Summary
- Loot everything in Baldur's Gate 3. Don't forget to check all containers in an area and grab everything. Sell what the party doesn't use for extra gear or storage.
- Improve your companions' gear for better chances of success in BG3. Each party member has a role to play, so don't just focus on the main character.
- Use stealth and the environment. Scout ahead using stealth and utilize the surrounding area in both combat and exploration. Stack crates to reach high places and use objects to block traps.
Baldur's Gate 3 has become a massive success, drawing in many who might not have any familiarity with previous Larian Studios games or knowledge of Dungeons & Dragons. Because of this, it's easy to become overwhelmed by all the tools, spells, and mechanics the game offers. While there is no right way to play an RPG, some mistakes can lead to unintended consequences and potentially a less enjoyable playthrough.
Every game has a learning curve, and Baldur's Gate 3 is no exception. While those who played during early access are already intimately familiar with the game, newcomers might find themselves playing catch-up regarding the gameplay mechanics of this massive RPG. With this in mind, here are some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them so that Baldur's Gate 3's awesome story can be enjoyed to its fullest.
10 Loot Everything
While it might sound obvious to some, one of the simplest mistakes is not looting everything. to check all containers in an area, even random barrels and crates. Holding the left alt key will help with this, as it will highlight all lootable containers close by. Grabbing everything will help gear up the party, especially early on in Baldur’s Gate 3. What the party doesn't use can be sold and stored in the camp chest until a vendor is found.
9 Upgrade Companion Gear
Speaking of gear, not upgrading a companion’s gear is a mistake that can cause problems later down the line. The initial looks for all Baldur’s Gate 3 companions are great, but the better gear they have, the better the party’s chance of success with improved ACs, better weapons, and other magical items. It’s important to not to horde gear just for the main character, as each party member has a role to play.
8 Giving Companions The Wrong Gear
When giving companions gear, especially weapons and armor, make sure they use things they are proficient in. Companions will use anything you put on them, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice. For example, putting armor on Gale will mean he can’t cast spells as he’s not proficient in any armor, while Shadowheart isn’t proficient in maces despite starting Baldur’s Gate 3 with one. Check what each companion can use by clicking on their character sheet and finding their proficiencies section.
7 Switching Weapon Sets At The End Of A Turn
It’s important to to switch back to melee weapons before ending a turn if using ranged weapons in Baldur’s Gate 3. This becomes especially important if a character is using a shield, as the AC boost isn't applied if the shield isn't actively being used, for example, if they are holding a bow. Switching back will not only give the higher AC but allow for attacks of opportunity to be taken when enemies move out of melee range.
6 Don't Horde Resources
In some games, certain resources like health potions are scarce and should be kept back for the perfect moment. That is not the case in Baldur’s Gate 3, with resources like health potions and inspiration being plentiful. Health potions can be bought and found all over, and with alchemy, it is even possible to craft more healing potions. Don’t be afraid to use them in battle when the going gets tough, and that they can be thrown for a healing AOE effect if needed.
Likewise, inspiration is given in Baldur’s Gate 3 whenever a character does something in line with their background, and the party will naturally accrue these throughout the story. These inspiration points allow for skill checks to be rerolled, which can sometimes be a lifesaver; however, only four points can be held at any one time by the party. Hoarding them stops the game from rewarding more, so if the party has four, then it’s important to use the odd one rather than sitting on them.
5 Don't Forget To Scout
It’s important to use stealth in Baldur’s Gate 3 to scout ahead to check areas rather than just charging in. When scouting, don’t be afraid to split the party and send only the stealthiest to scout for traps or enemies. This is also a great way to get a lay of the land before a fight starts so the party can better use the environment, like any high ground or choke points.
4 Use The Environment
While using the environment in battle might be obvious, using the surrounding area can also be beneficial outside of combat too. For example, crates and other objects can be placed over certain traps, like vents, to prevent them from triggering. Crates can also be stacked to reach high places that can’t be easily jumped to.
3 Rest Often
One massive mistake in Baldur’s Gate 3 is not resting. Rest often, as it not only replenishes spell slots and resets abilities but it moves the story forward. Baldur’s Gate 3 doesn't punish players for resting, so it is possible to even take a breather even in the middle of dungeons. Short rests are also vital too, as they heal the party to half of their max hit points and reset certain abilities such as fighter’s action surge and warlock spell slots. The party gets two short rests per long rest, and they can really make the difference between surviving an encounter and wiping.
2 Talk To Companions All The Time
When resting at camp, talking to all companions is important. Companions play such a vital part in Baldur’s Gate 3, and talking to them adds to the story. Companions will display an exclamation point over their heads when they have something very important they want to talk about, but they should be spoken to at each long rest. Every time something significant happens to the party, every companion will have new options for dialogue, and sometimes, this can reveal new information and start new side quests.
1 Learn To Quicksave
Finally, it is incredibly important to save often. Combat in Baldur’s Gate 3 can be a challenge, and there is nothing worse than having to go back to a save point hours ago. Automated saves in Baldur’s Gate 3 are not all that frequent, so learning how to quicksave is vital, and on PC, that is F5, while F8 will load the latest save. Quicksaves can be used at almost any time, even during combat and conversations, meaning that if the wrong dialogue option is picked, it isn’t the end of the world.
