Channeling magic through their innate power, the Sorcerer stands above all other classes as one of the most powerful mages in Dungeons & Dragons. While they may not wield the versatility of a learned Wizard or the same level of customization as a shadowy Warlock, the Sorcerer is able to warp and shape their spells, amplifying their power and getting more use out of their spell slots. This makes them ideal candidates for multiclassing, as these characteristics grant a sharp edge to the abilities wielded by other powerful classes.
Why Should You Multiclass a Sorcerer?
Sorcerers make great multiclass options for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, their ability to convert sorcerer points into spell slots make for some nigh game-breaking combos, especially with other charisma-based classes like the Warlock and Paladin.
Secondly, a small dip into classes like the Cleric or Bard give Sorcerers the tools needed to overcome their weaknesses and enhance their strengths. Multiple Cleric subclasses give access to heavy armor, making the Sorcerer a much more durable war mage. A few levels of Bard give the Sorcerer access to more proficiencies and expertise, making them an even more proficient face without sacrificing any power.
What Are the Advantages of Multiclassing?
Multiclassing has many advantages, as well as some drawbacks. To start with, multiclassing allows a character to synergize class features and create builds that are otherwise impossible. This allows a character to fill multiple party roles, which is especially useful in groups of only 2 or 3 players.
Multiclassing can also be used to expand the skill set of existing class features. For example, subclasses like the Arcane Trickster for the Rogue and Eldritch Knight for the Fighter can benefit from a Wizard multiclass, as those subclasses are heavily reliant on the Intelligence score which the Wizard also uses. This multiclass gives those subclasses, which traditionally have very limited spellcasting abilities, access to a larger spell list, more spell slots, and some class features that lend themselves to a more spellcasting-focused playstyle while still preserving their martial capabilities.
Multiclassing isn’t without its drawbacks, however. One of the biggest disadvantages of multiclassing is that it prevents characters from completely maxing out a class. A character can only gain 20 total levels. This means that if one takes 17 levels of one class and 3 levels of another, they will never achieve the powerful capstone feature granted by reaching level 20 in a single class.
Below, we outline some of the most powerful multiclass combinations for the Sorcerer class as well as the best level progression to ensure that players reach the most important levels in their build as fast as possible.
5. Clockwork Soul Sorcerer / Order Domain Cleric
Let's be honest, this build is basically if Lawful Good were a character.
Play as a powerful warrior of light, smiting those who defy the natural order of the universe with your innate radiant power. Armed in strong, heavy armor, this class will make you into a true powerhouse on the battlefield, striking down any who dare defy your divine conquest.
This build takes the core features of the Sorcerer and, without sacrificing much of anything, expands them with one of the best spell lists in the game and amazing support capabilities that most Sorcerers cannot otherwise use. A single level of Cleric only sacrifices your capstone ability which, for the Sorcerer, is disappointingly bad and hard to miss. In return, you get access to multiple healing and support spells, proficiency in heavy armor and a face skill, and a really nice ability to bolster your martial allies in combat.
The most enjoyable part of this build is the role-play fantasy it fulfills. With Clockwork Soul and Order Domain, this Sorcerer is truly the ultimate warrior of light and order. Your heavy armor proficiency makes you an excellent battle mage, able to wade in and out of combat while supporting your allies on the battlefield.
Why is Clockwork Soul Sorcerer / Order Domain Cleric good?
- Heavy armor proficiency makes the Sorcerer vastly more survivable
- The Cleric spell list grants you access to many amazing support spells without impeding on your spell progression
- Order Domain gives this build two excellent, free spells and a really strong early game support ability
Build details:
To start with, take a single level of Sorcerer and choose the Clockwork Soul subclass. This will give you proficiency in Constitution saving throws, one of the strongest parts of the Sorcerer class. Next, take a level of Cleric, selecting the Order Domain subclass for heavy armor proficiency and other benefits. Finish off with 18 more levels of Sorcerer.
