Baldurs Gate 3: Best Spells [Top 15]

Spells are one of the most important abilities and features in Baldurs Gate 3. Plenty of attacks are at the player’s disposal, each with a unique effect. Therefore, I will help you pick some essential spells for all situations. 

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Key Takeaways

1. Fire Ball:
   • Level 3 Evocation Spell: Powerful combat spell with 8 to 48 Fire Damage.
   • Range: 18m.
   • Key Use: Clearing hordes of enemies in mid-game.
2. Sleep:
   • Level 1 Enchantment Spell: Puts creatures into slumber within an 18m range.
   • Key Use: Versatile spell for avoiding combat or incapacitating multiple enemies.
3. Speak With Animals:
   • Level 1 Divination Spell: Allows communication with animals and beasts.
   • Range: On Self.
   • Key Use: Enhances exploration and gathering information.
4. Misty Step:
   • Level 2 Conjuration Spell: Teleports to a visible location within an 18m range.
   • Key Use: Versatile for exploration and strategic positioning in battles.
5. Healing Word:
   • Level 1 Evocation Spell: Heals 1 to 4 hit points + spellcasting modifier within an 18m range.
   • Key Use: Vital for health recovery during combat.
6. Grease:
   • Level 1 Conjuration Spell: Creates a slippery surface in an 18m range.
   • Key Use: Slows down and makes enemies prone; can be ignited for burning damage.
7. Crown Of Madness:
   • Level 2 Enchantment Spell: Instills madness in a humanoid creature within an 18m range.
   • Key Use: Forces the affected creature to attack its allies for three turns; concentration-based.

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Spell Overview Table:

Spell Name	Effect	Spell School	Spell Range	Level
Fire Ball	8 to 48 Fire Damage	Evocation School	18m	Level 3
Sleep	Puts a creature into slumber	Enchantment School	18m	Level 1
Cloud of Daggers	4 to 16 Slashing Damage	Conjuration School	18m	Level 2
Shatter	3 to 24 Thunder Damage	Evocation School	18m	Level 2
Speak With Animals	Communicate with Animals and Beasts	Divination School	On Self	Level 1
Burning Hands	3 to 18 Fire Damage	Evocation Schoo	3m Radius (Melee)	Level 1
Grease	Cover the Ground in Grease	Conjuration School	18m	Level 1
Crown of Madness	Instill Madness	Enchantment School	18m	Level 2
Thunderwave	2 to 16 Thunder Damage	Evocation School	5m Radius (Melee)	Level 1
Guiding Bolt	4 to 24 Radiant Damage	Evocation School	18m	Level 1
Healing Word	(1 to 4 Heal) + Spellcasting Modifier	Evocation School	18m	Level 1
Inflict Wounds	3 to 30 Necrotic Damage	Necromancy School	Melee	Level 1
Misty Step	Teleport to anywhere you can see.	Conjuration School	18m	Level 2
Hellish Rebuke	2 to 20 Fire Damage	Evocation School	N/A	Level 1
Bless	Grant up to three creatures +1 to +4 Bonus on Attack and Save Rolls	Enchantment School	9m	Level 1

As my campaign progressed, characters unlock more potent spells that can significantly impact battles. These spells consume a spell slot each time they are used, and resting is necessary to replenish these slots. 

Fire Ball

Spell Level	Level 3
Spell School	Evocation School
Effect	8 to 48 Fire Damage
Range	18m

It is a level 3 Evocation School spell that deals 8 to 48 Fire Damage with a range of 18m. It’s a powerful combat spell and a must-have due to its high damage output. This is one of my favorite spells to blast off a horde of enemies that can lead to serious trouble in mid-game.

Sleep

Spell Level	Level 1
Spell School	Enchantment School
Effect	Puts a creature into slumber.
Range	18m

A level 1 Enchantment School spell can put creatures into a slumber within an 18m range. I recommend players use this versatile spell to avoid combat and incapacitate multiple enemies during battles.

However, I discovered it can only affect creatures with a combined 24 hit points, and their allies can wake them up early.

Pro	Con
Versatile for avoiding combat or incapacitating multiple enemies with an 18m range.	Limited by the combined hit points of affected creatures; allies can wake them up.

Cloud Of Daggers

Spell Level	Level 2
Spell School	Conjuration School
Effect	4 to 16 Slashing Damage
Range	18m

It is a level 2 Conjuration School spell that deals 4 to 16 Slashing Damage within an 18m range. It is designed for combat, creating a spinning cloud of daggers that damages enemies in its field.

Plus, it can last up to 10 turns with concentration.

Shatter

Spell Level	Level 2
Spell School	Evocation School
Effect	3 to 24 Thunder Damage
Range	18m

It is a level 2 Evocation School spell that inflicts 3 to 24 Thunder Damage within an 18m range. It’s effective against multiple enemies and can impose debuffs on inorganic substances.

Speak With Animals

Spell Level	Level 1
Spell School	Divination
Effect	Communicate with Animals and Beasts
Range	On Self

Speak With Animals is a level 1 Divination School spell that allows communication with animals and beasts. It has a self-range and helps gather information during exploration.

