Level 6 Magical Secrets Tierlist in Baldur's Gate 3 (bg3) Patch 7

[@jameshill2450]

I *love* Slow and I think people really sleep on it. My honor run was a Sorcerer that used Slow often (along with Heightened Spell which I think people are also sleeping on) to set a lot of boss fights back to easy mode. On the Gith fights in particular, which are so bad mainly because they just hit you SO many times, putting Slow on everyone is almost like just skipping their turns. Sometimes it literally does skip their turn because they'll jump somewhere and that's all they can do.

[@somethingironic2227]

you can really tell how powerful Slow is when its affecting one of your party. it feels like your down one party member

[@CasualVeteranGamer]

My main issue with it is that it's a concentration spell, and bards have plenty of those already! It is a good spell, but if there aren't more than about 3 enemies then I will usually use another concentration spell, such as hold person, which can then guarantee critical hits for my party. But as has already been pointed out, slow affects all enemies equally, so it's a good spell to have on hand no matter what fight you're in. Also, we only get two choices, so there is a lot of competition for our choices.

[@easonade6028]

In my opinion there is no reason Hunger of Hadar is not ranked as a top level spell... It is one of the most consistent area of effect spells that not only blinds and slows enemies and also deals two types of damages at the start and end of turn. Its only problem is that it doesn't benefit from up cast, but that is hardly a problem when you pick it up at lv 6

[@OakandIV]

It is good to see more BG three content from you! I love the Lore Bard, but because of the way scroll learning works in BG3 I tend to undervalue wizard spells in magical secrets. You can’t really rank them that way in the tier list, but a lore bard with one level of wizard gets every wizard spell with a scroll, at the cost of budgeting stats for Int if using offensive wizard spells. Magical secrets seem better for picking up spells not available as scrolls. Sort of similar to under valuing Misty Step because items offering it are available.

[@usg-647]

Other considerations: - spells that are readily available otherwise - from scrolls (fireball, l. bolt) or other party members (command) spells that aren't (hellish rebuke - also uses the Reaction) + pass w/out trace (stealth archer w greater invis = very string build) only avail from druid (no) or lvl 5 ranger or trickery cleric (lol - no) Counterspell = easily the most valuable Slow also usually better than haste - can use speed potions. Slow = hit more than 1 enemy. Haste best w Sorc twinned spell not bard.

[@Wolferys]

Haste feels kinda like a bait, you have potion of speed that does the same thing but better without the concentration or risk

[@kalbarnes2494]

Haste is bait in honor mode because it only gives you 1 extra attack, not an extra action. Plus like you said there’s numerous other ways to get hasted. I usually go counterspell, then either fireball/hunger of hadar/sleet storm. Then at 10 I’m taking conjure elemental and whatever rounds out the party

[@zackzebedi561]

I think slow should be one lvl above. with a 3rd lvl spell slot you affect 6 enemies, it gives several nice debuffs, and I think it's the only control spell that affects undead creatures as well.

[@CasualVeteranGamer]

Yeah, I can see your point about Slow being a great control spell, and the fact that it affects undead is a big plus. It's just a shame that it's a concentration spell.

[@zackzebedi561]

@@CasualVeteranGamer It would have been so broken if it wasn't concentration. :D I guess another downside is that enemies can roll a save against it each turn. But the good thing about that is that they make the save at the end of their turn.

[@dimKiriyenko]

Out of my experience, when I get to lvl6 lore bard, there's only one question: Hunger of Hadar or Mass Healing Word? The second spell is Counterspell obviously.

[@SirCharles12357]

I always take Counterspell and Hunger of Hadar at level 6. But with my Lore Bard at lvl 10 I take Scorching Ray. Why? With the Fire Acuity Hat I can crank up my Spell Acuity and then I can use use a Hold Person or Monster (or other control spell) with an almost guaranteed hit! Plus, Scorching Ray (Magical Secrets version) uses Charisma to increase hit percentage. I really like it. I also love a 1st lvl Command spell. Sanctuary should be upgraded it's a bonus action and can be game changing.

[@ProbeAway]

Hmm, I think if we’re talking about Lore Bards’ level 6 choices specifically, I’d put spirit guardians in the build dependent tier (3). It’s a great spell, but unless you’re building around being in melee range that’s not typically where you want your lore bard! I’d also put hunter’s mark in the bottom tier. I can’t see why a lore bard, of all subclasses, would want to be wasting their concentration on adding 1d6 to weapon attacks. At least Hex also applies to spell attack rolls. (These spells would work well with a Swords or Valour Bard though.) OTOH, I think you’ve been a little harsh on spike growth. It’s a great use of concentration in the right encounter so I’d have it in the 3rd or 4th tier. And hunger of hadar is absolutely top shelf. For me that takes spirit guardians’ spot in the always tier!

[@ElfDestiny]

One spell I think your sleeping on for some builds is Thunderous Smite. The only other class that gets it is paladin. The problem with paladin is as a half caster you dont get as many spell slots. This allows you to multiclass Bard with a different class that has extra attack and could go wild with the thunder equipment set, which are some of the best IMO, like Ring of Absolute Force and Phalar Aluve and Thunderous Conversion. Can even pick it up at the higher level magic secrets and take one of the warrior paths of bard instead.

[@jukesdtj656]

A big problem with Thunderous Smite is that it eats your Action and Bonus Action. That means no Bardic Inspiration, no Healing Word, no Misty Step, no potions. Bonus Action is really important.

[@ElfDestiny]

True, cant be the Thunder God DPS and the support at the same time unfortunately, which Is usually the bard's job. *Looks sideways at three levels of rogue for extra bonus action* "Will you fit in the build....?"

[@tobyhardcastle6830]

​@@ElfDestinyalas, not if you want level 10 swords or valour bard, so only lore bard thunder bonk. In saying that, a swords bard is less dependent on bonus actions since they're using their dice on flourishes rather than inspirations

[@fatim0nster]

Surprised to see Spiritual weapon up so high. In my playthroughs I ended up not using it at all because it could never catch up to moving enemies due to its movement speed. How do you get around that? Can Spiritual Weapon be thrown at enemies?

[@tobyhardcastle6830]

It is a little sensitive to circumstance, but usually if you've scoped out / planned an encounter you shouldn't have to chase down enemies. If you're a more ranged player then yeah its probably going to be pretty bad because it do be so slow. The main way I use it is to lock off some combatants. Such as placing it in a doorway so that enemies on the other side try to fight it rather than dropping an AoE confusion on my whole party (looking at you, Moonrise interrogators). The spiritual weapon can join in for damage but doesn't really keep up with my PCs, but the round or two of unobstructed combat before second wave joins in is a lifesaver!