D&D: How To Build The Perfect Wild Magic Sorcerer

The Wild Magic Sorcerer is D&D 5e's most chaotic subclass, but it can still be optimized for maximum impact in and out of combat.

The sorcerer is an inherently chaotic Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition class. In the lore, sorcerers develop magic by accident of birth or through some innate change to their being rather than through worship or study. The D&D 5e Wild Magic Sorcerous Origin doubles down on this chaos by infusing utter randomness into almost every ability.

A Wild Magic sorcerer's abilities in D&D 5e hinge on a d100 roll with 50 different potential effects, which has a chance to happen every time they cast a spell. This inherent randomness makes the class deliberately hard to optimize. Nonetheless, players can take a few steps to make an effective Wild Magic sorcerer build in D&D 5e.

Perks Of A Wild Magic Sorcerer Build

The Wild Magic sorcerer inherently appeals to D&D 5e players who enjoy randomness. Its unpredictability makes it challenging to synergize everything around one particular role or build in the way other Sorcerous Origins can. For players who like leaving their fate up to a roll of the dice, however, the Wild Magic sorcerer is an ideal subclass.

That isn't to say it lacks effectiveness. Some Wild Magic options are game-changing and powerful, particularly compared to what other D&D 5e Sorcerous Origins get from at first level. Additional actions, Concentration-free spells that don't require a spell slot, free damage, and more can all happen as valuable riders on the sorcerer's spells. A Wild Magic sorcerer is the best D&D 5e subclass for players who want incredible things to happen infrequently with an element of risk throughout.

Wild Magic Surge is the D&D 5e Wild Magic sorcerer's core feature. When the player casts a sorcerer spell of first-level or higher, the DM can make them roll a d20. On a 1, they roll a d100 to decide which of 50 random effects will occur. The results can range from free damage to an aesthetic effect like turning blue to a Fireball cast directly on top of the sorcerer. Tides of Chaos gives free advantage on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw and recharges when the sorcerer rolls for Wild Magic Surge.

Bend Luck harnesses chaos in the player's favor. The sorcerer can pay two Sorcery Points to alter a nearby creature's attack roll, ability check, or saving throw by 1d4. This may seem like a small bonus for a high cost. However, it can be saved to protect an ally from a potentially lethal attack or to ensure a vital skill check succeeds.

Controlled Chaos takes some of the randomness out of Wild Magic Surge while upping its effectiveness significantly. The D&D 5e Wild Magic sorcerer can roll twice on the Wild Magic Table when they cause a surge and choose which result they want. This can ensure a positive effect over a neutral one or avert potential disaster.

Arcane Bombardment lets a Wild Magic sorcerer roll an additional damage die and add it to a spell's effect when they roll the maximum possible number on a spell damage die. This provides a small but noticeable improvement to their damage that lets spells hit much harder than normal.

Best Stats For A Wild Magic Sorcerer Build

Like all sorcerers, a D&D 5e Wild Magic build wants as high a Charisma as possible. A Wild Magic sorcerer doesn't get much else to do besides spellcasting, so they want their magic to be as effective as possible. Several Wild Magic Surge effects cast additional spells, meaning they are much more effective with high Charisma.

Constitution stands out as a Wild Magic sorcerer's other vital stat in D&D 5e. As with other sorcerers, it's vital for maintaining Concentration on spells and staying alive despite their low hit dice. Wild Magic sorcerers have even more reason to be sturdy than other subclasses due to the handful of Wild Magic possibilities that make enemies more dangerous or cast a high-damage spell directly on their position.

Dexterity is valuable for raising the Armor Class of a character who cannot wear armor. It also helps a D&D 5e Wild Magic sorcerer go before enemies in combat to open a fight with powerful spells and get as much mileage out of beneficial Wild Magic effects as possible. Dexterity and Wisdom both help on saving throws against self-inflicted spells like Fireball and Polymorph.

