Baldur’s Gate 3 Tips and Tricks

Mastering the Forgotten Realms

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a deep, tactical RPG that combines story-rich roleplaying with challenging turn-based combat. Whether you’re a D&D veteran or new to the Forgotten Realms, here’s a robust guide of tips and tricks that’ll take you from surviving goblin ambushes to outwitting mind flayers.

1. Mastering Action Economy

Action economy is the backbone of Baldur’s Gate 3 combat. At every turn, your character can perform:

• An Action (e.g., Attack, Cast a Spell, Dash)

• A Bonus Action (e.g., Healing Word, Shove, Cunning Action)

• Movement (up to their speed in feet)

• A Reaction (used in response to certain triggers, like an enemy running away or attacking)

Tips to maximise your turn:

• Shove enemies off ledges with your Bonus Action. It’s free, it doesn’t cost your main Action, and the fall damage can be deadly.

• Use ‘Dip’ in elemental environments. Standing near a fire? Dip your weapon into the flames using a Bonus Action to deal bonus fire damage.

• Stack actions creatively. For example, a Rogue can Hide (Bonus Action), then perform a Sneak Attack (Action) from stealth, gaining an advantage.

Tip: Cast Sanctuary on vulnerable allies, use Ready actions to react to enemy movement, and always check the Bonus Action tab for often-overlooked opportunities.

2. Combat Strategies That Turn the Tide

Combat is about more than stats—it’s about positioning, timing, and environmental control.

Environment as a weapon:

• Push enemies into chasms, spike traps, or over cliffs for instant kills.

• Use elemental surfaces: Oil barrels? Explode them. Water puddles? Electrify them with Shocking Grasp or Lightning Bolt.

• Cast Grease, then follow up with Fire Bolt to ignite it, creating an AoE deathtrap.

Control the battlefield:

• Crowd Control spells like Hold Person, Sleep, Web, and Silence are more valuable than raw damage in tough fights.

• Target enemy casters and archers first; disable them or force them out of position.

High ground = high advantage:

• Attacking from elevated positions grants advantage on ranged attacks and extends vision. Use jump, Misty Step, or Fly to get up high.

Tip: Use turn order (top of the screen) to plan combos. For example, have your Wizard cast Faerie Fire on a group, and then your Rogue follows up with guaranteed Sneak Attacks on glowing targets.

3. Conversation and Skill Checks – Influence the World

In BG3, conversations can be just as dangerous (or rewarding) as combat. Always cast Guidance before dialogue. It adds 1d4 to your skill check, often making the difference between failure and success.

Know your party’s strengths:

• Let the best Charisma character (like a Bard or Paladin) initiate conversations.

• Use Insight to detect lies, Persuasion to smooth talk, or Intimidation to threaten.

Failure isn’t always bad. Sometimes failing a dialogue check leads to unexpected, entertaining, or more challenging outcomes. Play into your character's personality and take the narrative risks—it’s what makes BG3 shine.

Tip: If you’re going for a skill check-heavy run, consider multiclassing or gearing your party for success with bonuses to Persuasion, Deception, or Insight.

4. Exploration, Loot, and Secrets

The world is dense with hidden paths, treasures, and side quests. If you’re only walking the main road, you’re missing half the game.

Tips for better exploration:

• Highlight interactable objects and loot.

• Perception checks automatically trigger to detect traps, hidden doors, or secret levers—stacking Wisdom or having characters like Astarion or Gale helps.

• Don’t ignore dead ends or ruins—they often hide rare gear, secret storylines, or cool puzzles.

Inventory management:

• Send items to camp or companions regularly. Don’t hoard junk unless you plan to sell it.

• Mark “Wares” to bulk-sell all at once.

• Use alchemy to craft potions and grenades with collected herbs and monster parts—Alchemist’s Fire and Smoke Powder can win fights.

Tip: Some quest resolutions are entirely missable if you don’t thoroughly explore. You might skip a peaceful resolution or miss recruiting a companion entirely.

5. Party Composition and Synergy

A balanced party is more effective than one stacked with your favourite class.

Here’s a strong generic setup:

• Tank: Fighter, Paladin, or Barbarian

• Support: Cleric or Druid

• Damage Dealer: Rogue or Warlock

• Caster: Wizard or Sorcerer

Things to consider:

• Make sure someone can lockpick (Thieves’ Tools), detect traps (high Perception), and speak well (high Charisma).

• Don’t overlook reaction-based classes like Paladins (Smite on crits) or Clerics (Shield of Faith, Healing Word).

Tip: Multiclassing can build incredible hybrids. Try a Rogue/Cleric for stealthy healing, or Fighter/Sorcerer for a magic-flinging frontline bruiser.

6. Resting and Resource Management

Resting restores your health, spell slots, and abilities—but supplies and time are limited.

Short Rest:

• Use these often! They restore some HP and class-specific features (especially for Warlocks).

• Can be used twice before needing a Long Rest.

Long Rest:

• Fully restores everything, but costs food supplies and advances time, which can trigger story progression or missed opportunities.

• Don’t hoard it—rest when half your party is low on health, out of spell slots, or major fights are ahead.

Tip: You can initiate camp from almost anywhere. Rest before boss fights or major quests to give your party every advantage.

7. Don’t Fear Failure — Embrace Chaos

The best part of BG3? Not everything has to go perfectly.

• Failed rolls and dice checks often lead to more entertaining outcomes.

• Characters will die. Story paths will close. But the branching narrative gives you new avenues.

• Make decisions based on roleplay, not min-maxing. If your evil Wizard wants to steal the idol from the Druids, do it. See what happens.

Tip: Save often and reload if you want to explore alternate outcomes—but let chaos reign now and then. BG3 is built to surprise you.

Final Thoughts

Baldur’s Gate 3 rewards creativity, curiosity, and experimentation. Whether you’re min-maxing your build or just trying to bang Astarion before the goblins burn down your camp, every choice matters. So dip that sword, shove that ogre, and flirt with danger (and your companions) every chance you get.

Want a deep dive into companion romances, multiclass builds, or hidden questlines next? Let us know—we've got guides for days.