Baldur’s Gate 3 introduces a fascinating mechanic for players to unravel – the art of conversing with animals. The linchpin to this interaction is a handy spell aptly named “Speak with Animals”. Belonging to the school of Divination, this Level 1 spell grants players a unique doorway into the minds of beasts.
Different from combat spells or buffing enchantments, “Speak with Animals” enhances your gameplay by allowing you to connect with the environment in ways you wouldn’t have imagined. Players familiar with the early access version might remember that this spell could be used as a ritual, but recent updates have made it an ability to be cast once per rest.
Different Ways to Acquire the “Speak with Animals” Ability
Now you might wonder, how do you get hold of this unique ability? Well, there are a few ways to acquire “Speak with Animals”. The most straightforward approach is to learn the spell from the Divination School. Alternatively, a potion might do the trick.
Swig a Potion of Animal Speaking, and you’ll be chatting with critters in no time. However, if you’re lucky enough to belong to certain races or classes, this gift might just come naturally.
When it comes to races, the Forest Gnomes take the prize. This subrace has an innate knack for beastly banter as part of their racial traits. In the class department, Warlocks, if they opt for the “Beast Speech” Eldritch Invocation, can command this spell without squandering any spell slots.
Certain classes like the Druid, Ranger, and Bard can acquire the spell right from the start of their journey, while others like the Paladin (Oath of the Ancients subclass) and Barbarian (Wildheart subclass) can unlock it as they level up.
Obtain the Ability from the Beginning of the Game
If you’re impatient to start befriending beasts, choosing a Forest Gnome as your race or one of the three classes (Druid, Ranger, Bard) that come equipped with “Speak with Animals” as a Level 1 spell might be the way to go. These choices will ensure you hit the ground running, chattering away with the animals from the get-go.
On the technical side, casting “Speak with Animals” consumes one Level 1 spell slot and keeps running until you take a long rest. What’s great about this spell is that it doesn’t require any concentration. This means you can engage with the fauna while carrying on with your other adventuring tasks, making it a passive but game-enhancing feature of your journey through Baldur’s Gate 3.