Baldur's Gate 3 offers a diverse array of spells for every situation. For offense, spells like Fireball and Chromatic Orb dominate with their raw power and adaptability. Defensive spells like Healing Word and Shield of Faith provide crucial support, enhancing survivability. Utility spells, including Misty Step and Invisibility, offer strategic advantages, while cantrips like Eldritch Blast and Vicious Mockery ensure consistent, low-cost effectiveness in various combat scenarios.

Best Offensive Spells in Baldur's Gate 3

Spell Name	Damage Type	Effect	Area of Effect	Special Notes
Chromatic Orb	Elements	Deals elemental damage; type is choosable	Single Target	Adaptable to enemy weaknesses
Magic Missile	Force	Automatically hits; deals force damage	Multiple Targets	Guaranteed damage
Cloud of Daggers	Slashing	Damages enemies in area each turn	Small Area	Controls space
Moonbeam	Radiant	Radiant damage; can move each turn	Small Area	Debuffs enemies
Fireball	Fire	High fire damage in a large radius	Large Area	Effective against groups
Ice Storm	Cold	Damages and creates slippery terrain	Large Area	Combines damage and control

These offensive spells in "Baldur's Gate 3" provide players with a range of options for dealing damage in various situations. From the precision and reliability of Magic Missile to the area control of Cloud of Daggers and the raw power of Fireball, these spells are key tools for any spellcaster looking to maximize their impact in combat. Each spell offers unique advantages, allowing players to tailor their offensive strategy to the challenges they face.

Chromatic Orb

• Description: A versatile spell that allows choosing the damage type.
• Mechanics: Can deal various types of elemental damage, adaptable to enemy vulnerabilities.
• Advantages: The ability to bypass resistances by selecting the appropriate damage type.
• Strategy: Use against enemies with known weaknesses to maximize damage.

Magic Missile

• Description: A reliable spell that automatically hits its target.
• Mechanics: Fires several darts of force damage that cannot miss.
• Advantages: Guaranteed damage, useful against elusive or high-defense targets.
• Strategy: Ideal for finishing off weak enemies or chipping away at tougher foes.

Cloud of Daggers

• Description: Creates a zone of spinning daggers that damages enemies within it.
• Mechanics: Deals slashing damage to anyone in its area each turn.
• Advantages: Excellent for area denial and controlling enemy movement.
• Strategy: Place in choke points or around objectives to hinder enemy movement.

Moonbeam

• Description: Summons a beam of light that damages and debuffs enemies.
• Mechanics: Deals radiant damage and can be moved each turn.
• Advantages: Consistent damage over time and area control.
• Strategy: Use to control the battlefield and damage groups of enemies.

Fireball

• Description: A powerful area-of-effect spell dealing fire damage.
• Mechanics: Causes significant damage in a large radius.
• Advantages: High damage potential, especially effective against groups.
• Strategy: Cast in crowded combat situations for maximum impact.

Ice Storm

• Description: An icy counterpart to Fireball with additional control effects.
• Mechanics: Deals damage and creates slippery terrain.
• Advantages: Combines damage with environmental control.
• Strategy: Use to damage and disrupt enemy positioning.

Best Defensive Spells in Baldur's Gate 3

Spell Name	Effect Type	Effect Description	Target	Special Notes
Healing Word	Healing	Heals at range; quick to cast	Single Target	Useful for emergency healing
Bane	Debuff	Reduces enemy attack rolls and saving throws	Up to 3 Targets	Weakens multiple enemies
Aid	Buff	Increases health and hit point maximum	Multiple Allies	Prepares party for tough battles
Shield of Faith	Buff	Boosts a target's armor class	Single Target	Enhances defense
Mass Healing Word	Healing	Heals multiple targets simultaneously	Multiple Allies	Efficient for group healing

These defensive spells provide a mix of healing and protection, crucial for maintaining your party's strength in combat. Each spell offers unique benefits, from immediate healing to enhancing defense, allowing players to adapt their strategy according to the challenges they face in "Baldur's Gate 3."

