Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3throws quite a few spells at players early on, regardless of whether they play a caster or not. Many companions have access to magic, and spellbooks will quickly fill with useful, andnot-so-much cantrips and low-level spells.
Some players might not make it toBaldur’s Gate 3’s late-game arsenal, but those that do have stood the trial of time and countless combats or expeditions. The most harmless spell can sometimes be the key to bypassing a deadly encounter or even render a boss completely useless. Some might need more luck or creativity than others, but ultimately, a mage needs every tool in their reserve.
8Guidance
The Target Gains A +1d4 Bonus To Ability Checks
Guidanceis a neat spell that can be the deciding factor in an Ability Check, whether the character is trying to lift a boulder or persuade a pesky noble. A 1d4 might not seem like a significant boost, but sometimes even a single point can decide the outcome of thisreplayable RPG.
On top of that, Guidance is a cantrip, which allows players to pretty much always have it on hand, without fear of running out of spell slots. In fact, late-game checks can be quite brutal, and characters will need all the help they can get.
7Mage Hand
Manipulate & Interact With Objects With A Spectral Hand
Mage Handcan be quite irreplaceable, especially with a party that doesn’t have shapeshifting or particular scouting abilities. The ethereal hand can easily move through narrow spaces or bars, allowing the caster to pull unreachable levers, steal particular items, and much more.
Arcane Tricksters get even more use out of the item, with their version of the hand being invisible. Overall it is a great tool for exploration, and can even be a decent distraction in a battle if used correctly. Certain pieces of furniture can be dropped on enemies and much more.
6Eldritch Blast
1d10 Force Damage
Warlocks are absolute kings and queens of low-level magic, and it would be remiss not to mention their most popular spell.Eldritch Blastis a cantrip that can be improved and empowered to do incredible damage to multiple targets, all from a massive range.
Regardless of the stage in the game, the cantrip can easily be used as the Warlock’s main source of damage, as it scales incredibly well. Warlocks can also customize the effect of theirEldritch Blasts, addingbonuses like pushing back enemies or further increasing the damage.
5Disguise Self
Change All Aspects Of One’s Appearance
Disguise Self is very underrated when it comes to social interactions, and the game opens up quite a few doors when used correctly. Many factions in the game can be partial to particular races, and blending in with a crowd can go a long way.
From easier conversations, to entirely new areas, the simple spell can be utilized well into the end-game. While not at all useful in combat, it is still a great tool to have in the arsenal for dialogue options and checking out alternate pathways with NPCs.
4Grease
Slow Creatures & Make Them Fall On A Ground Covered In Grease
Grease can introduce a surprising amount of trouble for enemies, and it has a rather special bonus. The targeted area becomes difficult terrain and is flammable, which isn’t all that bad by itself. However, the danger lies in the possibility of enemies falling Prone.
Prone is an absolutelydevastatingcondition in the game, for many reasons. The unfortunate target cannot take any reactions, all their concentration on spells is broken, and attackers have an advantage against them. It can put even the most terrifying enemy in a bad position. That is, as long as they don’t fly or float. It’s a fun spellfor innovative use.
3Shield
Increase Armour Class By 5, & Take No Damage From Magic Missiles
Shield can be truly lifesaving for a spellcaster, especially given how generally low their AC is. As a reaction to an attack, characters can use theShieldto add an instant 5 AC until the start of their next turn.
For a level 1 spell, that is quite a lot of AC to have on hand. While it does cost a spell slot, they become much more dispensable towards the end-game, at least when it comes to low-leveled ones, allowing characters to always be on the ready.
2Bless
Give Up To 3 Creatures A +1d4 Bonus To Attack Rolls & Saving Throws
Bless allows the caster to affect up to 3 allies, increasing their attacks and saving throws by 1d4. While the damage isn’t much at higher levels, martial classes that can attack multiple times per turn still benefit greatly from it.
And pretty much everyone enjoys a bonus to Saving Throws, especially given the amount ofmagical effects in the game.Another great thing is duration: the spell lasts for10rounds, so in most cases, casters will only need 1 cast per combat.
1Command
Force Creatures Into Fleeing, Moving Closer, Freezing, Or To Drop Their Weapon
Command is quite an interesting spell. ItsD&Dversion has often been the center of debates and memes, as it can be used quite… creatively. In the game, however, its use is limited, but it still has an incredibly powerful version:Command-Drop.
That particular command makes enemies literally drop their weapons where they stand. While they could pick them up,so can the players.Suddenly, characters can find themselves snatching some incredibly powerful weapon and wielding it as their own, while the legendary warrior is left with nothing but their own fists.
