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Beginner's Guide to Baldur's Gate 3

New to Baldur's Gate 3? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about classes, races, combat, and your first playthrough.

By RPG Master Dave📖 20 minUpdated Dec 1, 2024

Beginner's Guide to Baldur's Gate 3

Welcome to the Forgotten Realms! This guide will help you navigate your first playthrough of Baldur's Gate 3.

Choosing Your Character

Best Classes for Beginners

Fighter

Difficulty: ⭐ (Easiest)

  • Simple mechanics
  • High durability
  • Good damage output
  • Versatile weapon options

Paladin

Difficulty: ⭐⭐

  • Tanky with healing abilities
  • Strong damage
  • Good story integration
  • Divine Smite is powerful

Ranger

Difficulty: ⭐⭐

  • Ranged combat option
  • Animal companion
  • Useful exploration abilities
  • Good all-arounder

Classes to Avoid as Beginner

  • Wizard - Complex spell management
  • Warlock - Resource management
  • Bard - Requires understanding of all systems

Understanding Combat

Action Economy

Each turn you have:

  • 1 Action - Attack, Cast Spell, etc.
  • 1 Bonus Action - Offhand attack, some spells
  • Movement - Based on your speed
  • 1 Reaction - Opportunity attacks, counterspell

Combat Tips

  1. Use High Ground - +2 to hit advantage
  2. Shove Enemies - Push them off cliffs
  3. Use Environment - Explode barrels, create surfaces
  4. Long Rest Often - Resources fully restore
  5. Save Before Fights - Learn enemy patterns

Party Composition

  1. Tank - Fighter, Paladin, or Barbarian
  2. Healer - Cleric or Druid
  3. Damage - Ranger, Rogue, or Warlock
  4. Utility - Wizard or Bard

Origin Character Picks

  • Shadowheart (Cleric) - Essential healer
  • Lae'zel (Fighter) - Strong frontliner
  • Gale (Wizard) - Powerful spellcaster
  • Astarion (Rogue) - Lock picking and sneak attacks

Important Mechanics

Resting

Short Rest

  • Restore some HP
  • Some class abilities reset
  • Can do twice per day

Long Rest

  • Full HP and spell slots
  • Advances companion quests
  • Use camp supplies

Saving Throws

  • Roll d20 + modifier vs DC
  • Success = effect negated/reduced
  • Different saves for different effects

Proficiency

  • If proficient, add bonus to rolls
  • Armor proficiency avoids penalties
  • Weapon proficiency adds to hit

Exploration Tips

Always Do

  • Talk to everyone
  • Investigate everything
  • Save often (F5 quicksave)
  • Check for hidden objects (Perception)

Money Making

  • Sell extra equipment
  • Complete side quests
  • Loot everything
  • Don't buy consumables (find them)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Ignoring Companion Quests - Miss content and romance
  2. Not Using Items - Potions and scrolls help
  3. Skipping Dialogue - Missing important info
  4. Not Saving - Combat can go wrong fast
  5. Rushing Main Story - Side content is great

Difficulty Settings

Explorer (Easy)

  • Reduced enemy damage
  • More forgiving combat
  • Great for story focus

Balanced (Normal)

  • Intended experience
  • Fair challenge
  • Recommended for first playthrough

Tactician (Hard)

  • Enemies have more HP
  • More enemy abilities
  • For experienced players

May your dice rolls be ever in your favor!