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.
- Armor (Conjuration) [SCRL67]
- Blindness (Illusion/Phantasm) [SCRL71]
- Burning Hands (Alteration) [SCRL68]
- Charm Person (Enchantment/Charm) [SCRL69]
- Chill Touch (Necromancy) [SCRL82]
- Chromatic Orb (Evocation) [SCRL83]
- Color Spray (Alteration) [SCRL70]
- Find Familiar (Conjuration/Summoning) (BG2 only) [SCRL6D]
- Friends (Enchantment/Charm) [SCRL72]
- Grease (Conjuration) [SCRL66]
- Identify (Divination) [SCRL75]
- Infravision (Divination) [SCRL76]
- Larloch's Minor Drain (Necromancy) [SCRL84]
- Magic Missile (Evocation) [SCRL77]
- Nahal's Reckless Dweomer (Invocation/Evocation) (BG2 only) [Wild Mage: auto-given]
- Protection From Evil (Abjuration) [SCRL78, SCRL3H]
- Protection from Petrification (Abjuration) [SCRL15]
- Reflected Image (Illusion/Phantasm) (BG2 only) [SCRL5U]
- Shield (Evocation) [SCRL79]
- Shocking Grasp (Alteration) [SCRL80]
- Sleep (Enchantment/Charm) [SCRL81]
- Spook (Illusion/Phantasm) (BG2 only) [SCRLA6]
Best Level 2 Spells Baldur's Gate
The best Level 2 spells are Invisibility, Mirror Image and Web.
- Agannazar's Scorcher (Evocation) [SCRL1B]
- Blur (Illusion) [SCRL85]
- Chaos Shield (Abjuration) (BG2 only, Wild Mage, auto-given]
- Deafness (Illusion/Phantasm) (BG2 only) [SCRLA2]
- Detect Evil (Divination) [SCRL86]
- Detect Invisibility (Divination) [SCRL87]
- Ghoul Touch (Necromancy) [SCRL1C]
- Glitterdust (Conjuration/Summoning) (BG2 only) [SCRLA3]
- Horror (Necromancy) [SCRL89]
- Invisibility (Illusion) [SCRL90]
- Knock (Alteration) [SCRL91]
- Know Alignment (Divination) [SCRL92]
- Luck (Enchantment) [SCRL93]
- Melf's Acid Arrow (Conjuration) [SCRL95]
- Mirror Image (Illusion) [SCRL96]
- Power Word: Sleep (Conjuration/Summoning) (BG2 only) [SCRL6E]
- Ray of Enfeeblement (Enchantment/Charm) (BG2 only) [SCRLAI]
- Resist Fear (Abjuration) [SCRL94]
- Stinking Cloud (Evocation) [SCRL97]
- Strength (Alteration) [SCRL98]
- Vocalize (Alteration) [SCRL3G]
- Web (Evocation) [SCRL99]
Best Level 3 Spells Baldur's Gate
The best Level 3 spells are Melf's Minute Meteors, Skull Trap and Slow.
- Clairvoyance (Divination) [SCRL1D]
- Detect Illusion (Divination) (BG2 only) [SCRL6K]
- Dire Charm (Enchantment) [SCRL1S]
- Dispel Magic (Abjuration) [SCRL1E]
- Fireball (Evocation) [SCRL5Z, SCRL1G]
- Flame Arrow (Conjuration) [SCRL1F]
- Ghost Armor (Conjuration) [SCRL1T]
- Haste (Alteration) [SCRL1H]
- Hold Person (Enchantment) [SCRL1I]
- Hold Undead (Necromancy) (BG2 only) [SCRL6L]
- Invisibility 10 ft radius (Illusion/Phantasm) (BG2 only) [SCRL1J]
- Lightning Bolt (Evocation) [SCRL1K]
- Melf's Minute Meteors (Evocation/Alteration) (BG2 only) [SCRLA5]
- Minor Spell Deflection (Abjuration) (BG2 only) [SCRL6G]
- Monster Summoning 1 (Conjuration) [SCRL1L]
- Non-Detection (Abjuration) [SCRL1M]
- Protection From Cold (Abjuration) (BG2 only) [SCRL6I, SCRL04]
- Protection From Fire (Abjuration) (BG2 only) [SCRL6H, SCRL06]
- Protection From Normal Missiles (Abjuration) [SCRL1N]
- Remove Magic (Abjuration) (BG2-only) [SCRLA7]
- Skull Trap (Necromancy) [SCRL1P]
- Slow (Alteration) [SCRL1O]
- Spell Thrust (Abjuration (BG2-only) [SCRL6J]
- Vampiric Touch (Necromancy) [SCRL1Q]
Best Level 4 Spells Baldur's Gate
The best Level 4 spells are Improved Invisibility, MGoI, Minor Sequencer and Stoneskin.
