Baldur's Gate 3: Best Level 4 Spells, Ranked (2024)

While spells in Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay go all the way up to 6th-Level, their sheer firepower may feel a bit overkill when used haphazardly in the D&D adaptation. However, measly Cantrips and 1st-level spells do seem tame in comparison to the effects of the most powerful Baldur's Gate 3 spells. Spellcasters looking for a decent middle ground may want to consider Level 4 spells, which are at a rank close to 6th-Level spells but have reasonable effects for their cost.

When cast, most 4th-level spells can create effects that don’t necessarily break combat but instead give players a more specific edge. They don’t immediately deal wanton devastation on the battlefield, but instead facilitate strategies that secure the advantage for players, especially in challenging fights that demand more tactical prowess.

Updated August 9, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: Spells are among the most unique aspects of D&D gameplay, with the upcoming update to the Player’s Handbook in September 2024 teasing more opportunities for players to create more balanced Spellcasters for the fantasy TTRPG. For fans who want to enjoy the “original” form of their favorite Spells in D&D, the selection of Spells in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the closest gaming has gotten to accurately adapting some of the TTRPG’s most popular Spells in a video game.

A lot of these examples are Level 4 Spells, which some consider the ideal middle-ground between more flexible 3rd-Level Spells and below, and the more potentially game-breaking 5th-Level Spells and beyond. Should players want to appreciate the full extent of Level 4 Spells, knowing the crazy ways they can be used may be able to give players a fresh look at their spellbooks.

20 Grasping Vine (Conjuration)

Stop Enemies In Their Tracks

A common trope surrounding plant-based magicians is the capability of commanding vines to restrain enemies, and this is something fulfilled by Grasping Vine. This 4th-Level Conjuration Spell is a Bonus Action that allows players to summon a Grasping Vine within a 9-meter radius, creating a difficult terrain.

What makes Grasping Vine rather interesting is its effect, as anyone stepping on them not only halves their Movement Speed but also has a chance of being Entangled via the Twisting Vines effect. The effect can last up to 10 Turns unless they pull off a DC 12 STR Save, with Attack Rolls against the creature having Advantage and their own Attacks and Saves having Disadvantage.

How To Use Grasping Vine

The biggest changes to Grasping Vine that transition it to a more viable Spell are two things: it no longer costs an Action to use, and it no longer is a Concentration Spell. This finally removes Druids from being the Class that suffers from having a lot of Concentration-heavy Spells, as Grasping Vine provides them with a means of controlling the battlefield that they shouldn’t worry about every turn.

19 Blight (Necromancy)

Debilitate An Enemy With Necrotic Damage

At first glance, Blight seems like a particularly specific 4th-Level Spell given its maximum damage against plants and plant life. Such is the anti-plant nature of this Spell that targeting plants imposes Disadvantage on its CON Save, while not having any effects against Undead and Constructs. This oddly specific nature of the Spell might imply that it’s situational, but this isn’t necessarily the case.

At its core, Blight can deal as much as 8d8 Necrotic Damage to those who fail its CON Save in Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay, and half as much damage to those who succeed. This is still up to 4d8 Necrotic Damage to most targets who can win its CON Save, which might still be enough to eliminate minions and sub-bosses when timed correctly.

How To Use Blight

Considering its effects against Plant-based creatures, Blight isn’t an immediate priority in a player’s repertoire of Spells unless they encounter the said archetype. This makes Blight extremely helpful against the likes of Auntie Ethel in Act 3 or even some parts of the Dark Urge run where certain enemies whip out Wood Toads.

18 Freedom Of Movement (Abjuration)

Guarantee Movement For Allies

In perilous situations, even a Spell like Freedom of Movement that forces an ally to move can be integral to the party’s overall survival. When activated, a target ally immediately snaps out of crowd control effects. This is a particular deterrent against Stun effects, effective resistances against Restrained and Paralyzed effects, and even disables the hindrances of Difficult Terrain.

