Unleash Unseen Powers: Discover the Ultimate Dungeons and Dragons 5E Spells Missing in Baldur's Gate 3!

Highlights

Baldur's Gate 3 draws most of its spells from the original Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition source books, which means more recent spells are limited.

Certain highly effective spells from the Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition system unfortunately did not make it into Baldur's Gate 3 due to factors like their recent release or challenges in adapting them for a video game. Consequently, the absence of these spells, including but not limited to Booming Blade, Conjure Animals, and Wall of Force, has significantly impacted the gameplay experience in Baldur's Gate 3.

Baldur's Gate 3 is based on the Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition system, which has been transformed from a tabletop game to a computer role-playing game (CRPG) by Larian Studios. Due to the vast amount of races, classes, features, and spells available in the past decade, certain elements from the Fifth Edition had to be excluded from Baldur's Gate 3.

One noticeable exclusion is the absence of some of the top spells found in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition, which did not make it into Larian's CRPG for various reasons. The majority of the spells featured in Baldur's Gate 3 come from the original 5E source books, which means that newer spells are few and far between. Additionally, even some of the original spells were too challenging to adapt to a video game format.

The Best Low-Level Spells

Cantrips

, Green-Flame Blade, and Sword Burst are the three Cantrips provided by the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide that allow Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard characters to incorporate their magical abilities into close combat. These Cantrips serve as the foundation for numerous spell-sword builds on the tabletop.

Green-Flame Blade

Sword Burst

Level 1 Spells

These fantastic five 5E spells pose certain challenges when it comes to their implementation. Silvery Barbs, being a relatively recent addition, and Detect Magic and Silent Image, which are not easily adapted into a CRPG, fall into this category. Absorb Elements, on the other hand, managed to find its way into Baldur's Gate 3 as part of the Cloak of Elemental Absorption magic item, but unfortunately, it is not accessible as an individual spell.

Absorb Elements

Detect Magic

Silent Image

Silvery Barbs

Level 2 Spells

By adhering to the spell lists of the original Player's Handbook, Baldur's Gate 3 overlooks the inclusion of noteworthy options introduced in subsequent source books, such as Earthen Grasp, Vortex Warp, and Summon Beast. While certain spells like Suggestion, originating from the Player's Handbook, may possess immense versatility, they prove too unrestricted for a CRPG.

Maximilian's Earthen Grasp

Vortex Warp

Suggestion

Summon Beast

The Best Mid-Level Spells

Level 3 Spells

Leomund's Tiny Hut, a beloved spell in Dungeons & Dragons for safeguarding the slumber of adventuring parties, loses its significance in Baldur's Gate 3 due to alterations in the game's resting mechanics. Nevertheless, the omission of the endlessly advantageous Dispel Magic, the iconic Conjure Animals, and the mighty Thunder Step remains inexplicable.

Conjure Animals

Dispel Magic

Leomund's Tiny Hut

Thunder Step

Level 4 Spells

Regrettably, Baldur's Gate 3 did not include two of the exceptional spells introduced in Xanathar's Guide to Everything - Shadow of Moil and Sickening Radiance. Furthermore, although players are granted the freedom to engage in relentless smashing, shoving, and item-throwing activities, the unrestricted control enabled by Stone Shape would not have been suitable for the game. Equally inapplicable are the Dungeon Master-guided responses found in Divination.

Divination

Shadow of Moil

Sickening Radiance

Stone Shape

The Best High-Level Spells

Level 5 Spells

The absence of Animate Objects, Creation, and Wall of Force has left Baldur's Gate 3's arcane spellcasters without some truly iconic spells. Additionally, Clerics can no longer rely on the spell Commune to seek solutions from their deities. It is worth mentioning that although the Summon Draconic Spirit spell would have been a great addition for Dragon Sorcerers, it is likely that its release was too recent to be included.

Animate Objects

Commune

Creation

Summon Draconic Spirit

Wall of Force

Level 6 Spells

and True Seeing are examples of spells that are too expansive and powerful in their effects to be implemented effectively in Baldur's Gate 3. On the other hand, spells like Mental Prison and Investiture, which are from Xanathar's Guide to Everything, could potentially work well in a video game.

Forbiddance (Cleric)

Investiture of X

Mental Prison

True Seeing

Baldur's Gate 3 is available now on macOS and PC, and it's coming to PS5 on September 6.