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BEST SPELLS, Baldur's Gate 2 BG2, Ranked Tier List


Best Spells Baldur's Gate 2



Welcome to my cRPG blog on the best spells in Baldur's Gate and BG2. Due to its long-lasting usefulness and ability to immobilize mobs of enemies, the best spell in Baldur's Gate is Web BG2.

Mirror Image BG2 and Blindness BG2 are ranked second and third.

In this spell guide, Baldur's Gate 2 spells are ranked based on what they offer to balanced parties over the course of the saga, played by normal players. My rankings are comprised of the spells considered by me to be the most useful. Spells that are godly in both campaigns are ranked first and foremost.

Scroll availability (early and multiple itemizations of the scroll) and Baldur's Gate companion ability to cast the spell also factors in. If a spell can be combined with another or with itemization to increase its viability, all the better.

Epic spells don't get much of a look-in due to being useful only in Throne of Bhaal, when quite a few of the lower-level spells are actually still useful, anyway!

Arcane spells can be conventionally cast by Sorcerer BG2, Mage BG2, Wild Mage BG2 & Bard BG2. For an introduction to spellcasting, I kindly refer readers to Magic Baldur's Gate.

Spell scroll item codes are given, along with commentary and the spell descriptions and rules.

In Baldur's Gate 1, most spells are purchased at High Hedge and Sorcerous Sundries. In Baldur's Gate 2, most spells are purchased at Spell Store Baldur's Gate 2, and from Ribald Barterman. In Throne of Bhaal, it's Arcana Archives.

Best Baldur's Gate Spells by Level



There are 196 mage spells in BG2 constituting 9 levels of arcane spellcasting.

Bolded = God-tier

Best Level 1 Spells Baldur's Gate


The best Level 1 spells are Blindness and Chromatic Orb. In BG1, Sleep is also great.


Best Level 2 Spells Baldur's Gate


The best Level 2 spells are Invisibility, Mirror Image and Web.


Best Level 3 Spells Baldur's Gate


The best Level 3 spells are Melf's Minute Meteors, Skull Trap and Slow.


Best Level 4 Spells Baldur's Gate


The best Level 4 spells are Improved Invisibility, MGoI, Minor Sequencer and Stoneskin.


Best Level 5 Spells Baldur's Gate


The best Level 5 spells are Animate Dead, Spell Immunity and Sunfire.


Liches no longer immune.

Best Level 6 Spells Baldur's Gate


The best Level 6 spells are Improved Haste, Mislead, PfMW and True Sight (BG2-only).


Bards are limited to spell levels 1-6.

Best Level 7 Spells Baldur's Gate


The best Level 7 spells are Mordenkainen's Sword, Project Image and Spell Sequencer.


Best Level 8 Spells Baldur's Gate


The best Level 8 spells are ADHW, Simulacrum and Spell Trigger.


Demi-Liches no longer immune.

Best Level 9 Spells Baldur's Gate


The best Level 9 spells are Chain Contingency, Improved Alacrity and Summon Planetar.


Sort Baldur's Gate Spells by Spell Type


Sort by the general function of the spell:


Sort Spells by Spell School


Sort strictly by spell school (Specialists). 

Not only do Specialists gain +1 spell slot per circle (at the expense of being banned from Opposition School spells), but their enemies incur a 2 point saving throw penalty when attempting to resist a spell cast by Specialists, if the spell is of the school of which the Specialist belongs.

Thus, for example, Domination's 2 point penalty becomes a 4 point penalty when cast by an Enchanter such as Xan. Conversely, Specialists receive a 2 point saving throw bonus when attempting to resist a spell of their school.


This post only pertains to the vanilla campaigns as released and patched by BioWare, which have been standard for 20 years. That said, what I say is in most cases still valid for the Enhanced Edition. Most of the pics are taken from my Sword Coast Stratagems Guide.

Baldur's Gate 2Baldur's Gate RacesBaldur's Gate Magic
Best Classes Baldur's Gate 2Baldur's Gate 2 ItemsBaldur's Gate 2 Dual-classing
Best Spells Baldur's Gate 2Baldur's Gate 2 THAC0Baldur's Gate Specialist Mages
Best Weapons Baldur's Gate 2Baldur's Gate 2 Armor ClassBaldur's Gate 2 Weapon Proficiency
Best Companions Baldur's Gate 2Baldur's Gate 2 ApRBaldur's Gate Thieving

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