BG3 Spirit Guardians is one of the most versatile and powerful spells available to Clerics. This conjuration spell calls forth spirits to protect the caster and their allies, dealing radiant damage to enemies while controlling the battlefield. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using Spirit Guardians in Baldur’s Gate 3, including strategies, synergies, builds, and more.
How BG3 Spirit Guardians Works
Spirit Guardians is available to Clerics at 5th level in BG3. When cast, it summons spectral guardians in a 15 foot radius around the caster. Enemies that enter the area for the first time or start their turn there take 3d8 radiant damage, or 3d8 necrotic damage if the caster is evil.
The spell lasts for up to 10 minutes, requiring concentration. Enemies that fail their save against the spell also have their speed halved while inside the area.
Spirit Guardians Damage Table
| Spell Slot | Damage per Turn |
|---|---|
| 3rd | 3d8 |
| 4th | 4d8 |
| 5th | 5d8 |
| 6th | 6d8 |
| 7th | 7d8 |
| 8th | 8d8 |
| 9th | 9d8 |
- The base damage of Spirit Guardians when cast using a 3rd level spell slot is 3d8 radiant damage.
- For each slot level above 3rd, the damage increases by 1d8.
- So at 4th level the damage is 4d8, at 5th level it is 5d8, and so on.
- The maximum damage when cast using a 9th level spell slot is 9d8.
- This damage is dealt each turn to any enemies that start their turn within the area.
- The damage type is radiant for good aligned clerics, necrotic for evil clerics.
- Enemies can make a Wisdom saving throw each turn for half damage.
Key Benefits of Spirit Guardians
- Deals consistent AoE damage each turn
- Slows enemies, controlling the battlefield
- Long duration with concentration
- Works well with cleric abilities and spells
- Can be upcast for greater damage
Drawbacks & Limitations
- Concentration limits other spell use
- Costly at higher spell slots
- Hurts allies without proper positioning
- Some enemies may resist radiant/necrotic damage
- Requires staying in close range of enemies
Best Uses & Strategies for Baldur’s Gate 3 Spirit Guardians
Battlefield Control
The area denial and speed reduction offered by Spirit Guardians is exceptional for controlling the battlefield. It can prevent enemies from reaching squishy allies, buy time to reposition, and herd foes into more optimal positioning.
Close-Quarters Caster
With proper positioning, Spirit Guardians can let clerics contribute lots of AoE damage each turn while concentrating. It rewards an aggressive, close-range fighting style.
Zone Defense
When defending an area or protecting allies, Spirit Guardians can keep melee enemies at bay. The damage over time and speed reduction make it painful for foes to push past the caster.
Layered CC
Combining Spirit Guardians with other control spells like Hold Person or Silence can completely lock down dangerous enemies. This synergy is great for disabling mages while the party focuses fire.
Maximizing Damage
To optimize damage, upcast Spirit Guardians to the highest spell slot possible. Concentration bonuses like Resilient (Con) and War Caster are extremely valuable as well.
Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 House of Healing Guide
Effective Cleric Builds for Spirit Guardians
Tempest Domain
Tempest clerics gain access to heavy armor and martial weapons, along with abilities like Wrath of the Storm that add retaliation damage to enemies attacking you. This makes you an ideal close range damage dealer with Spirit Guardians.
Twilight Domain
The Twilight cleric’s advantage on initiative rolls helps you activate Spirit Guardians early in combat. Their aura also bolsters allies and provides temp HP, improving survivability.
Life Domain
Life clerics can heal allies while damaging enemies with Spirit Guardians. Their Blessed Healer feature also helps keep Spirit Guardians active by making your heals more efficient.
Grave Domain
Grave clerics can maximize damage against wounded enemies with their Channel Divinity. This combines well with the consistent damage over time provided by Spirit Guardians.
Effective Cleric Multiclasses
Cleric/Fighter
Fighters gain access to armor, second wind, and action surge for more spellcasts. The defense and consistent damage of this multiclass work great with Spirit Guardians.
Cleric/Sorcerer
Twin casting Spirit Guardians as a sorcerer doubles its damage output. Metamagic like Extended Spell also boosts the spell’s duration.
Cleric/Paladin
The defensive auras and healing of paladins make this multiclass hard to take down. Their smite spells add additional spike damage to the steady damage from guardians.
Cleric/Warlock
The Armor of Shadows and protective invocations available to Warlocks improve survivability when using Spirit Guardians at close range.
Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 Arcane Tower Elevator Guide
Optimal Party Composition
- tanky melee fighter/paladin to hold the frontline
- rogue/ranger/fighter for reliable ranged damage
- control mage (wizard, sorcerer) for layered CC
- life/light cleric or druid as backup healer
- spirit guardians cleric focusing damage and control
- open space for enemy agro, with ranged allies behind the cleric
Battle Strategies and Positioning
- Open combat from max range when possible to get Spirit Guardians active before enemies engage
- Position yourself to “zone” the optimal area and herd enemies together
- Use natural chokepoints and terrain to maximize the effective area
- Keep squishy allies just outside the radius to avoid friendly fire
- Combine with Silence, Hold Person, or other CC to lock down enemies inside the radius
- Remain mobile, using dashes and disengages to reposition the zone as needed
FAQ – August 14, 2023
Does Spirit Guardians affect allies?
Yes, Spirit Guardians will damage allies that enter or start their turn inside the area. Positioning carefully is required to avoid hurting your party.
What’s the range of Spirit Guardians in BG3?
Spirit Guardians has a radius of 15 feet in Baldur’s Gate 3. Enemies up to 15 feet away from the caster are affected.
What’s the best cleric domain for Spirit Guardians?
Tempest and Twilight clerics are especially effective with Spirit Guardians. But Life and Grave clerics also work well.
What stats boost Spirit Guardians damage?
Your cleric level and Wisdom modifier both contribute to Spirit Guardians damage. Upcasting it to higher spell slots also increases the damage.
Does Spirit Guardians work on all enemy types?
Most humanoids and beasts are affected normally. But some enemies like fiends may have resistance, reducing the damage taken.
Conclusion
With the right positioning, strategies, and character build, Spirit Guardians can be an exceptionally effective spell in Baldur’s Gate 3. It offers clerics a potent means of controlling the battlefield and dealing damage over time to groups of enemies.
Combining Spirit Guardians with clerical abilities, other control spells, and a durable frontline party can make your team nearly unstoppable against hordes of melee and spellcasting foes. This versatile conjuration is a must-have in any cleric’s spellbook.