Healing Word

• Description: A quick, ranged healing spell.
• Mechanics: Heals a target for a modest amount. Its main advantage is its range, allowing you to heal allies from a distance.
• Advantages: More practical than Cure Wounds due to its ranged nature. Useful in emergencies to quickly bring allies back from the brink.
• Strategy: Ideal for supporting teammates who are spread out or for healers who prefer to stay out of melee range.

Bane

• Description: A spell that weakens enemy attacks and defenses.
• Mechanics: Targets up to three creatures, imposing a 1d4 penalty on their attack rolls and saving throws.
• Advantages: Reduces the effectiveness of enemy attacks and makes them more susceptible to other spells and effects.
• Strategy: Best used against powerful foes to lower their combat effectiveness, especially useful in boss fights or against groups of strong enemies.

Aid

• Description: Bolsters allies' health and resilience.
• Mechanics: Increases allies' current and maximum hit points, providing a buffer of extra health.
• Advantages: Useful for preparing your party for tough battles. The increase in hit point maximum can be a game-changer in prolonged fights.
• Strategy: Cast before engaging in combat to maximize your party's survivability.

Shield of Faith

• Description: A protective spell that boosts an ally's defense.
• Mechanics: Increases a target's Armor Class by 2, making them harder to hit.
• Advantages: The boost to Armor Class can significantly reduce the likelihood of an ally being hit by enemy attacks.
• Strategy: Cast on front-line fighters or key allies to enhance their defense, especially effective in battles where every hit point counts.

Mass Healing Word

• Description: A group healing spell.
• Mechanics: Similar to Healing Word but affects multiple targets.
• Advantages: Efficient way to heal several party members simultaneously, especially in situations where the party has taken widespread damage.
• Strategy: Use in battles with area-of-effect damage or when multiple allies are low on health to quickly stabilize the situation.

Best Cantrips in Baldur's Gate 3

Cantrip Name	Damage Type	Effect Description	Target	Special Notes
Eldritch Blast	Force	Deals force damage; scales with level	Single Target	Mainstay for Warlocks
Vicious Mockery	Psychic	Deals damage and imposes disadvantage on attacks	Single Enemy	Useful for weakening enemies
Shillelagh	Magical	Enhances a club or staff for better damage	Weapon	Good for melee spellcasters
Firebolt	Fire	Deals fire damage	Single Target	High damage potential
Ray of Frost	Cold	Deals damage and reduces target's movement speed	Single Target	Combines damage with control

These cantrip spells offer a range of options in Baldur's Gate 3, from direct damage to tactical advantages in combat. Each cantrip serves a specific role, allowing players to tailor their approach based on the situation and their character's strengths.

Eldritch Blast

• Description: A powerful force damage spell.
• Mechanics: Deals 1d10 force damage to targets. At level 5 and 11, gains additional beams, increasing its damage potential.
• Advantages: Can be cast repeatedly without using a spell slot. Damage scales with level, making it more potent as you progress.
• Strategy: Ideal for warlocks due to the ability to add charisma modifiers and other effects. Useful for consistent damage output in combat.

Vicious Mockery

• Description: A psychic damage spell with a tactical edge.
• Mechanics: Inflicts 1d4 psychic damage. The main advantage is imposing disadvantage on attack rolls if the target fails its save.
• Advantages: Useful for weakening powerful enemies, especially bosses, by reducing their attack efficiency.
• Strategy: Effective for mitigating damage from high-threat targets. Can be used to counteract abilities like a barbarian's Reckless Attack.

Shillelagh

• Description: Enhances a melee weapon with natural power.
• Mechanics: Imbues a staff or club with extra damage (1d8 + wisdom modifier).
• Advantages: Cast as a bonus action, allowing an attack in the same turn. Increases the damage output of a melee weapon.
• Strategy: Particularly beneficial for characters who engage in close combat and can use the bonus action efficiently.

Firebolt and Ray of Frost

• Description: Basic elemental damage cantrips.
• Mechanics: Firebolt deals fire damage, potentially more than Ray of Frost. Ray of Frost reduces the target's movement speed.
• Advantages: Firebolt is good for higher damage, while Ray of Frost is useful for controlling enemy movement.
• Strategy: Choice depends on the situation – Firebolt for damage, Ray of Frost for tactical control.