- Confusion (Enchantment) [SCRL1U]
- Contagion (Necromancy) [SCRLA8]
- Dimension Door (Alteration) (BG1-only) [SCRL1V]
- Emotion (Enchantment) [SCRL5H]
- Enchanted Weapon (Enchantment/Charm) (BG2-only) [SCRL6M]
- Far Sight (Divination) (BG2-only) [SCRLAQ, SCRLAJ]
- Fireshield Blue (Evocation/Alteration) (BG2-only) [SCRL1W]
- Fireshield Red (Evocation/Alteration) (BG2-only) [SCRL6N]
- Greater Malison (Enchantment) [SCRL5Y,SCRL5X, SCRL5W, SCRL5I]
- Ice Storm (Evocation) (BG2-only) [SCRL1X]
- Improved Invisibility (Illusion) [SCRL1Y]
- Minor Globe of Invulnerability aka MGoI (Abjuration) [SCRL1Z]
- Minor Sequencer (Invocation/Evocation) (BG2-only) [SCRL6P]
- Monster Summoning 2 (Conjuration) [SCRL2A]
- Otiluke's Resilient Sphere (Alteration) [SCRL5J]
- Polymorph Other (Alteration) [SCRL5L]
- Polymorph Self (Alteration) [SCRL5M]
- Remove Curse (Abjuration) [SCRLAK, SCRL5G]
- Secret Word (Abjuration) (BG2-only) [SCRL6O]
- Spider Spawn (Conjuration/Summoning) (BG2-only) [SCRL6R]
- Spirit Armor (Necromancy) [SCRL5K]
- Stoneskin (Alteration) (BG2-only) [SCRL2B, SCRL1V]
- Teleport Field (Alteration) (BG2-only) [SCRL6Q]
- Wizard Eye (Divination/Alteration) (BG2-only) [SCRLA1]
Best Level 5 Spells Baldur's Gate
The best Level 5 spells are Animate Dead, Spell Immunity and Sunfire.
- Animate Dead (Necromancy) (BG2-only) [SCRL2D]
- Breach (Abjuration) (BG2-only) [SCRL6U]
- Chaos (Enchantment) [SCRL5P]
- Cloudkill (Evocation) [SCRL2E]
- Cone of Cold (Evocation) (BG2-only) [SCRL2F]
- Conjure Lesser Air Elemental (Conjuration/Summoning (BG2-only) [SCRL7B]
- Conjure Lesser Earth Elemental (Conjuration/Summoning (BG2-only) [SCRL7C]
- Conjure Lesser Fire Elemental (Conjuration/Summoning (BG2-only) [SCRL6X]
- Domination (Enchantment) [SCRL5N]
- Feeblemind (Enchantment) [SCRL5Q]
- Hold Monster (Enchantment) [SCRL5O]
- Lower Resistance (Abjuration/Alteration (BG2-only) [SCRL6V]
- Minor Spell Turning (Abjuration) (BG2-only) [SCRL7D]
- Monster Summoning 3 (Conjuration) [SCRL2G]
- Oracle (Divination) (BG2-only) [SCRL6W]
- Phantom Blade (Evocation) (BG2-only) [SCRL6Z]
- Protection From Acid (Abjuration) (BG2-only) [SCRL6Y]
- Protection From Electricity (Abjuration) (BG2-only) [SCRL5T, SCRL05]
- Protection From Normal Weapons (Abjuration) (BG2-only) [SCRL6T]
- Shadow Door (Illusion) [SCRL2H]
- Spell Immunity (Abjuration) (BG2-only) [SCRL6S]
- Spell Shield (Abjuration) (BG2-only) [SCRL8X]
- Sunfire (Evocation) (BG2-only) [SCRLAR, SCRLAL]
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).
- Carrion Summons (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL8A]
- Chain Lightning (Invocation/Evocation)
- Conjure Air Elemental (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL7Y]
- Conjure Earth Elemental (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL7Z]
- Conjure Fire Elemental (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL7X]
- Contingency (Evocation) [SCRL7U]
- Death Fog (Evocation) [SCRL7R]
- Death Spell (Necromancy) [SCRL7I]
- Disintegrate (Alteration) [SCRL7T]
- Flesh to Stone (Alteration) [SCRL7H]
- Globe of Invulnerability (Abjuration) [SCRL7F]
- Improved Haste (Alteration) [SCRL7Q]
- Invisible Stalker (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL7E]
- Mislead (Illusion/Phantasm) [SCRL7K]
- Pierce Magic (Abjuration) [SCRL7L]
- Power Word: Silence (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL7P]
- Protection From Magic Energy (Abjuration) [SCRL7J]
- Protection From Magical Weapons aka PfMW (Abjuration) [SCRL7O]
- Spell Deflection (Abjuration) [SCRL7V]
- Stone to Flesh (Alteration) [SCRL8C]
- Summon Nishruu (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL8B]
- Tenser's Transformation (Alteration) [SCRL7G]
- True Sight (Divination) [SCRL7M]
- Wyvern Call (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL7W]
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.
