Spellcasting Guide - How to Use and Cast Spells

Spellcasting is a combat mechanic in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3) that allows spellcasters to use with spells with the help of their primary abilities. Read on to learn more about spells, how to cast spells, and other ways to use spells.

Spellcasting Basics

Baldur's Gate 3 Spell Casting Guide
Prepared Spells vs Known Spells Casting Consumes Spell Slots Difference Between Spells and Cantrips Spellcasting Abilities Spell Save DC

Prepared Spells vs Known Spells

In Baldur's Gate 3, your character's Known Spells can be found in the Spellbook (accessed via the in-game character sheet). Prepared Spells are the list of spells your character can equip and cast from your Spellbook.

Simply put, classes that can prepare their spells are able to edit their equipped spell list freely during their playthrough. Other spellcasters can only edit their list of usable spells from the level up screen.

Which Classes Can Prepare Their Spells?

Classes That Prepare Spells
Cleric	Druid	Wizard	Paladin

The Cleric, Druid, Wizard, and Paladin are the only classes that can prepare their spells in BG3. This means that only these 4 caster classes (and half-caster) are able to edit their spell lists on the fly.

Class Guide: All Classes and Subclasses

Casting Consumes Spell Slots

Spell Slots are the total number of casts you can do in a day. These are the blue boxes that you can find on your menu, indicating how many spells you can cast for each level.

To cast a spell successfully, the level of the spell must match the level of the Spell Slot you spend. For example, in order to cast Fireball, a Level 3 spell, you will need to use a Level 3 Spell Slot.

Difference Between Spells and Cantrips

A Spell requires a Spell Slot in order to cast. A Cantrip is a type of spell that only requires an Action to cast.

For example, a Warlock can freely cast Eldritch Blast without ever having to use up a Spell Slot since it is a Cantrip for that class. However, if they want to cast something like Armor of Agathys, they will have to spend one of their spell slots in order to cast it.

Eldritch Blast Spell Guide

Spellcasting Abilities

Spellcasters use different mental abilities when using spells depending on their class. These spellcasting abilities determine your caster's spell saves and damage output upon casting.

• Charisma - Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Paladin.
• Wisdom - Cleric, Druid, Ranger.
• Intelligence - Wizard, Eldritch Knight (Fighter Subclass), Arcane Trickster (Rogue Subclass).

For example, when using Witch Bolt, Wizards will calculate their damage using their Intelligence Modifier. If used by Warlocks, they will use Charisma instead.

Spell Save DC

Spell Save Difficulty Class, also known as Spell Save DC, is a difficulty check that determines how an enemy will resist your spell upon casting. Some spells that provide area-of-effect damage like Poison Spray force enemies to make a Spell Save DC to determine if they will resist the Poison proc or succumb to it.

Spell Save DC uses the formula: 8 + Your Proficiency + Spellcasting Class Modifier. So if you're using a Wizard with +2 on both Proficiency and Intelligence, then Spell Save DC is 12, because 8 + 2 + 2 = 12.

How to Use Spells

How to Use Spells in Baldur's Gate 3
Click on a Spell You Want to Cast Use Scrolls to Cast Spells

Click on a Spell You Want to Cast

To cast a spell, simply click on the spell you want to cast from the character interface found at the bottom of your screen. Once selected, pick your target and cast your spell. If you have spell slots of higher level, you will also be presented an option to Upcast your spell before casting.

List of All Spells

Be Mindful of Concentration Spells

Some spells require you to maintain Concentration in order to keep the magic effect active. When you get hit by an enemy, you will perform a Concentration Saving Throw. Passing it means the spell stays up; failing it ends your spell early.

Casters who have a lot of Concentration-based spells (like Clerics) will need to invest in Constitution if they want to pass the Saving Throws consistently as this stat grants bonuses to the die roll

Additionally, you cannot use two Concentration-based spells at the same time. Casting them one after the other will cancel out the effects of the first spell.

What is Concentration?

Use Scrolls to Cast Spells

You can also use spells from scrolls to cast magic. However, unlike learned spells, you can only use scrolls once. Additionally, some scrolls that have higher level spells will require a spell slot to use. For example, a Level 5 Spell Scroll will require you to spend a Level 5 Spell Slot in order to cast.

If your character has no Level 5 Spell Slots unlocked, you will not be able to cast the spell. Keep this in mind before taking high level spell scrolls in battle thinking that they can be cast freely.

List of All Scrolls

How to Upcast Spells

Use a Higher Level Spell Slot to Cast

Upcast allows you to use the higher level Spell Slots to cast more powerful versions of your spells. When using spells via Upcast, you can add extra effects on your spells such as extra damage or extra projectiles upon casting.

However, not all spells will have extra effects when using Upcast (like Grease). Make sure to check the note at the bottom of the menu to see if the spell will get additional effects when used with an Upcast.

How to Replenish Spell Slots

How to Use Spells in Baldur's Gate 3
Replenish Via Long Rest Warlocks Can Take Short Rests Wizards Can Use Arcane Recovery Sorcerers Can Use Sorcery Points

Replenish Via Long Rest

The best way to replenish Spell Slots is to take a Long Rest. This is the primary way to replenish Spell Slots and it only requires you to spend 40 Camp Supplies in order to fully rest and reap the benefits of the Long Rest.

On top of replenishing your Spell Slots, Long Rests also replenish your HP and any charge-based spells your party has such as Bardic Inspiration charges for Bards, or Wild Shape charges if you're a Druid.

How to Use Short and Long Rests

Restoration Pods in the Nautiloid Also Replenish Spell Slots

During the tutorial segment of BG3 aboard the Nautiloid, you can use the Restoration Pods to replenish spell slots. Keep an eye out for them before reaching the bridge, especially if you plan to beat the optional mini-boss, Commander Zhalk.

Nautiloid Map and Points of Interest

Warlocks Can Take Short Rests

Unlike most spellcasting classes, Warlocks can replenish their spell slots by taking either a Short or Long Rest. While this may seem overpowered, do remember that the trade-off for being a Warlock is that you have fewer spell slots than other casting classes.

Warlock Class Guide

Wizards Can Use Arcane Recovery

Aside from Long Rests, Wizards can also replenish their spell slots via their Arcane Recovery class feature. This allows them to spend Arcane Recovery Charges in order to replenish a spell slot of their choice. The higher the level of the spell slot, the more charges it will use up.

Wizard Class Guide

Sorcerers Can Use Sorcery Points

Aside from Long Rests, Level 2 Sorcerers can also create spell slots by spending Sorcery Points. These created spell slots effectively function as an extra spell cast for your Sorcerer. Naturally, the higher the level of the spell slot being created, the more Sorcery Points it will cost to create.

Sorcerer Class Guide

Baldur's Gate 3 Related Guides

Baldur's Gate 3 Beginner's Guide