Highlights
- Sacred Flame is a cantrip for Clerics that deals damage to enemies within an eighteen-meter range. It is limited to Clerics only and may not be the best option for other spellcasters.
- Poison Spray attacks opponents in a cone and can cause as much as one d12 of damage. However, the player must be close to their opponent to use this cantrip effectively.
Baldur's Gate 3 has finally been released with full access for players to enjoy on PC. Baldur's Gate 3 has plenty of classes for players to choose from many of which are spellcasters that allow the player to explore all sorts of powerful spells.
Like the tabletop title Dungeons and Dragons, some of the most important spells are the ones that don't use up any spell slots; these are known as cantrips and can be very useful in certain battles or situations outside of combat. Each class has its own interesting choices for these cantrips, however, these few are by far the best that players should always have equipped.
8 Friends
Starting off strong, Friends is a cantrip that players are likely to favor predominantly outside of combat rather than in it. This cantrip allows the player to cast it on an individual to give them advantages on charisma rolls.
With this cantrip, available players will have an easier time persuading others in dialogue as the spell can be cast just before taking a roll to make sure the player is in the most advantageous position possible. However, when the spell ends the opponent is likely to know they were charmed and accuse the spellcaster of doing such a thing, this can lead to some dangerous repercussions.
7 Sacred Flame
Clerics may be known for how it supports other players though they do have their own fair share of cantrips that can deal a bit of damage. One such example of this is Sacred Flame. Any enemy that is within an eighteen-meter distance of the player will need to succeed in a dexterity saving roll or take one d6 of damage.
Unfortunately, as mentioned, Scared Flame can only be used by Clerics and therefore this cantrip isn't widely available to every spellcaster the player can pick from. However, there are better cantrip options for other classes than this.
6 Poison Spray
While some cantrips can hit an opponent without being able to see them, others will attack in a cone ahead of the selected character, Poison Spray is one of these spells. If an opponent fails a constitution saving throw, they can expect to face a cloud of toxic gas head-on which can do as much as one d12 of damage.
The only setback of this spell is how close the player has to be to their opponent. Due to the cantrip being available to various classes, players can determine how much they are willing to risk with their character, such as using this cantrip on a Druid but not a Wizard.
5 Vicious Mockery
Sometimes in battle, a player just wishes to hurl insults at the enemy instead of attacking. Thankfully as a Bard or even a level three Warlock with the Pact of the Tome, a player can do just that while also damaging their foe.
Although this cantrip only does one d4 of damage, it also applies a disadvantage to the opponent's next attack roll which will therefore defend any team member the enemy attempts to attack. Dealing damage may be important in battle but reducing the amount of damage taken by the player's own party is even more important.
4 Fire Bolt
Fire Bolt is the Wizard alternative to Eldritch Blast that can be wielded by several classes as well as being given as a free cantrip for High Elves. Using the player's intelligence modifier to cast, players can hurl a ball of fire at their opponents which will deal a d10 of fire damage.
This is the go-to cantrip for many spellcasters when they don't want to waste spell slots in a battle. If the player has direct sight of their opponent with nothing in the way, this cantrip is more than likely to hit its target every single time.
3 True Strike
As mentioned, some of the best cantrips are the ones that give the player an advantage on the battlefield instead of those that do damage. True Strike is a brilliant spell for those that wish to up their chances in a fight.
After targeting a character with this cantrip the caster will have an advantage on their next attack roll against this opponent. Therefore, a player is more than likely to hit their foe without the risk of missing their next attack. Many of the caster classes can use this cantrip though it's more common for the likes of Warlock to make sure all their valuable spells hit.
2 Guidance
Baldur's Gate 3 has many worthwhile cantrips for the player to use, though out of all of those that don't deal any damage, Guidance is by far one of the best. With this cantrip, players are sure to always have an advantage on their rolls in dialogue.
Similar to Friends, this cantrip can be cast before having to take a roll when talking to an individual. This cantrip lasts for ten turns and gives the player an advantage on all ability checks. This can also be used in battle as well to improve a player's chances, though it is unlikely to be seen for this purpose.
1 Eldritch Blast
Unsurprisingly, one of the best cantrips available in Baldur's Gate 3 must be the cantrip that's strictly available for Warlocks. In the beginning, Eldritch Blast can only do one d10 of damage to an opponent. However, as a player levels up their Warlock, they will unlock feats for this cantrip that will make it even more powerful or do different effects.
If a player decides to have a Warlock in their party, they should always have Eldritch Blast equipped as this spell will be the most used out of all those available; the spellcaster isn't required to spend a single spell slot to cast it.
Baldur's Gate 3 is out now on PC, it is expected to release on September 6th for PlayStation 5.