Best Druid build in Baldur’s Gate 3: Race, skills, subclass & more

Explore the mystical world of Baldur’s Gate 3 as we delve into the enchanting abilities of the Druid class. With the power to harness nature’s fury, transform into formidable beasts, and wield an arsenal of spells, Druids are a versatile force on the battlefield. This guide unveils the best Druid spells that not only enhance your survivability but also maximize your damage output and crowd control capabilities. Whether you’re summoning elemental allies or unleashing devastating storms, mastering these spells will elevate your gameplay and ensure your place in any adventuring party. Prepare to transform your strategy and embrace the wild magic that awaits!

Druids, like Clerics or Mages, prepare their spell repertoire from the list available to them every day. This means that you are able to manage the spells you have available for you during a given period, depending on the upcoming challenges of the day.

The best offensive spells for the Druid

Druids in Baldur’s Gate 3 possess a versatile arsenal of offensive spells that can significantly influence the tide of battle. Top choices include Entangle, which not only restrains enemies but also creates difficult terrain, allowing for strategic positioning. Thunderwave serves as a powerful area-of-effect spell, dealing damage while also pushing foes back, potentially into hazardous terrain. Moonbeam stands out for its ability to deal consistent radiant damage over time, especially when repositioned during combat. Additionally, spells like Call Lightning capitalize on environmental conditions to maximize damage output, making them essential for any Druid looking to dominate in combat scenarios. By effectively utilizing these spells, Druids can balance offense with crowd control, enhancing their role as formidable spellcasters in the game.

Cantrips:

1. Summon Flame (Produce Flame) – The Druid creates a flickering flame that illuminates the space. You may then throw this type of projectile dealing 1d8 damage on hit. An immediate throw after creation doesn’t consume an action, but holding the flame for subsequent turns will require actions to throw it at enemies.
2. Shillelagh – A useful spell that transforms the club or staff wielded by a Druid into a magical weapon dealing 1d8 2 damage. Additionally, the ability responsible for casting spells in a Druid (Wisdom) is used during attack rolls. A mandatory part of the repertoire for a hero using blunt weapons.
3. Poison Spray – a cantrip that deals impressive (especially in the early stages of the game) 1d12 poison damage.
4. Thorn Whip – the enemy takes 1d6 damage on hit and is pulled 3 meters towards you. A skill that is useful for controlling the combat field in addition to forcing a specific set-up of the opponents.

Level 1 spells:

1. Thunderwave – a powerful wave deals 2d8 damage to enemies from sound and pushes them away from the hero. A useful spell when you need to force your opponent to extend the gap. Goals that pass the constitution test will still receive half damage.

Level 2 spells:

1. Flaming Blade – A spell that creates a magical, burning saber dealing 3d6 damage upon hitting an enemy. Weapons can be freely taken up and holstered by the Druid and remain active until a long rest. This type of weapon may be useful when the Druid is forced fight directly.
2. Flaming Sphere – an area-based, fiery zone dealing 2d6 fire damage. It can also be used to illuminate the darkness. The uninterrupted spell will last for 10 turns, but like many similar spells, Fireball requires the caster to maintain concentration.
3. Moonbeam – Another area spell dealing up to 2d10 damage to creatures within. As part of the action, the Druid can move the zone by 18 meters.

Level 3 spells:

1. Call of Lightning – an offensive spell that deals 3d10 damage to targets within range. By maintaining concentration, Druid is able to summon another deadly lightning bolt without using another spell slot. This spell is particularly useful against soaked opponents, as a wet target receives double damage from electricity.

The best defensive and support spells for the Druid.

The Druid class in Baldur’s Gate 3 excels in both defensive and support spells, making it a versatile choice for any party. Key defensive spells include Entangle, which creates difficult terrain to hinder enemy movement, and Hold Person, capable of paralyzing foes and effectively removing them from combat. For support, spells like Healing Word provide crucial healing during battle, while Enhance Ability can grant allies advantages on critical skill checks. Additionally, Spike Growth serves a dual purpose by damaging enemies while slowing their advance, illustrating the Druid’s ability to control the battlefield effectively. These spells not only enhance survivability but also empower allies, showcasing the Druid’s unique role as a protector and facilitator in any encounter.

