10 Missing D&D Spells That Could Boost BG4

Enhancing the Spell Experience in Baldur’s Gate 4

Baldur’s Gate 3 has become a landmark title for its deep connection to the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) tabletop game. It includes a vast array of spells that players have come to love, but with such a massive game world and an even larger spell list from D&D, some content inevitably had to be left out. While Larian Studios is moving on to new projects, there's still hope that these forgotten spells might find their way into the upcoming Baldur’s Gate 4.

Druidcraft: A Flavorful Cantrip for Authenticity

Druidcraft is a cantrip typically used by druids in D&D. It allows for minor effects like predicting the weather or lighting a campfire, which are more about flavor than power. In a video game setting, it could be adapted similarly to Thaumaturgy, which in BG3 was limited to providing advantage on intimidation and performance checks. If implemented in BG4, Druidcraft could offer advantage on animal handling, nature, medicine, and survival checks, keeping it closer to its original purpose.

Charm Monster: Expanding Combat Options

Charm Person is already in BG3, but it often goes unused due to the strict definition of "humanoid." Charm Monster, which targets creatures rather than beasts, could be more useful depending on the enemies in BG4. While not game-changing, it would add another layer to combat tactics, allowing players to adapt their strategies better.

Prestidigitation: A Quality-of-Life Cantrip

Prestidigitation offers minor effects like making symbols appear or lighting a campfire. If narrowed down to one ability, it could serve as a toggle for visual effects, such as showing blood or dirt on avatars. This could enhance immersion and provide a fun, thematic experience in BG4.

Find Steed: Easier Travel Across the World

Find Steed is a paladin spell that could be expanded to other classes in BG4. Players could learn it similarly to how they obtain familiars in BG3. With larger maps and smoother terrain, this spell could make travel more efficient, though developers must ensure it doesn’t lead to overly large, uninteresting areas.

Healing Spirit: A Dynamic Healing Mechanic

Healing Spirit is a conjuration spell that summons a spirit to heal nearby creatures. Unlike BG3’s one-time healing spells, this could introduce more variety for support-focused characters. Its ability to move during a turn adds versatility, making it a valuable addition to future games.

Flock of Familiars: Three Is Better Than One

Flock of Familiars allows summoning three familiars at once, offering a fun and dynamic gameplay experience. While controlling three creatures may be challenging, BG4 could flavor them as a single entity, maintaining their usefulness without overwhelming players.

Water Walk: Navigating Liquid Surfaces

Water Walk grants the ability to walk over liquid surfaces, which would have been incredibly helpful in BG3’s Grymforge area. In BG4, this spell could allow players to find shortcuts or access exclusive loot, depending on the terrain.

Arcane Eye: Scouting Without Detection

Arcane Eye creates an invisible magical eye for scouting, providing a stealthy way to gather information. It could be used to discover secret areas or plan battles without alerting enemies. This spell offers an alternative to wildshape orEnlarge/Reduce, adding depth to exploration.

Detect Magic: Useful for Uncovering Secrets

Detect Magic is a level-one spell that can help identify traps or suspicious NPCs. It could replace perception or investigation checks, offering a practical tool for various dialogue scenes. Implementing it in BG4 would be a straightforward enhancement.

Rary’s Telepathic Bond: Connecting Companions

Rary’s Telepathic Bond allows communication between up to eight creatures, regardless of language. While it wasn't included in BG3 due to the Mind Flayer tadpoles, it could be a valuable addition in BG4. This spell could open up unique dialogue and group interactions, enhancing the storytelling experience.