Baldur’s Gate 3: BEST Illithid Powers [Top 15]

In the sprawling saga of Baldur’s Gate 3, players encounter the enigmatic Illithid powers, mysterious abilities rooted in ancient psionic energies. These powers, woven into the fabric of BG3, offer unique combat strategies and narrative depth, ensuring every choice is both a tactical decision and a lore-rich experience. That is why I have listed the 15 best Best Illithid Powers in BG3. 

Best Illithid Powers In Baldur’s Gate 3

Here is an overview of all the best Illithid Powers in BG3 showcased along with what each one does in the game.

15. Charm

In Baldur’s Gate 3, the CHARM Illithid Power leverages the eerie appeal of the tadpole to deter attackers. When an enemy strikes at the player, this ability can be activated as a reaction, charming the aggressor and halting any further attacks from them until their subsequent turn.

To employ this power, the prerequisite Favorable Beginnings must be met. Essentially, it grants a brief respite from a single attacker’s aggression, giving the player a strategic advantage in combat situations.

14. Mind Sanctuary

In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Mind Sanctuary, another of the best Illithid Powers in BG3, provides players with a tactical advantage in combat by reshaping the rules of the action economy. When activated, the player establishes a magical nexus within which creatures, including the player themselves, can interchangeably use Actions and Bonus Actions.

This unique flexibility empowers them to deploy stronger moves, which typically consume an Action as if they were mere Bonus Actions. The power lasts for three turns and covers a radius of 9 meters.

To harness this ability, the player must have already unlocked the Psionic Backlash prerequisite. Activating the Mind Sanctuary requires Action and can be replenished after a Long Rest. This power offers a significant strategic edge by letting players optimize their actions in battle for a limited duration.

13. Favorable Beginnings

The Favorable Beginnings Illithid Power in Baldur’s Gate 3 bolsters a player’s initial offensive or influential attempt in any combat or interaction. This passive ability ensures that the very first attack roll or ability check made against any target benefits from an added bonus, equivalent to the player’s Proficiency Bonus.

Whether launching the opening salvo in a skirmish or trying to subtly influence an NPC through sneaking deception, or persuasion, this power improves the odds of the player’s success.

By enhancing the chances of a successful start, offers a strategic edge, setting a favorable pace either in combat or in dialogues, which can be crucial for shaping subsequent events.

12. Shield of Thralls

In the long list of the best Illithid Powers in BG3, the Shield of Thralls Illithid Power in Baldur’s Gate 3 stands out as a potent defensive ability with a unique twist. While the primary function of this power is to confer 10 Temporary HP to the user or an ally, its true strength lies in its reactive effect.

Should these temporary hit points be fully exhausted, the shield retaliates with a blast that attempts to Stun enemies around. For this stunning effect to occur, adversaries must fail an Intelligence (INT) saving throw. Given that many creatures in the game, aside from spellcasters, typically have low INT scores, this makes the Stun effect highly effective when the power is used by a character with a considerable INT score.

Thus, not only does Shield of Thralls provide a protective buffer in the form of Temporary HP, but it also sets up a potential crowd control opportunity. To harness this power, players must first unlock the prerequisite, Transfuse Health. The ability itself is activated as an Action during combat or other encounters.

11. Displacer Beast Shape

The Displacer Beast Shape Illithid Power offers players a chilling but powerful transformation ability in Baldur’s Gate 3. As a passive skill, once acquired, players have the option to morph into a Displacer Beast, an eerie creature known for its formidable presence in combat.

This transformation grants the player a health pool of 85 Hit Points, functioning similarly to temporary hit points since any damage taken while in this form doesn’t affect the player’s original health. While the idea of the Illithid parasite transforming the player into a Mindflayer might be terrifying, the ability to become a Displacer Beast provides a significant combat advantage, and that is why I consider this easily as the best Illithid Powers in BG3.

The transformation remains until the Displacer Beast form either exhausts its 85 Hit Points or until the player undergoes a Long Rest. In essence, the Displacer Beast Shape acts as a blend of protection and power enhancement, clothed in the visage of one of the game’s more otherworldly creatures. Before players can tap into this power, they must first have the Stage Fright prerequisite unlocked.

10. Stage Fright

The Stage Fright Illithid Power introduces a potent debuff that can be a game-changer during combat in Baldur’s Gate 3. Activated as an action, this power affects all targets within a 6m radius, forcing them to make a Wisdom save, easily making this the best Illithid Powers to get in BG3.

