BG3 Tadpole Power Tier List 

I wish there was actual negatives for having illithid powers. They seemed to have that planned based on voice lines (and especially the fact you drag and put a parasite in your brain) but the only negative is potentially being forced to take the Astral tadpole

"How is perilous stakes on C tier???" - Can not be used on an enemy in Honor mode. "Oh."

Cull the weak is the most OP out of all of them IMO. By the end of game, small dmg from things like psionic backlash just one shot enemies with 35 hp, It's basically the equivalent of a whole extra attack at the cost of nothing.

I think you underrate Black Hole, it instantly trivializes an entire combat encounter. And just in case anybody succeeded their saving throw you can cast it five more times!

A bit late but might have been worth mentioning/including the value of the tadpole powers that get unlocked by your options. For example another massive point in favor of going Psionic overload on basically everyone is that you need to take it to grab Ability Drain, while Displacer Beast is trapped behind really mid powers so it would need to be amazing to be worth.

You can also get Survival Instinct by passing checks when you drink the potion Omeluum makes for you in the Underdark, it heals a target for 3d4 whenever they fall unconscious which essentially gives you a free revive, and it also benefits from the Zaith'isk giving you BA Illithid powers.

Black Hole solved Orin's fight for me in honor mode. If you awaken your tadpole and take 3 levels in thief, you can cast black hole twice in a turn. It basically means that you can drag all of Orin's acolytes off the side of the arena. It's busted.

Charm is pretty good when trying to solo. If you’re fighting a powerful enemy it can be worth it to purposefully take an opportunity attack in order to completely negate the enemies turn. Edit: It turns out, the effect ends as soon as the enemy turn begins. I still maintain charm can be useful in some situations and while underwhelming it it’s not rp tier.

One funny thing about Ability Drain - if you use it to start combat with a multihit spell like Scorching Ray, since you're not in combat, it activates it on ALL of them, which can just straight up kill someone just from the fact they now have 0 in one of their stats

RP tier should be called 'Buff Cull the Weak" Tier

Transfuse health is a lot of fun on self healing builds, in particular wildheart barbarians with tiger heart, who spam cleave to get healing with the sword of chaos. You are very tanky, since you rage, and do not have to use reckless attack for advantage (booals benediction + prof on bleeding targets) and will heal most of the damage you take from this in a round, so this effectively makes you both a tank and combat healer, who does not use spell slots as a limited resource. It also allows you to quickly proc items like the helmet of grit, which only work when you are below 50% health

Wow, I never used Shield of Thralls because I misread it and thought the person LOSING the temp hitpoints had to make a save against stunned. I was shocked when you put it in A tier, but that's absolutely where it belongs. Can't wait to bust it out.

Maybe im crazy but i dont feel that the zaith'isk saves are that hard to pass provided you have 4 inspiration banked up. By that point you will have access to the warped headband of intelect, ring and cloak of protection, and the safeguard shield. Those alone will give you a +7 to int saves. Combine with the resistance cantrip and an elixer of heroism means hitting an 18 will be easy.

Psionic Backlash is also good, because damage can break concentration. So it is a cheaper (but worse) version of counterspell for martials, in a way. If you have the resonance stone active, it deals 2d4 per spell level. So up to 30 [12-48] if the enemy uses a 6th level spell. If an enemy concentrates on a spell, and they take damage, they have to pass a con save with a DC of 10 or half the damage taken, whichever is higher. A save of 10-15 is not exactly hard to make, but enemies will still fail it sometimes, which then immediately ends their concentration, and basically nullifies their turn Viconia has +0 on her con saves, for example, so whenever she casts a concentration spell, you can immediately cancel it for free 50% of the time (or more, if multiple characters use psionic backlash or she uses a higher level spell)

Charm can be good when your low AC character gets jumped by a fighter with Action Surge. In that case you are potentially saving that character from taking 4 attacks. In my first playthrough I had a really low AC caster that kept getting focused. This ability saved his life many, many times in late game.

Longstrider gang reporting for duty

FYI repulsor hits all targets in a decent sized AOE, not just one target. Very nice if you can place yourself in a big group of enemies, but beware that (at least in honor mode) it hits allies as well.

