Master Your First Playthrough of Baldur's Gate 3 with These Expert Tips

Highlights

Engage in conversations with Non-Player Characters alongside a well-rounded group to unlock a more enriching gaming experience and witness the unique reactions of Companions in various situations. The art of immersive storytelling is elevated by engaging in dialogue with the entire party.

Explore every area on the map to unveil concealed locations and strategic vantage points. Utilize Familiars to venture ahead and identify potential foes. Ensure you don't overlook critical missions and captivating characters. Embrace the outcomes of your decisions and refrain from replaying scenes to craft a flawless playthrough. Immerse yourself completely in the choice-driven system and revel in the cascading impact triggered by your actions. Engage in uninhibited roleplaying and unravel diverse conclusions.

For players experiencing Baldur's Gate 3 for the first time, every decision is significant. The game presents a thrilling narrative, where a Mindflayer invasion threatens the world. As players attempt to save themselves and the world, they have the opportunity to explore the vast and captivating realm of Faerun. However, making the wrong choices can result in grave consequences that persist throughout the game, adding an element of risk to every action.

Those familiar with roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons may anticipate this level of complexity, but newcomers might feel pressured to always make the right decisions. To prevent playing it safe all the time, here are some pitfalls to avoid that can potentially spoil a player's initial experience in Baldur's Gate 3.

10 Going To Conversations Without The Others

Except for a few instances of solo dialogue, such as when interacting with True Soul Gut who specifically requests to speak to the player-controlled character, it is advisable for players enjoying Baldur's Gate 3 gameplay to engage in conversations with non-player characters (NPCs) using a full party. This allows players to have a more comprehensive gaming experience as they witness the reactions of their other Companions in specific situations.

Although players still receive unique dialogue when conversing with NPCs without certain party members, engaging in conversations with a complete party enhances immersion, particularly for first playthroughs and players seeking to maximize Companion dialogue, especially in terms of relationship development.

9 Ignoring Parts Of The Map

Players of Baldur's Gate 3 should be mindful of getting lost in the extensive world map and should prioritize exploring areas covered by fog of war during their first playthrough. By utilizing movement actions like Jumping and the Fly skill of Familiars, players can effectively navigate the overworld and uncover points of interest.

It's important for players to not overlook certain areas, such as Lae'zel's cage in Act 1, which may be missed if they go directly to Wyll near the entrance of the Emerald Grove, despite it being located near the Waypoint where Gale is found. Similarly, players may miss Karlach's location if they solely focus on the main story missions. Employing Familiars to scout ahead can help identify potential enemies and allow players and their companions to strategize and secure advantageous positions.

8 Skipping Analysis Paralysis

Baldur's Gate 3 players may feel compelled to make "the right decisions" on their initial playthrough due to the game's RPG with active choice element. If dissatisfied with their choices, players may replay the entire cutscene in search of a different outcome. While this approach is valid, seeking to create the "perfect" Baldur's Gate 3 experience can undermine the consequences that make the game immersive.

Instead, players should embrace the game's choice-based system to fully explore its offerings. They have the freedom to roleplay their characters as law-abiding citizens or as total forces of evil, thanks to the Dark Urge Origin. It is much more satisfying for players to witness the ripple effect caused by their actions, leading to subsequent playthroughs that become more rewarding once they understand which choices to avoid repeating.

7 Hesitating To Spam Camp

In Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay, players can camp to simulate the "downtime" experience in Dungeons & Dragons. The camp serves as a hub for various conversations to enhance relationships between Companions, as well as a place for Long Rests. By using Camp Supplies, players can rest between encounters to fully heal and replenish resources.

It is important for players to utilize the camp strategically, as battles can occur unexpectedly. Delaying a camp can leave players vulnerable to ambushes, preventing them from unleashing their best attacks. However, players should exercise caution when camping during time-sensitive Quests, as doing so will result in failure on these missions.