When used on an ally under the effect of non-magical restraint, the ally can even get 1.5m worth of free movement solely to free themselves. Despite the mundane nature of this Spell, Freedom of Movement is a guarantee that an ally can move within their limits without any hindrances - something useful when push comes to shove.

How To Use Freedom Of Movement

Despite seemingly situational, Freedom of Movement is vital in later parts of the game where there’s always the chance of Spellcasters being a part of an enemy roster or in situations where locations have traps. Should the player’s team rely on creating difficult terrain to debilitate enemy forces, Freedom of Movement is convenient for bypassing the chance of that terrain affecting the team. This makes Freedom of Movement among the best first-to-cast in Camp after every Long Rest, especially since the way it bypasses terrain can give characters a more convenient way of moving the environment.

17 Dominate Beast (Enchantment)

Create An Instant Ally

Considering how Baldur’s Gate 3 combat often pits players against an overwhelming number of opponents, Dominate Beast can turn the tide when a beast is within the enemy ranks. With this Spell, a Spellcaster can force a beast to fight on the player’s behalf. It’s only when the beast takes damage that it makes a Wisdom Save against the player’s control.

While the Wisdom Save adds an element of risk for the beast, especially when they’re positioned close to allies, debuffs could ensure they consistently fail their Saves. The commonality of beasts throughout the game world can also incentivize using Dominate Beast more strategically, as beasts often have lower WIS scores compared to humanoids.

How To Use Dominate Beast

While Dominate Beast isn’t as good as typical Hold Spells due to their need for Concentration and higher Spell Slot cost, Spellcasters who manage to increase their Spellcasting Modifier and even have party members impose Disadvantage on their target can secure their allegiance using Dominate Beast more efficiently. Players also don’t need to Dominate the strongest beast among the enemies, but rather just a target they can control effectively. The game’s AI makes it a point to target Dominated creatures first before the players.

16 Otiluk’s Resilient Sphere (Evocation)

Slow A Target And Block All Damage

Sometimes, a player may simply need a Spell to cast to stop someone from either taking or dishing out damage. This is where Otiluk’s Resilient Sphere comes in, a 4th-Level Evocation Spell designed to slow down a target by halving their speed in half and stopping all damage from going to them or getting out of them.

This shimmering sphere essentially becomes an emergency save for allies or a debilitating effect on powerful enemies. The 3-turn timer for the Resilient Sphere could be enough for allies to recover and prepare their counterattack, especially if a boss is inside the Sphere. An ally inside it could also use this time to recover or even partially retreat.

How To Use Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere

Compared to Sanctuary, Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere is a more flexible Spell in situations where delays are especially necessary. Players can stop foes from damaging the party or escaping, protecting characters in need of heals, blocking entrances and hallways, or even tanking possible trap locations.

15 Ice Storm (Evocation)

Maximize Chilling Hell With Wet Interactions

Wet is one of the easiest interactions to trigger in Baldur’s Gate 3 combat, especially when players position targets close to sources of water and rain-chilling hell with Ice Storm (4th-Level Evocation). When activated, Ice Storm sends a rain of icicles falling from the sky, striking all creatures and objects within the range of its 6-meter radius and from 18 meters away.

While enemies who can pull off a DEX Save can take half of the original 2d8 Bludgeoning + 4d6 Cold Damage computation, an ally who can cast a convenient Bane (1st-Level Enchantment) on an opponent can force them to tank the Ice Storm’s attack. Not to mention, splashing water on an opponent to get them Wet will make them vulnerable to Ice Storm’s Cold Damage.

How To Use Ice Storm

Similar to other AOE damage Spells, Ice Storm is best used when dealing with large numbers of opponents or if players need to block a certain location from being accessed. Ice Storm not needing Concentration allows players to use it as a precautionary measure while attending to other Spells and needs.

14 Wall Of Fire (Evocation)

Split The Battlefield With A Fire Barrier

Should fans of Dungeons & Dragons want to skip the Fireball (3rd-Level Evocation) in place of something more visually intense, then Wall of Fire (4th-Evocation) could get the job done with some environmental alterations. When cast, Wall of Fire creates an aforementioned blazing wall that forces everyone close to it to pull off a DEX Save or risk-taking 5d8 Fire Damage.

