is conjure elemental good bg3

Conjure Elemental is a powerful spell in Baldur’s Gate 3 that allows spellcasters to summon a powerful elemental ally to the battlefield. As players progress through the game and face increasingly difficult encounters, many begin to ask whether Conjure Elemental is a good choice for their spell list. With so many other high-level spells competing for attention, this 5th-level conjuration spell might not always seem like the obvious pick. However, when used correctly and in the right context, Conjure Elemental can become one of the most useful tools in your party’s arsenal. This topic takes a closer look at what makes the spell effective, what its limitations are, and how to maximize its impact during your BG3 playthrough.

Understanding Conjure Elemental

What the Spell Does

Conjure Elemental allows the caster to summon an elemental creature of their choice: air, earth, fire, or water. Each of these has unique traits, resistances, and abilities that make them suited for different combat situations. The summoned elemental is under your control for up to 10 turns (one minute of combat time) and acts immediately after your turn in the initiative order.

One of the core strengths of this spell is its flexibility. Depending on the elemental you choose, you can shape your battlefield advantage in different ways. Need a damage sponge to draw enemy fire? Summon an Earth Elemental. Want crowd control through terrain manipulation or AoE? A Fire or Water Elemental may be better. In a game where tactical positioning and timing are key, this versatility can make a significant difference.

Is Conjure Elemental Good in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Advantages of the Spell

Conjure Elemental has several notable benefits in Baldur’s Gate 3, which make it a strong contender for one of the best utility spells at higher levels:

• Action Economy Boost: Summoning an elemental adds another unit to your party, effectively giving you an additional turn each round. This extra body can attack, tank, or distract enemies, helping shift momentum in battle.
• Tankiness: Most elementals have high health pools and resistances to physical or elemental damage, making them reliable frontline defenders.
• Battlefield Control: Some elementals have crowd control abilities or terrain manipulation, which can disrupt enemy formations or force them into unfavorable positions.
• No Concentration Required (in some cases): While the spell technically requires concentration, some summoned elementals behave independently even when the caster loses it, especially with specific builds or items that reduce concentration risk.

Versatility Across Element Types

Each elemental type brings its own strategic value:

• Earth Elemental: Extremely tanky with high Constitution and damage resistance. Great for soaking up hits and locking down melee threats.
• Fire Elemental: Deals consistent fire damage and can ignite enemies or terrain, creating ongoing damage threats.
• Water Elemental: Useful for controlling the battlefield with pushing abilities and water effects that interact with cold or lightning spells.
• Air Elemental: Excellent mobility and multi-target attacks. Can reach hard-to-access enemies or reposition quickly.

This ability to select the right elemental for the job makes the spell useful in many different types of encounters, from dungeon crawls to open-field boss battles.

When Is Conjure Elemental Not the Best Choice?

Potential Downsides

Despite its strengths, Conjure Elemental does have limitations, especially in the wrong context or without proper planning:

• Requires Concentration: If your caster is easily disrupted or frequently targeted, losing concentration can waste your entire turn and the spell slot.
• High Spell Slot Cost: It uses a level 5 spell slot, which could be used on other impactful spells like Wall of Force, Cloudkill, or Hold Monster.
• Can Be Uncontrollable: If cast in unsafe areas (e.g., near fire for Fire Elementals), elementals may cause unintended collateral damage or even turn hostile if control is lost.
• Limited Duration: The spell only lasts for 10 turns in combat. In longer encounters, the elemental may disappear before the battle ends unless refreshed.

Players should assess the battle and environment before using the spell, especially in areas where controlling movement or visibility is challenging.

Best Classes and Builds for Conjure Elemental

Who Should Cast It?

Several spellcasting classes can learn Conjure Elemental, but not all are equally suited to make the most of it:

• Druid: Druids have strong synergy with elementals, both thematically and mechanically. They can summon with better control and benefit from nature-based resistances.
• Wizard: With access to powerful crowd control and AoE spells, Wizards can support their elemental with strategic debuffs and terrain alteration.
• Sorcerer (via scrolls or multiclass): Sorcerers may not naturally learn it, but can cast via scrolls or multiclassing. Their Metamagic can increase its effectiveness (e.g., Twinned Spell for crowd control before summoning).

Regardless of class, characters with high Constitution or Concentration bonuses benefit greatly from using this spell reliably without losing control mid-battle.

Combos and Tactical Use in Combat

Pairing with Other Spells and Abilities

One of the best things about Conjure Elemental in Baldur’s Gate 3 is how well it synergizes with other actions. Consider these tactical combinations:

• Fire Elemental + Grease: Set the Grease on fire for extra damage zones.
• Water Elemental + Lightning Bolt: Water increases lightning damage; pair for a high-damage combo.
• Earth Elemental + Spike Growth: Trap enemies between hazards for constant damage and slowed movement.
• Air Elemental + Repelling Eldritch Blast: Knock enemies into the range of the elemental for follow-up strikes.

These combinations can turn a good spell into a devastating team tactic. Make sure to prepare your party’s setup accordingly to get the most out of your elemental companion.

Tips for Making Conjure Elemental Even Better

Maximizing the Spell’s Impact

• Cast it early in battle to take full advantage of all 10 rounds.
• Position your elemental strategically to block choke points or key enemy paths.
• Use buffs like Haste or Bless to enhance your elemental’s combat output.
• Equip gear or use feats that reduce the risk of losing concentration, like War Caster or items that improve Constitution saves.

By following these tips, you’ll find that the spell not only adds firepower but also contributes to overall encounter control, turning the tide in close battles.

Final Verdict

So, is Conjure Elemental good in Baldur’s Gate 3? The answer is a definite yes for the right player, in the right situation. It’s not a spell you want to spam without thinking, and it’s not without risks, but the tactical advantage it provides can be tremendous. Its flexibility, power, and synergy with other spells make it one of the best options for mid-to-late game encounters. If you enjoy creative spell use, battlefield control, and giving your party an edge in challenging fights, Conjure Elemental deserves a place in your repertoire.