Baldur’s Gate 3 Beginner’s Guide#

D&D 5e Basics#

Baldur’s Gate 3 is built on D&D 5e rules — here are the key concepts.

Abilities#

Ability	Governs	Classes That Want It as Primary
Strength	Melee attack/damage, jump distance	Fighter, Barbarian, Paladin
Dexterity	Ranged attack/damage, initiative, AC	Ranger, Rogue, Monk
Constitution	HP, Concentration saves	Every class — no class can skip it
Intelligence	Wizard spells, Investigation checks	Wizard
Wisdom	Cleric/Druid/Ranger spells, Perception checks	Cleric, Druid, Monk
Charisma	Paladin/Warlock/Bard spells, dialogue rolls	Paladin, Warlock, Bard

Races#

Race	Ability Bonuses	Recommended Classes
Human	+1 to all abilities	Universal — fits any class
Elf	Dexterity +2, Wisdom +1	Ranger, Rogue, Wizard
Drow	Dexterity +2, Charisma +1	Warlock, Rogue
Dwarf	Constitution +2, Strength/Wisdom +2	Fighter, Cleric
Gnome	Intelligence +2	Wizard
Half-Elf	Charisma +2, two other abilities +1	Paladin, Warlock, Bard
Half-Orc	Strength +2, Constitution +1	Barbarian, Fighter
Tiefling	Charisma +2, Intelligence +1	Warlock, Bard
Dragonborn	Strength +2, Charisma +1	Paladin, Barbarian
Githyanki	Strength +2, Intelligence +1	Fighter, Wizard

Core Mechanics#

The Action System#

Action Type	Available Each Turn	Common Uses
Standard Action	1	Attack, cast most spells, Dash, Dodge
Bonus Action	1	Offhand attacks, certain spells (such as Healing Word), Shove
Movement	A fixed distance	Moving and jumping — can be split up freely
Reaction	1 per round	Attacks of Opportunity, Shield, certain counter-spells

Rests#

Rest Type	Restores	Cost
Short Rest	Partial HP + certain class features (such as Superiority Dice)	2 free per day
Long Rest	Full HP + all spell slots + every ability	40 Camp Supplies (80 on Tactician)

Spell Levels#

Character Level	Highest Spell Slot	Notes
1-2	Level 1	Basic spells
3-4	Level 2	Powerful spells start appearing
5-6	Level 3	A game-changer — Fireball, Haste and more
7-8	Level 4	Greater Invisibility, Banishment
9-10	Level 5	Cloudkill, Conjure Elemental
11-12	Level 6	Chain Lightning, Disintegrate

Dialogue and Checks#

Baldur’s Gate 3 builds its dialogue on D&D skill checks — your rolls decide where the story goes. Key mechanics: Advantage = roll twice, take the higher — usually granted by spells (the Friends cantrip) or your background. Disadvantage = roll twice, take the lower — comes from debuffs or equipment. Inspiration = 4 per character — spend one to reroll any check. Save before important conversations.

Getting Started#

Act 1 Route#

Nautiloid → Beach (gather companions)
  ↓
Emerald Grove (major side quest hub)
  ↓
Goblin Camp (rescue Halsin / kill the three goblin leaders)
  ↓
Blighted Village (several underground entrances)
  ↓
Underdark (Myconids / Duergar / Arcane Tower)
  ↓
Temple of Bhaal (hag side quest)
  ↓
Rosymorn Monastery (githyanki creche)
  ↓
Mountain Pass (final choice — take the pass or the Underdark)
  ↓
* On to Act 2 *

Leveling and Zone Guide#

Levels	Area	Key Quests
1-3	Beach + area around the Emerald Grove	Harvest Path, the druids’ dilemma
3-5	Goblin Camp + Blighted Village	Rescue Halsin, investigate the village
4-6	Underdark + hag swamp	Arcane Tower, hag lair
5-7	Rosymorn Monastery + githyanki creche	Githyanki treatment, monastery vault

Key choice: there are two roads from Act 1 into Act 2 — the Underdark (recommended — more XP) or the Mountain Pass (shorter and faster).