To properly wield plate armor, the best heavy armor in the game, you will need at least 15 strength. You will also need 13 wisdom to multiclass into Cleric. Fortunately, Sorcerers are a very single-ability-dependent (SAD) class, only requiring Charisma to work well, with a little bit of Constitution for more health. Be sure to use Tasha’s optional racial features to reallocate your racial ability score increases.
If you use point buy, your final ability score spread should look like this:
STR: 15
DEX: 9
CON: 14
INT: 8
WIS: 13
CHA: 16
You will want to get your hands on low level heavy armor such as chainmail and a shield as soon as possible, and upgrade to plate armor when you can.
Clockwork Soul Sorcerer 19 / Order Domain Cleric 1
Sorcerer (Clockwork Soul) Levels:
Level 1 (Sorcerer 1): Class Features - Spellcasting; Sorcerous Origin (Choose Clockwork Soul). Clockwork Soul Features - Clockwork Magic (Gain extra spells at certain levels); Restore Balance (Prevent a creature within 60 feet from benefiting from advantage or disadvantage a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus)
Level 3 (Sorcerer 2): Class Features - Font of Magic (Gain access to a pool of sorcerer points equal to your Sorcerer level that you can transform into spell slots)
Level 4 (Sorcerer 3): Class Features - Metamagic (Warp your spells using sorcerer points)
Level 5 (Sorcerer 4): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase charisma by 2)
Level 6 (Sorcerer 5): Class Features - Nothing
Level 7 (Sorcerer 6): Class Features - Nothing. Clockwork Soul Features - Bastion of Law (Expend 1 to 5 sorcerer points to create a barrier around you or another creature within 30 feet, protecting that creature from damage equal to a number of d8s dictated by how many sorcerer points you spend)
Level 8 (Sorcerer 7): Class Features - Nothing
Level 9 (Sorcerer 8): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase charisma by 2
Level 10 (Sorcerer 9): Class Features - Nothing
Level 11 (Sorcerer 10): Class Features - Metamagic (Gain another metamagic option)
Level 12 (Sorcerer 11): Class Features - Nothing
Level 13 (Sorcerer 12): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase constitution by 2)
Level 14 (Sorcerer 13): Class Features - Nothing
Level 15 (Sorcerer 14): Class Features - Nothing. Clockwork Soul Features - Trance of Order (Enter a trance for 1 minute, granting you certain benefits in and out of combat)
Level 16 (Sorcerer 15): Class Features - Nothing
Level 17 (Sorcerer 16): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase constitution by 2 or choose a feat)
Level 18 (Sorcerer 17): Class Features - Metamagic (Gain another metamagic option)
Level 19 (Sorcerer 18): Class Features - Nothing. Clockwork Soul Features - Clockwork Cavalcade (Summon construct spirits that can perform certain actions for you before disappearing)
Level 20 (Sorcerer 19): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase constitution by 2 or choose a feat)
Cleric (Order Domain) Levels:
Level 2 (Cleric 1): Class Features - Spellcasting; Divine Domain (Choose Order). Order Domain Features - Domain Spells (Gain access to certain spells for free); Bonus Proficiencies (Gain access to heavy armor proficiency as well as proficiency in either intimidation or persuasion); Voice of Authority (When you cast a spell that targets an ally, that ally can use their reaction to take one melee weapon attack against a creature of your choice)
4. Any Sorcerer / Fighter
Not even the fiercest of foes can stand against a mage capable of hurling three spells at them in just one turn.
Wading into battle, armed in thick plate armor and wielding twin flames stands this Sorcerer, facing down their foes with a barrage of spells that no warrior could withstand.
This build benefits from one of the strongest features in Dungeons & Dragons - action surge. With this, the sorcerer can theoretically cast up to 3 spells in a single turn, potentially twinning each of those with metamagic. Granted, only 1 of these spells can be of 1st level or higher while the rest have to be cantrips, but this is still an immensely powerful barrage.
By using quickened spell and action surge, you can cast two fire bolts and one fire ball for an average of 50 damage. This comes online at level 7, and is enough damage to almost 1 shot an average character of the same level, as well as take off a significant portion of the health of most monsters you will be facing at this point in the game.
