Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3has all sorts of spells for players to learn as they level up. Certain spellcasting classes have spells that are only known to them, while other classes share spells with others. As players level up, they unlock higher-level spell slots that allow them to use even more powerful magic.
However, some of these spells that players learn, which only require a level 1 spell slot, can be just aspowerful as any cantripor later-level spell. When a player first makes their character or plans their party’s spells, these are the level 1 spell slot spells a player should always have equipped.
Updated May 20, 2025 by Megan Smith:While Baldur’s Gate 3 may have been the Game of the Year in 2023, many players have since come to learn that the well-received RPG title will not be receiving any further new content such as DLCs. This may also mean that players shouldn’t expect any new spells unless they were to be added by mods.
That leaves the spells that are currently in the game for players to experiment with. When creating a character with thebest level 1 spellsin mind, any player should consider these options.
15Longstrider
Increase Movement Speed
Some of the best level 1 spells inBG3are those that buff the player and their party. One great option that a variety of spellcasters' classes can learn is theLongstriderspell. When cast on an ally or the player, the unit is allowed to walk a further 3 meters.
This means they can get across the map quicker and close gaps that may have not been possible before. Besides this, players can cast it outside of combat without using a spell slot due to it also being a ritual cast.
On Touch
Effect
Increases the units' movement speed by 3m until a long rest.
Does it require concentration?
14Sanctuary
Cannot Be Targeted For Ten Turns
Sanctuary is an interesting spell, as players may feel that it becomes useless in many situations. However, if a player is required tokeep a specific NPC alivein a battle, then Sanctuary will become the player’s best friend.
Casting this level 1 spell will protect the person from any direct incoming attacks, as an enemy isn’t allowed to target them. This spell only ends once that character has taken damage or attempted to hit someone. This spell can only be used by Clerics and those who have chosen to be a Paladin of Devotion, and therefore, few can use it in the player’s party.
18m
The player or an ally cannot be targeted by attacks unless the unit deals damage. This effect lasts 10 turns.
13Grease
Slow Enemies Or Make Them Slip
Another level 1 spell that doesn’t directly injure an opponent but is still incredibly useful must be the spell known as Grease. This spell can be cast by a variety of classes inBaldur’s Gate 3though a player will likely have it selected for their Wizards.
As the name suggests, casting this spell puts a puddle of grease on the ground; when an opponent or an ally walks through this puddle, they must succeed on a dexterity saving throw or fall prone in the grease. Besides this, a player can then ignite the puddle of grease using a fire spell that will thencause a burning explosion, damaging all that find themselves within it.
Covers the ground with grease in a 5m radius. Foes that fail a dexterity saving throw while in the grease will fall prone.
12Armor Of Agathys
Defend And Deal 5 Cold Damage
As seen, not all level 1 spells need to deal damage for them to be great spells. In some cases, the best level 1 spells for wizards and the like inBG3are those that defend them from deadly hits. One great example of this is Armor of Agathys.
With this cast, it lasts until a long rest or once all five temporary hit points have been used. Every time the unit is hit with this spell cast, the enemy that hit them with a melee attack will take five cold damage.
Self
The unit gains 5 temporary hit points and deals 5 cold damage to any creature that hits it with a melee attack.
11Bane
Three Creatures Have A 1d4 Penalty To Attack & Saving Rolls
Some of the greatest level 1 spells are not those that deal damage but those that give the opponents a disadvantage. A great spell that does this inBG3is Bane; this is another spell that can be used by a large variety of spellcasters in the game, and therefore at least one person should have it equipped.
For ten turns, as long as the caster can stay concentrated, a player can target three enemies in a circle that will receive a d4 penalty to both their attack and saving rolls. This, therefore, means whenever an enemy attempts to do one of these things, they will also have to take away a d4 amount from their original roll.
9m
Up to 3 creatures receive a 1d4 penalty to their attack and saving throws. If they succeed a charisma saving throw they don’t receive this penalty.
10False Life
Gain Seven Temporary Hit Points
Besides healing spells, there are other ways for players to gain an extra bit of health. With the spellFalse Life, players can increase the amount of health the caster has by seven hit points. This doesn’t have to becast during battle, and therefore, after a long rest, the player can quickly use one of their level 1 spells.
Seven hit points may not sound like a lot, but in some situations, these extra hit points can be the difference between life and death. Not to forget to mention that these spells can also be cast with a higher-level spell slot that will then give the player even more extra hit points.
9Ray Of Sickness
2d8 Poison Damage That Lingers
Few level 1 spells deal enough damage to make them worthwhile options in the long run ofBaldur’s Gate 3. However, Ray of Sickness is one that every player should consider for not only its initial damage but also the possibility of poisoning an opponent.
When first hit by the Ray of Sickness, the opponent takes two d8 of poison damage. If they then fail a constitution saving throw, they will proceed to be poisoned for the next two turns, where they will continue to take damage.
The foe is harmed for 2d8 of poison damage. If they fail the constitution saving throw they are also poisoned.
8Shield
Cause Foes To Miss
Like Shield of Agathys, this level 1 spell protects the player or the unit that has the spell from oncoming damage from the foe they face. When they are hit, the player is given the option to use a reaction, which is the Shield spell, to automatically increase their armor class by 5.
This could mean a spell or melee attack could miss that unit, allowing them another chance to survive. This spell is also great when dealing with wizards, as it also allows a player to take no damage from Magic Missile.
Increases the player’s armor class by 5 for 1 turn as well as allowing them to take no damage from Magic Missile.
7Inflict Wounds
3d10 Necrotic Damage On Touch
An alternative spell that can deal a decent amount of damage, even at level 1, isInflict Wounds. As this class is limited to both Clerics and Oathbreaker Paladins, players are likely to miss out on this incredible spell that deals Necrotic damage.
Even while using only a level 1 spell slot, this spell has the chance of dealing a max of thirty damage to an opponent as it rolls three d10s. The only problem with Inflict Wounds is that it requires a player to be close to their opponent to use it. However, this would be no issue foran Oathbreaker Paladinand their heavy armor.
Players attack a foe they touch for 3d10 of necrotic damage.
6Burning Hands
3d6 Fire Damage In A Cone
Classes that are predominantly spellcasters may struggle with keeping their distance away from opponents. They will struggle to use spells when an enemy is close to them as they feel threatened, not to mention that it is also harder to cast projectile spells from a shorter distance.
Thankfully, Burning Hands is a level 1 spell that will keep players and their party protected in these situations. When cast, it creates a cone of fire in front of the player. These flames deal three d6 of damage unless they succeed in a dexterity saving throw, where they will instead only take half.
5m
Players shoot fire 5m away from them in a cone that deals 3d6 fire damage to each target it strikes. If the foe succeeds a dexterity saving throw they take half damage.