Failure to do so imposes a disadvantage on their attack rolls, compelling them to roll two dice for their attacks and take the lower result. This often leads to missed strikes, further exacerbating their predicament.

The true menace of Stage Fright, however, is the penalty it inflicts upon missed attacks: 2d6 Psychic damage. Over the three-turn duration of the power, if the target consistently fails their attacks, they could accrue a total of 6d6 Psychic damage. The effect persists for these three turns or concludes early if the affected target successfully lands an attack.

While debuffs that induce disadvantage play a pivotal role in Baldur’s Gate 3 combat dynamics, Stage Fright stands out for its combined effect of attack hindrance and damage punishment. However, to utilize this power, players must first unlock the Psionic Overload prerequisite.

9. Fracture Psyche

The Fracture Psyche Illithid Power in BG3 offers players a tactical advantage by directly affecting an enemy’s Armor Class (AC). As AC determines whether an opponent can be damaged based on the player’s Attack Roll, any ability that diminishes it can be highly valuable.

Fracture Psyche does just that: it imposes a -1 AC penalty on the targeted enemy if they fail an Intelligence save. This debuff, lasting for five turns, not only aids the caster but also benefits allies by making the debuffed enemy more vulnerable to attacks, be it through spells or weapons.

Furthermore, if the target with the reduced AC is killed within the effect’s duration, the caster has the option to apply Fracture Psyche to another adversary. Given that this power can only be activated once per Short Rest, players are encouraged to capitalize on the debuff’s timeframe to eliminate affected foes, ensuring they make the most out of this tactical ability.

8. Psionic Dominance

Psionic Dominance stands as another of the best Illithid Powers in BG3 that offers spellcasters an alternative to the revered 3rd-Level Abjuration spell, Counterspell. While Counterspell is a crucial tool that allows casters to negate spells of equal or lower level as a Reaction, it comes with its inherent cost.

Psionic Dominance emerges as a solution to this. When an enemy spellcaster within an 18-meter range targets the player with a spell that’s of a level lower or equal to their Proficiency Bonus, Psionic Dominance empowers the player to immediately cancel out that spell using their Reaction.

Essentially, this power operates as a free version of Counterspell, providing players with significant defensive advantages against magic users. It’s worth noting, however, that its utility may be more focused on individual spellcaster threats rather than multiple ones. Before players can leverage this power, they must first unlock the Charm prerequisite.

7. Psionic Backlash

Psionic Backlash emerges as an essential Illithid Power, especially when confronting spellcasters in Baldur’s Gate 3. Recognized as a significant threat due to their potent spells, albeit often having lower health, spellcasters can be a challenge to neutralize.

While the D&D system offers the Mage Slayer Feat that permits melee counterattacks against mages, Psionic Backlash provides a ranged alternative. With this power, players have the ability to utilize their Reaction to deliver 1d4 Psychic Damage to any adversary casting a spell within a 9-meter proximity.

The potency of this retaliation escalates with the spell’s level, adding an additional 1d4 damage for each spell level. This means more powerful spells incur heavier psychic damage, making Psionic Backlash a strategic tool in discouraging enemies from using high-level spells. It’s a valuable means to whittle down spellcasters without expending multiple actions. To access this power, players must first acquire the Concentrated Blast prerequisite.

6. Force Tunnel

The Force Tunnel Illithid Power provides players with a tactical movement advantage on the battlefield in Baldur’s Gate 3. Activated as an Action, this power enables players to charge forward up to a distance of 9 meters. As they move, all objects and creatures encountered in their path are forcefully pushed 4 meters away.

A crucial aspect of this ability is that it negates any Opportunity Attacks from enemies. Opportunity Attacks, typically triggered when an adversary moves out of an opponent’s reach, are automatically prevented, ensuring the player can progress safely and strategically reposition without the threat of these retaliatory strikes.

Essentially, the Force Tunnel serves as a mechanism to quickly traverse the combat space, displace objects and enemies, and maintain a defensive posture against potential attacks.

5. Concentrated Blast

The Concentrated Blast Illithid Power offers a strategic option for spellcasters, especially those who regularly rely on Concentration for their spells in Baldur’s Gate 3. Concentration spells can be potent, but they come with the drawback of being interrupted if the caster’s Concentration is broken.

Concentrated Blast turns this potential vulnerability into an opportunity for retaliation. When a player is concentrating on a spell, they can invoke Concentrated Blast to unleash 3d6 Psychic Damage on an opponent. If this targeted enemy was also concentrating on a spell, the player is healed for the equivalent amount of damage inflicted.