The best part of this build is being able to do so many things in such a short time. Three spells in a single turn is very powerful and allows you to eliminate entire hordes of monsters before they can even respond. This is also very powerful in social situations, giving you the power to shape an encounter without anyone being able to stop you.
Why is Any Sorcerer / Fighter good?
- Heavy armor from Fighter makes this build very survivable
- Action surge gives the Sorcerer the ability to cast up to 3 spells in a single turn
- Access to the defense fighting style and second wind further enhance this build’s survivability
Build details:
Begin with 1 level of Sorcerer, choosing any subclass you like. Next, take 2 levels of Fighter. Finish your build with 17 levels of Sorcerer.
This build requires 15 strength to wield plate armor. This works well, as strength is also your prerequisite for multiclassing into fighter, allowing you to allocate more points into constitution than the last build could. Be sure to use Tasha’s optional racial features to customize the ability score increases you are given with your race.
If you use point buy, your final ability score spread should look like this:
STR: 15
DEX: 10
CON: 16
INT: 8
WIS: 10
CHA: 16
You will want to get your hands on low level heavy armor such as chainmail and a shield as soon as possible, and upgrade to plate armor when you can.
Any Sorcerer 18 / Fighter 2
Sorcerer Levels:
Level 1 (Sorcerer 1): Class Features - Spellcasting; Sorcerous Origin
Level 4 (Sorcerer 2): Class Features - Font of Magic (Gain access to a pool of sorcerer points equal to your Sorcerer level that you can transform into spell slots)
Level 5 (Sorcerer 3): Class Features - Metamagic (Warp your spells using sorcerer points)
Level 6 (Sorcerer 4): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase charisma by 2)
Level 7 (Sorcerer 5): Class Features - Nothing
Level 8 (Sorcerer 6): Class Features - Sorcerous Origin Feature
Level 9 (Sorcerer 7): Class Features - Nothing
Level 10 (Sorcerer 8): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase charisma by 2
Level 11 (Sorcerer 9): Class Features - Nothing
Level 12 (Sorcerer 10): Class Features - Metamagic (Gain another metamagic option)
Level 13 (Sorcerer 11): Class Features - Nothing
Level 14 (Sorcerer 12): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase constitution by 2)
Level 15 (Sorcerer 13): Class Features - Nothing
Level 16 (Sorcerer 14): Class Features - Sorcerous Origin Feature
Level 17 (Sorcerer 15): Class Features - Nothing
Level 18 (Sorcerer 16): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase constitution by 2 or choose a feat)
Level 19 (Sorcerer 17): Class Features - Metamagic (Gain another metamagic option)
Level 20 (Sorcerer 18): Class Features - Sorcerous Origin Feature
Fighter Levels:
Level 2 (Fighter 1) - Class Features: Second Wind (Heal a small amount of HP as a bonus action); Fighting Style (Choose defense)
Level 3 (Fighter 2) - Class Features: Action Surge (Once per long rest, gain an additional action on your turn)
3. Any Sorcerer / College of Eloquence Bard
Take your silver tongue into just about any situation and emerge victorious.
Sweet-talking tender barmaids and vicious warriors alike, this build will transform you into a master of conversation, able to wiggle your way out of any sticky situation be it with magic or tongue.
This build excels in conversation. Taking 3 levels of Bard gets you jack of all trades and expertise, two features which will take the Sorcerer’s abilities as a face to the next level. The Bard also has one of the best spell lists in the game, and access to it will greatly enhance both your role play and combat potential.
The most fun part of this build is how skilled you will be in roleplay. Eloquence Bard makes it so you cannot roll lower than a 10 on persuasion and deception checks. This combined with the Sorcerer’s high charisma and expertise from Bard makes it almost impossible to fail your face checks. With this build, you can convince almost anyone of anything and there is nothing they can do to stop you.
Why is Any Sorcerer / College of Eloquence Bard good?
