Unleashing the Undead: Dominating with Baldur's Gate 3's Supreme Necrotic Spells

Highlights

Necrotic damage spells in Baldur's Gate 3 are often overlooked but can be devastating, with effects ranging from stopping regen to damaging ability scores.

Spells such as Chill Touch and Halo of Spores inflict necrotic damage, regardless of their association with the Necromancy school.

Harm is a formidable spell that brings hit points down to one, while Contagion: Flesh Rot deteriorates flesh and diminishes charisma.

In Baldur's Gate 3, players are aware of various types of magical damage, including the well-known elemental forms such as ice, fire, and lightning. However, the destructive power of necrotic damage often goes unnoticed or intentionally avoided due to its ominous associations.

While many spells in Baldur's Gate 3 that inflict necrotic damage are connected to the deceased, not all of them involve the dead. Additionally, it's not just Clerics or Paladins who can cast these spells. Druids of the Spore or Oathbreaker Paladins also possess several spells that deal necrotic damage, even if they do not belong to the Necromancy school.

9 Chill Touch

Despite its name, this spell inflicts necrotic damage instead of cold damage. It specifically deals 1D8 necrotic damage and prevents the target from healing any hit points. In the case of undead targets, it also imparts a Disadvantage on their attack rolls.

This spell is widely known for its necrotic damage in the game, making it one of the most commonly used spells. Almost every BG3 spellcasting class has access to it, and certain races such as High Elves can even utilize it as a cantrip.

8 Halo of Spores

Druids who align with the Circle of Spores possess a unique ability known as Halo of Spores, which becomes available to them once they select this subclass at level 2. This ability can be used as an Action, allowing it to be utilized in both combat and non-combat situations.

When casting Halo of Spores, the user has the ability to target any entity within a distance of 6 meters, whether it be an enemy or part of the surroundings. The chosen target must successfully make a Constitution saving throw, or else suffer 1D4 necrotic damage.

7 Spirit Guardians

Spirit Guardians is a Conjuration spell exclusively available to Clerics who have reached level 3 or higher. This spell possesses a remarkable area of effect (AoE), providing protection to the vicinity surrounding the caster for a duration of 10 turns.

Furthermore, Spirit Guardians inflicts significant damage, either Radiant or Necrotic, amounting to 3D8. Additionally, this spell effectively reduces the movement speed of the targeted subject by fifty percent. Even if they manage to make a successful saving throw, they will still incur half the damage, which remains quite substantial.

6 Symbiotic Entity

Symbiotic Entity, a spell from the Druid Circle of Spores, can be cast alone or in combination with Halo of Spores for optimal results. When cast independently, it provides the caster with an additional 8 hit points and any damage they inflict also deals 1D6 of necrotic damage. However, it cannot be combined with other spells such as Aid, which offers temporary hit points.

When utilized together with Halo of Spores, Symbiotic Entity's effects are doubled, making it even more powerful. This is particularly advantageous since Symbiotic Entity lasts for an extended duration of ten turns. Be cautious when using Wild Shape, though, as it will negate the effects of Symbiotic Entity.

5 Inflict Wounds

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A Cleric typically specializes in healing wounds, but this spell deviates from that norm by inflicting wounds instead. It is a standard inclusion in every Cleric's spellbook and can be acquired by other spellcasting classes through scrolls.

As a level 1 spell, it stands out as one of the most potent options available, dealing 3D10 of necrotic damage. However, there is a condition: the target must be within a distance of less than 2 meters. Essentially, this spell is more suited for a Cleric, who typically possesses a higher AC, given its practicality for melee combat.

3 Contagion: Flesh Rot

There are multiple versions of Contagion within the Necromancy school, but none of them cause direct necrotic damage. Instead, each variation negatively impacts one of the target's ability scores, such as Intelligence, Strength, or Wisdom. These effects are accompanied by gruesome and agonizing conditions like boiling blood or a severe headache.

One specific version, known as Flesh Rot, lives up to its name by causing the decay of the target's flesh. This not only increases their susceptibility to all types of damage, but also diminishes their Charisma.

2 Harm

This spell, called Harm, belongs to the Necromancy school and is typically learned by healing classes as they progress in levels. However, other classes also have the opportunity to use or learn this spell if they come across it in school form.

Harm is a powerful level 6 spell that inflicts 14D6 of necrotic damage. Its purpose is to decrease the target's hit points to just one and prevent them from regaining their health. In the event that the target successfully makes a saving throw, they will only suffer half the damage and avoid any permanent reduction of their hit points.

1 Arms of Hadar

Content Fragment

With a touch of darkness from the depths of the underworld, the spell known as Arms of Hadar inflicts both necrotic damage and tentacles. This sinister spell is ideal for those who seek to embody a nefarious Sorcerer, wicked Wizard, or Eldritch lore-based necromancer Cleric. As expected, Arms of Hadar is included in the Warlock spellbook.

Despite not belonging to the Necromancy school, this spell falls under the Conjuration category, allowing other classes to cast it or acquire it through a scroll. It becomes accessible starting from level 1 and inflicts 1D6 of necrotic damage upon a single target.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available now on PC and is set to release for PlayStation 5 on September 6, 2023.