A new spell in Baldur’s Gate 3 makes fighters as strong as paladins, and that without an oath

Together with Patch 8, Larian also introduced some new spells in Baldur’s Gate 3 alongside the new subclasses and a photo mode. Among these is a cantrip that not only punishes enemies twice but even makes paladins look pale in comparison at higher levels.

Which cantrip is being talked about? It is the cantrip “Booming Blade”, which can be learned directly by sorcerers, wizards, and warlocks at level 1, but with the right subclass or suitable multiclassing, it can also be used by melee classes, such as the fighter.

And it is precisely in melee where the Booming Blade can truly unleash its potential. As the attack is not a spell but a cantrip, it does not require or consume spell slots. You can use it as often as you want throughout the day.

With a strike of the weapon, you not only deal weapon damage but hit the opponent with such force that they take an additional 1d8 thunder damage when they move. This sounds similar to the paladin’s smite, so what exactly makes the Booming Blade so powerful?

Here you can see the animated short film for Patch 8 in Baldur’s Gate 3:

A simple cantrip takes on mighty smites

What makes the Booming Blade so powerful? The cantrip can be learned and used very early in the game, yet it becomes stronger and stronger as the game progresses. 

The damage from level 1 to 4 is the normal weapon damage plus 1d8 thunder damage when the opponent moves. From level 5 to level 12, the cantrip becomes stronger in two ways:

• Level 5 to 10: Normal weapon damage + 1d8 thunder damage (on direct attack) + 2d8 thunder damage (when the opponent moves) = 3-24 thunder damage on normal weapon damage per round

• Level 11 and 12: Normal weapon damage + 2d8 thunder damage (on direct attack) + 3d8 thunder damage (when the opponent moves) = 5-40 thunder damage on normal weapon damage per round

With the upgraded version of Booming Blade, you can play an incredibly powerful fighter who can deal heavy damage.

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What does the Booming Blade look like at its peak? Since the cantrip uses a weapon attack roll, it qualifies for the extra attack that many melee classes receive at level 5. The fighter even gets a third attack at level 11, making him incredibly strong with the right conditions and the combination of all these effects:

• A fighter with Booming Blade can use this cantrip as the first strike to add even more thunder damage (as described above). Then, two more extra attacks can follow.

• Now, using the fighter’s Action Surge, all of this can simply be repeated: Booming Blade, fifth attack, sixth attack.

• If you are equipped with the right spell caster in your team or a potion and are blessed with Haste, all of this happens for the third time: Booming Blade, eighth attack, ninth attack.

Exciting what damage can be racked up this way. And all in just one round.

The Booming Blade is, however, just one new feature that was introduced with Patch 8 in Baldur’s Gate 3. There are likely still several new ways to deal immense damage. If you want to learn more about the new patch and its contents, you can find more information here on MeinMMO: Baldur’s Gate 3: Patch 8 is now live – All info about content, subclasses, and size