What are the best Baldur’s Gate 3 spells? With over 200 spells in BG3 (yes, 200 spells), you’re going to need to narrow it down a bit when it comes to learning and assigning spells to your characters. Well, that’s where the best Baldur’s Gate 3 spells and cantrips come in. These magic abilities will do the trick in just about any scenario, though some tough encounters like bosses might require more tailored spells to beat effectively.
The best Baldur’s Gate 3 spells will take your DnD character builds to the next level. In fact, it’s the powerful spells that make the best Baldur’s Gate 3 class and other top picks as strong as they are. While there are well over 200 spells spread across the astounding number of Baldur’s Gate 3 classes and subclasses, we’ve narrowed it down to just a few of the best BG3 spells to use.
Best Baldur’s Gate 3 spells
The best Baldur’s Gate 3 spells are:
Given there are over 200 spells you can choose from across the wide array of classes, everyone is bound to have their favorites, particularly if you favor a certain class or playstyle. However, these are often the most deadly, useful, and versatile spells you can use – and ones that feature in many of the best Baldur’s Gate 3 build options for each class. Importantly, they are not all about damage. Often you’ll find having greater mobility or healing is a better option, so we’ve made sure to include buffing spells in our list of the best BG3 spells as well. With the best Baldur’s Gate 3 companions in tow, you’ll now be much more effective in combat.
For more on each of the best Baldur’s Gate 3 spells, including which classes they can be used on, keep reading. You can see some of these spells in action in the video below by ‘WolfheartFPS’:
Fireball
Fireball is a level 3 Evocation spell that shoots a ball of flame that explodes on contact, setting anything caught in its wake ablaze. While foes can perform a successful Dexterity Saving Throw to receive only half the damage, the devastation this spell causes is immense.
If you’re looking for a high level damage spell, then Fireball is certainly the way to go. Just be careful to not hit allies with the blast or you’ll get a taste of your own medicine.
Fireball can be used by:
Thunderwave
Thunderwave is a level 1 Evocation spell that releases a wave of Thunder damage that will also knock back targets. With a damage scaling of 2d8, it can deal a fair amount of damage while launching enemies incredibly far away. Whether you’re up against a wall with enemies closing in and want some breathing room, or you’re looking to catapult enemies from great heights, Thunderwave is absolutely one of the best Baldur’s Gate 3 spells.
Thunderwave can be used by:
- Bard
- Druid
- Sorcerer
- Wizard
- Fighter – Eldritch Knight subclass
- Cleric – Tempest Domain subclass
- Rogue – Arcane Trickster subclass
Eldritch Blast
Eldritch Blast is an Evocation cantrip that can deal massive damage thanks to its max of three beams at level 10. Given it’s a cantrip, it also doesn’t require any spell slots, just an Action Point. This cantrip is so strong that it’s worth multiclassing with Warlock on certain classes, such as the Paladin, to gain access to this ability and the other benefits of the class.
While it’s solid on any class, the Warlock’s Agonizing Blast Invocation allows you to add your Charisma stat modifier onto your attack, massively increasing your damage. Because of this, it’s worth any Charisma based character, such as the Paladin or Bard, multiclassing with Warlock to gain access to Eldritch Blast and the other class features that make this spell go from great to overpowered.
In fact, it’s a personal favorite of ours on our Paladin Warlock multiclass build…
Eldritch Blast can be used by:
Chromatic Orb
Chromatic Orb is a level 1 Evocation spell that deals significant damage and creates a pool of damage depending on the element used, out of Thunder, Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, and Poison. This spell is great for dealing massive damage, especially depending on the battle conditions. For example, Wet targets take bonus damage from Cold and Lightning casts of Chromatic Orb. Likewise, you can set enemies ablaze.
If you can counter enemies’ weaknesses effectively, then Chromatic Orb is one of the best BG3 spells.
Chromatic Orb can be used by:
- Sorcerer
- Wizard
- Fighter – Eldritch Knight
- Rogue – Arcane Trickster
Misty Step
Misty Step is a level 2 Conjuration spell that allows the caster to teleport great distances. Not only does it have great range, but it can also be used to gain elevation over your opponents that will give you further advantages in battle.