Aestus you madlad you finally made it!!! I've been hyped for this for ages... let's gooo

The Awakened buff from the Gith Creche is actually not that hard to get. It is just a series of Saving Throws (INT DC12, WIS DC15, and CON DC18). It is easy to have a cleric cast resistance (+1d4 to all saving throws), consume a something that heals + whispering promise (+1d4 to saving throws), and put on minthara's armor for advantage on CON saves. If you have a bard in your party, add another 1d6 to all those saving throws. And there are a number of items you can equip to get some flat bonuses to your saves. And, any gnome has advantage on all INT and WIS saves.

Awesome video as always; your analysis on the game is always a fresh perspective for me

Transfuse Health is S tier for easily activating 50% HP abilities like helmet of grit. Trying to damage your allies before fights is very annoying without it.

THE MAN IS BACK. I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS

Another nice use of Psionic Backlash is when an enemy casts a nasty concentration spell, it's giving you a chance to break their concentration immediately. (Edit: Nope, that doesn't work. See replies.)

Displacer beast is a run saver, if your about to wipe just turn into the cat and either teleport away or make enough clones so that the enemy will be effectively unable to kill you

There's nothing more satisfying than activating Cull The Weak after proccing Psionic Backlash, like the enemy just explodes

Stage Fright is insane. Recently finished Honour mode with my friend, who played high AC pally. It did so much damage for every single time it was used. Sure, it's hardly useful against bossess - but almost no boss encounters are without packs of helpers.

Glad you made this. Your vids have rewatchability like the game has replayability.

In my opinion Favourable Beginnings is by far the most impactful Illithid power. Getting a bonus to accuracy and dialogue checks in the early game is absolutely massive, especially since it can help take the sting out of powerful feats like Sharpshooter. Sure, Freecast and Mind Sanctuary are broken in the late-game but imo they can't match just how impactful Favourable Beginnings is from the moment you get your first tadpole.

Shield of thralls can be used on enemies, then you pop it with damage for a easy aoe stun! S tier for sure. At least that's how it worked when I was playing, maybe they patched it.

Looking foward to this!

Shield of Thralls is a personal favorite of mine. It turns the negatives of something like Psionic Overload or Heat into a positive.

I love your rankings

Not a video I was expecting but can't say no to a aestus tier list vid

Damn I’m early, exploring the astral powers so I’m keen for this!

Thanks I needed something to watch while cooking

Repulsor can get someone out of threat. Great for Shadowheart if she is running around with her AOE spell and you are threatened.

Really like illithid expertise because it's freed up a feat for me on my sorc, now all i need is the mirror of loss to hit 20 and i can pick alert and resilient

Concentrated blast isn't as situational as you might think. It is common that I am concentrating on a non-combat spell before combat (guidance, resistance, enhance ability, detect thoughts) or if you are concentrating on cloud of daggers or something where all the enemies have left the area, then you can cast this without feeling the penalty of breaking concentration. I never try to get the healing. It's just a bonus that can happen.

Great stuff, thanks. You know what's also missing on youtube? A bg3 consumables/throwables tier list

In defense of Concentrated Blast, if you stick it on your Guidance party member you can drop that concentration turn 1 for some good dmg before you need to heal or buff. Pretty solid amount of fights that start with an opportunity to get that Guidance concentration up during the dialogue, so no prep needed. And ofc with the bonus action you can CB and then still get your impactful concentration spell up turn 1

You make the best bg3 videos bros

I think Displacer Beast Shape should be S tier considering you can pre-cast before any fight, so it is basically economy free 110 free HP and the abilities of the beast are pretty good. I used on my Karlach and took her on the frontline, the clones ability of this form are excellent for this especially because the IA of this game is dumb and they attack the clones a lot.

Casting Transfuse health inside a globe of invulnerability, you don't lose health but still heals an ally for half of the current health. Plus spamming transfuse to each other evens out the health percentage so that a short rest can heal maximum health.