- Expertise and silver tongue make you a master of conversation
- The Bard spell list gives you many role play and combat options without hampering your spell progression
- Both Bard and Sorcerer are Charisma based, meaning you can have higher constitution and dexterity so you don’t have to sacrifice your survivability to make this build work
Build details:
Start with 1 level of Sorcerer, choosing any subclass you like. Then, take 3 levels of Bard and choose the College of Eloquence subclass. Finish off with 16 more levels of Sorcerer.
Since Bard and Sorcerer are both charisma-dependent, this build is very SAD. Be sure to use Tasha’s optional racial features to customize the ability score increases granted with your race.
If you use point buy, your final ability score spread should look like this:
STR: 8
DEX: 14
CON: 16
INT: 8
WIS: 12
CHA: 16
Any Sorcerer 17 / College of Eloquence Bard 3
Sorcerer Levels:
Level 1 (Sorcerer 1): Class Features - Spellcasting; Sorcerous Origin
Level 5 (Sorcerer 2): Class Features - Font of Magic (Gain access to a pool of sorcerer points equal to your Sorcerer level that you can transform into spell slots)
Level 6 (Sorcerer 3): Class Features - Metamagic (Warp your spells using sorcerer points)
Level 7 (Sorcerer 4): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase charisma by 2)
Level 8 (Sorcerer 5): Class Features - Nothing
Level 9 (Sorcerer 6): Class Features - Sorcerous Origin Feature
Level 10 (Sorcerer 7): Class Features - Nothing
Level 11 (Sorcerer 8): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase charisma by 2
Level 12 (Sorcerer 9): Class Features - Nothing
Level 13 (Sorcerer 10): Class Features - Metamagic (Gain another metamagic option)
Level 14 (Sorcerer 11): Class Features - Nothing
Level 15 (Sorcerer 12): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase constitution by 2)
Level 16 (Sorcerer 13): Class Features - Nothing
Level 17 (Sorcerer 14): Class Features - Sorcerous Origin Feature
Level 18 (Sorcerer 15): Class Features - Nothing
Level 19 (Sorcerer 16): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase constitution by 2 or choose a feat)
Level 20 (Sorcerer 17): Class Features - Metamagic (Gain another metamagic option)
Bard (College of Eloquence) Levels:
Level 2 (Bard 1): Class Features - Spellcasting; Bardic Inspiration (1d6)
Level 3 (Bard 2): Class Features - Jack of All Trades (Gain half-proficiency in all skills you do not already have proficiency in); Song of Rest (Heal your allies by an additional 1d6 when they take a Short Rest)
Level 4 (Bard 3): Class Features - Bard College (Choose College of Eloquence); Expertise (Choose 2 skills to gain double proficiency. I recommend Persuasion and Deception). College of Eloquence Features - Silver Tongue (Cannot roll lower than 10 on persuasion and deception checks); Unsettling Words (Using a bonus action, expend a bardic inspiration die to force a creature you can see to subtract that die from the next saving throw it makes)
2. Any Sorcerer / Hexblade Warlock
With the power of eldritch, unstoppable entities on your side, who can stand against you?
Slicing through foe after foe while firing a powerful beam of energy from their other hand, this Sorcerer is the ultimate mysterious warrior. Born from their pact with the mysterious Hexblade, this build will give you the versatility to fight with both sword and spell, truly forging you into a force to be reckoned with.
2 levels of Warlock gets you eldritch invocations, allowing you to take agonizing blast to empower your eldritch blast, the best cantrip in the game. Taking the Hexblade subclass will give you medium armor, shield, and martial weapon proficiency. Additionally, it will allow you to use charisma instead of strength or dexterity for your weapon attacks. This is very powerful and allows you to take full advantage of both your martial and magical capabilities.
The funnest part of this build is the combat versatility it awards you. Whether you want to fight with sword, spell, or both, you will be a powerful force in any battle. Armed in medium armor and wielding a shield, you will also be very well protected from any threats.
Why is Any Sorcerer / Hexblade Warlock good?
