Baldur’s Gate 3 Guide#
Baldur’s Gate 3 is the CRPG epic from Larian Studios, built on Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules. You play a survivor implanted with a Mind Flayer tadpole, embarking on an adventure across the Sword Coast that will decide the fate of Faerûn. This guide covers full class builds and loadouts, all three acts of world exploration, boss tactics, and legendary gear.
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam, GOG) | Release Date: August 3, 2023
Game Information#
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Larian Studios |
| Publisher | Larian Studios |
| Genre | CRPG |
| Total Acts | 3 |
| Level Cap | 12 |
| Companions | 10 Origin characters to recruit |
| Endings | 17,000+ story variations |
| Honour Mode | Single save file + Legendary Actions — buffed bosses |
Why You Should Play Baldur’s Gate 3#
Few games offer this much freedom. Every conversation, exploration choice, and fight resolves through D&D dice rolls you can see and influence, and almost any crazy plan you improvise — shoving a foe off a cliff, electrocuting a puddle, stacking explosive barrels — actually works. Combined with ten deeply written Origin companions, turn-based tactical combat, and a story whose ending genuinely reflects your choices, it is the most complete CRPG ever made.
Game Features#
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| D&D 5e rules | 12 classes and 46 subclasses — stats, skills, spells, and feats all follow 5e |
| Dice roll checks | The core mechanic — dialogue, exploration, and combat all resolve through dice rolls |
| Turn-based combat | Tactical, action-economy-based battles |
| Companion system | Origin characters have their own storylines, personal quests, and romance options |
| Environmental interaction | Highly destructible scenes — throwing, shoving, and elemental combos |
| Online co-op | Up to 4 players, each controlling their own character |
Getting Started Tips#
| # | Tip | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pick a class before a race | Racial ability bonuses shape your build — Warlock, Paladin, and Ranger are the most popular early picks |
| 2 | Long rest often | Long rests restore spell slots and HP — and advance companion storylines. Don’t hoard supplies |
| 3 | Use cantrips freely | Cantrips cost no spell slots — Mage Hand, Shocking Grasp, and Prestidigitation are invaluable in exploration |
| 4 | Scrolls and potions are resources | Wizards can copy scrolls to learn spells — potions can be thrown to create area effects |
| 5 | Stealth is king | Position before combat with stealth — Assassin or Ranger openers can wipe out small groups instantly |
| 6 | High Charisma for the protagonist | The main character benefits most from dialogue checks — Paladin, Warlock, and Bard protagonists unlock the most options |
| 7 | Save often | Quick-save (F5) before major fights — some failed dice rolls lock away content permanently |
| 8 | Respec is free-form | Withers at camp offers respecs — 100 gold resets a character however you like |
| 9 | Send heavy items to camp | Right-click — send to camp — no need to haul gear around and slow yourself down |
| 10 | Finish every companion quest | Companion arcs affect the ending, unlock powerful gear, and deliver dedicated story content |
Difficulty Options#
| Difficulty | Detail |
|---|---|
| Explorer | Simplified combat — suits story-focused players |
| Balanced | The standard D&D experience |
| Tactician | Smarter enemy AI and stat boosts — recommended for a second playthrough |
| Honour Mode | Tactician plus single-save and boss Legendary Actions — one wipe and your run is over |
Class Quick Reference#
| Class | Core Stat | Recommended Race | Role | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbarian | Strength | Half-Orc | Melee tank | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bard | Charisma | Half-Elf | Support + control | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cleric | Wisdom | Human | Healing + buffs | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Druid | Wisdom | Wood Elf | Shapeshifting + spells | ★★★☆☆ |
| Fighter | Str/Dex | Githyanki | All-round combat | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Monk | Dex+Wis | Wood Elf | Melee damage | ★★★☆☆ |
| Paladin | Str+Cha | Human | Burst damage | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Ranger | Dex | Elf | Ranged damage | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Rogue | Dex | Lightfoot Halfling | Stealth + damage | ★★★☆☆ |
| Sorcerer | Charisma | Dragonborn | Spell burst | ★★★☆☆ |
| Warlock | Charisma | Tiefling | Sustained spell damage | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Wizard | Intelligence | High Elf | All-round mage | ★★★☆☆ |
Version Update History#
| Version | Date | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | August 3, 2023 | Full release — all three acts |
| Hotfix 1-5 | August–September 2023 | Performance optimizations, crash fixes, dialogue bug fixes |
| Patch 1 | September 21, 2023 | Major performance improvements — notably better Act 3 frame rates |
| Patch 2 | September 29, 2023 | Added the Magic Mirror — lets you change your appearance |
