hard to figure out the type of character you want. That's especially true if you're going with some type of magic-user, as there are multiple classes and sub-classes to choose from, but that doesn't mean that mono-classes aren't just as customizable. When it comes to choosing a spellcaster in D&D there are a lot of choices.
Thanks in no small part to the fantasy setting, there's plenty to choose from when it comes to magic users. D&D spellcasting classes include Clerics, Sorcerers, Warlocks, Wizards, and Bards, among others depending on their abilities, weapons, or the modules they're playing. There are several character builds out there for players to optimize their spellcasters, and here are some of the best ones.
Updated by Kristy Ambrose, February 21st, 2021: Players and DMs alike continue to push the boundaries of conventional D&D with new adventure modules, extra materials in resources like Xanatahr's Guide to Everything, and all kinds of creative and crazy homebrews. Some of these ideas work so well that they've gone mainstream, and have become popular and often overpowered subclasses and character builds. Abilities like racial bonuses, Feats, magical items, and other features can make these characters even more powerful and fun to play.
12 The Fate Master
Players with an interest in bending reality and shaping the past, present, and future can't go wrong with the Fatemaster build. This build has Wizard's take on the School of Divination makes great use of the Portent ability Divinaition wizards get at 2nd level. Players should prioritize boosting Intelligence, Dexterity, Constitution, and Wisdom. Variant human is the best race, with bonuses that will bump up Intelligence and Constitution.
Focusing on maxing out Intelligence as soon as possible and use the remaining Ability Score Increases for boosting either Exterity or Constitution. Some of the best spells for a Fatemaster are ones that require saving throws, which Fatemaster can manipulate using Portent and Greater Portent at level 14.
11 The Abjurer Thorns
A great way to make a character with multiple "flavors" is going with the Abjurer Thorns build. Take 1 level in Warlock, 1 in Cleric, and then continue to level up as a Wizard allowing for a unique and satisfyingly "tanky" Wizard. It's important to choose the Domain of Protection as a cleric to gain proficiency with Heavy Armor and the Heavy Armor Master feat.
Combine with the Warlock spell Armor of Agathys (along with the Blade Ward cantrip) and with the school of Abjuration's Arcane Ward. All together it gives a crazy high defense that deals great damage, all without taking a scratch.
10 The Puppet Master
For the Puppet Master build works with the school of Necromancy. This build is suited for those that don't mind playing the long game. Next, reach level 14 and gain the class action Command Undead which lets you control any undead creature that fails a Charisma saving throw. Next, acquire the spells Magic Circle, Planar Binding and either Summon Greater Demon or Infernal Calling, using Magic Circle as protection against the summoned creature and use the last three to amass powerful creatures that will do your bidding.
And if you can afford the spell components for all of them, you can continue to use these spells and create an army of creatures your enemies will think twice about facing.
9 The Roguish Caster
Here's another build that uses multi-classing to create a unique optimized character. Dexterity and Intelligence need to be at 15, Charisma at 14, Constitution at 10, and your Strength and Wisdom at 8. The idea is to gain levels in Rogue, Bard, and Wizard class. You can start off with any class but you'll want 10 levels of Rogue, 2 in Bard and 8 in Wizard.
Take Swashbuckler for your Roguish Archetype, and War Magic for your Arcane Tradition, which both include feats that boost initiative. The 2 levels in Bard gives the Jack of All Trades that lets you use half of your proficiency bonus for any ability checks.
8 The Clizard
"Clizard" is a nickname for a Cleric/Wizard multi-class. First, take 1 level in Cleric to gain access to healing spells and buffs, and the ability to wear Medium Armor and take on shield proficiency that boosts AC. A Clizard also gets access to tons more cantrips and prepared spells than what is available in either class separately.
Focus on boosting Intelligence and Wisdom to get a score of at least 13 in both and at least a 12 in Dexterity to use Medium Armor. Any race that boosts either Wisdom or Intelligence is a good fit for this class.
