Baldur's Gate 3: Best Illithid Powers To Pick

From the very start of Baldur’s Gate 3, we already know that there’s an unwanted visitor in our character’s head. This little friend of ours looks like the stuff of nightmares, but they can actually be beneficial. No, I’m not an Illithid spy what are you talking about? What do you mean you failed the Insight check? Anyway, these little tadpoles can give you powers later on, so what are the best ones?

In this guide, we’ll show you what the best Illithid Powers you can get in the game. Some of them can be great for most classes, while others fit in a niche. Now, let’s see what powers we can gain!

Best Illithid Powers To Pick

Later on, in Baldur’s Gate 3 your friend in your brain the Illithid Tadpole will let you eat more tadpoles. That may sound disturbing but so is throwing goblin corpses at goblins.

At that point in the game, you’ll get to see the Illithid Powers skill tree. This lets you choose different Illithid powers at the cost of Illithid tadpoles.

Some of them are pretty great while others are downright amazing to pass up. So, what are the best ones?

Baldur's Gate 3 Freecast — It’s like Action Surge but free, and you can use it on Action Surge!

These are the best Illithid Powers you can get in the game:

Displacer Beast Shape – A late-game ability that lets you turn into a Displacer Beast. Not only is it a cool and powerful form, but you also get a ton of Temporary HP while in that form!
Fracture Psyche – It reduces the target’s AC by 1, which might not sound great on paper. Until you get to the higher levels where that 1 AC counts.
Shield of Thralls – Grants a shield to you or an ally that gives them 10 Temporary HP. Not only that, but if the shield breaks it has a chance to stun targets around them. Stun is such a powerful debuff and the temp HP makes this a must have.
Stage Fright – Target gets disadvantage to attacks, which means they roll two times and takes the lowest role. Not only that but if they miss, they take psychic damage which is one of the least resisted damage types!
Psionic Dominance – When an enemy casts a spell within 18m, you can nullify it if it’s equal or lower than your proficiency modifier. This is basically a free Counterspell that even non-casters can use!
Psionic Backlash – When an enemy casts a spell within 9m, you can use you reaction to deal 1d4 damage. Basically, a ranged version of the Mage Slayer Feat!
Cull The Weak – When a target HP reaches equal or lower than the number of Illithid powers you have, they instantly die. Not only that but enemies around it will get 1d4 damage. No more enemies surviving with 1 HP!
Concentrated Blast – When you’re concentrating on a spell, you can use an action to deal damage. Not only that but if target is also concentrating you regain HP as well!
Freecast – Probably one, if not the best Illithid Power you can get. The next spell or action will cost no resources, whether that’s charges or spell slots. Mages can cast their most powerful spells for free or martials can cast their amazing abilities like Action Surge for free. This is extremely powerful!

Remember that some of these powers are locked in the earlier parts of the game. You’ll get to unlock the more powerful ones later down the line. Just follow the story and you’ll soon get a chance to unlock more of the powers!

Those are all the best Illithid Powers you can get in Baldur’s Gate 3. Now, go out there and try to pick your favorite one! Make sure to go check out our guide on should you be selling those gems and jewelry if you haven’t already.

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