Companion Picks#

Core rule for a 4-person party: one front-line tank + one healer/support + two damage dealers

Slot	Recommended Companion	Class
Tank	Lae’zel	Fighter
Healer	Shadowheart	Cleric
Spell damage	Gale	Wizard
Physical damage	Astarion	Rogue

Best beginner party: Lae’zel (tank) + Shadowheart (healer) + Gale (AoE mage) + your main character (flex slot).

Combat Tips#

High ground advantage: shooting from elevation grants Advantage on attacks plus bonus damage
Elemental combos: water surface + lightning = x2 damage, oil + fire = explosion, poison cloud + fire = explosion
Shove into pits: shoving enemies off cliffs or into deep pits can kill instantly (but you lose the loot)
Thrown potions: toss a healing potion at an ally’s feet for an area-of-effect heal
Scrolls for everyone: any class can use any scroll — pack a few Fireball scrolls for the whole party
Bless is a god-tier spell: a level 1 spell — +1d4 to attacks and saves — the most worthwhile permanent party buff
Haste: a level 3 spell — one extra action per turn plus extra movement — the core combat buff
Invisibility ambush: cast Invisibility out of combat → sneak behind enemies → start the fight with a surprise round (a free turn)
Control enemies first: Fear, Sleep, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter — disabling enemies is more efficient than raw damage. A controlled enemy doesn’t fight back
Water bottle tactic: throw a water bottle at an enemy = Wet status → cold and lightning damage doubled. Carrying 5 water bottles per character never hurts

Common Mistakes#

Mistake	Why It Hurts
Never Short Resting	Short Rests are free twice a day — skipping them wastes healing and class resources
Hoarding Long Rests	Long Rests are one way the story advances — some camp events only trigger on a Long Rest
Ignoring throwables	Bombs, oil flasks, water bottles and poison vials are free damage — keep 5+ in your bag
Rushing the main quest	The fun of Baldur’s Gate 3 is exploration — every corner hides a surprise
Ignoring Non-Lethal Attacks	with the Non-Lethal passive toggled on, melee attacks can spare enemies — some quests require it
Never swapping companions	every companion has a personal quest and exclusive dialogue — rotate them often

Replay Advice#

Tip	Why
Play a new class	Paladin on run one → Warlock on run two — a completely different combat experience
Make different choices	Side with the tieflings on run one → side with the goblins on run two — new story, new rewards
Try Honour Mode	a one-life-only extreme challenge — bosses gain Legendary Actions — the real test
Play co-op	bring friends along — everyone controls different characters — double the fun

Best Race for Each Class#

Class	Recommended Race	Why
Fighter	Githyanki	free Jump spell + extra weapon proficiencies
Ranger	Wood Elf	extra movement speed + Stealth proficiency
Wizard	High Elf	free cantrip + Intelligence bonus
Warlock	Tiefling	fire resistance + Darkvision
Cleric	Half-Elf	Charisma bonus + two skill proficiencies
Rogue	Halfling	Lucky (reroll 1s) + Stealth bonus
Paladin	Human	+1 to every ability — the jack of all trades
Druid	Wood Elf	hiding + mobility — a natural fit

Must-Get Act 1 Gear#

Item	Location	How to Get It
Crusher’s Shield	Goblin Camp	defeat the goblin leader Crusher
Acid Armour	beneath the Druid Grove	chest in a hidden underground room
Staff of Strength	Underdark	kill the Phase Spider Matriarch
Lightning Bow	Risen Road	sold by a merchant
Cruel Sting	Ethel’s Teahouse	kill Auntie Ethel
Merciless Dagger	Waukeen’s Rest	buy it from the trader Dammon