While enemies can theoretically attempt to brave the Wall of Fire’s heat, the Spell can be an efficient environmental deterrent for players who need a quick break to recover, regroup, or retreat. Moreover, the right positioning of other flammables such as barrels can deal more damage to surrounding foes simply by being triggered upon hitting the Wall of Fire.

How To Use Wall Of Fire (Higher)

Wall of Fire remains one of the most versatile AOE Spells in the game. Unlike the likes of Fireball which just lasts a single attack, Wall of Fire can last an entire encounter. Just merely dividing a location can force opponents to walk around it, while players capable of moving enemies around or even stunning them can throw them back and forth the Wall for extra damage. In tight spaces, Wall of Fire can be used to trap enemies in a corridor or even enclose a space to protect it from foes.

13 Guardian Of Faith (Conjuration)

Summon A Stationary Bodyguard

Given how much of Baldur’s Gate 3 combat pits players against foes more than their four-person team, a Spell that creates a temporary ally like the Guardian of Faith (4th-Level Conjuration) gives the team a much-needed damage sponge. Upon casting, the Guardian of Faith summons the aforementioned being that has 60 Hit Points.

Given the Guardian’s stationary nature, proper positioning with the Spell’s 9-meter radius is paramount, encouraging players to put the being directly in the line of fire of opponents. Whenever an enemy comes close to the Guardian’s range, it hits them with an attack. The Guardian loses Hit Points as it damages foes and disappears as soon as it uses all of its health.

How To Use Guardian Of Faith (Lower)

The Guardian of Faith’s limited scope and stationary nature make it a risky investment of a 4th-Level Spell Slot, which means it’s most useful in enclosed spaces where enemies likely have to walk close to it to get to another point. However, the AI is often programmed to simply avoid its radius, making the Guardian rather useless. Players are advised to hug the Guardian’s corners to force enemies to come closer to them.

12 Evard’s Black Tentacles (Conjuration)

Slow Down Enemies With Tentacle Terrain

Considered as more or less the sibling of Hunger of Hadar (3rd-Level Conjuration) for Spellcasters in the Dungeons & Dragons game, Evard’s Black Tentacles (4th-Level Conjuration) is a terrain-altering Spell that can give players much-needed breathing room in dangerous situations. When cast, players can choose a 6-meter area within 18 meters that becomes Difficult Terrain, sprouting tentacles that attack creatures within it.

Unless creatures pull off an STR Save inside Evard’s Black Tentacles, they receive 3d6 Bludgeoning Damage. While this damage is by no means lethal for most opponents, this should be enough to slightly deter an advancing group of melee fighters that are targeting some of the party’s non-physical combatants.

How To Use Evard’s Black Tentacles

Assuming players can provide their party with immunity or at least ways to bypass Difficult Terrain, Evard’s Black Tentacles can become a great way of debilitating any number of enemies they encounter. Simply transform the area into Difficult Terrain, proc the situations that provide easy movement for party members, and rush inside to cash in on that Advantage towards Attack Rolls against smothered foes.

11 Stoneskin (Abjuration)

Boost Natural Defenses

Despite many spells in Baldur’s Gate 3 being capable of eliminating characters in just a few uses, most other characters will likely resort to traditional melee attacks to deal damage. And for spellcasters who can’t pack a high-enough Armor Class, they don’t always have to leave their fate to a low damage roll.

Thanks to Stoneskin, players who don't have access to AC can compensate by penalizing actual damage numbers. When cast, Stoneskin transforms its target’s flesh to make it hard as stone. In the game, this halves all incoming Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage from all non-magical sources until a Long Rest. While some creatures can still roll high damage output, the auto-half effect can still extend the caster’s lifespan.

How To Use Stoneskin

Despite its capability of halving non-magical Physical Damage, its defensive capabilities drop rather quickly in the late game especially when there are other more efficient defensive options available for players. A potential combo would be building up Abjuration Ward Charges to block incoming base damage, with Stoneskin handling the other half. This should help boost a player’s overall survivability, at least until they get better defensive measures.