Level 1 spells:

1. Entangle – the area of the spell’s effect becomes densely overgrown, which slows downthe creatures within it. Enemies who fail their Dexterity saving roll become entangled and immobilized.
2. Faerie Fire – a magical light reveals previously invisible enemies and offers an advantageon attack rolls against them. Especially useful when facing monsters that are hard to see or in dark environments.
3. Healing Word – a basic healing that spell recovers 1d4 health points. Its utility comes from the fact that it works at a line of sight distance, and can also be activated in a bonus action. Extremely useful in a critical situation where the team’s main healer falls.
4. Longstrider – A Druid or his ally receives a movement bonus (3 meters) until the next long rest.
5. Create or Destroy Water – The Druid summons rain or dries up a certain area. It’s worth remembering that wet enemies receive double damage from frost and electricity.

Level 2 spells:

1. Immobilizing a person (Hold Person) – a creature that doesn’t pass the saving throw on Wisdombecomesparalyzed, and cannot take actions or move. However, the spell requires the Druid to maintain concentration.
2. Protection from Poison – the target is instantly cured from the negative effects of active poisons, receives an advantage on saving throws against subsequent poisonings, and also gains resistance to poison damage. The effect lasts until a long rest.
3. Mirror Image – creates 3 illusory copies of the Druid, which are distracting the opponent. Each duplicate increases Armor Class by 3. Available after selecting Circle of Mountain Spells at level 3 (sub-class of the Earth Circle).

Level 3 spells:

1. Plant Growth – a chosen area becomes covered with lush vegetation, and any units within its range move at 1/4 of their original speed.
2. Sleet Storm – A severe storm that extinguishes fires and creates an ice layer over a selected area. Creatures within range lose concentration. A spell useful during encounters with other magic users.
3. Haste – the target is accelerated, gaining an additional 2 armor points, an advantage on Dexterity rolls, double movement speed, and able to take an additional action during their turn. However, it should be remembered that when the spell ceases to have effect, the previously accelerated unit becomes tired – for 1 turn, and he cannot move or take actions. A spell available for the Earth Circle Druid, who at level 5 chooses the Arctic Circle of Spells.

The best utility spells for the Druid

Druids in Baldur’s Gate 3 possess a versatile array of utility spells that enhance their support capabilities and battlefield control. Key spells include Entangle, which creates difficult terrain to hinder enemy movement, and Healing Word, providing crucial healing to allies without the need for direct line of sight. Goodberry is another essential spell, allowing Druids to generate healing items that can be used outside of combat, ensuring sustained party resilience. Additionally, Thunderwave serves as both an offensive and defensive tool, pushing enemies away while dealing damage. These spells exemplify the Druid’s role as a flexible support class, capable of adapting to various combat scenarios while maintaining a strong connection to nature.

Cantrips:

1. Guidance – the ally receives a 1d4 bonus on rolls related to the chosen ability.

Level 1 spells:

1. Goodberry – The Druid creates 4 fruits that restore 1d4 health points. Berries can also serve as provisions while your party is in the camp (providing one unit of Camp Supply).
2. Jump – the target’s jump range is tripled. Useful when you want to get to a hard-to-reach place or during a fight for dynamic movement.

Level 2 spells:

1. Pass without Trace – the hero and his companion gain a massive bonus of 10 to their Stealth rolls. Incredibly useful when you want to sneak somewhere unnoticed with the entire team.
2. Enhance Ability – The target receives advantage on rolls related to the chosen trait. Useful during rolls when you want to reduce the probability of failure.
3. Seeing in the Dark (Darkvision) – the creature receives the gift of seeing in the dark within a 12 meter range. A useful spell when a companion lacks the natural ability to see in the dark.