Party Compositions#

Composition	Roles	Best For
The classic trinity	Fighter + Wizard + Cleric + Rogue	new players — balanced and steady
Double-caster burst	Sorcerer + Wizard + Fighter + Cleric	players who like blowing things up
Melee-only squad	Fighter + Paladin + Ranger + Rogue	players who dislike spellcasting
Summoner stack	Wizard (summons) + Druid + Cleric + Warlock	players who love minion-swarm tactics

Choosing a Difficulty#

Difficulty	Best For	What to Expect
Explorer	story-focused players new to turn-based games	enemy HP -30% — combat is more forgiving
Balanced	newcomers with some RPG experience	the standard D&D 5e experience
Tactician	CRPG veterans	enemies get extra tactical actions + higher stats
Honour Mode	extreme hardcore — one life only	single save + Legendary Actions + all achievements and trophies

Advanced Beginner Tips#

Things to Know in Your First Week#

Knowledge Point	Details	Importance
Long Rests advance the story	every Long Rest can trigger new camp dialogue — resting too rarely means missing a lot of story	★★★★★
Save strategy	quick-save with F5 before important conversations — failed rolls can be redone	★★★★★
Loot everything	gold matters early — pick up all valuables and sell them to merchants	★★★★☆
Water bottles are free damage	carry 5 per character — hit an enemy = Wet → lightning damage doubled	★★★★☆
Save before dialogue	save before important conversations — some choices permanently lock out content	★★★★★

Camp Management Guide#

Item	Advice	Reason
Long Rest frequency	Long Rest after finishing each new area	advances camp story + restores spell slots
Using Camp Supplies	don’t hoard — spend boldly — 40 supplies is cheap	Long Resting is one of the main ways the story advances
Rotating companions	switch in different companions before each Long Rest — experience their exclusive dialogue	every companion has unique story beats — you’ll miss them otherwise
Gear distribution	give your main damage dealers the best gear first, the tank next, the healer last	more DPS = shorter fights = fewer chances to get hurt
Gold management	buy potions and scrolls early, gear in the mid game, hoard late game	potions save lives early — gear carries mid game — late game money is plentiful

Key Camp NPCs#

NPC	Location	Function	Cost
Withers	permanent camp NPC	respec service — rebuild a character’s entire stat spread and class	100 gold
Scratch	camp pet — needs feeding to recruit	item search — helps you find hidden chests	free (feed him once)
Owlbear Cub	camp pet — recruited through a specific quest	camp interactions — special dialogue	free

Skill Checks 101#

Check	Ability	Best Classes/Races	Uses
Perception	Wisdom	Cleric/Ranger (high Wisdom)	spotting hidden items and traps
Sleight of Hand	Dexterity	Rogue/Ranger (high Dexterity)	lockpicking, stealing, disarming traps
Persuasion	Charisma	Paladin/Warlock/Bard (high Charisma)	dialogue options — steers the story
Intimidation	Strength	Fighter/Barbarian (high Strength)	dialogue options — threats of violence
Stealth	Dexterity	Rogue/Ranger (high Dexterity)	pre-fight positioning — opening ambushes
Athletics	Strength	Fighter/Barbarian (high Strength)	shoving, tripping, swimming

Choosing an Origin#

Origin	Exclusive Story	Why Pick It	Difficulty
Custom Character	total freedom — no exclusive story constraints	the top pick for beginners — most flexible	★☆☆☆☆
The Dark Urge	an inner urge to kill — choose to resist or give in	great for a second run — unique story + exclusive rewards	★★★☆☆
Astarion	vampire spawn — a fated showdown with Cazador	rich vampire storyline — a unique romance arc	★★☆☆☆
Shadowheart	the Shar/Selûne faith conflict — the Nightsong’s fate	a moving story of faith — choices matter enormously	★★☆☆☆
Gale	a former lover of Mystra — a magical core threatening to detonate	an intellectual adventure — a unique godhood ending	★★☆☆☆