School of Transmutation Subclass Guide and Build

The School of Transmutation is a Wizard subclass in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3). Check out our guide for how to unlock the School of Transmutation subclass, its features, as well as the best build.

Wizard Subclasses Wizard Class Guide
Abjuration	Conjuration	Divination	Enchantment
Evocation	Illusion	Necromancy	Transmutation

Transmutation Subclass Overview

Transmutation Basic Information

Subclass Overview
	School of Transmutation Your innate fascination with the structure of things has granted you an incredible power over crude matter and its manipulation.
Main Class	Wizard
How to Unlock	Reach Wizard Level 2.
Spellcasting Ability	Intelligence
Starting Subclass Features
・Grants the Transmutation Savant Passive ・Grants the Elemental Alchemy Passive ・All Wizard Class Features and Proficiencies.

Transmutation Wizards focus on altering the structure of things, often granting creatures (or themselves) different actions and buffs by simply modifying a portion of their body. Whether it be tripling their jump distance or falling to the ground with the lightness of a feather, Transmutation Wizards are handy if you want to explore the world with ease.

How to Unlock the Transmutation Subclass

Available Once Your Wizard Reaches Level 2

The School of Transmutation subclass will become available once your Wizard reaches Level 2. In order to earn EXP and level up in Baldur's Gate 3, players will need to complete quests, discover new areas, or defeat enemies they find in the world.

Transmutation Subclass Features

School of Transmutation Features
Transmutation Savant	Experimental Alchemy
Transmuter's Stone	Shapechanger
▼ Subclass Level Progression Table ▼

Transmutation Savant

Upon unlocking the Transmutation subclass at Level 2, your Wizard will get the Transmutation Savant passive. With this active, learning Transmutation spells from spell scrolls will only cost 25 Gold per spell level.

Spell Level	Gold Cost
Level 1	25 Gold
Level 2	50 Gold
Level 3	75 Gold
Level 4	100 Gold
Level 5	125 Gold
Level 6	150 Gold

Experimental Alchemy

At Level 2, your Wizard will gain the Experimental Alchemy passive. This allows you to craft an extra alchemical solution (Potions, Elixirs, etc.) so long as you pass a Medicine Check (DC 15). This is all done automatically while crafting.

Do note that the Medicine Skill benefits from Wisdom. If you have a low WIS ability score, then do not expect to proc this passive consistently.

Transmuter's Stone

At Level 6 you gain the Transmuter's Stone action. This allows you to create a stone that grants different types of buffs when placed inside an ally's inventory. Below are a list of all the different types of Transmuter Stones:

Transmuter Stone	Effect
Darkvision	Lets the carrier see in the dark out to a range of 18m.
Thunder Resistance	The carrier only takes half the damage from Thunder spells or effects.
Lightning Resistance	The carrier only takes half the damage from Lightning spells or effects.
Fire Resistance	The carrier only takes half the damage from Fire spells or effects.
Acid Resistance	The carrier only takes half the damage from Acid spells or effects.
Cold Resistance	The carrier only takes half the damage from Ice spells or effects.
Movement Speed	Grants the carrier an additional 3m of movement speed.
Constitution	Grants the carrier Proficiency in Constitution Saving Throws.

In order to create more stones, you will either need to perform a Long Rest or cast a Level 1 (or higher) Transmutation spell.

Shapechanger

At Level 10 you gain the Shapechanger action. This particular class action grants you the ability to transform into a Blue Jay for 5 turns, allowing you to use the Fly action.

Transmutation Level Progression

Level	Subclass Features Unlocked
Level 2	・Transmutation Savant (Passive) ・Experimental Alchemy (Passive)
Level 6	・Transmuter's Stone (Action)
Level 10	・Shapechanger (Action)

Best Transmutation Build

School of Transmutation Build Overview

	Recommended Equipment
Helm	Shadow of Menzoberranzan
Armor	-
Gloves	Quickspell Gloves
Boots	Disintegrating Night Walkers
	Recommended Weapons
Melee	Staff of Spell Power
Ranged	-
	Recommended Accessories
Amulet	Spellcrux Amulet
Ring 1	Eversight Ring
Ring 2	Ring of Blink

Note: This build is subject to change as we're currently testing and searching for better gear in the game!

The items on this build are all scattered throughout all three acts. If you don't have them yet, it's best to buy a +1 equipment of the same type from a merchant until you get them.

Helm

Shadow of Menzoberranzan

Item	Type	Effect
Shadow of Menzoberranzan	Helmet	Grants Shrouded in Shadow Class Action

Equipping the Shadow of Menzoberranzan can help you gain the class action Shrouded in Shadow, allowing you to remain invisible until your next action. This can help you remain out of enemies' sight when navigating the map.

How to Get the Shadow of Menzoberranzan

Gloves

Quickspell Gloves

Item	Type	Effect
Quickspell Gloves	Gloves	Quickspell Finger: Cantrips that cost an action cost a bonus action instead. This effect can be used once per Short Rest.

