Spell tricks are an essential part of Baldur’s Gate 3. With them, you can perform various abilities without using spell slots or gain advantages in combat. However, according to Reddit, the skill True Strike
isn’t worth selecting.
Which spell trick are we talking about? The spell trick True Strike
, is frustrating players in Baldur’s Gate 3. The spell allows you to select a target within nine meters. You gain insight into its defense and thus have advantage on attack rolls against the target on your next turn.
The spell trick requires concentration to maintain. Moreover, it takes your current round’s full action with the executing character. For more on concentration spells, read here.
What are spell tricks?
Spell tricks, in the original English Cantrips
, are minor spells that do not require a spell slot. They can be cast as often as you like, as they have become second nature
to your character. These skills are as simple as breathing.
In combat, they can be used to conserve your wizard or sorcerer’s spell slots. Outside of combat, they can have useful effects, like Divine Guidance: This allows you to add an extra d4 to all your skill checks.
Having advantage on an attack roll is absolutely desirable. It increases your chance to hit and thus the speed at which you can take down your opponents. However, the community has valid points as to why you should not use True Strike
.
You can find more spells that you can cast without a spell slot in our guide to ritual spells:
Baldur’s Gate 3: Casting without spell slots – These nine spells you can always cast
True Strike is really the worst spell trick in Baldur’s Gate 3 – but also in D&D
Why does the community have a problem with True Strike
? In combat, it is desirable to make as many attacks per round as possible and thus maximize damage to the opponent. However, using an action that can result in multiple attacks from certain classes for an advantage in the very next round does not make sense – writes Reddit user ScooterBrigade.
In the following discussion, over 600 commentators explain that this is precisely the function of the spell trick – and that in the original source Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition:
- thepersona5fucker:
No, you are exactly right. As far as I know,
True Strikeis one of the most infamous and terrible spells in all of D&D. I wouldn’t be surprised if it appeared in this game as a joke.
- Louismash99:
I once had a player who only used a spell after wasting a round with
True Strike. And then missed most of the time anyway.
- Trickytickler:
It’s just as useless, senseless, and a trap in BG3 as it is in tabletop. Just put it aside and move on.
How can True Strike
still be helpful? Most Reddit users agree that the spell trick is a complete waste of time and action. However, some also write that you could cast the cantrip right before the first round of a fight and thus deal more damage at the beginning.
Others point to the spear Watcher’s Guide
, which in English is Watcher’s Guide
. An attack that would miss the target automatically receives True Strike
and thus a second attempt to hit. The dagger Bloodthirst
has a similar function.
How can you gain an advantage on attacks without the spell trick? In fact, there are many different ways to gain advantage on attacks. True Strike
is just the most wasteful
.
Having advantage on attacks means that when you make an attack, you roll two d20 instead of just one. For advantage, the highest roll is used. This gives you double the chance to hit with your attack, thus bypassing your opponents’ armor class.
Here are the opportunities given in Baldur’s Gate 3 for advantage on attacks:
- Attacks on opponents who cannot see you – you may be hidden or your opponent is
blind
- Melee attacks against prone opponents
- Attacks against paralyzed opponents
- Attacks against opponents that are lower than your attacking character
- Attacks against opponents who have their backs turned to you
How about you: Have you given True Strike to one of your characters? Or do you prefer to hide before drawing your weapons? We look forward to your comments!
If you are looking for more game tips for Baldur’s Gate 3, you might find what you need in our current guide and build collection:
Baldur’s Gate 3: All guides, builds, and tricks for the role-playing game
