Summary: Discover the consequences of using Illithid powers in Baldur’s Gate 3, from gameplay impacts to long-term effects on your character and story.

In Baldur’s Gate 3, Illithid powers offer unique abilities with both benefits and risks.

This guide covers all Illithid powers, how to unlock and use them, their impact on gameplay, and tips for enhancing your experience.

Whether you’re deciding to embrace or resist these powers, we’ve got you covered.

Table of contents:

1. All Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3
2. Baldur’s Gate 3: Should You Use Illithid Powers?
3. How to Use Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3
4. How to Get Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3
5. What Happens If You Use Illithid Powers in BG3
6. How to Get Baldur’s Gate 3 Trainers by Using Xmod

All Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3

Here’s a full list of Illithid powers in Baldur’s Gate 3, giving you a quick look at their unique effects to help you decide how deep you want to delve into their mysterious potential.

Power Name	Effect
Concentrated Blast	Deals damage while you’re concentrating on another spell.
Endless Rage	Increases damage during Rage, but also causes you to take more damage.
Horrific Visage	Damages an enemy for 3 turns and restores 2 Sorcery Points.
Perilous Stakes	Makes a target take more damage for 3 turns, but heals after each hit.
Fracture Psyche	Lowers a target’s armor by 1.
Repulsor	Knocks back enemies and objects, dealing damage.
Stage Fright	Gives Disadvantage on Attack Rolls and deals minor damage on failures.
Charm	Prevents an enemy from attacking you for one turn.
Psionic Pull	Pulls a target or object toward you.
Supernatural Attraction	Teleports to another creature infected by a tadpole.
Force Tunnel	Dashes forward, pushing enemies and objects out of the way.
Inkblot	Creates a cloud that blinds and obscures enemies; blocks ranged attacks.
Shield of Thralls	Grants 10 temporary HP to yourself or an ally for one turn.
Reflective Shell	Reflects incoming projectiles back at attackers.
Survival Instinct	Heals a portion of HP instead of dying when HP reaches zero.
Favorable Beginnings	Boosts your first Attack Roll or Ability Check to match Proficiency.
Luck of the Far Realms	Allows you to turn a successful Attack Roll into a Critical Hit.
Freecast	Makes your next spell free to cast.
Ability Drain	Reduces a target’s ability by 1 per turn after an attack roll.
Aberrant Shape	Transforms you into an Intellect Devourer that deals physical damage.

These Illithid powers offer a wide range of effects—from devastating attacks to tactical support—giving you plenty of options to shape your character’s path.

Now that we’ve covered all illithid powers in Baldur’s Gate 3, let’s dive into whether you should use illithid powers.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Should You Use Illithid Powers?

Illithid Powers are absolutely worth trying in Baldur’s Gate 3. Every ability brings something useful to the table—even if tapping into them might unsettle some of your companions (and trust me, they’ll let you know through dialogue).

Personally, I’ve had a blast using them on my main character. Powers like Force Tunnel, Psionic Pull, and Repulsor are incredibly fun to play with, while Charm and Freecast have already saved me in tough fights.

That said, not everyone will want to embrace these powers right away. Some players might prefer to explore them in a second or third playthrough, especially alongside a darker origin like the Dark Urge. That’s totally valid—Illithid powers aren’t for everyone.

But at some point, on some run, you should give them a shot. They add a whole new layer of power, strategy, and weirdness that makes the game even more exciting.

Next, we will take a look at how to use illithid powers in Baldur’s Gate 3.

How to Use Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3?

While there are narrative consequences to using Illithid Powers—like unsettling your companions—they’re simply too practical to ignore. These abilities offer powerful advantages in both combat and exploration, making them a valuable asset for any party.

One of the most versatile options is Favorable Beginnings, which adds your proficiency bonus to the first attack or skill check made against a target. Since proficiency increases with your level, this power remains useful throughout the entire game, providing consistent early-battle advantages.

Most Illithid Powers are designed to give you a tactical edge in combat. For example:

• Force Tunnel propels you forward, pushing enemies aside—great for aggressive plays.
• Concentrated Blast lets you deal damage while maintaining a concentration spell.
• Stage Fright weakens enemies by inflicting Disadvantage on attack rolls and punishing failed rolls.
• Psionic Overload boosts your attacks with psychic damage at the cost of self-inflicted harm each turn.

As you collect more Illithid Powers, you unlock access to Cull the Weak, a devastating ability that instantly kills low-HP enemies. Its effectiveness scales with the number of powers you’ve embraced, making it an enticing option for players fully committed to the mind flayer path.

That said, diving deep into Illithid abilities requires accepting their darker side—both mechanically and narratively. It’s not for the faint of heart, but for those who dare, the rewards can be game-changing.

How to Get Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3?

You’ll start gaining Illithid Powers early in Baldur’s Gate 3—the first ones are unlocked automatically during the intro. After that, new powers appear in a brain-based skill tree, unlocked by consuming mind flayer parasites found throughout the world. These parasites are dropped by enemies or can be stolen from certain targets.

While it might be tempting to keep all the parasites for yourself, you can share them with your companions to grant them powers, too. Some companions will need persuasion, but there are enough parasites scattered around to give multiple characters new abilities or provide minor boosts to everyone.

In addition to that, there are consequences for using Illithid powers in BG3.

What Happens If You Use Illithid Powers in BG3?

Using Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3 comes with its consequences. The most immediate effect is that some party members disapprove, particularly Lae’zel, a githyanki who despises mind flayers and values physical strength. If you rely too heavily on these powers, she’ll become disgusted, which could lock you out of certain options. Since Lae’zel is one of the best companions in the game, it’s wise to moderate your use of Illithid Powers to maintain her approval.

However, not all companions share her view. Gale and Astarion are more accepting of Illithid Powers, with Astarion seeking power and Gale fascinated by arcane knowledge. Overusing these abilities can even strengthen your relationships with these characters.

Despite these benefits, overusing Illithid Powers can lead to one of the game’s bad endings.

While Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you a warning if you’re heading down this path, it’s still important to be mindful of your choices. For players who want to avoid a negative ending, it’s best to use Illithid Powers sparingly and not consume every parasite you find. Sharing them with companions can also help balance the power progression among the party.

How to Get Baldur’s Gate 3 Trainers by Using Xmod

To enhance your Baldur’s Gate 3 experience with cheats and trainers, Xmod is a great tool to use. Here’s how to get started:

1. Download Xmod: Start by downloading the Xmod app from a trusted source.

   

2. Search for Baldur’s Gate 3: Once Xmod is installed, open the app and search for Baldur’s Gate 3.

   

3. Launch the Game: From within the Xmod app, launch Baldur’s Gate 3 directly.
4. Activate Trainers: After the game launches, use Xmod to activate your chosen trainers and mods for a customized gameplay experience.

   

With Xmod, you can easily modify the game to your liking and enjoy a more tailored adventure in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Conclusion

Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3 offer powerful advantages but come with consequences, including upsetting companions and potentially leading to a bad ending. While they can significantly enhance gameplay, it’s important to use them thoughtfully. Additionally, tools like Xmod can further customize your experience, allowing for a more tailored adventure. Ultimately, your choices with Illithid Powers will shape the course of your journey in the game.