🥳🍾 when that new Aestus video drops

FYI in regard to getting the Awakened buff, it is possible to guarantee this even on honour, which is a massive joke! Honour mode but we all use every exploit available - barrelmancy IS YOUR FRIEND. Best to attempt with all 4 inspiration points in case of multiple Critical Failures or super low rolls, it can and will happen be warned. You will have to pass the following saving throws, 12 INT, 15 WIS followed by a throw of 18 in either INT or your Main spell casting stat (marked by a star on Character sheet) I wanted the buff on my main and was already a Bard with 18 CHA and proficiency which gave +8 to the final roll as I chose CHA Assumptions, you have reached at least the Arcane Tower in the Under Dark and picked up the Staff of Arcane Blessing have defeated both the Duager by the boat and killed Glut and have JUST claimed your reward back at the Myconid colony which nets you a + 1d6 buff until long rest, have purchased or found a shield that give's + 1 to saving throws and are at a minimum level 5 Have the following classes as your companions Cleric with Resistance grants + 1d4 to saving throws Bard which can cast Bardic Inspiration for a further + 1d8 again must be level 5 - a 2nd Bard I know but it's honour mode you can't reload Respec at Withers whomever you want to have the Awakened buff to a class with proficiency in shields for the +1 saving throw from the Safeguard Shield you can buy from Damon in the Grove Obviously if you can pick a class which allows proficiency in either INT, WIS or CHA do that, best would be INT or your main spell casting stat if it is higher and you have proficiency Dump STR, DEX, CON pump INT, WIS & CHA to 16 if you haven't used the Hag's hair on these stat's if you have then 17 in that one Your 1st feat get Lucky allows you to use your lucky points to get advantage on up to 3 saving throws Equip the following: Safeguard shield (or alternative) to character getting buff Equip Staff of Arcane Blessing to your Cleric Equip the necklace that gives Guidance to 4th companion found on corpse near the Harpers stash outside the Grove After speaking to the Gith lady enter turn based mode, Cast Bless from your Cleric using the spell from the staff which will give + 2d4 on character getting buff do not use your spell slot it requires concentration so you won't be able to use Resistance at the same time Sit in chair Add Bonuses Cleric adds Resistance +1d4 Bard can cast Bardic Inspiration for +1d8 Use 4th companion to cast Guidance for +1d4 Safeguard Shield gives +1 Buff from Myconid colony gives +1d6 That is a bonus of +7 to a possible +31 on top of your roll which is made with advantage every time, along with the 4 inspiration points + proficiency in one of those stats for a further + 7 (at 16) to +8 (at 18) All of the above and I had + 30 on every roll, didn't even need the inspiration points it wasn't even close. Respec back, steal gold from Withers and go on your merry way armed with knowledge, the most dangerous of weapons. :) Or watch a video on RU-vid might be easier

Transfuse health is very good on not just a high health character but also a high self healing character. There’s a good amulet/flail combo that this aestus fella told me about

Good enabler for concentrated blast IS detect thoughts. It's a Ritual concentration spell you can Just "fire Off" - can also enable arcane synergy.

6:30 Favorable beginnings is also great as it applies to skill checks made against someone for the first time, namely persuasion, deception or intimidation. So it has nice social use as well. As for charm, the main use is if you're targetted by a multi attack, charm will stop it at the first hit so there's that.

Transfuse health with the helmet that heal you 1d6 when you heal other is infinite healing out of combat.

Charm is good because it can force an enemy to switch priority off of a low health/ac character and onto a higher health/ac character. It's really nice when you can force an enemy targeting your weaker backline characters to refocus on your tanks

For spamming Concentrated Blast, it's possible to use it each turn if you get the Zaithisk buff and take true strike. Cast True Strike, then use Concentrated as a Bonus Action. A bit niche, but it can be nice to have as a back pocket heal in fights where enemies constantly spam concentration spells.

By far the worst part about Charm for me is how long the frigging animation is

Some of that powers works really good with specific builds and items Transfuse health is really good if you have build with Helmet of Grit, also you don't get any damage if you cast it from globe of invulnerability. Luck of the far realms can be easily combined with Surgeon's Subjugation Amulet on some fights Black hole is pretty sure S tier for last fights if you became full illithid, especially if you have thief subclass on your character. With bloodlust elixir you can kill most of the enemies solo in last fights by casting 4 black holes every turn. Also Ability drain is not only for stacking, it counts as a condition so it works really good on character with Diadem of Arcane Synergy.