10 Death Ward (Abjuration)

Avoid The Icy Embrace Of The Grim Reaper

Death can be one of the most inconvenient things a player can face in their Baldur’s Gate 3 experience, especially since aiding a knocked-down ally can cost valuable time that could be used to defeat opponents. Thanks to Death Ward (Abjuration), an ally in need may not need immediate aid. When activated, the target will restore themselves to 1 HP as soon as they hit 0 HP, practically giving them a one-time second chance in life.

However, despite Death Ward’s efficiency, players may still find the occasional Help and healing spell more effective in aiding a downed ally. Even if said character dies, players with access to Death Ward likely have access to the much-cheaper Revivify (3rd-Level Necromancy), making Death Ward more of a last resort than an immediate support spell.

How To Use Death Ward

Death Ward should ideally be used when the recipient shares Initiative with another party member. Said party members shouldn’t have already finished their turn when Death Ward triggers for the target. If this happens correctly, the Death Warded target should be restored to 1 Hit Point alongside a fresh slate of Actions and their Bonus Action. Should the Death Warded target run a Cleric/Sorcerer build, they can theoretically loop Death Ward to oblivion by Creating Spell Slots to re-cast Death Ward while dealing damage at no cost by using their Scrolls.

The loop here is to try to use Quickened Spell, Elixir of Bloodlust, Potion of Speed, and Terazul to be able to cast four 6th-Level Scrolls. Players then cast Death Ward on themselves before taking their own life, which should revive them with a fresh slate of Actions to use.

9 Conjure Minor Elemental (Conjuration)

Capitalize On Elements With Summons

With players only having access to four party members in their Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay, allies such as Familiars can give gamers an unprecedented advantage. And while the early game gives players access to Find Familiar (1st-Level Conjuration) and Spiritual Weapon (2nd-Level Divination), their limited HP and combat abilities make them a little unreliable for extended encounters.

This is where Conjure Minor Elemental comes in. The 4th-level Conjuration spell might be costly at first glance. However, the boosted HP and more diverse attack options of Minor Elementals serve as a middle-ground before players duke it out with stronger but costlier 5th-level to 6th-level Familiars.

How To Use Conjure Minor Elemental

Conjure Minor Elemental is a rather straightforward summoning Spell that doesn’t have a lot of room for customization. The base Ice Mephits should make it easier for players to cast ice-based Spells to proc statuses.

8 Confusion (Enchantment)

Break Through Enemy Lines While Avoiding Attacks

Fans of games within the Pokemon franchise know that Confusion can be pretty annoying, especially since it can make Pokemon hit themselves or skip turns. A similar effect is achieved by Confusion, only this time, the Baldur’s Gate 3 spell affects multiple opponents. When used, opponents within a cluster who fail their WIS Save will be magically charmed to be utterly confused about their current situation.

This magical befuddlement will force these targets to wander the battlefield for three turns. During this spell, targets can attack creatures randomly or even skip their turns entirely. When used against a mob or even a boss, Confusion can give players much room to retreat or reposition.

How To Use Confusion

Assuming players manage to secure 20+ Spellcasting Ability Score courtesy of leveling and other effects in the game, Confusion can minimize the risk of many dangerous encounters. Players can lure a group of opponents to a location via baiting or Black Hole and then use Extended Spell to increase Confusion’s range for better coverage. This should theoretically have enemies attack each other for a couple of turns while players either recover or prepare their more powerful attacks.

7 Banishment (Abjuration)

Send Pesky Enemies Away For A While

Players fighting a tough enemy in Baldur’s Gate 3 combat know how much of a relief it could be to just get that boss-level foe out of the way so the rest of the party can eliminate surrounding mobs in the area first. This effect is something that Banishment accommodates, wherein a target that fails a CHA Save will be temporarily Banished to another plane of existence.

This Banishment is a two-turn effect, which can last the entire duration for as long as the caster maintains Concentration. Despite its short duration, Banishment can give the party more than enough time to clear or even deal significant damage to mobs, making them more than ready to take care of the boss upon their return.

