In a game overflowing with clever utility, powerful spells, and creative workarounds, it can be easy to assume every option in Baldur’s Gate 3 has its opportunity to shine. But some spells are simply outshone, overlooked, or outpaced by more efficient tools, and Goodberry may be one of them. Though it’s a spell with roots in classic Dungeons & Dragons, its effectiveness in Larian Studios’ take on Faerun leaves much to be desired. As Baldur’s Gate 3 players continue to experiment with builds following Patch 8’s updates, it's worth evaluating which spells deserve a place in a limited loadout. Goodberry, in most cases, does not.
In a game as flexible and modern as Baldur’s Gate 3, players are rewarded for creative, thoughtful choices. Goodberry may have nostalgic value, and there’s room for flavor-based builds that incorporate it, but it falls short of what the game consistently encourages: impactful, clever spellcasting. There’s no shame in trying it once, but it likely won’t be long before players swap the spell out for something more fitting. In the harsh, often brutal stages of Baldur’s Gate 3’s Act 1, healing is a serious business. Simply put, Goodberry is arguably one of the worst spells in Baldur’s Gate 3.
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The Goodberry Spell is Simply Not For Everyone
At first glance, Goodberry appears to be one of the most solid spells in Baldur’s Gate 3, particularly during the grind of Act 1 where every bit of healing can feel valuable. Early levels in the outskirts of the fallen Elturel are often punishing, especially for spellcasters with limited resources. On the surface, a spell that generates multiple healing items from a single slot seems efficient. However, Goodberry’s usefulness breaks down under scrutiny.
The berries vanish after a long rest, cannot be used as camp supplies, and each restores just 1D4 HP—a negligible amount even in the opening hours of the game. At most, a player with tons of luck will heal a total of 16 measly HP, which still isn’t ideal for tanks like Karlach or Lae’zel. Compared to available scrolls, potions, and other entry-level healing options, Goodberry simply falls short. During combat, a player can use a Bonus Action to eat a single berry, which is a waste of a precious opportunity to properly heal during a close encounter. Resources are better invested in alternatives that provide immediate, reliable healing or additional utility across encounters.
Goodberry’s Design Philosophy—and Its Disconnect
Goodberry’s underwhelming impact isn’t entirely a flaw of design—it reflects its tabletop roots, where healing between long dungeon crawls was harder to come by. In Dungeons & Dragons, its usefulness stems from surviving without access to towns, potions, or rest mechanics. But Baldur’s Gate 3 adapts those mechanics for a digital environment, where healing potions are plentiful and long rests are more accessible. In this transition, Goodberry loses much of its practical value. It’s a reminder that not every tabletop mechanic translates seamlessly to a video game. And in the case of Goodberry, the idea of microdosing heals may work in theory, but Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game of bold swings, risky plays, and meaningful decisions. Among the cardinal sins of Baldur's Gate 3 is not maximizing the ways to optimize crucial gameplay mechanics, such as healing. Goodberry might as well be a cardinal sin for standing in the way of that.
Better Alternatives to the Goodberry Spell in Baldur’s Gate 3
The biggest strike against Goodberry is simple: Baldur’s Gate 3 offers numerous superior options. Whether through spells, items, or class features, nearly every other healing method outpaces Goodberry in terms of efficiency and impact.
| Alternative | Type | Why It’s Better |
| Healing Word | Spell (Level 1) | Bonus Action cast that heals 1D4+Spellcasting modifier (more than goodberries), works at range, and can stabilize party allies or player(s) mid-combat. |
| Cure Wounds | Spell (Level 1) | Heals more per spell slot and is especially effective when party members are near. |
| Potion of Healing | Consumable | Widely available during Act 1, stackable, and more efficient than Goodberry in every scenario. |
| Short Rest | Rest Mechanic | Party members will restore half of their HP (rounded down) without needing to retreat from an area or use consumables. Warlocks can gain spell slots back. |
| Prayer of Healing | Spell (Level 2) | Provides 2D8+Spellcasting modifier multi-target healing when outside of combat, making it more efficient between engagements. |
| Aid | Spell (Level 2) | Raises maximum HP, offering longer-term survivability beyond a single battle. |
| Scroll of Cure Wounds | Consumable | A creature regains hit points equal to 1D8+Spellcasting modifier. |
| Long Rest | Rest Mechanic | Although deceivingly framed as scarce, Baldur's Gate 3 provides players with enough resources to Long Rest often during Act 1. Long Resting restores full health, spell slots, and provides critical character and relationship development opportunities. |
These alternatives offer more flexible healing, better scaling with character progression, and far less inventory clutter. While Goodberry does technically provide multiple heals per cast, those heals are so minor that it becomes a poor tradeoff, especially considering the spell takes up space in a spellbook that could be reserved for more impactful options.
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Situational Use Cases for Goodberry
In niche scenarios, Goodberry can provide some utility. For example, it could be useful for topping off health between minor skirmishes or conserving higher-level resources during a long dungeon crawl. Alternatively, it could be useful for roleplay in good Dungeons & Dragons tradition—perhaps a Druid who conjures the berries due to deeply personal memories. But technically, the healing is minimal, and the berries expire after a long rest; and narratively, it’s better on paper than it is on-screen. The spell also requires manual distribution and inventory management, making it less efficient than simply using a single potion or short rest. While it adds flavor for certain character archetypes, it rarely outperforms the wealth of other healing tools available even at low levels.
Baldur's Gate 3
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Engine
- Divinity 4.0
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.
THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCE
Choose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.
A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPIC
Forged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian's next-generation RPG engine.
- Genre(s)
- RPG
