Clerics in the RPG world are often a healing class, but thanks to the versatility and creative power of Dungeons & Dragons, they’ve become a combination class that can do just about anything. The class still makes a great healer, if that’s the build you want, but Clerics can also be melee and ranged DPS fighters.
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Baldur’s Gate 3uses the D&D 5e rules, which means that there are the same choices available when it comes to different builds, and that includes a wide variety of useful spells for Clerics. There are a few spells that are exclusive to Clerics, or certain Domains, while others are available to any casting class.
8Turn Undead
Turn Undead could be one of the best spells in the game, never mind the best one for Clerics. There are plenty of situations in Baldur’s Gate 3 that involve fighting the undead, especially in the Underdark, and one use of this spell can turn the tide against them.
A spell is exclusive to Clerics, this causes any undead within nine meters of the caster to either flee from the caster for the next three turns or until they take damage, provided they succeed in a Wisdom saving throw. Should they fail, they die instantly. Agreat spell for battlefield managementand clearing out a few enemies at once.
7Freedom Of Movement
Ensnare, Web, and Grease are just a few of the spells that adventurers will encounter on their travels. All of them have the effect of inhibiting movement even though they don’t do any damage, which can be just as detrimental.
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Counter this effect with the level four Abjuration spell, Freedom of Movement. It only targets one party member, but they will be able to walk over compromised terrain, like ice or mud, and they won’t be affected by crowd-control spells.
6Mass Cure Wounds
Clerics often take the healing role in the party and this spell is one of the reasons why. Just like the title says, Mass Cure Wounds cures everyone en masse and can be used either in or out of combat. It’s very handy during a fight because the Cleric doesn’t have to choose which character is more important if more than one of their friends needs help.
The Cleric learns this spell at level five, and it heals both them and their companions for 3D8 hit points, which can not only save a party from death but turn the tide of a battle. Use it outside of combat instead of taking a short rest to restore everyone’s hit points.
5Speak With Dead
Everyone in the party should have access to the Speak With Dead spell somehow, even if it’s through a scroll, potion, or granted through the use of an item. It can give the party vital clues as to where they should look next when it seems that the last eyewitness has taken their secrets to the grave.
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Bards and Warlocks know this spell along with Clerics, and all three classes can learn it at level three. Speak With Dead doesn’t work on bodies that have been too badly damaged, have been resurrected as undead, or are in an advanced state of decay.
4Insect Plague
A Cleric’s spell of this power would have to be something biblical, and this spell actually calls a plague of locusts down to smite your enemies. Druids also have access to this Conjuration spell, and both classes can learn it at level five.
Insect Plague must be cast with some caution, as it’s an AoE spell that doesn’t distinguish between friend or foe. Everyone within range takes 4D10 piercing damage, and in addition, the affected area becomes Difficult Terrain and anyone inside takes a Disadvantage on Perception checks.
3Hold Monster
Hold Person is a great spell for crowd control, as long as the target happens to be humanoid. In the world of BG3, however, that often isn’t the case. Most of the best spells for managing the battlefield require that the target be human, and won’t work on anything classified as a monster.
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Hold Monster is that situational but essential spell that helps cover up this vulnerability, as long as the monster isn’t undead. It renders a monster immobile, making it impossible for them to move, act, or react to anything, plus any damage done to it counts as a critical hit.
2Pass Without Trace
A handy spell that can be used to improve the party’s Stealth checks, Pass Without Trace is often used by Rangers and Druids, but Clerics of the Trickery Domain also have access to it. That means you’ll have it too, provided you keep Shadowheart in the party.
This is a level two spell from the Abjuration school a healthy +10 to their Stealth checks, which is more than decent. The spell requires Concentration but lasts until the caster takes a long rest, so the party can use it to sneak around for the whole day.
1Speak With Animals
A spell that can also be acquired via scrolls or items that you can wear or carry,Speak with Animalsis one of themost important hidden secretsof BG3. Several classes have access to it in one form or another. It’s possible to play through the whole campaign without speaking to one beast, but be warned, you really miss out on some great moments if you don’t.
This is a level one divination spell, and it’s typical of Druids and Rangers but Clerics can also keep it in their spellbook. After speaking to Scratch, see what the ox in the Emerald Grove has to say, or the weird, cultish rats in Shar’s Temple in the Underdark.
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