6 Skipping Food Items

Players are able to spam Camp for full heals, but this can only be done if they have enough rations to meet the requirement of 40 Camp Supplies per Long Rest. In the beginning of Baldur's Gate 3, players may feel encouraged to over-prepare for encounters by Long Resting after every combat, which is a beneficial practice. However, players who do not have sufficient Camp Supplies will be unable to perform Long Rests and it will result in game over.

It is important to note that many resources can only be recovered through full rests. In the face of imminent combat, the absence of Spell Slots and other similar resources can be fatal to a party. Moreover, recovering Camp Supplies can be time-consuming and detract from the immersive experience. To avoid this setback, players should make a point to collect Food-like items as frequently as possible, as these can be exchanged for a predetermined number of Camp Supplies. By doing so, players can confidently navigate through combat encounters, knowing that they have enough Camp Supplies to sustain their progress.

5 Ignoring Action Economy

Evaluating actions and spells in Baldur's Gate 3 based solely on potential damage without considering Action Economy can result in characters having limited options during prolonged combat encounters. To avoid this, players should have multiple choices for Actions, Bonus Actions, and Reactions whenever possible.

For example, Warlocks can use their Bonus Action to cast Hex (Level 1 Enchantment) on an opponent, increasing the damage dealt with their main Action. Similarly, healers like Clerics can use an Action to cast Cure Wounds (Level 1 Abjuration) and still have a Bonus Action available to cast Shield of Faith (Level 1 Abjuration), boosting another character's AC. This ensures that characters are not only utilizing their Action for significant maneuvers while their Bonus Actions are left for mundane tasks.

4 Never Split The Party

Splitting the party in D&D tables and in Baldur's Gate 3 gameplay can be disadvantageous, as encounters can surprise each sub-party and put them at a disadvantage. It is important to have a balanced four-person party with specific roles to handle encounters. While tanky Fighters can handle multiple opponents, spellcasters can easily overwhelm players without the right defenses.

To avoid these disadvantages, players should keep their party together at all times. Mobile classes like the Ranger and the Rogue can act as scouts, but it is crucial for the rest of the party to stay close as backup. This way, if enemies surprise the scout with reinforcements, it won't result in an overly difficult encounter.

3 Ending The Surprise Round At A Disadvantage

When a scouting character attempts to surprise an enemy, they initially have the advantage of a first shot without consequences. However, this "free shot" will consume their current Action in the surprise round. Nevertheless, it is important for players not to conclude the turn of the Baldur's Gate 3 Companion just yet, even if they are unable to take any action during their first turn in the surprise encounter.

It is worth noting that only characters engaged in battle are subject to turn-based combat, allowing other Companions to freely move as long as they remain distant from the encounter. Players should seize this opportunity to strategically position the remaining party members in locations where they can effectively target multiple enemies with a single turn. Once these advantageous positions have been established, these characters can participate in the encounter by launching a "free" attack before being included in the Initiative board.

2 Forgetting Item Interactions For Attacks

Limited resources in Baldur's Gate 3 can pose challenges for players during gameplay, particularly with regards to the utilization of powerful attacks that require valuable Spell Slots from Dungeons & Dragons Spells. However, it is important for players to keep in mind that attacking opponents is not the only means of dealing damage.

In fact, gamers can strategically use poisonous spores or exploding plants to their advantage, redirecting their attacks towards enemies instead of bearing the entire responsibility themselves. For example, by targeting an oil barrel with a Fire Bolt, a well-placed explosion can occur, transforming a typically single-target Spell into an impressive area-of-effect attack with high damage output.

1 Killing Merchants

Players who notice the impressive goods carried by merchants in Baldur's Gate may be tempted to kill them and take their items. However, those who choose this path are not only losing a valuable trading partner, but also unaware that the merchants do not carry all of their items on them.

Instead, players should consider the alternate approach of stealing an item from the merchant and subsequently selling it to them or another merchant in exchange for gold. With the acquired gold, players can then purchase the desired item. Of course, there is a risk involved as they may be caught by guards and thrown in prison, but this risk is no different from the original idea of murdering the merchant.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is currently available for PC and is slated for a September 6, 2023 release for PlayStation 5.