| Patch 3 | October 6, 2023 | Mac version release, additional dialogue content |
| Patch 4 | November 3, 2023 | Extensive bug fixes — further performance optimization |
| Patch 5 | January 16, 2024 | New Honour Mode — boss Legendary Actions |
| Patch 6 | March 6, 2024 | New dialogue options — more camp interactions |
| Patch 7 | September 5, 2024 | Official mod tools — evil ending animation |
| Patch 8 | January 28, 2025 | Cross-platform multiplayer — photo mode |
Combat Quick Reference#
Status Effects#
| Effect | Detail | Counter |
|---|---|---|
| Panicked | Cannot approach the source of fear — attack rolls at disadvantage | Remove fear effects |
| Charmed | Cannot attack the charmer | Ends when you deal damage to them |
| Restrained | Speed 0 — Dex saves at disadvantage, attackers have advantage | Strength check to break free |
| Poisoned | Attack rolls and ability checks at disadvantage | Lesser Restoration |
| Stunned | Cannot act — Str/Dex saves automatically fail | Irreversible unless pre-emptively protected |
| Prone | Melee attackers have advantage, ranged at disadvantage — stand up at half speed | Simply stand up |
Spell Slot Quick Reference#
| Spell Level | Slots | Example Spell | Learned At |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cantrip | Unlimited | — | — |
| 1st | 2-4 | — | — |
| 2nd | 2-3 | — | — |
| 3rd | 2-3 | — | — |
| 4th | 2-3 | — | — |
| 5th | 1-3 | — | — |
| 6th | 1-2 | — | — |
Item Rarity Guide#
| Rarity | Color | Detail | How to Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | White | Basic gear — shop stock | Shops, ordinary chests |
| Uncommon | Green | Usable early — basic enchantments | Side-quest rewards, hidden chests |
| Rare | Blue | Mid-game workhorses — solid stats | Main-story bosses, hard quests |
| Very Rare | Purple | Late-game core — powerful effects | Branching ending choices, hidden bosses |
| Legendary | Orange | Endgame gear — unique effects | Specific questline rewards, final bosses |
FAQ#
Can you respec your characters?#
Yes — find Withers at camp and pay 100 gold to fully reset a character.
What’s the recommended starting class?#
Beginners should pick Fighter or Bard — both are easy to learn with a high ceiling.
Can you miss companions permanently?#
Yes — some companions cannot be recruited at all if you skip them in Act One.
What is the level cap?#
12 — each level grants new abilities, and there is no content beyond level 12.
Does Honour Mode failure wipe everything?#
Yes — it is a single save file, and a total party wipe destroys the save.
How do you enter Act Three?#
Finish the Act Two main quest, then travel to Baldur’s Gate through the waypoint.
How many party members can you have at once?#
Four at most — your protagonist plus three allies.
Can you romance party members?#
Yes — several of the 10 Origin characters have romance options; reach enough approval and the romance arc begins.
Companion Approval Guide#
| Companion | Race | Class | Approval Up | Approval Down | Romance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shadowheart | Half-High Elf | Cleric (Shadow) | Kindness + trusting others | Cruelty + animal abuse | Yes — any protagonist |
| Astarion | High Elf | Rogue (Assassin) | Self-interest + refined cruelty | Selflessness + helping others | Yes — any protagonist |
| Gale | Human | Wizard (Divination) | Intellectual pursuits + heroism | Short-sightedness + destroying knowledge | Yes — female protagonist |
| Lae’zel | Githyanki | Fighter (Battle Master) | Directness + shows of strength | Hesitation + cowardice | Yes — any protagonist |
| Wyll | Human | Warlock (Fiend) | Heroic deeds + protecting the weak | Evil + betrayal | Yes — male protagonist |
| Karlach | Tiefling | Barbarian (Berserker) | Justice + opposing slavery | Cruelty + betrayal | Yes — any protagonist |
| Halsin | Wood Elf | Druid (Moon) | Protecting nature + peace | Destroying nature + slaughter | Yes — any protagonist |
| Minsc | Human | Ranger (Beast Master) | Humour + protecting the innocent | Evil + bureaucracy | No |
| Jaheira | Half-Elf | Druid (Land) | Caution + pragmatism | Recklessness + gullibility | No |
| Minthara | Drow | Paladin (Vengeance) | Strength + ambition + cruelty | Weakness + compassion | Yes — any protagonist |
Honour Mode Recommended Parties#
| Party | Composition | Difficulty | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic quartet | Fighter (tank) + Cleric (healer) + Wizard (control) + Rogue (damage) | ★★☆☆☆ | The most balanced — high margin for error |
| All-martial | Fighter + Paladin + Ranger + Monk | ★★★☆☆ | Huge burst damage — but weak spell support |
| Full casters | Wizard + Sorcerer + Warlock + Cleric | ★★★★☆ | Overwhelming firepower — heavily short-rest dependent |
| Stealth assassins | Rogue (Assassin) + Ranger (Gloom Stalker) + Monk (Shadow) + Sorcerer | ★★★★★ | First-strike wipes — extremely demanding to pilot |
Related Rankings#
Best RPGs of All Time · Best Co-Op Games · Hardest Video Game Bosses
Full Guides#
In-depth sub-guides — class builds, multiclass combinations, companion quests, full ending breakdowns, boss tactics, gear, Honour Mode, and more — are available in Chinese on NTGame’s Baldur’s Gate 3 section.