I love Black Hole. I can't get enough Void Bulbs. When you want to do an AOE thing and all the enemies are spread out, it's a chefs kiss to bring them all together in one spot and go to town.

Charm is really good on backline, squishier party members when used against enemies that attack more than once. It can potentially bring down the number of hits taken from 2 or 3 to just one. It is a bit tricky to apply since the enemy can pass the save check, but I wouldn't put it below B tier personally.

To see you not count the zaithisk in this hurts. So many good powerful abilities getting ranked low because you’re counting them as an action when they *could* be a bonus action is silly.

Powers in the 2 Inner Rings Listed in Order of Preference: NOTE: The #-# notation refers to the clock position(1 to 11) & ring position(1-inner ring, 2-middle ring) the perk is located on the brain power-tree. 1) 2-1 Favorable Beginnings(S)[Passive] 2) 2-2 Luck of the Far Realms(S)[Passive] 3) 12-1 Psionic Overload(A) [godlike only if you have multiple attacks per turn] 4) 10-1 Transfuse Health(B) [only useful for characters with a big health pool] 5) 10-2 Perilous Stakes(S)[great for taking down bosses, not for use on allies] 6) 8-1 Concentrated Blast(C) [you won't use this often] 7) 7-2 Cull the Weak(S)[Passive, Toggleable] 8) 8-2 Psionic Backlash(A)[Passive] 9) 1-2 Ability Drain(A)[Passive] 10) 9-2 Shield of Thralls(A) 11) 11-2 Stage Fright(B) 12) 4-1 Force Tunnel(C) [only useful for Tanks] 13) 4-2 Displace(B) [Passive; highly situational, not that useful] 14) 5-2 Replusor(B) [highly situational, not that useful] 15) 3-2 Charm(C)[Reaction; front-liners who want to hold aggro should not use this, not that useful] 3rd Ring Perks: 9-3 Freecast(S)[Passive, Toggleable], 8-3 Mind Sanctuary(S), 9-3 Freecast(S)[Passive], 5-3 Fly(S), 3-3 Psionic Dominance(A)[Passive], 7-3 Mind Blast(A), 4-3 Black Hole(A), 2-3 Illithid Expertise (B)[Passive], 11-3 Displacer Beast Shape(B), 1-3 Fractured/Shattered Psyche(C), 10-3 Absorb Intellect(C)

Force tunnel helped me win the Orin fight (this is Honour mode + mod boosted bosses btw) to push one of the fringe Bhaalist ritual guys who I couldn't AOE down with the others off the map. Other than that, I haven't found a good reason to use it. lol Edit: 20:33 where are we getting single target from? "Push back all creatures and objects in range." "Push anything and anyone back."

my very first playthrough, I got the creche bonus and was playing sorcerer, so an incredibly strong endgame strat I found was Black Hole + Call Lightning, just repeat every round.

Charm works well for me. It usually fails to land but in many situations there is no reason not to use it. If you're being melee attacked it can prevent the enemy from using their second attack.

19:54 Displace can also be useful for berserker barbs, since you can throw enemies off ledges and such. Still a niche use obviously, but I had it proc quite a few times on my first play through where my tav was a berserker

I play a Cleric and I got a lot of mileage out of concentrated blast. Before combat encounters I would cast guidance on myself or a party member (if they didn’t already have it up, I used guidance a lot) and would use concentrated blast as an opening attack.

There is an amulet (can't remember the name) that allows to paralyze on a crit once per long run. It actually pairs so well with Luck of the far Realms, it can make any fight trivial by making the big main baddie totally useless, you just gotta think ahead a bit and ask yourself, what will be my main fight today. It's still once per long rest only but quite cool noneless.

Accidentally clicked the wrong response to Lae'zel in my honor run dueing the zaith-isk sequence. Now, all illithid powers suck except for passsives. That BA buff is so worth it, especially if you get bonus BA from theif.

I have a feeling you'll end up shifting a couple of these powers after using them more. For instance, both Stage Fright and Repulsor are AOE. I absolutely love both of them! I also value charm on certain characters, like lower AC mages. Particularly if they get targeted by an annoying archer, it can definitely save them some HP.