I recommend it for your completionist playthrough, as the spell enhances the experience by maximizing engagement with the world around players.

Burning Hands

<img class=”size-full wp-image-31838″ src=”https://gamesual.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Burning-Hands-Spell-Baldurs-Gate-3.jpg” alt=””

Spell Level	Level 1
Spell School	Evocation School
Effect	3 to 18 Fire Damage
Range	3m Radius (Melee)

Burning Hands level 1 Evocation School spell that deals 3 to 18 Fire Damage in a 3m radius melee range. It’s excellent for dealing with area damage to multiple enemies at once.

Grease

Spell Level	Level 1
Spell School	Conjuration School
Effect	Cover the Ground in Grease
Range	18m

Level 1 Conjuration School spell with an 18m range creates a slippery surface that can slow down enemies and make them prone. It can also be ignited for continuous burning damage.

This spell came in incredibly handy during my fight with Goblins. I would force the Goblins to come through a tiny path, then cover that path in Grease and enjoy them falling one after another.

Crown Of Madness

Spell Level	Level 2
Spell School	Enchantment School
Effect	Instill Madness
Range	18m

Crown of Madness, a level 2 Enchantment School spell with an 18m range, instills madness in a humanoid creature, making them attack their allies for three turns. It is a concentration-based spell that greatly aided me in several combat situations.

Thunderwave

Spell Level	Level 1
Spell School	Evocation School
Effect	2 to 16 Thunder Damage
Range	5m Radius (Melee)

Coming as a level 1 Evocation School spell with a 5m radius melee range, it deals 2 to 16 Thunder Damage and pushes back enemies. It’s effective for crowd control and environmental damage.

I always had trouble with crowd control, while Thunderwave has been the best spell choice for my playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3.

Guiding Bolt

<img class=”size-full wp-image-31844″ src=”https://gamesual.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Guiding-Bolt-Spell-Baldurs-Gate-3.jpg” alt=””

Spell Level	Level 1
Spell School	Evocation Spell
Effect	4 to 24 Radiant Damage
Range	18m

Guiding Bolt is a level 1 Evocation School spell with an 18m range. It deals 4 to 24 Radiant Damage and grants an advantage on attack rolls against the target.

Healing Word

Spell Level	Level 1
Spell School	Evocation School
Effect	(1 to 4 Heal) + Spellcasting Modifier
Range	18m

It is a level 1 Evocation School spell with an 18m range and heals 1 to 4 hit points plus the spellcasting modifier. This spell was almost necessary for me whenever a party member needed health recovery. 

Inflict Wounds

<img class=”size-full wp-image-31846″ src=”https://gamesual.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Inflict-Wounds-Spell-Baldurs-Gate-3.jpg” alt=””

Spell Level	Level 1
Spell School	Necromancy School
Effect	3 to 30 Necrotic Damage
Range	Melee

Inflict Wounds, a Necromancy School spell deals 3 to 30 Necrotic Damage in melee range. It’s a potent offensive spell for Clerics character builds. During my playthrough, I frequently relied on this spell due to its low level and high damage.

Misty Step

Spell Level	Level 2
Spell School	Conjuration School
Effect	Teleport to anywhere you can see.
Range	18m

It is a level 2 Conjuration School spell with an 18m range that allows teleportation to a visible location. I found Misty Step incredibly versatile for those who focus on exploration.

Hellish Rebuke

<img class=”size-full wp-image-31851″ src=”https://gamesual.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Hellish-Rebuke-Baldurs-Gate-3.jpg” alt=””

Spell Level	Level 1
Spell School	Evocation School
Effect	2 to 20 Fire Damage
Range	N/A

Hellish Rebuke, a level 1 Evocation School spell, deals 2 to 20 Fire Damage as a reaction when attacked. Unfortunately, it is exclusive to Warlocks and has no range limitation.

Bless

Spell Level	Level 1
Spell School	Enchantment School
Effect	Grant up to three creatures +1 to +4 Bonus on Attack and Save Rolls
Range	9m

It is a level 1 Enchantment School spell with a 9m range and grants up to three creatures a +1 to +4 bonus on attack rolls and saving throws. It is beneficial for enhancing combat effectiveness.

These abilities vary in their effects, ranges, and schools of magic, making them essential tools for solving challenges in Baldur’s Gate 3.

My Thoughts

These spells in Baldur’s Gate 3 are beneficial for combat and exploration. I believe all these spells are equally essential and can change the course of your campaign. However, if I needed to pick, I would consider Misty Steps best for exploration and Grease best for most situations.

Bless, for instance, boosts the character’s attack rolls and saving throws, but I need to maintain concentration. Your allies must stay within 9 meters of your character to benefit from its effects. Using these spells strategically in fights and planning out an assault had to be one of my favorite playthrough experiences. The spells and their proper use also significantly improved my chances of winning, although it still does not guarantee victory. 

• Baldurs Gate 3 Helldusk Armor.
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