Sorcerers are one of Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition's hardest classes to build. Their limited spells known, class features, and Metamagic force a sorcerer player to choose one role they want to excel in. The class is one of D&D 5e's least versatile sorcerers, made up for with its ability to specialize.
It may seem counterintuitive to multiclass a D&D character best suited to filling one role. However, certain classes or subclasses can give sorcerers invaluable abilities. They can improve their functionality in their primary role while also expanding their versatility. However, some D&D sorcerer multiclasses are clearly better than others.
Updated September 19th by Isaac Williams: Sorcerers are one of D&D 5e's hardest builds to multiclass due to their specialist focus and unique mechanics. Nonetheless, some combinations can enhance a build with very little investment. This list has been updated to bring it in-line with current CBR formatting and to detail the best sorcerer multiclasses in D&D 5e even further.
12 Barbarian
The barbarian is one of the worst multiclasses for a D&D 5e sorcerer. Aside from a general lack of synergy between the barbarian the sorcerer, the Rage ability actively works against the combination. When a D&D barbarian uses their Rage, they can't cast or concentrate on a spell. This is devastating for a class as focused on their spellcasting as the sorcerer is.
The anti-synergy is too much for this D&D 5e multiclass to overcome. The barbarian has nothing to offer the sorcerer that outweighs being unable to use spellcasting in combat. A character with many levels in sorcerer won't thrive in the melee combat playstyle barbarian encourages.
11 Monk
Monks are among D&D 5e's most magical martial classes. They power their combat prowess with supernatural Ki abilities. However, this doesn't lend them well to a sorcerer multiclass. Monks are melee fighters foremost. Even though they excel at hit-and-run tactics, they still want to make melee attacks against enemies.
Most sorcerers want to stay out of melee combat in D&D 5e. They are fragile and have limited armor options. Worse, a monk's abilities and Armor Class rely on Wisdom, which clashes with a sorcerer's Charisma focus. Both classes also have unique resources in Ki and Sorcery Points, each of which demands heavy investment in one class.
10 Artificer
Artificers and sorcerers fall prey to the most prevalent roadblock when multiclassing spellcasters in D&D 5e. They use different spellcasting ability scores. As a result, a build combining the two has to commit to one or risk both underperforming. D&D 5e artificers use Intelligence for everything, including their magic, whereas sorcerers have little use for it.
A D&D sorcerer will never make good use of artificer abilities. To make matters worse, the artificer is only a half-caster. After first level, every level will cost the sorcerer spell slots. An artificer and sorcerer multiclass in D&D 5e doesn't give enough power or utility to justify weakening the character's spellcasting permanently.
9 Ranger
Sorcerers and rangers have almost no overlap in D&D 5e. The ranger is a martial class that uses weapons first and foremost. Almost every sorcerer wants to avoid martial combat and rely on their spells. Although rangers get spellcasting, it comes with a lot of caveats for a D&D 5e sorcerer multiclass.
Rangers use Wisdom for their spellcasting, limiting synergies with a D&D sorcerer. In addition, they're only half-casters. A single level will limit a sorcerer's spellcasting. The ranger's martial features and spell list simply don't offer a trade-off worth sacrificing any of a sorcerer's spellcasting.
8 Rogue
Rogues are difficult to multiclass with many of D&D 5e's spellcasters. They don't have any innate spellcasting power, meaning that a character will fall behind with every rogue level they take. The Arcane Trickster subclass gains new spell slots slowly and uses Intelligence, meaning it isn't much use to a D&D sorcerer.
Nonetheless, a rogue and sorcerer multiclass in D&D 5e can open some unusual doors. Sorcerers can benefit from additional skill proficiencies and Expertise, especially in Charisma-based skills like Persuasion or Deception. Cunning Action can help fragile D&D sorcerers survive in combat.
7 Druid
Druids hit the same ability score problem as many D&D 5e sorcerer multiclasses. They use Wisdom, an ability score that is far from essential for sorcerers. As a result, druid spellcasting will always be underwhelming on a sorcerer. Druids also use Wisdom for many other abilities with much the same problem.
Nonetheless, the D&D druid is a full spellcaster, meaning that the multiclass' impact on the sorcerer's spellcasting is reduced. In addition, its spell list contains plenty a sorcerer can't ordinarily get. However, there are better multiclasses to give a D&D sorcerer some divine spellcasting. The Divine Soul subclass can manage it without sacrificing sorcerer progression.