Best Utility Spells in Baldur's Gate 3

Spell Name	Effect Type	Effect Description	Target	Special Notes
Mage Armor	Buff	Increases Armor Class of unarmored target	Single Target	Essential for spellcasters
Command	Control	Influences enemy actions for a turn	Single Enemy	Versatile in and out of combat
Misty Step	Teleportation	Short-range teleportation	Self	Great for repositioning
Tasha's Hideous Laughter	Incapacitation	Renders enemy prone and unable to act	Single Enemy	Effective for neutralizing threats
See Invisibility	Detection	Reveals invisible creatures and objects	Self	Crucial for detecting hidden threats
Invisibility	Stealth	Renders a character invisible	Single Ally	Useful for stealth and ambush
Counterspell	Interruption	Cancels enemy spellcasting	Enemy Spellcaster	Defensive against enemy casters
Polymorph	Transformation	Transforms creature into harmless form	Single Target	Removes threats from combat
Conjure Minor Elementals	Summoning	Summons elementals for assistance	Area	Adds allies in combat
Heat Metal	Damage/Control	Heats metal objects, causing damage	Metal Object	Effective against metal-wielding foes

These utility spells offer a wide range of tactical options in "Baldur's Gate 3," from enhancing defense and visibility to controlling the battlefield and enemy actions. Each spell provides unique opportunities to overcome challenges, making them invaluable tools in a player's magical arsenal.

Mage Armor

• Description: Increases the Armor Class of a target without armor.
• Mechanics: Significantly boosts the target's defense, making them harder to hit.
• Advantages: Essential for spellcasters and other characters who don't wear armor.
• Strategy: Cast after every long rest to ensure your spellcasters are always protected.

Command

• Description: Influences an enemy's actions for a turn.
• Mechanics: Can make an enemy drop their weapon, flee, or perform other actions.
• Advantages: Versatile in and out of combat. Useful for disarming powerful enemies or creating tactical advantages.
• Strategy: Use to disarm key enemies or control the battlefield. Also effective in non-combat scenarios for various purposes.

Misty Step

• Description: A short-range teleportation spell.
• Mechanics: Instantly teleports you to a visible location within range.
• Advantages: Great for repositioning, escaping danger, or reaching advantageous positions.
• Strategy: Use to gain high ground, escape melee combat, or traverse obstacles.

Tasha's Hideous Laughter

• Description: Incapacitates an enemy with uncontrollable laughter.
• Mechanics: Renders a creature prone and unable to move or take actions.
• Advantages: Effective for neutralizing a key enemy during combat.
• Strategy: Use on powerful enemies to remove them from the fight temporarily.

See Invisibility

• Description: Allows you to see invisible creatures and objects.
• Mechanics: Reveals hidden enemies, traps, or items.
• Advantages: Essential for detecting ambushes or finding hidden treasures.
• Strategy: Use in areas where you suspect invisible threats or to uncover hidden paths.

Invisibility

• Description: Renders a character invisible.
• Mechanics: Great for stealth operations or avoiding detection.
• Advantages: Useful for scouting, sneaking past enemies, or setting up ambushes.
• Strategy: Cast on scouts or characters needing to move undetected.

Counterspell

• Description: Interrupts and cancels enemy spells.
• Mechanics: Acts as a reaction to stop an enemy's spellcasting.
• Advantages: Provides crucial defense against powerful enemy spellcasters.
• Strategy: Keep ready for high-stakes encounters where enemy spellcasters are present.

Polymorph

• Description: Transforms a creature into a harmless form.
• Mechanics: Temporarily neutralizes a threat by transforming it.
• Advantages: Effective for removing powerful enemies from combat.
• Strategy: Use on strong enemies to simplify difficult encounters.

Conjure Minor Elementals

• Description: Summons elementals to aid in battle.
• Mechanics: Provides additional allies in combat.
• Advantages: Useful for outnumbering enemies or taking hits.
• Strategy: Cast when extra support is needed or to distract enemies.

Heat Metal

• Description: Heats a metal object, causing damage.
• Mechanics: Targets metal weapons or armor, causing fire damage and potential disarmament.
• Advantages: Effective against enemies equipped with metal gear.
• Strategy: Use to disarm enemies or cause ongoing damage in combat.