Best Non-Damage Spells In Baldur's Gate 3

Summary

Diverse strategies, such as non-damaging spells, are crucial for success in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Spells like Misty Step and Darkness offer tactical advantages in combat and exploration.
Utility spellcasting like Invisibility can turn the tide in tough battles.

When navigating Baldur’s Gate 3’s expansive open world, players will soon discover multiple ways to achieve anything. From distracting or charming enemies, teleporting across dangerous terrain, or speaking with animals (or even the dead), Larian Studios filled their fantastic game with numerous choices.

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Baldur’s Gate 3 is as much about strategy as defeating enemies by sheer power. With some enemies, players will have a hard time finding victory by using only offensive spells. This is where non-damaging spells can be extremely useful. The game is all about trial and error, with some pretty simple solutions a single spell away.

10

Minor Illusion

Distract Enemies Outside Of Combat

Baldur's Gate 3: 10 Best Non-Damage Spells, Ranked PLayer summons a animal illusion

Level: Cantrip
Duration: 10 Turns
Range: 18m

In Baldur’s Gate 3, players can attack enemies while they are still friendly, gaining a quick advantage. While doing this will instantly force players into combat, taking out the most dangerous enemy in a surprise attack can make victory easier.

One sure method to achieve this is to push an enemy off a high ledge or into the water, instantly killing them. While this will forgo any good loot the enemy may have had, it can allow players to bypass some tough opponents. Minor Illusion can be very useful for this. When players cast the spell, they summon an illusion that forces non-allies to move toward it. This means players can reposition enemies into the right spot where they are at risk of being pushed.

9

Gaseous Form

Protection From Attacks

Baldur's Gate 3: 10 Best Non-Damage Spells, Ranked Gale turns himself into a gas cloud

Level: Lvl 3 Transmutation
Duration: Until Long Rest
Range: Within Eyesight

This bizarre spell turns the player or an ally into a small gas cloud. While the target of this spell cannot attack, cast spells, or talk, enemies will struggle to deal damage. This is ideal when players are in a tough combat encounter. When one of the party members is close to death, using this spell can prolong their life, giving the player time to come back from the brink.

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This spell is also useful in exploration, as players can fit through small holes, revealing hard-to-reach areas. In addition, the target of the spell is given Advantage on Constitution, Dexterity, and Strength saving throws.

8

Misty Step

Teleport Across The Battlefield

Baldur's Gate 3: 10 Best Non-Damage Spells, Ranked Gale teleports with Misty Step

Level: Lvl 2 Conjuration
Duration: Immediate
Range: 18m

During combat in Baldur’s Gate 3, players will often find themselves facing numerous enemies, outnumbering the player’s party. This usually results in players being surrounded, with any movement causing an attack of opportunity.

Using the Misty Step spell allows the player to teleport across a battlefield when they are surrounded, without suffering unnecessary damage. The spell can also be used when exploring the world, as players can reach places that the jump mechanic cannot reach — or bypass groups of enemies. While other spells can have a more dramatic effect on the story or in combat, Misty Step can be a lifesaving addition to the player’s arsenal.

7

Darkness

Baldur's Gate 3: 10 Best Non-Damage Spells, Ranked player covers the party in darkness

Level: Lvl 2 Evocation
Duration: 10 Turns
Range: 18m

While this useful spell can inflict the same effect on allies, the Darkness spell can mean the difference between victory or defeat in combat. Once cast, the player will engulf an area in a cloud of darkness. This will heavily blind any creature inside, making any attacks unlikely to connect.

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The cloud also obscures the view of creatures firing from outside the area. This can help protect those inside from ranged attacks. Darkness can also be used to help with stealth. By casting Darkness in a specific area, players can move unseen for much longer, giving them a strong advantage before combat begins.

6

Hypnotic Pattern

Get A Reprieve During Battle

Baldur's Gate 3: 10 Best Non-Damage Spells, Ranked player hypnotizes enemies

Level: Lvl 3 Illusion
Duration: 2 Turns
Range: 18m

One of the keys to success when outnumbered in Baldur’s Gate 3 is to control the battlefield. Allowing every enemy to attack during a single turn can quickly lead to allies being downed. This powerful illusion spell can help with this.