6 Wizard
Wizards and sorcerers are two of D&D 5e's best spellcasting classes. They're pure arcane casters with few abilities besides their magic. However, wizard spellcasting doesn't mesh too well with sorcerer abilities. They use different ability scores. A wizard doesn't need much Charisma, and a sorcerer doesn't need much Intelligence, putting them at cross-purposes.
However, specific D&D builds can multiclass wizards with sorcerers well. A damage-focused D&D sorcerer could take two levels in School of Evocation wizard to protect allies without using Metamagic. The Storm Sorcery subclass can benefit from the Order of Scribes' ability to make many spells deal thunder or lightning damage. It's a viable combination, but the trade-off has to be worth delaying higher-level spells.
5 Fighter
Fighters are D&D's purest martial class. Their base class has no magical abilities and focuses entirely on its physical prowess. However, it also comes with some features that can benefit a sorcerer multiclass. For one thing, starting with a single level in fighter and then taking sorcerer levels give access to heavy armor, heavily boosting a sorcerer's defensive prowess.
Even if the D&D character starts with levels in sorcerer, two fighter levels give Action Surge. This gives an additional action once per short rest. A sorcerer with this ability can cast two high-level spells in one turn. The damage, crowd control, or buff potential is well worth losing some spellcasting for many sorcerers. It's an unexpectedly capable sorcerer multiclass in D&D 5e.
4 Cleric
The cleric is another D&D 5e spellcasting class that uses a different ability score than sorcerers. However, certain builds can make it work despite this difference. For one thing, the D&D cleric spell list gets a lot of spells that a sorcerer doesn't. If they focus on utility, buff, or healing spells, their lower Wisdom will have less impact.
In addition, certain D&D cleric Domains are well-suited to a sorcerer multiclass. A Trickery Domain cleric's spells and abilities can go well with a sorcerer's social spells and Subtle Spell metamagic. Alternatively, a Tempest Domain cleric can help a D&D 5e Storm sorcerer hit harder with their spells. A Life Domain cleric multiclass makes a Divine Soul sorcerer a much better healer.
3 Bard
The bard has some obvious synergies as a D&D 5e sorcerer multiclass. They both use Charisma for their spellcasting and class features. In addition, the bard spell list contains plenty of options a sorcerer doesn't get. In particular, it can let a sorcerer access healing spells like Cure Wounds or Healing Word without taking the Divine Soul subclass.
The main drawback is that the bard requires investment to get the most out of its abilities. Font of Inspiration is a fifth-level ability. Until then, Bardic Inspiration can only be used a handful of times per day. Nonetheless, the bard's spellcasting and Inspiration make it one of the best sorcerer multiclasses in D&D 5e for supportive ability.
2 Paladin
The paladin is by far the best martial multiclass for a sorcerer in D&D. Their abilities and spellcasting use Charisma, synergizing perfectly with a sorcerer's own spellcasting. Access to low-level divine spellcasting, including healing magic, is a boon for any sorcerer's flexibility.
In addition, paladin levels can make a D&D 5e sorcerer a surprisingly capable melee fighter. They can get medium or heavy armor, martial weapons, and Divine Smite with a few levels. As this is powered by spell slots, a D&D sorcerer can use it far more than a paladin. If a player is willing to sacrifice spellcasting, they can even take six levels for Extra Attack and Aura of Protection, which will make them a capable combatant with significant bonuses to any saving throw.
1 Warlock
Warlocks use unique Pact Magic instead of spellcasting in D&D 5e. Multiclassing them with sorcerers falls prey to some common multiclassing pitfalls, but it more than makes up for it. In one of the most obvious strengths, warlocks and sorcerers both use Charisma for their spellcasting. As a result, a multiclass only has to prioritize one ability score. In addition, a D&D warlock gives a sorcerer plenty in a multiclass.
A D&D sorcerer can get both Eldritch Blast and the Agonizing Blast invocation with a mere two-level investment. This almost doubles their at-will damage competitive throughout the entire game. With Quicken Spell Metamagic, they become one of the highest-damaging builds in D&D 5e. Pact Magic slots can also be converted into Sorcery Points for more slots or Metamagic. In many players' eyes, the warlock is the best sorcerer multiclass in D&D 5e.