Transfuse health is actually really good late game if you have globe of invulnerability because you can cast it in the globe and take no damage, if all your companions have it you can do a lot of healing for free which basically can save a boss fight. Vendors also sell scroll versions so you don't have to even have a wizard for it. In my opinion it's A or S tier because large heals for free in a boss fight is always good and if all your companions are in the globe you can't be punished for not doing damage that turn.

Just wanted to point out - Stage Fright is cast in a pretty generous AoE. If you have decent spell save DC you can regularly proc on 3-5 targets. A-tier is probably still correct, however it’s easily S-tier as a bonus action on my origin Gale lol

Arcane staff in the wizards tower for bless even for a party without a cleric, resistance, the buff from Phalar, the bliss spores from killing the beach duegar, and four inspiration almost always gets me the powers as a bonus action perk.

I actually think that in honor mode, black hole is a more impactful ability than psionic backlash. I would put it as top of A tier, if not S tier. Not just because movement control is powerful, but because so many boss fights become much easier if you can turn off reactions for a turn or two. Cazador becomes easier when he isn't swarming you on approach, Ansur is much more manageable without a retaliation attack, and being able to shut off counterspells and clear the way for a big spell is huge. That ability definitely carries every time I use it.

While I agree for most of these I actually think Black hole should be in S. It absolutely TRIVIALIZES some of the hardest encounters. If you get it on a bonus action with someone using Hunger of Hadar. Mystra help whomever you have locked in there. I'd also put Ability drain in A tier because, while it IS good.. It loses a lot of value when you either lack extra attack, or are using an ability that's worth reducing most of the time. I don't think it's worth using if you're not using it on a dex user OR targeting specific saving throws.

Repulser is AOE. I think its one of the spells I used the most in my frontliners as it allows them to retreat without all of the units backstabbing them

Can't remember doesn't the boots of stormy clamor work with stage fright? I remember liking stage fright a lot in my run but can't remember why

Concentrate blast is at least B tier. It's occasionally useful to add free damage in the last round when you know that dropping concentration is not a problem. I use it frequently with cleric: I run into the last enemy with spirit guardians and then I shoot concentrating blast to finish it off.

Perilous stakes can still kinda be used on Honor mode if you manage to dominate them, though obviously it will be hard to or sometimes impossible for bosses, even with Arcane Acuity abuse, due to legendary resistance

Also Fracture Psyche can stack, so it can actually be up to -8 AC, which can be pretty funny.

upgraded abilities are worth taking if you can get past looking like Squidward every playthrough

I see this was written before but cull the weak is the best thing in all BG3 for me. Its freaking OP

With the Awakened buff (I know it’s hard to get on honor mode) but black hole on sorcerers or Wizard is crazy, just black hole and AOE everyone in it.

Stage Fright in B tier is a travesty, that ability is just downright free protection and free damage, have your supports cast it on all the little guys and watch them destroy themselves attempting to hit the fighter/paladin. It trivializes so many encounters where the difficulty comes from adds with just barely enough health to still get a turn after most AoE spells. Goblin camp front door is the first fight that comes to mind, but I don't think I've ever used it and then regretted it. Once you can cast it as a bonus action it's downright the best BA in the game. EDIT: I actually think the best example is Raphael since he starts with a very large cluster of relatively beefy adds all bunched up perfectly for you to BA Stage Fright them, then blow them to low enough health with AoEs that they can reasonably finish themselves off by missing

Its worth mentioning that concentrated blast never misses.

Saved! (Tadpole Charm)

i really like transfuse health with aspect of the stallion barbarians.

I found concentrated blast useful on fights where there’s dialogue and I can cast guidance

Would love to see a weapon action tier list my favorite is heartstopper Wish it was on more weapons.

Black hole instawins fights. Even as a full action, it's well worth it. I think it should forcefully end your turn as soon as you cast it on honour mode, it's way too strong so it should at least make you combine actions from multiple chars to make use of it. It's crazy that it recharges on short rest and could be a bonus action. With how many scrolls, barrels and special arrows the game gives you, you could probably never have to use a spell again after you get this. I know you get it so late your char is already probably overpowered, but from pure power perspective, it's the 2nd strongest after luck so it should be S-tier. edit: Imagine the things you could do with this in D:OS2!

