Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3is based in theDungeons & Dragonsuniverse, so most of what you find in the game when it comes tolore, abilities, and game mechanicscomes from a monster manual or tabletop module.
The library of spells inD&Dis long and detailed,filling whole volumes, so it’s not surprising that some of them are missing fromBaldur’s Gate 3. However, some of those missing spells would ba great additions to an already great game.
5-foot radius around the caster
Effects
Cast it on a weapon and damage multiple enemies
Green Flame Bladeis a spell that’s included in the Artificer’s repertoire, and since that class is absent fromBaldur’s Gate 3,so is this cantrip. However, this is also a melee spell for Eldritch Fighters, which is a class option inBG3, and some players have noted its absence.
The weapon infused with this spell’s power does a regular amount of damage to the primary target. It has the option of hitting another enemy within five feet with fire damage equal to the character’s spellcasting ability modifier.
The twoD&Dsources where players can find this spell,Tasha’s Cauldron of EverythingandTheSword Coast Adventurer’s Guide,list the spell as an optional one for other casting classes. It should be added, even if it’s onlyavailable to Eldritch Fighters.
1st
On the caster
Captures the energy of a spell or attack and stores it for the target’s next melee attack.
Absorb Elementsdoes appear inBaldur’s Gate 3, but it’s an ability that can only be granted through equipping certain special items or for characters of a specific race and subclass. InD&D, it’s alsoavailable as a regular spell,and it wouldn’t be a stretch to add this option to the video game.
Players could cast this spell on themselves and be able to absorb an element until their next turn when they can then throw it at their target. Until they cast, the player becomes resistant to whatever type of element they’ve absorbed, which is another nice fringe benefit.
2nd
90 feet
Use a vortex to transport a creature to another location.
Baldur’s Gate 3players who want to throw objects, animals, orpeople can use Telekinesis, which has a lot in common withVortex Warp. The overlap might be why the latter isn’t in the game, but it has some useful differences.
The range of Vortex Warp decreases each time the character reaches a level higher than Level 2, and continues from there. A drawback is that this spell can’t be used on objects, but only on living targets.
30 feet
The caster can sense any magic within the AoE.
Considering the other useful Ritual Spells that are used extensively inBaldur’s Gate 3, such as Speak With Animals or Feather Fall,Detect Magicis nowhere to be found. Some other spells may not appear because of overlapping abilities or because they don’t fit into the game mechanics, but the lack of Detect Magic feels like a mistake.
Every spellcasting class inD&Dhas access to this handy spell, which is useful in a variety of situations, and like other spells in the same class, it lasts until their next long rest. It makes sense that it would also be available inBG3as part of the Ritual Spell list.
4th
Create a defensive area around the caster that also spreads Darkness.
This spell is like a combination of three other spells in one. If someone mixed Flame Shield and Darkness, the result would be a spell that’s similar toShadow of Moil. Thatmakes it slightly overpowered, which might be why it’s not included in the video game.
Players can use this spell to defend their character with an aura of flickering shadows that dimly light areas and give them resistance to Radiant damage, so it’s great against Light Clerics and Paladins. Shadow of Moil is one of the few AoE spells in the Necromancy school that doesn’t involve the undead in some sense, which is another reason it should be included inBG3.
15 feet around the caster
Create a bolt of lighting that acts as a lash or a whip that can damage enemies and pull them to you.
Lightning Lureis another Artificer spell,but the Eldritch Fightersthat are in the game can’t use it, either. It’s an ideal spell for a combination caster and melee Fighter build, which is one of the most popular multi-class options in bothD&DandBG3.
Cast this spell, and if the target fails a Strength saving throw, they are pulled towards the caster and take 1d8 Lightning damage. The range of this spell is 15 feet in every direction from where the caster is standing, so they can turn and cast this spell on a target behind them if needed.
