The Himbo’s Guide to Baldur’s Gate 3

Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 has been absolutely crushing sales numbers and Steam concurrents since its launch last week, a huge feat for a single player game these days, even one with the license of the most famous tabletop game in the world. But while thousands of folks are flocking to this game, many probably aren’t super familiar with its mechanical roots, which stem from the overwhelming worlds of computer role-playing games (which have been seen as a mostly outdated genre by mainstream gaming in recent years) and Dungeons & Dragons. 

Though the characters, story, and overall expressivity of this game make it a largely joyful and compelling experience that will drain your hours away, some of its more obtuse or unfamiliar elements are likely to leave players who aren’t used to them frustrated. Luckily, I, your favorite gaming himbo, grew up on these kinds of games, and had the opportunity to play this one early, so I’ve compiled all of my CRPG know-how and experience with this one in particular to help make your journey through Faerun easier and more fun.

This guide is a living document, and will be updated over time.

Long rests are essential

Because it’s a D&D game, Baldur’s Gate 3 uses that engine’s system for restoring your health and spells. If you need to heal, you have the option to use magic, potions, or rests to recuperate that vitality. Spells don’t follow the same rules though; your character gets limited spell slots based on their class and level that dictate how many you can use in a session. Once you’ve used up all of your spell slots, you cannot recover them until you’ve taken a long rest back at your camp. Eventually most casters get an ability to restore some spell slots without taking a long rest, but you’ll still need to do it to fully refresh everything. 

Obviously, being able to restore your spellcasting is a crucial element of the game, but there are other really important aspects to taking long rests beyond that, especially if you’re interested in getting deeper into story and companion content. 

Most of the deep conversations and cutscenes you’ll have with your party members will take place at camp, and while you can speak to your companions out on the road, it’s generally easier to do it in the safety and peace of your camp. Beyond that, your Guardian will usually only speak to you when you’re sleeping, which you can only do during long rests. 

Savescum, coward

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game about making choices and rolling checks to see if you’re able to actually accomplish the feat you’re attempting. It’s also still a bit buggy, so there’s absolutely no reason to not be saving frequently. 

Whether it’s to ensure you can get the outcome you want from an encounter, or to keep your progress safe, you will want to have multiple save files and be saving often. There’s no shame in going back if a fight is going bad or a conversation didn’t go your way. Unlike a standard tabletop campaign, BG3 allows you to do things over, so you should take advantage. Especially with some of the more difficult combat encounters this game throws at you, having the chance to take a few practice swings is essential.

Don’t limit your options; the game certainly won’t

When it comes to movement and interacting with the environment, you should approach Baldur’s Gate 3 in the same way you would The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. That is, with curiosity and the intent to explore playfully. 

If you see a well during your travels, you can probably jump down it. If there’s a blacked out area of your map, you can probably get there. And if you think you can use a piece of the environment to your advantage, you probably can. 

It’s important to always keep this in mind while playing, despite how easy it can be to forget in the midst of all the game’s storylines, characters, and quests. Remembering that you always have multiple tools available to you can help turn the tide in a fight you thought you were under-leveled for, for example. Alternatively, if you’ve encountered a puzzle you just can’t seem to solve, you can probably lockpick or otherwise navigate your way around it. 

Use Misty Step to reposition or get closer to an enemy you want to target. Shoot down braziers and chandeliers to do extra damage and create dangerous surfaces. And always remember that you have items available like bombs and poisons. Any extra little advantage can do wonders in a pinch. 

You also don’t have to take encounters head-on, especially if there are big groups of enemies. Employ your characters’ stealth abilities to whittle down the number of enemies you have to face in an area, and don’t be afraid to get creative with positioning and how you start an encounter. Giving enemies the “Surprised” status basically gives you a free turn, so it’s worth getting the jump on them.

Don’t be shy about examining enemies

If you right click on an enemy during combat, you can check out all of their resistances, as well as any weaknesses and statuses they have. Fights get so much easier when you have this information at your disposal, and may give you exactly what you need to win.

Going hand-in-hand with the save-scumming advice, use the Examine feature to learn from fights and take new approaches to them. I realized, for example, that Shadowheart is an absolute beast in fights with Undead creatures thanks to examining them and noticing that I had multiple spells equipped on her that could pummel them back into the grave. 

Romance deets

Lae’zel

Lae’zel is by far the horniest for you amongst the companion characters, in my experience. So long as your approval with her stays in the middle or above, she will likely be sexually interested in you, at the very least.

You can earn bonus approval by siding with her during her conflict with Shadowheart, but even if you take the middle road you will still be able to romance her.

Lae’zel’s romance is monogamous only.

Shadowheart

Shadowheart is kind of a needy girly and falls for you if you support her religious convictions, or at least don’t freak out on her over them.

Shadowheart’s romance is monogamous.

Astarion

Astarion is honestly a pretty bad dude, so if you want him to like you you’ll need to be just as bad. He doesn’t approve of helping people or really doing anything that doesn’t benefit him, so your playstyle should match if you want to be with him.

Astarion’s romance is polyamorous.

Gale

Gale is not open to polyamory in his romance.

Halsin

Halsin will only join your party if you manage to solve the conflict between the Absolutists and the Druid Grove with the druids making it through. Once recruited, you can flirt with him, but he’ll let you know he won’t do anything romantic or sexy with you until after you’ve broken the curse in Act 2.

Halsin’s romance is polyamorous.

The Emperor

SPOILER ALERT: The Emperor is the true, mind flayer identity of your Guardian in Baldur’s Gate 3. Once, he was a human that lived in the titular city, but he was converted before you were, and managed to escape. It’s his protection that has kept you from being turned yourself.

You can’t do anything romantic with The Emperor until Act 3, but if you want to start getting into his good graces, you should try to side with him in conflicts and be willing to embrace your new mind flayer nature.

The Emperor’s romance is polyamorous/is less of a relationship and more of a hookup.

Mizora

Mizora is Wyll’s devilish patron, and in Baldur’s Gate 3’s third act, she can potentially become an ally who stays in your camp. However you decide to deal with Wyll’s dad, she will have a deal for him to regain his freedom. Whether he decides to stay in his pact, or free himself, Mizora will stay in camp with you.

If you talk with her between long rests, she may eventually proposition you. Agree to meet her once everyone has gone to sleep and you’ll get to experience the pleasures of the hells for yourself.

Mizora’s romance is polyamorous/is less of a relationship and more of a hookup.

Other handy notes

• If you want to change up the look of armor you like, just dye it!
• The journal and checkpoints often make it seem like there are turning points between acts that don’t actually exist. You can do Act 1 quests and travel to locations in that part of the map until you go to the Shadowfell in the Gauntlet of Shar during Act 2, so don’t worry about hitting a point of no-return until then. 
• Don’t be afraid to pan the camera around the area you’re exploring. You can find the best route or make a strategy in advance by doing this.
• During the early sections of the Shadow Cursed Lands, you can use a regular torch or other light source spell to get to the inn.

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