Shield of thralls in A tier is criminal! S-tier for sure. Insane CC

ability drain is so good for any spell+sword characters that use the diadem of arcane synergy as well! i just ran a melee GOO warlock and i never took it off cause it applied the condition every time i hit.

You should bump Shield of Thralls to S. Cast it out of combat, lasts until long rest, and you get it back if you short rest, so you can give it to three party members (four if you have Song of Rest). Only downside is it will remove your symbiotic entity buff if you have a Spores Druid, but you can just not cast it on that party member. Concentrated Blast is excellent if you're set up for it. Detect Thoughts is a ritual (no spell slots usage outside of combat) and lasts indefinitely. If you have Awakened you can make good use of it as a bonus action before you cast a concentration spell. Plus there is gear that boosts damage/temp hit points while you are concentrating, so I try to keep detect thoughts up all the time. Repulsor saved me in my honor mode Orin fight l. Since the chanters have Sanctuary and Bhaal curses you to die if you don't kill someone by end of turn, it was really easy to just move close to them and blast them into the pit. Also there's a near foolproof way to get Awakened if you're a sixth level pally with decent gear and enough inspo to counter Nat 1s.

Hey, I don't know if you're checking comments on this video still, but I wanted to let you know about a bug. I acquired the blood of Lathander Morningstar and then proceeded to go back to the inquisitors chamber. I then entered the astral plane through the artifact. While collecting items there, I became encumbered. I began sending items to camp. I have only now, after hours of play, discovered that everything that I sent to camp while inside of the artifact has disappeared from the game. This is probably my best chance to get that information out there so other people can avoid the mistake.

Charm I think is *slightly* better than RP tier purely because it's like... If you have a character like a spellcaster who's likely to get slapped around and they get low, then being able to force someone to target a different character can be fairly useful. (Example and mild spoilers, REALLY wishing that I had gotten charm on my Gale when fighting The Honor Guard since watching him get flurry-of-blows'd multiple times was just plain sad)

Psionic backlash is crazy. I was dealing ~20 dmg to Apostle of Myrkul with a reaction

charm is good when your other reactions require spell slots or are unusable for whatever other reasons. the more reactions the better

I feel you missed that concentrated blast is a guaranteed way to make an enemy drop their concentration. And most of the time you were rolling in dialogue before combat and have guidance active anyways. I use it at the beginning of every fight, admittedly as a bonus action. Also you can use it to finish fights.

Fly has to be the best. Top S tier by miles. You can base an entire group on the ability to fly & wreck pretty much everyone. You're just constantly getting advantage on enemies & not wasting a gear slot for anything that has misty step. Instead use that slot for an item that can make you better at whatever you need the gear slot for.

Just want to say your comments on displacer beast makes me think you're using it wrong. The three attacks are fine but what you really want to be doing is spamming clones everywhere. They all get opportunity attack and have decent range and enemies will try and hit them or run past them and be hit by them. I wouldn't say it's S tier but definitely low A or high B. Also Psionic dominance should be S tier, especially since you yourself said you always want it. If that doesn't say how valuable an ability is I dunno what does.

Cull the weak plus luck of the far realm on a paladain basically equals one free one shot per long rest.

I really think perilous stakes needs to be higher. Even if it's only for allies. A once-per-rest full heal out of combat is just kinda nice. Especially on non-healer characters. And transfuse health for the same reasons. I use it a lot in conjunction with group heal spells. Aspect of stallion makes it an infinite heal supply. Albeit a tedious one.

Also, cool thing I noticed, perilous stakes does not work on enemies in honor mode. Do not waste a power on it in HM Edit: wrote this before watching it all, he mentioned this already

The charm one is pretty good I use it a lot if you use it when the attacker is far away from anyone in your party they will attack one of thier own dudes .

Black hole breaks the game. 5 casts, it groups the enemies up, AND SLOWS them. Ive had multiple Honor mode runs where i walk up to the brain stem and into the final fight just nuking everything with it lol. Its the definition of S tier