Misty Step is superb for getting out of danger or for setting up attacks by rapidly moving into advantageous positions. It helps, then, that Misty Step is considered a bonus action, so you can still perform a main action during your turn.
We recommend using this particularly on casters like Sorcerer and Wizard, including Gale, as it lets you stay out of danger and gain offensive bonuses from having Advantage if you’re positioned on high-ground. It’s also incredibly strong on Paladin, whether you’re playing a tank or damage playstyle, as you can teleport right into the fray and attack enemies without having to spend a turn or so moving.
We’ve got great use out of it to either escape bad situations or to set up in the perfect position, whether that be high ground for a caster or up close and personal as a melee character.
Misty Step can be used by:
- Sorcerer
- Wizard
- Warlock
- Druid – Circle of the Land subclass
- Paladin – Oath of Ancients, Vengeance subclass
Shatter
Shatter is a level 2 Evocation spell that deals 3d8 Thunder damage is a moderate AoE zone. While enemies can roll for a successful Constitution Saving Throw to receive only half the damage, the potential of this spell can’t be denied. It can deal a lot of damage in a moderately large radius, letting you wipe out groups of foes in a single move.
Shatter can be used by:
Scorching Ray
Scorching Ray is a level 2 Evocation spell that will hurl three rays of fire at a target, each dealing 2d6 Fire damage. Most interestingly, these rays can be targeted individually. Therefore, you can devastate a single enemy or attack three separate ones. Given it’s a Fire spell, you can also set objects on fire, such as the pool created by Grease. This makes Scorching Ray a very valuable attack as it’s useful in lots of different situations and can deal a considerable amount of damage.
We’ve had a lot of fun casting Grease onto a group of enemies and then blowing everything up with Scorching Ray.
Scorching Ray can be used by:
- Sorcerer
- Wizard
- Cleric – Light Domain subclass
Magic Missile
Magic Missile is a level 1 Evocation spell that creates three darts of magic, each dealing 1d4+CM (casting modifier) Force damage to the target. Like Scorching Ray, you can target each dart individually. So, you can fire all three at one enemy to deal great damage, or even target three different enemies if you need to finish off a group.
The best thing about Magic Missile, though, is that it will always hit the target; there’s no chance of you missing your attack. You can even cast it using level two spell slots, upping it’s effectiveness but making it more expensive to cast. It’s a versatile and useful attack in so many situations, even if it isn’t the most deadly, making it one of the best BG3 spells in our experience. In fact, it’s probably our most used spell for Gale simply thanks to how reliable it is in a pinch.
Magic Missile can be used by:
- Sorcerer
- Wizard
- Fighter – Eldritch Knight subclass
- Rogue – Arcane Trickster subclass
Guiding Bolt
Guiding Bolt is a level 1 Evocation spell that will cast a beam of light against the enemy, dealing 4d6 Radiant damage. Most importantly though, it will grant Advantage on the next Attack Roll against this target. As such, the next attack against the affected enemy will be even stronger, which is incredibly helpful for taking down pesky opponents.
With Shadowheart, the Cleric companion, being in the best Baldur’s Gate 3 party and many other great setups, it’s worth checking out Guiding Bolt. It’s great for giving the typically support-centric Cleric class more offensive options that also has a support element through it’s damage boost.
Guiding Bolt can be used by:
Grease
Grease is a level 1 Conjuration spell which is excellent for crowd control and area denial. This spell will cover a large area in grease that can cause enemies to slip and enter the Prone state. Not only will affected characters have the movement speed reduced, but they will also need to successfully perform a Dexterity Saving Throw to avoid falling Prone for a turn.
But the fun doesn’t end there though because Grease can be ignited. Burning enemies that have fallen Prone or have had their movement speed reduced is a great way to deal some extra damage.
Grease is one of the best spells for crowd control and limiting the movements of your enemies, as they’ll either have to avoid the area entirely or have luck on their side to not become Prone. Because it’s level 1, it’s also easy to get and use. While Web or Spike Growth have stronger effects, these take higher level slots and are typically unlocked later.
