Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Level 1 Spells For Each Class 

Spells are a pivotal part of your arsenal in Baldur’s Gate 3. Not only do they allow you to dispense off your enemies in several creative and gruesome ways, but they are equally as important for defense, support, solving puzzles, and traversal. The level 1 spells family are the basic spells each spell-casting class gets access to as soon as they can do so in Baldur’s Gate 3. 

Level 1 spells can be prepared in level-1 spell slots or upcast to increase their efficiency. You will get more spells, likely better, but you can always fall back on Level 1 Spells when everything else fails. As such, knowing which spells are the best for your chosen class is important. For further assistance on the top-tier spells in Baldur’s Gate 3, you can also check our Tier list.

Best level 1 spells for Arcane Trickster

Arcane Trickster is a sub-class of Rogues that can use Level 1 spells from the School of Enchantment and Illusion in Baldur’s Gate 3. Our favorite selection of level-1 spells for Arcane Trickster are. 

Charm Person 

Spell	Effect
Charm person	This spell allows you to charm a humanoid and stop it from attacking you. You gain an advantage on Charisma checks while enemies gain advantage on saving throws against being Charmed. Its range is 18m.

Color Spray 

Spell	Effect
Color Spray	This spell blinds creatures for a combined 33HP. You have an advantage on Attack Rolls against the blinded creatures. Its range is 5m and it lasts for 1 turn only.

Disguise Self

Spell	Effect
Disguise Self	This spell allows you to change your appearance completely, giving you full protection. This spell lasts until you take a long rest and does not require concentration.

Sleep 

Spell	Effect
Sleep	This spell puts creatures with a combined HP of 24 to sleep. Creatures under effect can’t move or attack. If they are within the 1.5m range, your next attack is always critical. This spell ends once the sleeping creature is hit.

Tasha’s Hideous Laughter 

Spell	Effect
Tasha’s Hideous Laughter	This spell allows you to render a creature vulnerable and open to attacks by throwing them into a fit of laughter. The range for this spell is 18 meters and lasts for ten rounds. To successfully cast this spell, the creature must have an intelligence of 5 or higher.

Best Level 1 Spells for Bard

Often regarded as the poets of the Forgotten Realms, the Bard class usually elicits strong reactions from the audience. Bard’s main stat proficiencies include Charisma and Dexterity. As such, most of their spells revolve around influencing or controlling enemies and allies in their environment. 

This class excels at melee combat and spell casting, allowing for a nuanced and balanced combat experience. The Bard Class’s first level 1 spell slot is unlocked at Level 2. 

Animal Friendship 

Spell	Effect
Animal Friendship	This spell allows the Bard to convince an animal to consider them as their friend. The range for this spell is 18 meters and lasts for as long as the player does not take damage.

Charm Person 

Spell	Effect
Charm Person	This spell lets the Bard charm a human NPC to prevent them from attacking. This spell also nets you an advantage in Charisma checks; however, enemies also gain an advantage in saving throws. The range for this spell is 18 meters and lasts for ten turns.

Tasha’s Hideous Laughter 

Spell	Effect
Tasha’s Hideous Laughter	This spell allows the Bard to render a creature vulnerable and open to attacks by throwing them into a fit of laughter. The range for this spell is 18 meters and lasts for ten rounds. To successfully cast this spell, the creature must have an intelligence of 5 or higher.

Sleep 

Spell	Effect
Sleep	This spell enables the bard to put a target to sleep, rendering them useless in a combat encounter. The range for this spell is 18 meters and lasts for two rounds. This spell does not require concentration but ends when the target takes damage.

Healing Word 

Spell	Effect
Healing Word	This spell allows the Bard to heal a creature within a vicinity of 18 meters and does not require concentration. It is important to note that this does not work on Constructs and the Undead.

Best Level 1 Spells for Cleric 

Touted as one of the best support classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Cleric class represents the gods they worship by healing and protecting those around them. This class’s main proficiencies include Wisdom and Charisma. Since this class is mainly seen as support or healers, their spells reflect this. Level 1 Spell slots unlock for the Cleric class from the get-go. 

Guiding Bolt 

Spell	Effect
Guiding Bolt	This spell allows the Cleric to gain an advantage on their next attack roll while also damaging the target. The range for this spell is 18 meters, lasting for two rounds.

Command

Spell	Effect
Command	This spell gives the Cleric the power to influence their target in several ways. The target can be commanded to run, dispose of their weapon, or move closer. This spell has a range of 18 meters but only lasts for one turn.

Bane

Spell	Effect
Bane	This spell gives the Cleric the power to debuff three enemies simultaneously. The penalty is -1d4 and applies to Saving Throws and Attack Rolls. This spell requires concentration throughout its ten-turn duration and has a shorter range of 9 meters.

Sanctuary

Spell	Effect
Sanctuary	This spell allows the Cleric to save themselves and their allies from any oncoming damage if they do not attack someone else. The area of effect for this spell is 18 meters and lasts ten turns. It does not require concentration.

Shield of Faith 

Spell	Effect
Shield of Faith	This spell lets the Cleric protect a creature in their party by adding two points to their armor class. It requires concentration and lasts for only one turn.

Best Level 1 Spells for Druid 

The Druid Class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is known for its defensive and support capabilities. They share a deep bond with animals and can use the natural elements to their advantage. The class’ main abilities are Intelligence and Wisdom. They have access to level 1 spells from the get-go. 

Faeire Fire

Spell	Effect
Faeire Fire	This spell encloses the targets in an area of light and with each attack roll you make against these exposed targets; you will have an advantage. This powerful spell has a range of 18 meters and requires concentration.

