Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3is one of the world’s top role-playing strategy games, set in theDungeons & Dragonsuniverse of fantasy and adventure. Gamers have the freedom to choose from a variety of races as well as classes that will best fit their playstyle while exploring different environments with their companions.
Many of these classes are spellcasters, and their Magical Schools and the related incantations are plucked straight from the world ofDungeons & Dragons.There is a variety of powerful and entertaining spells to decide from that can make combat against bandits, it’s just about picking the right ones.
Updated on July 30, 2025, by Kristy Ambrose:Various bug fixes, patches, and mods have given players even more variety when it comes to their spellcasting choices. Patch 8, which is expectedto drop in early 2025, includes new subclasses along with a few other new additions for even more character customization. Players have also been adding new mods to the game to add even more choices for their Wizards, Bards, Sorcerers, Warlocks, Clerics, Druids, Rangers, and Paladins.
25Hold Monster
Level 5 Enchantment Spell
WhileHold Personis a spell used for humanoid foes,Hold Monsteris for absolutely everything else the player encounters. When players experience the third and final act ofBaldur’s Gate 3, this is by far one of the best spells for players to use, as it allows many of the spellcaster classes to stop some of the more deadly foes from fighting back.
Players will especially see the use of Hold Monster when taking on Orin. While she might at first seem like a simple Changling during her boss fight, she changes into a horrific form that can only be stopped in place with this spell, allowing countless critical hits.
24Otto’s Irresistible Dance
Level 6 Enchantment Spell
Otto’s Irresistible Danceis a spell that’s not available until late in the game. It’s not only expensive to buy and difficult to find, but it’s also level 6, and it’s one of the more overpowered spells in the game. Even high-level enemies like Raphael and Orin are vulnerable to this spell because, just like the name says, it’s not possible to resist it — at least not in the first round.
The spell can last for as long as ten turns, but the more powerful the enemy, the less effective it is. It’s in the Bard and Wizard spellbook, but almost any character with the ability can also read it from a scroll, which might come in handy if the party’s spellcaster is incapacitated.
23Heroes' Feast
Level 6 Conjuration Spell
Players at later levels, especially when attemptingBaldur’s Gate 3’s Honor Mode, must consider acquiring the spellHeroes' Feast. This spell is vital when dealing with bosses who tend to throw various effects at the player’s party.
While it does require a level six spell slot, players should still consider using that slot to keep their party protected at all costs. In addition to giving the party 12 extra hit points, it also prevents party members from being afflicted by the Poisoned, Diseased, or Frightened conditions.
22Speak With Animals
Level One Divination Spell
As one of the few spells that work better outside of combat, players who pick up theSpeak with Animalsspell are sure to have a different experience while playingBaldur’s Gate 3compared to others. A big part ofBaldur’s Gate 3is the dialogue, and this can be expanded further with the option totalk to animals.
This can open up new ways of solving problems and is a fun element to explore. Since it can be learned by the majority of spell-casting classes, such as Bards, Druids, Rangers, and Warlocks, it can easily be selected for a character.
21Healing Word
Level One Evocation Spell
It is important for players to keep their hit points high, especially when in combat. This can easily be done by selecting the bard, cleric, or druid class. However, due tothe companion Shadowheartbeing a Trickster cleric, she is also capable of learning this spell.
Healing Wordis by far one of the weakest healing spells available, as it only heals for one four-sided dice plus the character’s spell-casting ability modifier. It can also be used at a longer distance. This means the player doesn’t need to be as close to the characters they want to heal.
20Chromatic Orb
Some of the best spells ofBaldur’s Gate 3are those that can be unlocked early on and only require a level one spell slot to cast. As the player levels up further during their time in the CRPG, they may choose to cast this spell at a higher level to do more damage.
While many of these spells can only achieve one effect, theChromatic Orb, which is favored by many Wizards and Sorcerers, gives the player the freedom to select the damage it deals. Depending on the damage chosen, it can evendeal damage in an areaor directly to an enemy.
19Bane
Level One Enchantment Spell
Controlling the battlefield and debuffing foes is a crucial role for spell-casting classes.Banecan target up to three creatures, inflicting them with a four-sided dice penalty on their attack rolls, meaning that they will do less damage to the player’s team.
The bard, cleric, and warlock classes have the freedom to learn this spell, which can affect a creature for up to ten turns of combat as long as the character can maintain concentration on the spell. Nevertheless, Bane is a brilliant spell to use if players are worried about the amount of damage an enemy can cause.
18Guiding Bolt
Players can do even better than only inflicting damage on a turn; they can also increase the chance of damage the next time they hit that foe.Guiding Bolt gives Clerics, and possibly Wizards, if they can locate a scroll, the power to do exactly that.
During the player’s turn, by successfully hitting an enemy withGuiding Bolt, the enemy will take 4d6 worth of radiant damage, which will then grant advantage on the next attack on them. This means it is more likely to hit the enemy.
17Witch Bolt
Witch Boltis a spell that is strictly for damage that can be cast by Warlocks, Wizards, and Sorcerers. A lot of damage can be caused if players successfully hit a foe with it. It not only commits a decent bit of damage but can also be used in future rounds automatically once it has hit.
Players link themselves with an enemy using a bolt of purple lightning. This initially does 1d12 worth of lightning damage. This can then be automatically activated each turn to damage the foe for another possible twelve-sided dice worth of damage as long as concentration on the spell remains.
16Poison Spray
Conjuration Cantrip
A simple Cantrip can go a long way, especially ones that are open to a wide range of classes, making it readily available for all players. Druids, warlocks, wizards, and sorcerers all have the freedom to cast this cantrip, inflicting their enemies with a noxious gas that causes one twelve-sided dice worth of damage.
Unlike other spells that require the player to roll a ranged or melee attack roll, this ability relies on the enemy succeeding on a constitution-saving roll to avoid damage. Players can inspect enemies to see the likelihood ofPoison Spraysucceeding before using it, making it agreat spell for beginner battles.