- Medium armor, shield, and martial weapon proficiency makes you a great martial character
- Access to eldritch blast and agonizing blast gives you the single best cantrip in the game
- Sorcerer spells like shield make you very survivable, on top of your shield and medium armor proficiency.
Build details:
Start with 1 level of Sorcerer, choosing any subclass. Then, take 2 levels of Warlock and pick up the Hexblade subclass. Finish off with 17 more levels of Sorcerer.
Since Warlock and Sorcerer are both charisma-dependent, this build is very SAD. Be sure to use Tasha’s optional racial features to customize the ability score increases granted with your race.
If you use point buy, your final ability score spread should look like this:
STR: 8
DEX: 14
CON: 16
INT: 8
WIS: 12
CHA: 16
Be sure to pick up a shield, medium armor, and some kind of martial weapon like a longsword as soon as possible. Upgrade to half-plate armor as quickly as you can.
Any Sorcerer 18 / Hexblade Warlock 2
Sorcerer Levels:
Level 1 (Sorcerer 1): Class Features - Spellcasting; Sorcerous Origin
Level 4 (Sorcerer 2): Class Features - Font of Magic (Gain access to a pool of sorcerer points equal to your Sorcerer level that you can transform into spell slots)
Level 5 (Sorcerer 3): Class Features - Metamagic (Warp your spells using sorcerer points)
Level 6 (Sorcerer 4): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase charisma by 2)
Level 7 (Sorcerer 5): Class Features - Nothing
Level 8 (Sorcerer 6): Class Features - Sorcerous Origin Feature
Level 9 (Sorcerer 7): Class Features - Nothing
Level 10 (Sorcerer 8): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase charisma by 2
Level 11 (Sorcerer 9): Class Features - Nothing
Level 12 (Sorcerer 10): Class Features - Metamagic (Gain another metamagic option)
Level 13 (Sorcerer 11): Class Features - Nothing
Level 14 (Sorcerer 12): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase constitution by 2)
Level 15 (Sorcerer 13): Class Features - Nothing
Level 16 (Sorcerer 14): Class Features - Sorcerous Origin Feature
Level 17 (Sorcerer 15): Class Features - Nothing
Level 18 (Sorcerer 16): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase constitution by 2 or choose a feat)
Level 19 (Sorcerer 17): Class Features - Metamagic (Gain another metamagic option)
Level 20 (Sorcerer 18): Class Features - Sorcerous Origin Feature
Warlock (Hexblade) Levels:
Level 2 (Warlock 1): Class Features - Otherworldly Patron (Choose Hexblade); Pact Magic. Hexblade Features - Expanded Spell List (Gain access to additional spells at certain Warlock levels); Hexblade’s Curse (Place a curse on 1 creature, granting you certain benefits against them); Hex Warrior (Gain proficiency in medium armor, shields, and martial weapons as well as the ability to choose one hex weapon with which you can use charisma instead of strength or dexterity for your attack and damage modifiers)
Level 3 (Warlock 2): Class Features - Eldritch Invocations (Choose Agonizing Blast and another of your choice)
1. Clockwork Soul Sorcerer / Oath of Vengeance Paladin
Beat your enemies to a pulp with your enermous sword, while they can't do anything in return thanks to your beefy armor.
Unleash divine vengeance upon any foes to dare to question the natural order that you embody, smiting monsters and men alike with your senseless rage. Channel the violence within you to seek justice against all those who embrace chaos.
This build is, without question, one of the most powerful in the game. The Sorcerer’s font of magic ability, which allows them to convert sorcery points into spell slots, gives the Paladin a vastly increased fuel source for their divine smite, allowing you to unleash a greater number of more powerful smites than any other Paladin. This combined with the Paladin’s survivability and martial prowess makes you an incredibly powerful force in any combat encounter.
This build is fun because of the sheer damage it is capable of. Divine smite is powerful enough. However, with its greatest weakness reduced into near-nothingness thanks to the Sorcerer’s huge pool of potential spell slots, you can unless huge bursts of insanely high damage in a single turn.