Thunderwave 

Spell	Effect
Thunderwave	This spell allows the Druid to cast a devastating thunderous attack that pushes away all enemies and objects caught in its effect radius. It will still inflict half the damage even if your opponent is successful in their saving throws. The range for this spell is 5 meters.

Fog Cloud 

Spell	Effect
Fog Cloud	This spell lets the Druid Class cast forth a wall of fog that obscures the vision of any enemy caught in it. This spell has a range of 18 meters and lasts for five turns. The Fog Cloud requires concentration to keep its effect in place.

Longstrider

Spell	Effect
Longstrider	This spell enables the Druid to increase the speed of any creature they touch. Its effects last until you rest.

Animal Friendship 

Spell	Effect
Animal Friendship	This spell convinces an animal not to attack you. The range for this spell is 18 meters and lasts for as long as the player does not take damage.

Best Level 1 Spells for Sorcerer 

The Sorcerer Class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the premier spell-casting class alongside the Wizard. They possess an inborn ability to cast spells and use magic that sets them apart from other spell-casting classes in the game. The class’s main abilities are Constitution and Charisma, and they can cast an eclectic collection of spells. 

Mage Armor

Spell	Effect
Mage Armor	This spell allows the sorcerer to give themselves or their ally temporary armor. The spell only works if your ally has no armor and gives them a 13-point bonus on the armor class. It also adds the bonus from their Dexterity modifier to their Armor class.

Magic Missile 

Spell	Effect
Magic Missile	This spell allows the Sorcerer to shoot three darts that always hit their targets. Each dart deals 1~4 Force damage. This spell does not require concentration and has a respectable range of 18 meters.

Burning Hands 

Spell	Effect
Burning Hands	This spell lets the Sorcerer deal burning damage within a 5-meter range. It inflicts 3~18 Fire damage, but the target must be flammable. On a successful save, the target still receives half the damage.

Chromatic Orb

Spell	Effect
Chromatic Orb	This spell enables the sorcerer to cast an orb that can deal damage in several ways. The game will let you choose which type of damage you want to do. The orb can inflict 3~24 Thunder damage or 2~16 Fire, Lightning, Acid, Cold, or Poison damage. This spell has a range of 18 meters and does not require concentration.

Ice Knife 

Spell	Effect
Ice Knife	This spell allows you to cast an ice dart that deals 1~10 Piercing damage. It explodes upon contacting your target, affecting all other enemies around it, dealing 2~24 Cold damage. However, if you miss your initial target, the dart still explodes. This spell has a range of 18 meters and does not require concentration.

Best Level 1 Spells for Warlock 

Known for their fascination with magic and supernatural abilities, the Warlock class is one of the best spellcasters in Baldur’s Gate 3. This class excels at spellcasting but not so much in melee combat. Their main abilities are Wisdom and Charisma, and they can cast level-1 spells from the get-go. 

Armor of Agathys 

Spell	Effect
Armor of Agathys	This spell allows you to gain five temporary hit points. If you are attacked while this spell is active, your attacker is automatically dealt five cold damage.

Expeditious Retreat 

Spell	Effect
Expeditious Retreat	This spell allows Warlock to use Dash. Additionally, it also grants you bonus actions on each of your turns until the spell wears off. This spell does require concentration but only lasts for one turn.

Hellish Rebuke 

Spell	Effect
Hellish Rebuke	This spell inflicts 2~20 Fire damage to enemies that encounter you. If your enemy is successful in their saving throw, they still take half the damage. This spell does not require concentration.

Witch Bolt 

Spell	Effect
Witch Bolt	This spell allows you to link targets via a thunderbolt. Every time you activate it, your target receives 1~12 Lightning damage. This spell has a range of 18 meters and requires you to maintain concentration.

Protection from Good and Evil 

Spell	Effect
Protection from Good and Evil	This spell allows you to protect an ally against attacks and protects them against a host of effects from different enemies, including celestials and fiends. While under this spell, your ally cannot be charmed or possessed. If an enemy tries to do so, they have a disadvantage on their rolls. This spell has a melee range and does require concentration.

Best Level 1 Spells for Wizard 

The Wizard class in Baldur’s Gate 3 are known for their proficiency in magic. This class relies exclusively on magic for defense, attack, and traversal, as they have little armor and weapon proficiencies. Like the Sorcerer class, the Wizards also possess an innate ability to use magic and can use level 1 spells from the get-go. 

Disguise Self 

Spell	Effect
Disguise Self	This spell allows you to change your appearance completely. The Wizard can change into several classes and can even change their gender. Allowing you complete protection. This spell lasts until you take a long rest and does not require concentration.

Grease 

Spell	Effect
Grease	This spell Grease allows you to cover the ground and your enemies in grease, slowing them down and causing them to fall. This spell has a range of 18 meters and does not require concentration. Grease can be combined with a fire spell to create a large area of fire damage.

Burning Hands 

Spell	Effect
Burning Hands	This spell inflicts burning damage within a 5-meter range. The damage dealt is 3~18, but the target in question needs to be flammable; otherwise, the spell will not work. On a successful save, the target still receives half the damage.

Thunderwave 

Spell	Effect
Thunderwave	This spell allows the Wizard to cast a devastating thunderous attack that pushes away all enemies and objects to a certain degree. It will inflict damage even if your opponent is successful in their saving throw, although the damage is halved. The range for this spell is 5 meters.

Find Familiar 

Find Familiar

This spell lets you call upon the help of a Fey spirit. The spirit can take the form of any character and aid you in battle. This spell has a range of 18 meters and does not require concentration.