How To Use Banishment

Players should reserve Banishment for extremely challenging fights where they need just a little bit of time to wreak havoc without being interrupted by a multi-attacking boss. The two-turn disappearance of a boss can be enough for the player’s team to eliminate the other mobs, leaving the boss alone and with no one back upon their return. It’s also interesting to note that extraplanar enemies simply turn to ash when Banished, which can make specific fights in later Acts end quickly.

6 Conjure Woodland Being (Conjuration)

Summon A Potent Dryad For Backup

Building upon the premise of the Guardian of Faith’s benefit as an extra party member, Conjure Woodland Being (4th-Level Conjuration) upgrades the toolkit of a summoned creature with its benefits. Upon activation, Conjure Woodland Beings summons a Dryad to help the player's party, possessing Nature’s Step and abilities to Entangle foes and Summon their own Wood Toad.

Unlike the Divine Guardian, the Dryad herself has a full slate of Actions to use for the party’s benefit. She can deal 3d6 + STR Mod (Twisted Oak Crook) or 4d8 + Spellcasting Ability (Strengthened Shillelagh) Bludgeoning Damage with a chance to slow down foes (Grasp of the Forest). She can also transform the ground into spikes that halve movement and deal 2d4 Piercing (Spike Growth), summon a Wood Toad ally (Fallen Lover), and ensure they and other allies have Resistance to Poison and Immunity to being Restrained, Paralyzed, and burdened by Difficult Terrain (Nature’s Step).

How To Use Conjure Woodland Being

The sheer flexibility of Conjure Woodland Being makes them a must-have when it comes to more complicated encounters, especially in solo play. The Woodland Being’s mere access to Spike Growth allows players to transform any area into Difficulty Terrain they can take advantage of with their other attacks. The Being’s basic stats also allow them to hit hard without much risk.

5 Phantasmal Killer (Illusion)

Guarantee Faraway Frights To Stop Foes

When it comes to powerful spells in Baldur’s Gate 3, fans may prefer straightforward damaging attacks. Such is the case of Phantasmal Killer, a 4th-Level Illusion spell that gets straight to the point. Casting this will force enemies to make a Wisdom Save, the failing of which will Frighten enemies. Not only that, a target affected by Phantasmal Killer takes 4d10 Psychic Damage on each of their turns.

Being Frightened enough can become quite an inconvenient condition, as this holds the risk of the affected targets not acting during their turn. Moreover, Phantasmal Killer requiring a WIS Save, arguably one of the dump stats in D&D, can make it quite the effective spell against most targets.

How To Use Phantasmal Killer

Despite Phantasmal Killer’s potential, the odds of it failing have made it a reluctant choice for players who can rely on deadlier AOE Spells or even traditional Hold Spells. However, players who manage to boost their Spellcasting Ability Score and team up with someone who can lower Saving Throws with a Bane Spell can dramatically boost the chances of Phantasmal Killer being effective. Assuming players have Resonance Stone and can render a target Prone through effects such as a Trip Attack, casting Phantasmal Killer on a Prone target with Steeped in Bliss can theoretically suffer double damage.

4 Fire Shield (Evocation)

Secure Defenses Against Fire

Sometimes, the best combat spells in D&D are guaranteed hits. This is why Magic Missile is such a popular Wizard spell, as its rather weak damage is compensated by the fact that its attacks never miss their targets. The Fire Shield boasts a similar benefit as a 4th-level spell, this time targeting the caster instead of an enemy.

When cast, the spellcaster gains Resistance to Cold or Fire damage, essentially halving all damage from these sources. However, its more useful effect is its 10-turn reflection aura. Whenever an enemy hits a caster with Fire Shield, the shield immediately retaliates with 2d8 Fire damage. What makes Fire Shield such a nifty shield is that its retaliatory attacks against any number of viable opponents don’t cost Reactions, leaving the caster with room to make Opportunity Attacks on opponents who try to disengage.