However, utilizing something like Concentrated Blast, the best Illithid Powers in BG3, immediately ends the player’s ongoing Concentration spell. This makes Concentrated Blast a tactical choice, serving as a damaging transition between spells. It transforms a potentially disrupted Concentration into a moment of potent offense, making interruptions more consequential in combat strategy.

4. Luck of the Far Realms

The Luck of the Far Realms Illithid Power in Baldur’s Gate 3 offers players a decisive advantage during combat encounters. This ability grants the player the unique capacity to turn a successful attack roll into a guaranteed Critical Hit.

While potent, the power must be used judiciously, as it can only be activated once per Long Rest. Such a capability can drastically shift the dynamics of a battle, enabling players to deliver significant damage when most needed or to swiftly eliminate a pivotal adversary.

Classified as a passive power, its use necessitates the Favorable Beginnings requirement. This Illithid Power can be particularly strategic when aiming to make a profound impact with a single, well-timed blow.

3. Cull The Weak

Cull The Weak is a formidable Illithid Power in Baldur’s Gate 3 designed for strategic combat advantage. Falling under the action category, it is built upon the Concentrated Blast requirement. The power allows players to instantly dispatch an enemy if its Hit Points drop below the total of the player’s evolved Illithid powers.

The lethal blow doesn’t just end there: upon activating this instant kill, nearby foes suffer 1d4 Psychic Damage, adding an area of effect component to the ability. This function is especially valuable in the context of D&D 5e mechanics, where even a foe with just 1 Hit Point can pose a significant threat.

Cull The Weak ensures players don’t waste valuable actions on nearly-defeated adversaries, instead redirecting their focus to more pressing threats. Additionally, the psychic blast’s chain damage provides an opportunity to weaken or eliminate surrounding enemies, amplifying the power’s overall combat efficiency.

2. Perilous Stakes

Perilous Stakes is yet another of the best Illithid Powers in BG3 that offers a balance of risk and reward. Classified as an action, it stems from the Transfuse Health requirement. Upon activation, the targeted creature becomes Vulnerable to all damage types.

In return, the same creature receives a boost, gaining 2d8 Hit Points whenever it lands a successful attack. The skill lasts for 3 turns and requires a Long Rest to refresh. While it can be tempting to use on allies to bolster their health regeneration, the vulnerability it imposes can be a double-edged sword.

A strategic approach would be to apply Perilous Stakes to an enemy, making them susceptible to incoming damage. Consequently, allies like Barbarians can capitalize on this vulnerability, rapidly depleting the enemy’s health pool. Essentially, Perilous Stakes offers a calculated advantage, demanding keen judgment on when and to whom to apply it.

1. Freecast

Freecast stands out as a remarkably efficient feature in the realm of Baldur’s Gate 3. While it isn’t an active Illithid Power per se, its utility is undeniable. Once activated, Freecast eradicates all resource expenses tied to the player’s subsequent action, regardless of whether it’s an attack, a skill, or a spell.

This means players can perform potent actions without depleting their reserves. A noteworthy aspect of Freecast is its ability to refresh after a Short or Long Rest, allowing players to deploy this feature at least twice in a day without seeking refuge. Its strategic value is evident, especially for conserving crucial Spell Slots and orchestrating powerful combinations.

For instance, Fighters can leverage Freecast to make Action Surge a cost-free action. Instead of the conventional way where one uses an Action to activate Action Surge for another action in the succeeding turn, Freecast gifts players with two consecutive free actions. This power requires Shield of Thralls, and its incorporation can pivot the course of any battle in the player’s favor.

In conclusion, as the story unfolds its myriad adventures, the potency of the best Illithid Powers in BG3 remains undeniable. They not only reshape battles but also redefine player narratives, showcasing the game’s dedication to intricate design and storytelling. Harnessing these powers fully ensures an immersive experience, elevating one’s journey in this mesmerizing fantasy realm.

Before you leave, I recommend you check out Baldur’s Gate 3 Scuffed Rock, How Does Karmic Dice Work, BEST Outfits In Baldur’s Gate 3, and BG3: BEST Act 1 Items. 

Next:

• BG3: Dark Amethyst
• Baldur’s Gate 3: What Is Shadowfell
• Baldur’s Gate 3: Finish The Masterwork Weapon
• BG3: Monk Weapons