Baldur's Gate 3 Guide

🎮 Getting Started

Character Creation

Your choice matters! Here are the best starting options:

Origin characters: You can play as a custom character or one of 6 origin characters (Shadowheart, Astarion, Gale, Wyll, Lae'zel, Karlach). Origin characters have personal quests and unique dialogue.

⚔️ Combat System

Core Mechanics

• Turn-based combat: Initiative order determines turns. Each character has Action + Bonus Action + Movement per turn.
• Action: Attack, cast spell, use item, dash, disengage, hide, shove.
• Bonus Action: Off-hand attack, certain spells, drink potion, shove (if built), class features.
• Movement: Move up to your speed. Can split movement before/after actions.
• Advantage/Disadvantage: Roll 2d20, take higher/lower. High ground gives advantage on ranged attacks.
• Concentration: Some spells require concentration—taking damage forces a Constitution save. Don't stack concentration spells.

Combat Tips

• High ground: +2 to attack rolls from elevation. Always try to get above enemies.
• Environmental interactions: Water + lightning = stun. Fire + grease = explosion. Ice = slippery (prone). Use these!
• Barrels: Explosive barrels, water barrels, smoke barrels. Move them with Mage Hand or throw them.
• Rest before hard fights: Short rest (hit dice, some class features) or Long rest (full heal, spell slots).
• Scrolls and potions: Don't hoard! Use them in tough fights.
• Positioning: Don't cluster (AoE damage). Spread out, use cover.

🗺️ Act 1 Walkthrough

1. Escape the Nautiloid: Tutorial. Recruit Shadowheart (on the ship). Reach the transponder.
2. Emerald Grove: Choose to side with Grove (tieflings) or goblin camp. This is a major decision.
3. Recruit companions:
• Astarion: After grove, at night near the road
• Gale: Portal south of grove
• Wyll: Inside Emerald Grove (The Hollow)
• Lae'zel: In a cage near the road (rescue her)
• Karlach: Found in the Risen Road area (after grove events)
• Halsin: Druid leader, trapped in goblin camp (join as companion in Act 2)
4. Goblin Camp: Infiltrate or attack. Three leaders: Minthara, Dror Ragzlin, Gut. Defeating them saves the grove.
5. Underdark (optional but recommended): Access via goblin camp (Defiled Temple) or phase spider cave. Rich in loot and XP.
6. Mountain Pass: Alternative path to Act 2. Contains the Githyanki Creche (Lae'zel's quest).
7. End Act 1: Travel to the Mountain Pass or Underdark elevator to reach the Shadow-Cursed Lands (Act 2).

🌑 Act 2 Walkthrough

1. Shadow-Cursed Lands: Bring a light source (Moonlantern, Light spell, or the pixie's blessing). Without it, you take damage.
2. Last Light Inn: Safe haven. Meet Jaheira and the Harpers. Protect Isobel (important!).
3. Moonrise Towers: Main antagonist area. Infiltrate as True Soul or attack.
5. Thorm family: Thisobald (brewery), Malus (hospital), Gerringothe (tollhouse)—optional but rewarding.
7. Balthazar: Find the Nightsong in the Gauntlet of Shar. This is a pivotal decision.
10. Ketheric Thorm: Final boss of Act 2. Multi-phase fight at Moonrise Towers roof.

🏰 Act 3 Walkthrough

1. Rivington: Lower city entrance. Explore, do side quests.
2. Lower City: Massive area with countless quests, shops, and NPCs.
3. Cazador's Palace: Astarion's personal quest (vampire spawn ritual).
4. House of Hope: Raphael's domain. Get the Orphic Hammer here (essential for ending).
5. Bhaal Temple: Dark Urge or Bhaal-related content.
6. Gortash's Coronation: Confront Gortash in Wyrm's Rock.
7. Steel Watch Foundry: Disable the Steel Watch (or don't—your choice).
9. Final battle: The Elder Brain. Multiple endings depending on choices throughout the game.

👑 Key Boss Strategies

Goblin Leaders (Act 1)

• Minthara: Use dialogue to get close, then attack. She's a drow paladin—dangerous in melee.
• Dror Ragzlin: He can speak to the dead. Focus fire, use crowd control.
• Gut: Can be poisoned via dialogue or fought directly. Watch for her spells.
• Tip: You can eliminate them one by one via stealth or dialogue before the big fight.

Ketheric Thorm (Act 2)

• Phase 1: He's invulnerable until you destroy the Nightsong (or free her). His shield comes from Myrkul.
• Phase 2: Transforms into Myrkul's avatar. AoE attacks—spread out. Use radiant damage.
• Bring Isobel's protection (if she's alive) for the party.

Orin the Red (Act 3)

• Shapeshifter assassin. She kidnaps a companion—rescue them in the Bhaal Temple.
• Multi-phase: She uses legendary actions and can stun. Use Wisdom saves.
• Weak to radiant and fire damage.

Gortash (Act 3)

• Technological tyrant. Uses Steel Watch and traps.
• If you disabled the Steel Watch Foundry, he's much easier.
• Weak to lightning damage. Avoid his forcecage.

The Elder Brain (Final)

• Massive multi-phase battle. Use the Orphic Hammer to free Orpheus (or become mind flayer yourself).
• Phase 1: Fight on the brain's body. Destroy tentacles.
• Phase 2: The Netherbrain. Use all your resources—this is the final fight.
• Ending depends on your choices throughout the game.

📈 Best Party Composition

Balanced party (recommended):

• Tank/DPS: Lae'zel (Fighter/Paladin) or Karlach (Barbarian)
• Healer/Support: Shadowheart (Cleric) or Halsin (Druid)
• Ranged DPS: Wyll (Warlock) or custom Ranger
• You: Fill remaining role (Rogue, Wizard, Sorcerer, etc.)

Respec: You can respec any character (including companions) for 100 gold at Withers (found in the Dank Crypt, Act 1). This lets you optimize builds!

🏆 Essential Tips

• Long rest often: Story events trigger during long rests. Don't skip them—you'll miss companion scenes.
• Talk to everyone: NPCs have quests, lore, and items. Exhaust all dialogue options.
• Save often: This game has permadeath for companions (unless revived). Save before big decisions and fights.
• Use stealth: Sneak past enemies, pickpocket, or get surprise rounds (guaranteed critical hits).
• Camp supplies: Collect food for long rests. You can't long rest without supplies.
• Inventory management: Send items to camp (right-click) to avoid being over-encumbered.
• Choices matter: There are 17,000+ ending variations. Your decisions have real consequences.
• Don't ignore side quests: They provide powerful items, XP, and story content.

❓ FAQ

Q: How long is the game?
A: Main story: 60-80 hours. Main + side content: 100-150 hours. Full completion (all quests, all endings): 200+ hours.

Q: Can I change my class?
A: Yes! Withers (skeleton in Dank Crypt) offers respec for 100 gold. You can respec any character, including companions.

Q: Should I side with the grove or goblins?
A: Saving the grove is the 'good' path and gives more allies. Siding with goblins is the 'evil' path and changes the game significantly. Both are valid—choose your roleplay.

Q: What's the best ending?
A: There's no single 'best' ending—it depends on your choices. The 'good' ending involves freeing Orpheus and destroying the brain. The 'evil' ending involves controlling the brain. Explore and make choices that feel right for your character.

Q: Is multiplayer co-op good?
A: Yes! Up to 4 players can play together. Each player controls their own character. It's one of the best co-op RPG experiences available.

Written by Marcus Webb, RPG specialist and D&D enthusiast with 12 years of experience. He has completed BG3 with every class and has explored all major story paths.