- Cacofiend (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL8I]
- Control Undead (Necromancy) [SCRL8V]
- Delayed Blast Fireball (Invocation/Evocation) [SCRL8N]
- Finger of Death (Necromancy) [SCRL8O]
- Improved Chaos Shield (Abjuration) (BG2 only, Wild Mage, auto-given]
- Khelben's Warding Whip (Abjuration) [SCRL8H]
- Limited Wish (Conjuration/Summoning, Invocation/Evocation) [SCRLA4]
- Mantle (Abjuration) [SCRL8J]
- Mass Invisibility (Illusion/Phantasm) [SCRL8W]
- Mordenkainen's Sword (Evocation) [SCRL8R]
- Power Word: Stun (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL8Q]
- Prismatic Spray (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL8P]
- Project Image (Illusion/Phantasm) [SCRL8F]
- Protection From the Elements (Abjuration) [SCRL8E]
- Ruby Ray of Reversal (Alteration) [SCRL8G]
- Spell Sequencer (Invocation/Evocation) [SCRL8L]
- Spell Turning (Abjuration) [SCRL8D]
- Sphere of Chaos (Alteration) [SCRL8M]
- Summon Djinni (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL8T]
- Summon Efreeti (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL8S]
- Summon Hakeashar (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL8U]
Best Level 8 Spells Baldur's Gate
The best Level 8 spells are ADHW, Simulacrum and Spell Trigger.
- Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting aka ADHW (Necromancy) [SCRL9G]
- Bigby's Clenched Fist (Evocation) [SCRLB1]
- Improved Mantle (Abjuration) [SCRL9C]
- Incendiary Cloud (Evocation) [SCRL9E]
- Maze (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL9H]
- Pierce Shield (Abjuration) [SCRL9A]
- Power Word: Blind (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL9J]
- Protection From Energy (Abjuration) [SCRL8Y]
- Simulacrum (Illusion/Phantasm) [SCRL8Z]
- Spell Trigger (Invocation/Evocation) [SCRL9D]
- Summon Fiend (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL9B]
- Symbol: Death (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRLAO, SCRLAM]
- Symbol: Fear (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL9F]
- Symbol: Stun (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRLAP, SCRLAN]
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.
- Absolute Immunity (Abjuration) [SCRL9P]
- Bigby's Crushing Hand (Evocation) [SCRLB2]
- Black Blade of Disaster (Evocation) [SCRL9X]
- Chain Contingency (Evocation) [SCRL9Q]
- Energy Drain (Necromancy) [SCRL9W]
- Freedom (Abjuration) [SCRL9Z]
- Gate (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL9N]
- Imprisonment (Abjuration) [SCRL9S]
- Meteor Swarm (Evocation) [SCRL9T]
- Power Word: Kill (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRL9U]
- Shapechange (Alteration) [SCRL9Y]
- Spell Trap (Abjuration) [SCRL9L]
- Spellstrike (Abjuration) [SCRL9M]
- Time Stop (Alteration) [SCRL9R]
- Wail of the Banshee (Necromancy) [SCRL9V]
- Wish (Conjuration/Summoning) [SCRLB4]
- Energy Blades (High Level Ability, Any School)
- Improved Alacrity (High Level Ability, Any School)
- Dragon's Breath (High Level Ability, Any School)
- Summon Planetar (High Level Ability, Any School)
- Summon Dark Planetar (High Level Ability, Any School)
- Comet (High Level Ability, Any School)
Sort Baldur's Gate Spells by Spell Type
Sort by the general function of the spell:
- God-tier Spells BG2 (only the godliest spells)
- Spell Protections BG2
- Spell Ward Removers BG2
- Combat Protection Spells BG2
- Weapon Ward Removers BG2
- Illusion Spells BG2 (deception, hiding)
- Scrying Spells BG2 (anti-Illusion / Divination)
- Direct Damage Spells BG2 (light the enemy up)
- Summoning Spells BG2 (and gates)
- Immobilization Spells BG2 (Lock 'em down spells and movement rate reducers)
- Divide & Conquer Spells BG2 (turn the enemy against itself)
- Elemental Ward (protect against fire, cold etc.)
- Magic Resistance Remover
- Utility (non-combat)
- Sequencer BG2 (sequencers, triggers, contingencies)
- Retributive (you hit me, you get hurt)
- Insta-kill (slay spells)
- Fighter Mage spells (spells that augment tanking and damage) [cf. Kensai Mage BG2]
- High Level Ability (HLA) spells
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.
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