How to play Baldur’s Gate 3: a complete guide

Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t just about fighting monsters—it’s a game built on meaningful choices, strategic planning, and deep role-playing decisions that shape an ever-evolving story. Every action you take influences not only your journey but the fate of the companions who fight beside you.

Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, engaging in heartfelt dialogue, or facing down terrifying enemies in turn-based combat, the game constantly rewards creativity and thoughtful decision-making. Learning how to play Baldur’s Gate 3 goes far beyond understanding the basic controls; it requires a grasp of storytelling, tactical combat, character development, and resource management.

This guide will walk you through the essential systems and deeper strategies that will help you master your adventure.

Setting Up Your Character

Creating a character in Baldur’s Gate 3 is your first big step toward building a unique and unforgettable journey. At the beginning of the game, you’ll choose from a wide variety of races, classes, and backgrounds—all of which influence how you fight, how NPCs react to you, and which dialogue options open up throughout the story.

Every class—such as Rogue, Cleric, Wizard, Ranger, Bard, or Paladin—comes with its own combat style, spell list, proficiencies, and progression path. If you prefer stealth and mobility, a Rogue might suit you; if you enjoy healing and divine abilities, the Cleric offers versatility; if you want raw magical power, the Wizard gives you unmatched spell variety.

Your race adds another layer of customization. Elves may have proficiency in longbows and heightened senses, Tieflings come with innate fire resistance and spells, and Dwarves gain bonuses to constitution and resilience. These traits affect combat, exploration, and even dialogue, giving you small but impactful advantages depending on your playstyle.

Finally, your background—such as Criminal, Soldier, Sage, or Acolyte—affects skill proficiencies and story interactions. NPCs may relate to you differently, unlock additional conversation paths, or react based on your past experiences. Together, these elements craft the foundation of your character, shaping how the game world responds to your choices.

Exploring the Game World

Exploration is one of the most rewarding aspects of Baldur’s Gate 3, and the game encourages players to interact with the environment in creative and sometimes unexpected ways. The world is filled with secrets, hidden passages, trapped corridors, and story details awaiting discovery. Instead of rushing through objectives, take your time—almost every area contains something valuable.

The environment interaction system plays a major role. You can examine objects, open containers, climb surfaces, jump across gaps, push enemies off cliffs, and manipulate items to solve puzzles or bypass obstacles. Many quests require careful observation, such as noticing footprints, spotting a hidden lever, or inspecting strange magical runes.

Talking to NPCs is equally important. Dialogue options change based on your skills, class, race, or background. A Barbarian might intimidate someone, while a Bard might charm their way into secret information. Your companions also react differently depending on your decisions, which influences their approval ratings and future interactions.

Thorough exploration not only unlocks side quests and lore but also improves your character progression. You’ll find better weapons, rare spells, unique armor pieces, and magical artifacts that significantly enhance your builds. Slow down, investigate every corner, and the world of Baldur’s Gate 3 becomes richer, more immersive, and more impactful on your overall adventure.

Understanding Combat Mechanics

Mastering the combat mechanics is essential for surviving the toughest encounters in Baldur’s Gate 3. The game uses a turn-based strategy system inspired by Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules. Each character gets a set number of actions per turn, including:

• Action (attack, cast a spell, dash, disengage, help)
• Bonus action (certain spells, shove, hide, off-hand attack)
• Movement (moving without using up your turn)
• Reaction (triggered by enemy actions, like attacks of opportunity)

Understanding the action economy is crucial. For example, a Rogue using Hide as a bonus action before attacking can deal devastating Sneak Attack damage. A Cleric strategically using spell slots can heal and buff the party without wasting resources.

Positioning also plays a major role. Gaining the high ground increases your chances to hit, while pushing enemies off ledges can end a fight instantly. Managing distance—whether keeping spellcasters safe or engaging enemies to prevent them from targeting your allies—is an important part of winning fights.

Spell timing is another key component. Certain spells require concentration, meaning you can maintain only one at a time. Choosing whether to use Bless, Hold Person, or Hunter’s Mark at the right moment can drastically change the tide of battle.

By carefully managing your turn economy, optimizing your movement, and combining abilities with your companions, you create powerful synergies that turn even difficult battles into manageable encounters.

Managing Inventory and Resources

Keeping your inventory organized and your resources under control is just as important as learning combat techniques. Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you a large variety of items—potions, scrolls, grenades, arrows, food, tools, keys, weapons, and armor—and learning when to use each resource can be the difference between victory and party defeat.

A tidy inventory allows you to quickly find healing potions, spell scrolls, or throwable items during battle. You should also distribute items among party members so that everyone has access to consumables when needed.

Resource management includes:

• Spell slots: Use them wisely, especially during long dungeon crawls.
• Healing supplies: Save potions for emergencies, rely on camp supplies or spells for between-fight healing.
• Durability and gear: Upgrade weapons and armor regularly to keep pace with challenging enemies.
• Resting system: Short rests replenish certain abilities, while long rests refill spell slots and restore health.

Mastering these elements ensures your party stays strong and prepared, allowing you to adapt to new challenges without running out of essential supplies.

Making Story Decisions and Consequences

Baldur’s Gate 3 places heavy emphasis on player choice. Every decision you make influences your relationships, your alignment, and the story’s direction. Some quests become available only if you choose certain dialogue paths. Others may close permanently if you anger a character or make a morally questionable decision.

Your companions pay close attention to what you do. They may approve or disapprove of your actions, which can lead to deeper relationships—or conflicts that affect the storyline. These choices make each playthrough unique, encouraging experimentation with different approaches and outcomes.

Conclusion

Mastering Baldur’s Gate 3 begins with thoughtful character creation, where your class, race, and background shape your path. Exploring the world carefully reveals hidden treasures, quests, and lore that enrich your adventure. Understanding combat mechanics—turn economy, positioning, spells, and reactions—gives you a tactical edge in every encounter. Proper inventory and resource management ensures your party remains prepared for the toughest challenges. Most importantly, your decisions define your story, influencing companions, shaping outcomes, and creating a unique experience every time you play.

Embrace these systems, take your time to learn their depth, and Baldur’s Gate 3 becomes a thrilling, immersive RPG that rewards creativity, strategy, and bold choices.