Why is Clockwork Soul Sorcerer / Oath of Vengeance Paladin good?
- One of the highest damage potentials in the game
- Very survivable
- Versatile, thanks to the Sorcerer’s spell list and metamagic
Build details:
To start with, take 1 level of Sorcerer and choose the Clockwork Soul subclass. Next, take 2 levels of Paladin. Take another 3 levels of Sorcerer and 4 more levels of Paladin, choosing the Oath of Vengeance subclass. Finally, finish off with 10 more levels of Sorcerer.
This build requires high charisma, strength, and constitution to work well. Thankfully, the Paladin and Sorcerer are both reliant on charisma so this multiclass meshes well. Be sure to use Tasha’s optional racial features to customize the ability score increases you get from your race.
If you use point buy, your final ability score spread should look like this:
STR: 16
DEX: 8
CON: 16
INT: 8
WIS: 8
CHA: 16
Arm yourself with a heavy, two-handed weapon like a greatsword and heavy armor as soon as you pick up Paladin levels. Upgrade to plate armor as soon as you can. Choose the defense fighting style to make up for your lack of a shield.
Clockwork Soul Sorcerer 14 / Oath of Vengeance 6
Sorcerer (Clockwork Soul) Levels:
Level 1 (Sorcerer 1): Class Features - Spellcasting; Sorcerous Origin (Choose Clockwork Soul). Clockwork Soul Features - Clockwork Magic (Gain extra spells at certain levels); Restore Balance (Prevent a creature within 60 feet from benefiting from advantage or disadvantage a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus)
Level 4 (Sorcerer 2): Class Features - Font of Magic (Gain access to a pool of sorcerer points equal to your Sorcerer level that you can transform into spell slots)
Level 5 (Sorcerer 3): Class Features - Metamagic (Warp your spells using sorcerer points)
Level 6 (Sorcerer 4): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase charisma by 2)
Level 11 (Sorcerer 5): Class Features - Nothing
Level 12 (Sorcerer 6): Class Features - Nothing. Clockwork Soul Features - Bastion of Law (Expend 1 to 5 sorcerer points to create a barrier around you or another creature within 30 feet, protecting that creature from damage equal to a number of d8s dictated by how many sorcerer points you spend)
Level 13 (Sorcerer 7): Class Features - Nothing
Level 14 (Sorcerer 8): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase charisma by 2
Level 15 (Sorcerer 9): Class Features - Nothing
Level 16 (Sorcerer 10): Class Features - Metamagic (Gain another metamagic option)
Level 17 (Sorcerer 11): Class Features - Nothing
Level 18 (Sorcerer 12): Class Features - Ability Score Improvement (Increase constitution by 2)
Level 19 (Sorcerer 13): Class Features - Nothing
Level 20 (Sorcerer 14): Class Features - Nothing
Paladin (Oath of Vengeance) Levels:
Level 2 (Paladin 1) - Class Features: Divine Sense (Sense certain types of creatures within 60 feet of you); Lay on Hands (Gain a pool of HP equal to your Paladin level x 5 that you can give to yourself or other creatures to heal them)
Level 3 (Paladin 2) - Class Features: Spellcasting; Fighting Style (Choose Defense to make up for your lack of a shield); Divine Smite (Expend Spell Slots to deal extra damage to creatures you hit with an attack)
Level 7 (Paladin 3) - Class Features: Divine Health (Become immune to disease); Sacred Oath (Choose Oath of Vengeance). Oath of Vengeance Features: Channel Divinity (Gain two Channel Divinity options that you can use to gain benefits in combat); Oath Spells (Gain extra spells at certain levels)
Level 8 (Paladin 4) - Class Feature: Ability Score Improvement (Increase Strength)
Level 9 (Paladin 5) - Class Feature: Extra Attack (Make 2 attacks on your turn)
Level 10 (Paladin 6) - Class Feature: Aura of Protection (Give creatures within 10 feet of you a bonus to their saving throws equal to your Charisma modifier)