The Qucikspell Gloves can grant you the ability to use cantrips as bonus actions, allowing you to cast any spell of your choice twice. This versatile gloves can help you make follow-up attacks with your cantrips for either additional damage or status condition.

How to Get the Quickspell Gloves

Boots

Disintegrating Night Walkers

Item	Type	Effect
Disintegrating Night Walkers	Boots	Night Walker: Can't be Enwebbed, Entangled, or Ensnared and can't slip on grease or ice.

Disintegrating Night Walkers allows you use one Misty Step per long rest. As a Transmutation Wizard, this a good way to keep yourself out of harm's way and find better positions to cast your spells.

How to Get the Disintegrating Night Walkers

Melee Weapons

Staff of Spell Power

Item	Type	Effect
Staff of Spell Power	Quarterstaff	Arcane Enchantment: You gain a +1 bonus to Spell Save DC and spell attack rolls. Arcane Battery: Alleviate the arcane burden of spellcasting with the power of this staff. The next spell you cast doesn't cost a spell slot. Weapon Enchantment +2

The Staff of Spell Power can help you save spell slots with its built-in Arcane Battery, which lets you cast any spell of your choice for free. Having this quarterstaff can help you use more spells without worrying too much about your spell slots.

How to Get the Staff of Cherished Necromancy

Accessories

Spellcrux Amulet

Item	Type	Effect
Spellcrux Amulet	Amulet	Grants Spell Slot Restoration Class Action

The Spellcrux Amulet can help you restore any missing spell slots as it grants you an extra Spell Slot Restoration when equipped.

How to Get the Spellcrux Amulet

Eversight Ring (Ring)

Item	Type	Effect
Eversight Ring	Ring	Blind Immunity: The wearer cannot be blinded.

The Eversight Ring can protect you from getting blinded by enemies and overworld traps. Since you will mostly be relying on your spells, getting blinded is something you do not want to happen as this will limit your spellcasting range and apply disadvantage on you. With this ring equipped, you gain full immunity to any spells or actions that can blind you.

How to Get the Eversight Ring

Ring of Blink (Ring)

Item	Type	Effect
Ring of Blink	Ring	Grants Blink Class Action

Having the Ring of Blink can help you temporarily escape the battle with Blink if things don't go your way. You can use this once per long rest without using any spell slots.

How to Get the Ring of Blink

Best Races to Use for School of Transmutation

Githyanki

Githyanki naturally learns a lot of mobility spells that Transmutation Wizards can greatly benefit from.

• Githyanki Psionics: Jump can help you make massive jumps from one area to another.
• Githyanki Psionics: Mage Hand summons a hand that serves as another unit that you can control.
• Misty Step allows you to teleport at a close range.

Githyanki Race Guide and Best Classes

High Half-Elf

High Elf is also a good race to consider if you want to gain more access to spells as cantrips. You also gain proficiency with Shields with this race.

• Civil Militia provides Proficiency with spears, pikes, halberds, and glaives, and Armour Proficiency with Light Armor and Shields.
• Darkvision allows you to see in the dark up to 12m.
• Fey Ancestry gives you full immunity to charm and sleep.

High Half-Elf Subrace Guide and Best Classes

Wood Elf

You can also consider Wood Elf if you want to focus more on being mobile as it can grant you extra movement speed during battles.

• Fey Ancestry gives you full immunity to charm and sleep.
• Darkvision allows you to see in the dark up to 12m.
• Fleet of Foot increases movement speed by 1.5m.

Wood Half-Elf Subrace Guide and Best Classes

Best Ability Score for School of Transmutation

Ability Score Overview

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
8	10	15(+1)	17(+2)	14	10

Focus on maximizing your Intelligence as this is the primary ability for all Wizards.

Since most Transmutation Spells require concentration, you should also boost your Constitution as well to help you maintain your concentration.

You can also focus on adding more points to your Wisdom if you want to proc your Experimental Alchemy passive when brewing potions.

Best School of Transmutation Feats

Ability Improvements

Ability Improvements can help you enhance your Intelligence ability score further, enhancing your damage output when using offensive spells..

Ability Improvements Feat Guide and Effects

Magic Initiate: Druid

Selecting the Magic Initiate: Druid allows you to learn more transmutation spells from the Druid Class. It provides you two additional cantrips from the Druid class and also lets you learn one Level 1 spell of your choice.

Magic Initiate: Druid Feat Guide and Effects

War Caster

War Caster allows you to effectively cast concentration spells during combat. Consider this as one of your feats if you're planning to use Concentration spells.

War Caster Feat Guide and Effects

Baldur's Gate 3 Related Guides

Wizard Class Guide

All Wizard Subclasses

All Wizard Subclasses
Abjuration		Conjuration		Divination
Enchantment		Evocation		Illusion
Necromancy			Transmutation