Ray of Frost is a cantrip from the Evocation school of magic in Baldur’s Gate 3. It allows the caster to shoot a beam of freezing energy that not only deals damage but also slows the target’s movement.
- Spell Type: Cantrip
- Casting Time: 1 Action
- Range: 18 meters (60 feet)
- Components: Verbal, Somatic
- Duration: Instantaneous
- Damage Type: Cold (1d8 damage)
- Effect: Reduces target’s movement speed by 3 meters for 1 turn
How To Get Ray Of Frost In BG3
The primary way to obtain Ray of Frost is by choosing a class that has access to it:
- Sorcerer: Available from level 1.
- Wizard: Available from level 1.
- Eldritch Knight (Fighter subclass): Available from level 3.
- Arcane Trickster (Rogue subclass): Available from level 3.
Certain races can start with Ray of Frost due to their magical abilities. For example, High Elf gains one wizard cantrip of their choice, including Ray of Frost. High Half-Elf also gains one wizard cantrip of their choice, including Ray of Frost.
Players can also acquire Ray of Frost by taking specific feats:
- Magic Initiate (Sorcerer): Choose a sorcerer cantrip, including Ray of Frost.
- Magic Initiate (Wizard): Choose a wizard cantrip, including Ray of Frost.
- Spell Sniper: Allows you to learn a cantrip that requires an attack roll from any spell list, including Ray of Frost.
How Ray Of Frost Works
Ray of Frost deals 1d8 cold damage and reduces the target’s movement speed by 3 meters for one turn. As you level up, the damage increases: 2d8 at level 5 and 3d8 at level 10. This cantrip is particularly useful for controlling the battlefield by slowing down melee enemies trying to reach your squishier party members
Ray of Frost can interact with the environment in unique ways:
- Freezing Surfaces: Casting Ray of Frost on water or blood surfaces will freeze them, forcing creatures standing on these surfaces to make Dexterity saving throws or fall prone. This adds a tactical layer to your combat strategies.
- Extinguishing Fires: Use Ray of Frost to put out fires, which can be helpful in various situations, such as clearing a path or saving allies from burning areas.
Combining Ray of Frost with other spells and abilities can increase effectiveness:
- Create/Destroy Water: Use Create Water to wet enemies, making them vulnerable to cold damage. Follow up with Ray of Frost to deal double damage due to vulnerability.
- Battlefield Control: Pair Ray of Frost with other control spells like Grease or Entangle to create areas that are difficult for enemies to navigate.