The Best Race And Background For A Wild Magic Sorcerer Build

As with most D&D 5e builds, variant human or a custom lineage are the best race options. A free feat is better than most other races' features and contributes more directly to a build. Taking a high-power feat early on boosts a Wild Magic sorcerer's power while freeing up later Ability Score Improvements.

Satyr is similarly beneficial. Its high movement speed helps keep the fragile D&D 5e sorcerer out of trouble while helping them quickly reposition if they gain an effective area-of-effect Wild Magic Surge. Magic Resistance is even more valuable for a character who occasionally targets themselves with punishing magical effects, and the Satyr's skill proficiencies synergize with high Charisma.

The D&D 5e Fairy race has several benefits. At-will flight saves spell slots and Concentration while keeping a normally fragile class safe from melee enemies. Its additional spells cannot trigger Wild Magic, but they're still useful options that don't cut into a Wild Magic sorcerer's very limited spells known.

Sorcerers should look to expand their social skill proficiencies with their background choice. For instance, Faceless gives both Deception and Intimidation, making any character better at unsavory dealings or avoiding fights. Courtier gives both Insight and Persuasion, helping a D&D 5e Wild Magic sorcerer build get their way while ensuring nobody pulls the wool over their eyes.

Best Feats For A 5e Wild Magic Sorcerer Build

Wild Magic sorcerers often want to get closer in combat than other D&D 5e sorcerer subclasses. Many Wild Magic features cast spells centered on the sorcerer or only affect creatures within 30 feet. Feats like Tough and War Caster help a sorcerer survive and maintain Concentration while being close enough for their abilities to swing a fight.

Fey Touched's free spells don't trigger Wild Magic, even if cast with spell slots. Nonetheless, two free spells go further for the sorcerer's low spells known than they do for most other classes. This is especially true when one is as reliably useful as Misty Step. A free first-level Divination or Enchantment spell gives a D&D Wild Magic sorcerer utility spellcasting that won't blow up in their face.

Inspiring Leader is one of the best D&D 5e feats for any character with high Charisma. Even at relatively low levels, it gives the entire party double-digit temporary hit points every short rest. Even sorcerers who don't focus on support spells benefit from negating hundreds of hit points of damage across a campaign.

Metamagic Adept stretches far further for a sorcerer than any other class. Sorcerers can cover far more ground with D&D 5e's Metamagic if they have two more choices. In addition, two free Sorcery Points result in a significant flexibility increase, particularly if the sorcerer wants to turn their innate Sorcery Points into spell slots.

The Best Spells For A Wild Magic Sorcerer

D&D 5e's Wild Magic Sorcerous Origin abilities don't force a character towards a certain playstyle. Their damaging Wild Magic Surge abilities or automatic buffs happen regardless of what spells the player takes. As a result, a D&D 5e Wild Magic sorcerer player has a significant amount of freedom. In keeping with the sorcerer's design, however, they need to focus on one role and dedicate themselves to it.

Wild Magic sorcerers in D&D 5e are particularly effective debuffers and crowd controllers. Bend Luck can inflict a penalty on enemy saving throws and force enemies to fail. This makes spells like Hold Person, Hypnotic Pattern, Slow, Banishment, and Dominate Monster much more reliable. This is a distinct niche that D&D 5e Wild Magic sorcerers fit better than other subclasses.

Damage-oriented Wild Magic sorcerers benefit from attack spells more than ones that target saving throws. This is because of Tide of Chaos's advantage on attack rolls, potentially multiple times per day. Attack spells like Firebolt, Chaos Bolt, Scorching Ray, Bigby's Hand, and Crown of Stars all synergize well with this. However, the D&D 5e sorcerer spell list has few of these, so players should consider reliable damage mainstays like Magic Missile, Fireball, Lightning Bolt, and Disintegrate.

Wild Magic sorcerers should take distinct care around utility or social spells. Not every spell will cause a Wild Magic Surge, but any spell can. Charm Person is much less effective if it drops a Fireball on the entire marketplace. Casting Knock during a stealthy infiltration might leave the sorcerer unable to speak quietly for the next minute.