Here is a list of the best Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3 and the consequences of using them.
Illithid Powers allow the player to tap into the Tadpole magic of the Mindflayer parasites stuck in the character’s head. They offer various buffs and immunity. However, there are serious consequences to using this level of power.
Note: This guide contains spoilers related to gameplay, characters, and storyline.
Best Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3
There are three tiers of Illithid Powers that can be unlocked by spending Illithid Potential Experience points.
Tier 1
| Power | Effect |
| Concentrated Blast | Deals damage to a target by sacrificing the current spell that is concentrated on. |
| Favorable Beginnings | The first Ability Check or Attack Roll made against a target gains a bonus equal to the user’s Proficiency bonus. |
| Force Tunnel | Charge forward, pushing all objects and creatures in the user’s path 4m away. |
| Psionic Overload | The user’s attacks deal an additional 1-4 Psychic damage, but they take 1-4 Psychic damage every turn. |
| Transfuse Health | Sacrifice half of the user’s remaining HP to heal a target for the same amount. |
Tier 2
| Power | Effect |
| Ability Drain | Once per turn, when the user makes an Attack Roll, that attack reduces the target’s corresponding ability by 1 (the same type of Ability used for the Attack Roll). |
| Charm | Charm an enemy that attacks the user, preventing them from attacking the user until their next turn. |
| Cull the Weak | When the user brings a creature down to fewer hit points than their number of evolved Illithid Powers, the creature dies and delivers 1-4 Psychic damage to all nearby creatures. |
| Displace | Creatures that suffer Falling damage because of the user take an additional 1-8 Psychic damage. |
| Luck of the Far Realms | When the user makes a successful Attack Roll, it can be changed into a Critical Hit. |
| Perilous Stakes | Invests a creature with power that heals it when it attacks, but also makes it Vulnerable to all damage. |
| Psionic Backlash | When an enemy within 9m casts a spell, the user can react by inflicting 1-4 Psychic damage to the caster per the spell’s level. |
| Repulsor | Unleash the power of the Absolute, dealing 2-6 Force damage to all nearby creatures and pushing them back 6m. |
| Shield of Thralls | Conjure a volatile shield around the user or an ally, granting them 10 temporary hit points. After the shield is destroyed, it bursts; potentially Stunning nearby foes. |
| Stage Fright | The user’s targets have Disadvantage on Attack Rolls, taking 2-12 Psychic damage each time they miss. |
Tier 3
| Power | Effect |
| Absorb Intellect | The user lowers an enemy’s Intelligence by 1 per turning, healing the user’s wounds for 5 turns. |
| Black Hole | Creates a point of intensity gravity that pulls in all nearby enemies and potentially Slows them. After initial casting, the user can spawn another five black holes, and then make a Short Rest. |
| Displacer Beast Shape | Transforms the user into a beast with 85 HP that can Displace itself and enemies. The user takes on the attributes of the beast but maintains their Charisma, Intelligence, and Wisdom scores. |
| Fierce Perilous Stakes | Grants an ally an additional 15 Psychic damage, healing 2-16 HP when they attack. The ally can score a Critical Hit when they roll a 15 or higher but becomes Vulnerable to all damage for the duration of the effect. |
| Fly | The user flies to a target position. |
| Freecast | Spell slots, charges, and similar resource costs for the user’s next action or spell are removed. This effect refreshes after a short or long rest. |
| Illithid Expertise | The user gains Expertise in Deception, Intimidation, and Persuasion checks. |
| Mind Blast | The user spews forth psychic energy in a cone, potentially stunning targets within. |
| Psionic Dominance | When an enemy within 18m targets the user with a spell of a Level less than or equal to their Proficiency bonus, they can use their reaction to nullify the spell. |
If the first tier has been unlocked, purchasing Favorable Beginnings is recommended to max out the Proficiency bonus. Consider choosing Force Tunnel as a better alternative for crowd control. In the second tier, the Luck of the Far Realms turns virtually any attack into a Critical Hit. To balance out defense, be sure to purchase Ability Drain and Shield of the Thralls.
Best Class-specific Illithid Powers – Baldur’s Gate 3
Class-specific powers are available at the end of Act 1. Here are each of them.
| Class | Power | Effect |
| Barbarian | Endless Rage | While Raging, the user deals an additional 1-4 Slashing damage with weapon attacks, but receives 1-4 Psychic damage per turn. |
| Bard | Stage Fright | The user’s targets have a Disadvantage on Attack Rolls, taking 2-12 Psychic damage each time they miss. |
| Cleric | Survival Instinct | Infuses a creature with psionic force. If it reaches 0 HP, it regains 3-4 HP instead of falling Unconscious. |
| Fighter | Psionic Pull | Pulls a creature or object towards the user. |
| Paladin | Fracture Psyche | The user invades a target’s mind, reducing the enemy’s Armour Class by 1. If the target dies while having its psyche fractured, the user can cast Shatter Psyche on another target. |
| Ranger | Force Tunnel | Charge forward, pushing all objects and creatures in the user’s path 4m away. |
| Rogue | Inkblot | While Raging, the user deals an additional 1-4 Slashing damage with weapon attacks but receives 1-4 Psychic damage per turn. |
| Sorcerer | Horrific Visage | The user terrifies a creature and regains 2 Sorcery Points. Also, the creature takes another 1-4 Psychic damage per turn. |
| Warlock | Supernatural Attraction | Teleports the user to another infected creature. |
Illithid Powers Consequences – Baldur’s Gate 3
There are multiple consequences for using Illithid Powers in BG3. Some allies may oppose it, while others support it. However, continued use of these Illithid Powers results in three main consequences, including Half Mindflayer Transformation, Full Mindflayer Evolution, and the Ending of the game.
Half Mindflayer Transformation
After unlocking all tier 1 Illithid Powers, the player will be rewarded with an Astral-touched tadpole by the Guardian. Choosing to consume it will turn the player into a half-Illithid, granting access to additional powers.
Full Mindflayer Evolition
If the player has become a half-Illithid while entering the endgame content, the Guardian will reward them with the Supreme Tadpole that unlocks all remaining Illithid Powers. Choosing to consume it will turn the player into a full Mind Flayer with free will, along with enhanced buffs and immunity.
Ending
Becoming a full Mindflayer will heavily impact the ending of Baldur’s Gate 3. After destroying the Netherbrain and the swarm of Illithids, the player and their allies will be free from the influence of the Parasite. Unfortunately, it results in the player losing all their memories.
Check out our guides hub for Baldur’s Gate 3 for more tutorials.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a role-playing game developed by Larion Studios and released in 2023 for PC, macOS, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.