Although she is one of the most popular companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, many players curse Shadowheart’s spellcasting, especially in the early game. However, some players feel this is unfair, explaining what she is doing wrong. Apparently, many simply do not understand how spells work.
What is Shadowheart’s problem?
- The cleric has several cantrips at her disposal, which she can use when she can’t cast other spells. For spellcasting classes, these cantrips are essential to avoid being completely helpless.
- However, Shadowheart constantly misses, especially with her two spells Sacred Flame and Fire Bolt.
- You see a probability of whether a spell hits or not when you cast it. For Shadowheart, this probability often hovers around 50% or lower.
Here’s what’s new: Patch 8 has introduced new subclasses to Baldur’s Gate 3, including the Domain of Death for clerics. Together with this domain is the cantrip “Toll the Dead.”
In fact, the death cleric is more or less the strongest new class comparatively, especially because of the cantrip. Toll the Dead deals 1d8 necrotic damage or 1d12 if the target is not at full hit points. That’s more than most other spells.
However, that only applies in theory. On Reddit, a player complains that Shadowheart also constantly misses with Toll the Dead. Veterans jump in and explain: you are simply choosing the wrong targets.
You don’t want to play Shadowheart as a cleric? Here’s how to reskill her:
“Shadowheart is a meme in Act 1”
The problem with Toll the Dead is that the spell requires a Wisdom saving throw. Now, one might argue that an Owlbear cannot be particularly wise. However, in D&D, “wisdom” does not only represent the life experience of older individuals.
Wisdom also reflects instincts and awareness, things that contribute to survival. Consequently, many wild animals in Dungeons & Dragons are very “wise.” Rolls like Perception are thus based on Wisdom.
Hence, it is difficult to “hit” with Toll the Dead. The opponents’ rolls are simply too good. The same is true for the other cantrips:
- Fire Bolt uses Intelligence as a modifier, which a cleric usually lacks.
- Sacred Flame relies on a Dexterity saving throw. Most opponents in Act 1 are very agile goblins and also rangers who are skilled in these rolls.
However, one user once calculated what the probabilities actually are by trying different percentages 150 times (via Reddit). His result: the probabilities are indeed lower than indicated.
In another comment, it was mentioned that one could forgo Toll the Dead and instead take Chill Touch. This uses a spell attack roll with Wisdom and is more reliable. Otherwise, you just have to choose the right targets. You can also “examine” opponents to see their stats.
Clerics are generally the “healers” in Dungeons & Dragons, as they can specifically specialize in keeping the party alive. However, especially experienced players now agree that this is not the best approach: If you still have a healer in Baldur’s Gate 3, you are making a big mistake