How To Use Fire Shield

One of the best uses of Fire Shield is to prepare it against a heavy-hitting melee attacker. This maximizes the damage that returns to the enemy. However, it’s important to take note that this effect also applies to melee attacks that become Critical Hits as this returns the full brunt of the Damage to the enemy - including the bonus from landing a Critical. This becomes more feasible with an Abjuration build, as their Abjuration Ward can theoretically help them tank a strong hit.

3 Dimension Door (Conjuration)

Get Access To Quick Teleportation

In a tactical RPG like Baldur’s Gate 3, access to mobility options can spell the difference between an easy and a difficult combat encounter. After all, characters become more reliable when players know they can get in and out of sticky situations, with glass cannons like spellcasters being more efficient with Dimension Door.

Unlike lower-level spells such as Misty Step, Dimension Door has the advantage of a spellcaster bringing an adjacent ally with them for the ride. Also, the spell lets them teleport to a location they can see, meaning that only cover hinders Dimension Door’s teleporting capacity. This nifty mobility spell allows players to retreat with an ally or reposition much more easily with them.

How To Use Dimension Door

While not as universal as its predecessor Misty Step nor as far-reaching as its successor Arcane Gate, the utility of Dimension Door makes it a nifty emergency escape tool in encounters where players are cornered and have to take another character with them. Combat that starts in locations where hallways, passageways, or doorways exist are likely places for players to be accidentally trapped, making Dimension Door a worthwhile addition to their repertoire.

2 Greater Invisibility (Illusion)

Facilitate Sneak Attacks Much Faster

Invisibility can become a game-changer in Baldur’s Gate 3 playthroughs for players who know how to use the status effect, especially since attacking with this condition immediately grants Advantage to the roll. While ordinary Invisibility will stop this condition as soon as players make an attack or an item interaction, Greater Invisibility doesn’t cease that easily.

When used, Greater Invisibility gives a creature Advantage over its attacks and Disadvantage to attacks against it. However, when a creature under Greater Invisibility makes an attack, it makes a Stealth Check to see if it stays invisible. This starts at DC 15 and gets a +1 difficulty whenever this condition is triggered. With buffs such as Pass Without Trace (+10 to Stealth Checks), Greater Invisibility can make Rogues such as Astarion extremely efficient in combat.

How To Use Greater Invisibility

Greater Invisibility being a Stealth tool can transform it into a nifty way of experimenting with builds and attacks without the dangers of getting caught. Not only that, Greater Invisibility not breaking Stealth during attacks can do wonders at the hands of a Rogue. Simply create a build with Stealth Proficiency (double with Rogue’s Skill Expertise), Pass Without Trace (+10 Stealth), and even various Advantages to Stealth and Greater Invisibility can theoretically secure out-of-combat assassinations without triggering combat. In turn, a Rogue can clear dungeons on Stealth with Greater Invisibility - and by the time their Stealth does break, there are probably not enough opponents to deal with.

1 Polymorph (Transmutation)

Transform Enemies Into Useless Critters

Players enjoying their Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay who played their fair share of Dungeons & Dragons know not all conflicts should be resolved with traditional combat. And even if players have to face enemies in a fight, it doesn’t mean they have to go toe-to-toe with an all-powerful boss. After all, if a Baldur’s Gate 3 player has access to Polymorph, why should they be afraid of a boss who became a sheep?

With Polymorph, a target has to fail a Wisdom Save to risk becoming a sheep. This is similar to the Chicken Claw skill in Divinity: Original Sin 2, which can transform even the strongest of bosses into a chicken if their stats are low enough. When it comes to efficient 4th-level spells, Polymorph is by far one of the most overkill to use, especially if players dish out enough debuffs to their target.

How To Use Polymorph

The traditional, and arguably the best, way of using Polymorph is to transform a boss into a Sheep and yeet them off a ledge for that juicy insta-kill. Of course, players should use this with caution as it might mean not being able to secure much-needed loot or even triggering relevant cutscenes.

Baldur's Gate 3

RPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:96/100 Critics Recommend:98%

Platform(s)

PC , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X

Released

August 3, 2023

Developer(s)

Larian Studios