Beginner’s Guide to Baldur’s Gate 3

First Steps from the Nautiloid

Welcome to the Sword Coast, where every choice matters, every lock can be picked, and every conversation can lead to glory or disaster. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a deep, immersive role-playing game based on Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules. It can feel overwhelming, but its freedom is its greatest magic. This spoiler-free guide will help you build your character, understand the world, and survive your first encounters.

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Overview of Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a famously known as a role-playing game (RPG) developed by Larian Studios. Set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, the game immerses players in a captivating narrative filled with rich lore, intricate character development, and strategic turn-based combat. What sets Baldur’s Gate 3 apart as an exceptional RPG is its emphasis on player choice and freedom; every decision—whether in dialogue or battle—can significantly shape the story and interactions with diverse characters. The game features a blend of genres, including elements of adventure, strategy, and simulation, as players navigate complex moral dilemmas and engage in tactical battles with a party of customizable characters. Furthermore, its deep narrative intertwines well with cooperative multiplayer gameplay, allowing friends to embark on the journey together. With stunning graphics, immersive storytelling, and a strong focus on player agency, Baldur’s Gate 3 not only exemplifies the RPG genre but also pushes boundaries in narrative-driven gaming, enriching the overall experience for both veteran fans and newcomers alike.

1. Embrace the Mindset: This is a World, Not a Track

Forget rushing from quest marker to quest marker. BG3 is a reactive, systemic, and immersive simulation. Talk to everyone, examine everything, and think creatively. The game rewards curiosity and punishes haste. If you hit a tough fight, there’s almost always another path—over the roof, through the cellar, or via a clever dialogue option.

2. Character Creation: Role-Play, Not Min-Max

Your Origin character is your lens into this world. Choose what excites you.

• Choose a Story: You can play as a Custom Character (your own blank slate) or one of the premade Origin Characters (who have deep, personal stories woven into the world). Both are fantastic. For a first run, a Custom character lets you project yourself onto the story.
• Class is King: Your class defines your capabilities in and out of combat. Don’t stress over subclasses; you’ll choose those at Level 2 or 3.
  • Beginner-Friendly: Fighter (tough, simple), Ranger (versatile, has an animal companion), Warlock (powerful, simple spellcasting).
  • For the Curious: Rogue (for sneaking and lockpicking), Cleric (for healing and versatility), Barbarian (for brute force).
• Ability Scores (The Six Stats): The game suggests spreads. Dexterity is universally useful (improves armor, initiative, stealth). Charisma is key for talking your way through problems. You can’t go far wrong.

3. Understanding the Basics: Rolls, Actions, and the Environment

• The Dice Rule Everything: When you attempt something uncertain—picking a lock, persuading a guard, hitting an enemy—the game rolls a virtual 20-sided die (d20) behind the scenes. Your skills and stats add bonuses to this roll. Embrace failure; it often leads to new, interesting story branches.
• Combat is Turn-Based & Tactical: Time stops when combat starts. Each character gets:
  • Action: Attack, cast most spells, Shove.
  • Bonus Action: Smaller spells, off-hand attacks, specific class abilities.
  • Movement: You can move your speed without costing an Action.
  • Use Your Environment! Shoot explosive barrels, push enemies off cliffs (the Shove action is a bonus action!), break ladders, and throw potions at allies’ feet to heal them.

4. Your Party & Companions: You Are Not Alone

You’ll meet potential companions quickly. You can have up to three with you.

• Talk to Them at Camp: Your camp is a safe haven. Rest here to heal, restore spells, and have crucial, evolving conversations with your party to build relationships.
• Balance Your Team: A balanced party covers key roles. A good starter setup is:
  • Your Character (fill a role you like)
  • A Frontline Tank (Fighter, Barbarian, Paladin)
  • A Skill Expert (Rogue for locks/traps)
  • A Spellcaster (Cleric for healing/support, Wizard for damage/utility)
• You Control Them All: You can directly control any companion in your party. Switch between them to use their unique skills for exploration and problem-solving.

5. Essential Exploration & Survival Tips

• Save Often, Save in Multiple Slots: Save before big conversations, when entering new areas, and just because. Use quicksave (F5) constantly. The game is full of consequential choices and surprises.
• Examine Everything: Right-click/Press X and select ‘Examine’ on enemies and objects. This reveals vital info like resistances, weaknesses, and interactive properties.
• Sneak & Use Stealth (C Key): Crouching turns your party to stealth mode. Stealth isn’t just for Rogues. Use it to scout, set up ambushes, and avoid traps.
• Manage Your Inventory: Right-click to send items to camp—your camp chest has unlimited storage. Group similar items (like potions or scrolls) by right-clicking and selecting “Add to Wares” to easily sell junk later.
• Short Rest & Long Rest: The Short Rest button (on the right of your hotbar) heals your party once per adventure day. Long Rest at camp fully heals, restores all spells/abilities, and advances companion storylines. Don’t hoard camp supplies! Rest frequently to experience the game’s rich narrative scenes.

6. Early Game Goals: Just Get Your Bearings

1. Explore the Immediate Area Thoroughly: The first wilderness area after the prologue is a perfect tutorial sandbox. Look in every corner.
2. Learn Your Companions’ Abilities: Check their spellbooks and action bars. See what they can do.
3. Experiment in Low-Stakes Fights: Try shoving, dipping your weapon in fire, or using height advantage (you get a bonus to attack from high ground).
4. Embrace “Failure”: A missed attack or a failed persuasion check isn’t the end. It’s the start of a different story. Let the dice tell your tale.

7. Crucial Controls & UI Tips

• Hold Left Alt: Highlights all interactive and lootable objects in the area.
• The Tooltips are Your Bible: Hover over absolutely everything—spells, abilities, status effects, item descriptions—to see detailed explanations.
• Group Mode vs. Single Mode: The chain-link icon toggles whether your party moves as one or can be positioned individually for ambushes and puzzles.

Your journey will be unique. You will make glorious, hilarious, and catastrophic mistakes. That’s the point. Think like your character, talk to your companions, and remember: not every problem needs a sword to solve it. Now, take a deep breath, roll the dice, and step forward. Your story awaits