Grease can be used by:
- Wizard
- Sorcerer – Draconic Bloodline subclass
- Rogue – Arcane Trickster
- Fighter – Eldritch Knight subclass
Bless
Bless is an Enchantment spell that can buff allies for up to 10 turns, making it a long-lasting buff. Bless grants affected allies a +1d4 bonus to Attack Rolls and Saving Throws, so it’s great for helping allies deal damage or escape tricky situations. In fact, this buff is so useful it almost feels like you’re proficient at any Saving Throw skill, while also making Attack Rolls stronger.
It’s also good to know that Bless can be cast before a battle even begins, so you can gain the powerful buff without needing to waste a turn casting it. Remember that Bless is a spell that requires Concentration, so you won’t be able to cast another Concentration spell without removing Bless. Moreover, you can also be knocked out of Concentration by enemies, so it’s important to remain alert and increase your Constitution when you get the chance.
Bless can be used by:
Healing Word
Healing Word is a level 1 Evocation spell that is prized for its healing capabilities. This spell will cause the target ally to regain 1d4+CM (casting modifier) hit points when cast. While other healing spells are stronger, Healing Word is considered a bonus action, meaning you can still perform a main action. It’s also got a massive range, so you can safely heal allies from a distance.
If an ally is unconscious, Healing Word can pick them back up. Again, considering the range of this spell and that it’s a bonus action, it’s too helpful to pass up.
Healing Word can be used by:
Haste
Haste is a level 3 Transmutation spell that will Hasten the caster or an ally, increasing movement speed and granting a bonus action. While it might not sound as flashy as lobbing balls of fire or crackling bolts of energy, Haste is invaluable in buffing your damage dealers. Not only will they be more manoeuvrable, but they will also gain an action, giving room for even more damaging attacks. This buffing spell is certainly not one to overlook.
Haste can be used by:
- Sorcerer
- Wizard
- Paladin – Oath of Vengeance subclass
Guidance
Guidance is a Divination cantrip that provides a +1d4 bonus to ability checks to either yourself or a targeted ally. Why is this important? Well, it almost lets you be proficient in nearly every skill. During combat, this can be great for avoiding or landing certain attacks, especially as it can be cast on allies too.
Most impressively though, Guidance works wonders when exploring and talking to NPCs. Often you’ll be exploring and notice you’ve failed an ability check for something with no easy way of figuring out what. Apply Guidance and there’s a good chance you’ll pass the ability check this time and unlock whatever mystery was hiding away. Even better is that this boost actually stacks on top of a character’s standard proficiencies.
Guidance can be used by:
Dissonant Whispers
Dissonant Whispers is a level 1 Enchantment spell that is significantly more helpful that it seems at first. From a brief skim of the spell description, you might think it’s only use is to Frighten enemies to make them easier to hit. While a great buff by itself, it’s not all that flashy. However, Dissonant Whispers also deals 3d6 Psychic damage while the Frightened effect keeps them stationary. Effectively, it renders enemies immobile so you can follow up with even more deadly attacks.
Dissonant Whispers can by used by:
Cloud of Daggers
Cloud of Daggers, a level 2 Conjuration spell, is one of, if not the best AoE damage magic in the game. Summoning a cluster of sharp daggers in a 3m radius, any enemies caught in its wake will take Slashing damage. This deals great damage to enemies that enter or start their turn inside the effect, which can be increased by up-casting the spell to a higher spell slot.
Furthermore, because it’s a Concentration spell that lasts 10 turns, you can cast Cloud of Daggers in a key location and use it almost like a trap to lock down a path. This is often how we prefer to use it, so that you can block positions that would be advantageous for your enemy, or injuring them if they dare try anyway.
Cloud of Daggers can be used by:
- Bard
- Sorcerer
- Warlock
- Wizard
- Rogue – Arcane Trickster subclass
- Fighter – Eldritch Knight subclass
And that covers all the best Baldur’s Gate 3 spells and cantrips at your disposal, covering all the spellcaster classes. With the staggering Baldur’s Gate 3 length, you’ll have lots of spells to look forward to as you level up and optimize your party, which will be increasingly important on higher Baldur’s Gate 3 difficulty settings. If you’d like to learn more about the game, check out Wargamer’s Baldur’s Gate 3 review, heralding it as one of the best RPG games you can play. In fact, we’d consider it one of the best games out right now.