Baldur’s Gate 3 Skills & Spells#

Spell System Overview#

Baldur’s Gate 3 uses the D&D 5E rules spell system — spells are split into cantrips (level 0 / cast freely) and level 1-6 spells (which consume spell slots). Short Rests recover some spell slots (Warlock only) — Long Rests recover all of them. Every class has a different spell list — Wizards can learn every spell from scrolls, while Sorcerers and Warlocks can only choose a limited number of known spells. D&D 5E rules — spells split into Cantrips (0-level/free) and level 1-6 (use spell slots). Warlock recovers on short rest — all others on long rest. Each class has different spell lists — Wizard learns all from scrolls, Sorcerer and Warlock pick limited known spells.

Spell Slot Table#

Casting Stat by Class#

Best Spell Recommendations#

Cantrips#

Level 1 Spells#

Level 2 Spells#

Level 3 Spells#

Level 4 Spells#

Level 5 Spells#

Level 6 Spells#

Spell Upcast Effects Table#

Spell Combo Techniques#

Surface + spell combos: cast an ice spell on water = freeze enemies in place (prone/unable to move). Cast lightning on water = the whole area conducts (extra lightning damage). Cast fire on oil = explosion (extra fire damage + burning). Water + Freeze is the strongest control combo — frozen enemies can’t act at all and melee attacks against them have Advantage. Oil + Fire is the strongest early damage combo — oil explodes in a 2m radius for an extra 2d6 fire. Water + Freeze is best CC — frozen enemies can’t act, melee attacks have advantage. Oil + Fire is best early AoE — oil in 2m radius explodes for 2d6 fire.

Advanced Spell Combos#

1. Haste + Twinned Spell (Sorcerer Metamagic): the Sorcerer Hastens two allies — two Hastened allies = 4 extra actions in a single round — burst doubled
2. Darkness + Devil’s Sight (Warlock): the Warlock sees normally inside Darkness — enemies can’t see you — your attacks have Advantage and theirs have Disadvantage — nearly unkillable
3. Create Water + Call Lightning (Druid): Create Water makes every enemy Wet → Call Lightning lands doubled lightning damage — clear a whole pack in two rounds
4. Hold Person + Divine Smite (Paladin): Hold a humanoid enemy → the Paladin’s melee attacks auto-crit → a crit Divine Smite = 4x smite damage — the highest single hit in the game
5. Dimension Door + Greater Invisibility (Rogue combo): the Wizard casts Greater Invisibility on the Rogue → the Rogue sneaks in invisible → Dimension Door brings the whole party in — the ultimate stealth-assassin play

Must-Learn Spells by Class#

Caster Class Builds#

Wizard: Intelligence 17 (start) → Dexterity 14 → Constitution 15 → the rest wherever. Learn all level-1 spells, then 2 free picks per level, everything else scribed from scrolls. Sorcerer: Charisma 17 → Dexterity 14 → Constitution 15 → choose Draconic Bloodline (extra HP). Fewer spell picks, but focused — concentrate on a few powerful spells and enhance them with Metamagic. Warlock: Charisma 17 → Dexterity 14 → Constitution 15 → choose Pact of the Blade (melee caster) or Pact of the Tome (pure caster). Short-rest spell slot recovery makes the Warlock lean on cantrip damage. Cleric: Wisdom 17 → Constitution 15 → Dexterity 14 → Strength 12 (needed to wear heavy armour). Support first — Bless + Spiritual Weapon + high-level healing spells.

Recommended Feats#

Spell Selection Strategy#

The Wizard’s core spellbook (must-learn): Mage Hand (cantrip), Fire Bolt (cantrip), Chromatic Orb (1st), Shield (1st), Misty Step (2nd), Scorching Ray (2nd), Fireball (3rd), Haste (3rd), Counterspell (3rd), Ice Storm (4th), Dimension Door (4th), Teleportation (5th), Chain Lightning (6th). Swap the rest depending on the fight — Dispel Magic is a must against enemy mages / Speak with Dead for investigations / Tongues to talk to every NPC without barriers.

Spell Picks by Scenario#

Scroll Scribing Guide#

Sorcerer Metamagic Explained#

Recommended Sorcerer Spell Combos#

Complete Guide to Scribing Spell Scrolls#

Wizard Scribing Priority#