Level 3 spells:

1. Daylight – a selected object is filled with burning light, which glow disperses darkness, including the magical ones.

What are the top Druid spells for crowd control in Baldur’s Gate 3

In Baldur’s Gate 3, Druids possess several powerful spells that excel in crowd control, allowing them to manipulate the battlefield and hinder enemy movements. Here are the top Druid spells specifically designed for crowd control:

1. Spike Growth: This level 2 Transmutation spell transforms the terrain into a hazardous landscape filled with spikes. Any creature that moves through the area takes piercing damage, making it a strategic choice for controlling enemy movement and inflicting damage simultaneously.
2. Grease: A classic crowd control spell, Grease creates a slippery surface that can cause enemies to fall prone. This spell effectively disrupts enemy formations and allows your party to capitalize on their disarray, making it easier to pick them off from a distance.
3. Silence: By creating a soundproof sphere, Silence prevents enemies within its range from casting spells that require verbal components. This is particularly effective against enemy spellcasters, neutralizing their threat and allowing your team to gain the upper hand in combat.
4. Cloudkill: This level 5 spell conjures a poisonous cloud that deals damage over time to any creature caught within it. Its repositionable nature allows you to follow fleeing enemies, making it an excellent choice for controlling groups and dealing consistent damage.
5. Ice Storm: A powerful area-effect spell, Ice Storm deals both bludgeoning and cold damage while also covering the ground in ice, potentially knocking enemies prone if they fail their Dexterity saving throw. This combination of high damage and crowd control makes Ice Storm a standout choice for Druids looking to dominate the battlefield.
6. Entangle: As one of the first crowd control spells available to Druids, Entangle creates difficult terrain that can restrain enemies within its area. It effectively slows down opponents and can be crucial in managing large groups during encounters.

These spells not only enhance your Druid’s effectiveness in controlling crowds but also allow for creative combinations with other abilities to maximize their impact in combat scenarios.

How can I strategically use Spike Growth in combat

To strategically use Spike Growth in combat within Baldur’s Gate 3, consider the following tactics that maximize its effectiveness:

Tactical Placement

• Chokepoints and Narrow Spaces: Cast Spike Growth in areas where enemies are forced to move through, such as doorways, narrow passages, or bridges. This ensures they take damage as they navigate the hazardous terrain4.
• Camouflage Advantage: The spikes blend into the environment, meaning enemies may not realize they are entering a dangerous area until it’s too late. This surprise element can catch foes off guard, allowing for additional tactical advantages4.

Synergistic Combos

• Combine with Restraint Spells: Use Spike Growth alongside spells like Entangle or Web to restrict enemy movement further. When enemies are immobilized, they will either have to take damage moving through the spikes or remain trapped2.
• Force Movement Techniques: Utilize abilities that push or pull enemies, such as Thorn Whip, Thunderwave, or a Warlock’s Repelling Blast. These can shove enemies back into the Spike Growth area, causing them to take additional damage as they move3.

Team Coordination

• Communicate with Allies: Coordinate with your party members to funnel enemies into the Spike Growth area. Melee fighters can bait foes into the trap, while ranged attackers can take advantage of the chaos to deal damage safely2.
• Use Grappling and Shoving: If you have allies capable of grappling or shoving enemies, these tactics can force opponents back into the spikes. For instance, grappling an enemy and then using movement abilities can lead to substantial damage from multiple interactions with Spike Growth.

Defensive Strategies

• Create Barriers: Position Spike Growth strategically to create a barrier that forces enemies to either take damage or find alternative routes, potentially leading them into ambushes set by your team24.
• Cover for Ranged Attacks: If enemies are caught in Spike Growth, they may be less inclined to approach your ranged attackers due to the threat of damage. This allows your team to maintain distance while still dealing damage effectively4.

By leveraging these strategies, you can turn Spike Growth into a powerful tool for controlling the battlefield and inflicting significant damage on your foes in Baldur’s Gate 3.