10 Best Spells To Unlock In Baldur’s Gate 3

When playing certain classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, players will have dozens of spells at their fingertips and many opportunities to wield arcane magic. Spellcasting in Baldur’s Gate 3 is incredibly diverse and very flexible, with spells that players can use inside and outside combat. The sheer amount of choice makes it difficult to pick and prioritize the best spells.

Spells in Baldur’s Gate 3 can be split into two broad categories: Cantrips and Level 1, 2, and 3 spells. Level 1,2, and 3 spells, such as the classic D&D Fireball, tend to be more powerful but use up a character’s Spell Slots. In contrast, Baldur’s Gate 3’s Cantrips don’t use Spell Slots. They are essentially minor spells: less powerful but still very useful. Players should keep both types of magic in mind.

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3: The Best Cantrips to Use Early

10 Eldritch Blast

The Eldritch Blast Cantrip is the basic spell used by Warlocks in Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s particularly good early in the game, when players may have unlocked a few spells but doesn’t have enough Spell Slots to use them more than once or twice between Rests. Eldritch Blast is reliable and deals a decent chunk of damage, making it the go-to spell for any Warlocks looking to score a quick hit. It can also be upgraded with class Invocations when a Warlock levels up.

With the Agonizing Blast Invocation, the player’s Charisma modifier is added to the damage dealt by Eldritch Blast, increasing its damage. Players can also pick the Repelling Blast Invocation, which gives Eldritch Blast a knockback effect perfect for sending unfortunate enemies flying off high platforms and cliff edges.

9 Mage Hand

Despite its name, the Mage Hand Cantrip can be learned by several classes, including Baldur’s Gate 3’s Sorcerers, Wizards, Warlocks, and Bards. It’s a curious spell that allows players to summon a ghostly spirit hand that can interact with objects. It’s an excellent tool for exploring and solving environmental puzzles.

Even in the early game, the party can often find itself in dangerous areas filled with traps that blast unwitting adventurers into oblivion. The Mage Hand is best used as a scout, giving the party a way of searching suspicious-looking caves and dungeons without the risk of being blown up. It’s also very mobile and can interact with levers and buttons to solve puzzles, throw items, and even shove enemies, knocking them prone.

8 Fireball

Fireball is something of a classic spell and naturally had to be featured in Baldur’s Gate 3. It can be learned by Baldur’s Gate 3’s Wizards, Sorcerers, and Warlocks: all classes who have many choices when it comes to picking spells. However, Fireball should earn a spot on the Hotbar for any self-respecting magic user, thanks to its impressive 8d6 damage output. Players can hurl a Fireball to blast apart their foes, as long as they are not resistant or immune to Fire damage.

As a bonus, Fireball will also ignite explosive barrels, causing an even bigger explosion. Magic can be subtle and intelligent, but sometimes a combat encounter calls for a massive explosion.

7 Cloud of Daggers

Cloud of Daggers is a spell best used when combined with other spells. It creates a cloud of spinning daggers that damages any entity, friend, or foe caught inside it. All of the usual magic classes can use the spell, but it’s also available to Bards. When placed, it gives players a fantastic option for crowd control, allowing them to lock down any chokepoints on the battlefield effectively. Any enemy that wants to pass through to attack the party runs the risk of being shredded.

Players should consider spell combos when equipping spells in Baldur’s Gate 3. Cloud of Daggers pairs well with any spells that slow enemies down, such as Grease.

6 Friends

Friends is a Cantrip that works well for high Charisma classes such as Baldur’s Gate 3’s Bards. It’s a subtle bit of magic that players can use to gain an advantage when rolling Charisma checks in dialogue. Advantage means players roll two dice instead of one for their checks, and the game picks the highest value. This makes it much harder to fail on Charisma skill checks. This covers checks for Persuasion, Deception, and Intimidation: skills that are extremely common in dialogue.

It’s perfect for silver-tongued, wily characters who enjoy talking their way through encounters. Its effect is similar to the Charm Person spell, but unlike Charm Person, Friends is a Cantrip. As such, players can use it as often as they’d like without wasting valuable Spell Slots.

5 Guidance

Guidance is a fantastic Cantrip that adds 1d4 to any skill check attempted by the target character outside of combat. It’s available to Clerics and Druids but can be used on any party member. A successful dice roll can mean the difference between starting and avoiding a big fight or picking or breaking a critical lock. Adding even one extra point can lead to a much better outcome for the party.

Guidance can be used on any check outside of combat, regardless of skill, making it a fantastic all-around option for exploration and interaction. It gives characters a better chance at succeeding when using less proficient skills and makes the party just a little bit better at everything they do.

Best of all, players can even get Shadowheart to learn it, creating an excellent synergy for anyone romancing her in Baldur’s Gate 3.

4 Sleep

Sleep is an excellent option for crowd control, allowing several classes, including Bards, to lull multiple enemies into a magical slumber. Players can select multiple targets as long as it fits their hitpoints limit. For example, at Level 1, players can select up to 24 hitpoints. This means they can put a single target with 24HP to Sleep, two with 12HP each, or four with 6HP each.

Assuming players level up fast in Baldur’s Gate 3, they can increase Sleep’s hitpoints limit and put even more enemies to sleep with a single cast. Notably, enemies can’t roll to resist the Sleep effect, so it’s an excellent way for players to control larger fights. Foes can always wake their slumbering comrades, but doing this wastes their actions.

3 Hypnotic Pattern

Hypnotic Pattern is similar to Sleep, as its effect prevents targeted enemies from doing anything. Unlike Sleep, enemies can roll to save themselves and resist the effect. However, Hypnotic Pattern is an area-of-effect spell, allowing players to target a wide area. This means they can hypnotize and freeze more targets than Sleep.

The effect lasts two turns, giving the party’s damage dealers a chance to rush in and score critical hits on hypnotized foes. With some of Baldur’s Gate 3’s best companions, such as the Tiefling Barbarian Karlach, players can rush around dealing damage against enemies who can’t fight back, clearing the field.

2 Shatter

Shatter is a powerful spell that can tear apart large groups of enemies. With 3d8 damage, it can eliminate weaker foes and severely weaken tougher enemies. AOE spells are great in Baldur’s Gate 3, as combat encounters can often get very busy and involve over a dozen creatures. At Level 2, Shatter won’t use any Spell Slots reserved for Level 1 or Level 3 spells, making it a solid option for blasting enemies.

Unfortunately, creatures made of inorganic material aren’t very common, but Shatter still deals plenty of damage regardless.

1 Speak with Animals

In terms of utility, no spell in Baldur’s Gate 3 beats Speak With Animals. This spell allows players to communicate with various animals, ranging from squirrels to larger beasts, such as Baldur’s Gate 3’s Strange Ox. Aside from the novelty of chatting with beasts, it’s also an incredibly useful spell. By speaking directly to animals, players can gain valuable insights into certain quests and unlock some of the best quest outcomes in the game.

Players will have many opportunities to try it out. This includes talking down a gigantic owlbear, convincing a herd of animals to rebel against their cruel masters, or even hearing what the squirrels think of what’s happening. Learning how to speak to animals in Baldur’s Gate 3is a way to find secrets and discover occasionally hilarious encounters.