The Ultimate Guide to Dominating Baldur's Gate 3 with the Most Potent Illusion Spells!

The illusion school in Baldur's Gate 3 offers wielders a wide array of versatile utility spells. Whether players want to enhance their characters, weaken enemies, engage in deception, or inflict damage, there is an illusion spell for every task.

From beginner cantrips to powerful level five spells, illusion magic is predominantly used by sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards. Wizards have the option to specialize in the illusion school, but arcane trickster rogues and eldritch knight fighters can also access some of the lower level illusion spells. Bards and clerics, especially those of the trickery domain, also have access to illusion spells.

13 Disguise Self

Baldur's Gate 3 draws inspiration from Dungeons and Dragons for its spells, world, characters, and monsters. Disguise Self, a spell found in the tabletop role-playing game, proves to be valuable during crucial moments of role play.

However, in the digital realm of Baldur's Gate 3, the spell's versatility is limited compared to its tabletop counterpart. Its primary function is to unlock specific interactions for certain races. For instance, it allows a player to infiltrate the goblin camp as a drow or gain access to the githyanki creche as a gith. Additionally, the spell can be used to communicate with the deceased through 'Speak With Dead' if the player is responsible for their demise.

12 Seeming

Seeming, a level five illusion spell, appears to be the superior choice compared to Disguise Self. Both spells allow players to disguise themselves, but Seeming has the added advantage of being able to conceal up to four party members.

However, considering its level five spell slot requirement, using Seeming can be quite costly, particularly since powerful enemies can easily see through magical disguises. Nevertheless, it can be quite amusing to witness party members appearing as completely different races when utilizing Seeming.

11 Minor Illusion

Minor Illusion, despite being a cantrip, may not possess the highest level of illusionary capabilities. However, it can prove advantageous in certain situations. Outside of combat, it can be employed as a diversionary tactic to relocate an enemy to a more favorable position. It is advisable for players to utilize turn-based mode, as the illusion dissipates after a brief period of real-time.

During combat, adversaries who are deceived by the illusion will occasionally squander a turn attacking it. While its utility is somewhat limited, it is still worthwhile to capitalize on its potential, particularly for illusion wizards who possess the ability to cast it as a bonus action.

10 Color Spray

When the Color Spray spell is cast, a cone extends from the player, affecting any creatures within it. These creatures, with a combined total of up to thirty-three hit points, will be blinded for one turn.

Blinding opponents can greatly hinder their abilities, and what makes Color Spray even more appealing is that no saving throw is needed. Players can ensure that their targets will be blinded. However, the downside is that this effect only lasts for one turn. Nevertheless, considering it is a low-level spell, Color Spray proves to be an effective illusion spell to utilize.

9 Phantasmal Force

Phantasmal Force, a level two spell, belongs to a rare category of illusion spells that cause damage. This spell involves a ranged attack, where the target must make an intelligence saving throw. If the target fails the save and with the caster maintaining concentration, the target will suffer damage each turn.

Initially dealing psychic damage, players have the ability to influence the type of damage the target incurs by aligning it with the previous damage type received. However, the spell's main disadvantage lies in the delayed damage output, as it only takes effect on the creature's turn, leaving ample opportunity for casters to lose their concentration.

8 Silence

Silence is detrimental for casters, yet players can wield its power against enemy casters! All individuals within the extensive reach of silence will be rendered incapable of casting most spells.

Aside from its primary purpose, silence also provides an intriguing advantage by granting immunity to thunder damage for creatures within its vicinity. This level two spell requires concentration but perseveres for an impressive duration of one hundred turns, ensuring its continuous effect until the caster's concentration wavers.

7 Hypnotic Pattern

Hypnotic Pattern, when cast using a third level spell slot, becomes an immensely potent spell capable of debilitating a wide area. Should any creature fail to resist the charm of Hypnotic Pattern, it will find itself immobilized and rendered incapable of taking any action, be it movement or using abilities.

This spell possesses great strength despite its relatively low level requirement. However, its drawbacks lie in its limited duration of only two turns, provided the caster maintains their focus. Additionally, those under the spell's influence can be snapped out of their trance if they sustain damage or receive assistance in some manner. Furthermore, the spell's vast radius presents a challenge in exempting friendly units from its effects.

6 Fear

Fear is a third level illusion spell that casts an extended cone from the caster. Those within the cone must make a Wisdom saving throw. Upon failing, affected targets will relinquish their grasp on any objects and become overwhelmed by fear towards the caster, incapacitating them for three turns, given that the caster maintains concentration.

Even if the targets manage to regain their composure, the act of dropping their weapon can render them ineffective for an additional turn. This spell proves advantageous when confronted with sizable gatherings of adversaries.

5 Blur

Blur, a second level spell, proves to be highly valuable. With a duration of ten turns, as long as the casters maintain concentration, it offers a significant advantage by causing attackers to face a disadvantage. However, it is important to note that Blur may not be as effective against creatures that do not rely on sight for attacks or possess the ability to see through illusions. Additionally, there is a potential risk involved if the casters are hit and lose concentration on Blur early on. Despite this, the benefits of this spell in mitigating strong attacks make it a worthwhile choice.

4 Invisibility

The favored illusion spell for rogues is undoubtedly invisibility, as it grants invisible characters the advantage when attacking. While interactions can disrupt invisibility, this spell proves essential in gaining an early advantage during combat.

Furthermore, invisibility proves to be valuable for stealth purposes in general. However, it is advisable to utilize it in turn-based mode as its duration of ten turns is relatively brief in real-time scenarios. This second level spell is accessible to duergar individuals once per combat upon reaching the fifth level. Notably, duergar invisibility remains unlimited outside of combat.

3 Phantasmal Killer

Phantasmal Killer, the older sibling of Phantasmal Force, shares its essence but demands a wisdom saving throw in place of an intelligence one. Its damage remains psychic and significantly surpasses its counterpart.

Naturally, this elevates the spell's potency, necessitating a level four spell slot. However, its efficacy outweighs the associated cost, making it a formidable choice for illusion-focused casters seeking a powerful damage-dealing option.

2 Mirror Image

Mirror Image, although classified as a level two spell, stands out as one of the most effective illusion spells. It serves the purpose of safeguarding characters against attacks, much like Blur. By summoning three illusory duplicates, Mirror Image enhances the caster's armor class by three for each active duplicate.

In contrast to Blur, Mirror Image does not demand concentration. Rather, the caster will lose one duplicate each time they skillfully evade an attack. This ensures that even when a stroke of luck lands a hit, the utilization of the spell does not feel futile.

1 Greater Invisibility

Greater Invisibility surpasses Invisibility in the hierarchy of illusion spells. It is the ultimate choice for cunning players who admire the concept of invisibility but are yearning for a prolonged period of concealment.

With Greater Invisibility, players can effortlessly maintain invisibility while engaging in interactions, casting spells, and launching attacks, as long as they achieve success in their stealth checks. These checks gradually become more challenging with each subsequent triumph. By coupling Greater Invisibility with Pass Without Trace, a powerful abjuration spell that intensifies stealth abilities, players can maneuver around while remaining unseen for exceptionally extended durations.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available for PC and will release for PlayStation 5 on September 6, 2023. A version for Xbox Series X/S is currently in development.