7 The Hexblade
The Hexblade is the most popular subclass in D&D for several good reasons, the main one being it's a highly customizable build even for a mono-class. This Warlock is distinctive for its possession of a melee weapon with some unusual properties. They can also wear medium armor and have better defenses than other spellcasting classes.
Every Warlock has a connection to a divine and usually malevolent power, and in this case, that connection is manifested as a sentient weapon. Half-elves, Tieflings, and Human Variants make the best Hexblades with bonuses to Charisma and Dexterity.
6 The Lightning Lord
The "Lightning Lord" build, by Cryogenic_DnD, combines the power of a Cleric and Sorcerer together. It's important to focus on Charisma, Constitution, and Wisdom. To get the most out of this build gain at least 2 levels in Cleric and take on the Tempest Domain to use powerful thunder and lightning spells and the Channel Divinity feature, Destructive Wrath, that lets you deal the maximum damage.
When it comes to your Sorcerer levels you'll want to take 18 and take on either Storm Sorcery or Dragonic blood as your Sorcerous Origin. Take either Elemental Adept or War Caster as a feat and consider taking on a race with high states in Wisdom, Constitution, and Charisma.
5 The "Bob Ross"
Named after the famed artist, the "Bob Ross" build has you focus on the school of Illusion. Take the Illusionist Arcane Tradition, which gives the ability to use Minor Illusion as a cantrip. What really makes this build worthwhile is the reality-shifting abilities given at 10th and 14th levels. At 10th level, you can use the spell Illusory Self to create an instant image of yourself.
And at level 14 you gain the ability to cast Illusory Reality, letting you make one aspect of an illusion you cast real for a minute. While it can't do damage it's handy to make objects that can be used to trap creatures or used as cover.
4 "God" Wizard
This wizard build is by Treantmonk, a notable tabletop RPG fan who makes guides and optimized character builds. One such build is called the "God" Wizard. Treantmonk explains that this mage build isn't named for any "godly" powers it bestows on the Wizard, but that it has the Wizard take on the role of a deity of a Greek myth, who uses their "magic to ensure the hero always had the advantage".
In his words, the God Wizard has 3 jobs; controlling the battlefield, buffing allies, and debuffing enemies. Focus on Intelligence, Constitution, and Dexterity and consider taking on either the gnome or high elf race.
3 The Celestial Warlock
The Celestial Warlock seems like a multiclass that consists of a Warlock and either a Paladin or a Cleric, but it's not that complex. You're just a Warlock with a patron of the Upper Planes instead of something from the underworld, which flips the script for what's usually a dark and evil class.
This is primarily a support class, with the extra spells and abilities focused on healing, but the Warlock angle still gives your character some impressive offensive spells to wield, like Flaming Sphere. Other abilities unique to this class include Healing LIght and Celestial Resistance.
2 The Controller
Some of the best spells that allow a player to quickly take control of the battlefield are from the school of Enchantment. Casters that wield spells from this school can turn enemies into allies and vice versa at their whim. The Controller build focuses on the ability of Enchanters. Starting off at level 2 Enchanters have the ability to use Hypnotic Gaze to charm creatures, effectively dazing them if they fail a Wisdom saving throw.
At 5th level, you gain Instinctive Charm which lets you force an opponent to direct their attack to another target. Level 10 offers one of the best abilities of an Enchanter, Split Enchantment, which lets you target two creatures with one Enchantment spell.
1 The Bladesinger
With the Bladesinger build, players can have their wizard jump into the fray with more confidence. It focuses on the Bladesinging School of Magic which is from the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. Officially, only elves and half-elves can choose this, but a DM can choose whether to keep this restriction or not. With it, you can invoke the secret eleven magic called the Bladesong, which boosts your AC and Constitution by your Intelligence modifier, gives Advantage on Dexterity checks, and more.
Focus on maximizing your Intelligence and Dexterity, and increasing your Constitution. Also, consider taking on some spells that boost your mobility and defense.