Opinion: Must have and generally fun spells [SPOILERS] - what are yours?

[B4D41M]

Thematically my favorite class is sorcerer but if I play sorcerer I either must dual class to wizard or have a second arcane caster in the group because, in my opinion, there are so many 'utility' spells that make the game vastly more fun that my sorcerer doesn't have spell slots for any combat spells until around level 8 or so. Having said that here are some of the spells I've found indefensible and why (includes spoilers)
1. Enhanced leap-aids travel everywhere-a strong character with enhanced leap can jump from the sword in the stone (underdark) all the way over to where the spectator triggers. Enhanced leap can be or is part of one of the solutions for many of the 'travel puzzles' throughout the game.
2. Feather Fall-I started this list because I've not seen anyone anywhere extol the virtues of Feather Fall. Feather Fall is a ritual spell, casts on the whole party simultaneously and will cause your other characters to be more likely to follow you when you leap somewhere. It allows you to jump into the whispering depths. It allows you to jump off the cliff above Karlack if you want to get her early. It allows you to jump around in battle without taking falling damage. I cast Feather Fall so often I can't imagine playing the game without it. [Big Spoiler] with enhanced leap and feather fall active on a str 8 character she can jump all the way from the water fall in the hag's lair, past all the traps, past all the poison clouds and land in the safe zone near Marina and the hag without taking 1 point of dmg. Stand at the top, cast spell on each of the characters, jump them down one at a time, jump caster down when all others are safely at the bottom.
3. Disguise Self-I sure hate it when a mob that I've killed won't talk with me when I cast speak with dead-oh, wait, disguise self. Also helps with theft.
4. Fog cloud-there are some thefts that just shouldn't be pulled off without fog cloud or darkness. It's also super helpful for permitting your rogue to go stealth right in the middle of a battle. The disengage cloak you can get in Act2 is OP for a rogue.
5. Friends-OMG how do we persuade anyone without it. I'll pick high elf or half high elf just to get this as my cantrip even when I'm playing a melee class. No proficiency in persuasion required. Just be careful who you friend, some of them might hate you later. Also, remember it is a concentration spell.
6. Read Mind-if it wasn't a ritual, I wouldn't use it, but it is. Lots of fun info from mind read.
7. Sleep, awesome at lower levels. Not bad when upcast.
8. Not an arcane spell, but Calm Emotions, the bane of harpies and barbarians everywhere.
9. Slow-make six melee types plod after you as you kite.
10. Hypnotism-be careful you aren't in the area of affect OR use metamagic to auto succeed saving throws. Absolutely boss against deep dwarves--such as the ones on the boat.
11. Everyone knows how awesome haste is on your melee character
12. Everyone says that a Warlock should take the Agonizing Blast and Repelling Blast perks. I take AB and Devil's sight. The darkness spell is now my fortress that I can see in and blast out of. I wish there was a devil's sight spell for my wizard or sorcerer because I would equip it.
14. There's a whole video on this but using the cold shield spell from white dragon sorcerer in combo with wizard abjuration abilities and you can get some fun, interesting kills just running around triggering attacks of opportunity. Pair this with create water (or thrown water bottles) to make targets vulnerable to cold and do even more damage. Use your action to cast blade ward and the scheme works well even at low levels of Abjuration magic. Use metamagic to extend the duration of blade ward and you only have to cast it once every 4 rounds...does combat ever last 4 rounds? Maybe against a boss or when I'm hanging back waiting for the enemy to dash at me but otherwise, no. Most encounters are over in 2 rounds, so maybe don't waste the metamagic.

[Hawke]

That's a great list. Thank you for sharing.

I would add Thunderwave and Telekinesis - there are many bosses, but also many chasms. Also, the Greater Invisibility.

[MattStriker]

It's very basic, but just for flavor I still love simply upcasting Magic Missile as high as it'll go and dropping a whole Itano Circus on the enemy :D.