Casting the spell, Hypnotic Pattern hypnotizes enemies in the area. This will stop any actions or movement by enemies, including attacking the player. While this only lasts two turns, this spell can give players a much-needed reprieve from large groups. In addition, Hypnotic Pattern can also be cast while Silenced. This spell is able to be acquired by Bards, Sorcerers, Warlocks, and Wizards.

5

Silence

Effective Against Spellcasters

Baldur's Gate 3: 10 Best Non-Damage Spells, Ranked Player casts SIlence on enemies

Level: Lvl 2 Illusion
Duration: 100 Turns
Range: 18m

Silence can be one of the most effective non-damaging spells in Baldur’s Gate 3. Once cast, the spell creates a sphere of silence in a specific area. This will prevent spellcasters from casting any magic and will also stop any sound escaping, which includes calls for reinforcements.

Outside of combat, Silence can be a powerful tool while in stealth. From silencing alarms or breaking doors that may alert unwanted attention. In addition, any creatures within the sphere of silence are immune to thunder damage. Players can acquire this spell through Bard, Cleric, and Ranger spell lists, as well as through the Oath of Devotion, Circle of the Land, and Way of Shadow subclasses for Paladins, Druids, and Monks respectively.

4

Speak With Animals

Unlock Fun Conversations And Secret Information

Baldur's Gate 3: 10 Best Non-Damage Spells, Ranked player talks with a atrange ox

Level: Lvl 1 Divination
Duration: Until Long Rest
Range: Self

Baldur’s Gate 3 is filled with unique encounters where the player interacts with different characters across the game. However, also found throughout the world are numerous animals, who, with the right spell, can also be spoken to.

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Speak With Animals can unlock new information and some surprising outcomes. Many of these creatures have witnessed events or may know of secret areas for players to find. Every party exploring Baldur’s Gate 3 should have at least one member with this spell, which can be easily acquired by a Bard, Druid, or Ranger early on.

3

Speak With Dead

Commune With The Recently Deceased

Baldur's Gate 3: 10 Best Non-Damage Spells, Ranked Player casts speaks with dead on a body

Level: Lvl 3 Necromancy
Duration: Immediate; unlocks ‘Recast Speak with Dead’ until long rest.
Range: 9m

Much like Speak With Animals, Speak With Dead is a useful spell when exploring the world of Baldur’s Gate 3. Available with Bards, Clerics, and Warlocks, or via certain magic items, this spell allows players to commune with the recently deceased. This can open new story possibilities or reveal new information.

While many dead bodies in the world can be interacted with, the spell has limitations, and not every dead body will offer communication, especially if it was killed by the player in the first place. Some attacks also damage the body, making it unable to speak.

2

Mass Healing Word

Heal The Entire Party

Baldur's Gate 3: 10 Best Non-Damage Spells, Ranked Player casts a healing spell on party

Level: Lvl 3 Evocation
Duration: Immediate
Range: 18m

While all Healing spells are useful throughout any playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3, Mass Healing Word may be one of the best. Its wide effect range can heal up to six allies across a battlefield, giving everyone a much-needed buff.

However, the spell is best used when a plan hasn’t quite gone as expected and multiple allies are downed. Casting Mass Healing Word will bring back every party member from the brink, allowing players a fighting chance to turn a tough battle around. This spell can be acquired by a Cleric or a Bard using the Magical Secrets feature.

1

Invisibility

Pass Unnoticed

Baldur's Gate 3: 10 Best Non-Damage Spells, Ranked player turns themselves invisible

Level: Lvl 2 Illusion
Duration: 10 Turns
Range: Self

One of the great things about Baldur’s Gate 3 is the amount of freedom given to players to achieve their goals. From hidden mechanics and secret passages to the many varied spells available, it is up to the player to discover their own path.

The Invisibility spell is one of the most effective tools a party can have at their disposal. Casting the spell, the player will turn themselves or an ally they can touch invisible for 10 turns. This will allow them to move unnoticed through areas, sometimes avoiding combat completely. The spell gives the creature Advantage on attacks and Disadvantage when being attacked. However, Invisibility can be broken once the creature attacks or casts a spell, revealing themselves. Invisibility can be acquired with Bards, Sorcerers, Warlocks, and the Duergar Dwarf subrace, as well as the Circle of the Land Druid subclass.