Baldur's Gate 3: A Beginner's Guide (2026)

What Is Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 is a turn-based role-playing game from Larian Studios based on Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition and winner of the "Game of the Year" award. Your hero is kidnapped by the Illithids, who implant a mind flayer larva into their brain—a journey through the Sword Coast in search of a cure lies ahead, a quest that will turn into a struggle for the fate of all of Faerûn. The game is renowned for its freedom of choice: almost every situation can be resolved through force, cunning, magic, or dialogue, and the consequences of your decisions carry over through all three acts.

Character Creation

You can play as your own hero or as one of the “Origin Characters” with their own storylines. Tips for beginners:

• The easiest classes to master are the warrior or paladin—they require fewer resources for control and deal straightforward damage.
• The Master (Lae'zel) and the Priest (Shadowheart) handle damage and healing in the starting party.
• Charisma is key—a class with high Charisma (Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock) can resolve half of all conflicts peacefully.
• Don’t be afraid to reclass at Weathers’ camp—it costs next to nothing and is available almost immediately.

Companions: The Heart of the Game

The party is BG3’s greatest asset. Each companion is a full-fledged story with their own arc, opinions on your actions, and a unique quest.

• Shadowheart—a priestess of Shar with a secret: healing, support, and one of the game’s most well-developed story arcs.
• Astarion—an elven rogue and vampire spawn: lockpicking, stealth, deadly attacks from the shadows, and brilliant dialogue.
• Laezel—a Githyanki warrior: the best frontline fighter, psychokinesis, and a proud personality.
• Gale — a wizard from Waterdeep with a “bomb” in his chest: battlefield control and AoE damage.
• Karlah — a Tifling barbarian with a hellish engine instead of a heart: fury, throws, and the heartwarming backstory.
• Will—a sorcerer, “Blade of the Frontier”: a versatile mid-line fighter with a powerful Eldritch blast.

Romance and Approval

Relationships with companions are a full-fledged mechanic: each has an approval meter, and romantic storylines develop through camp dialogues and key act scenes. General principles:

• Talk to your companions after every significant event—camp scenes do not repeat.
• Shadowheart values caution and kindness toward animals; Astarion values boldness and pragmatism; Karlah values honesty and nobility.
• Key romantic scenes are tied to the festival at the end of the first act and the events of the third—don’t skip long rests.
• Choices in companions’ personal quests change the ending of their stories (and their appearance—literally, in Shadowheart’s case).

Combat System: D&D Rules

Turn-based combat follows 5th Edition rules: an action, a bonus action, and movement each turn. Keys to victory:

1. Height and position—attacks from above receive a bonus; archers on high ground are decisive.
2. Environment-based actions—push an enemy off a cliff, douse them in oil and set them on fire, or bring down a chandelier.
3. Concentration—Powerful spells (Hold Person, Haste) require concentration: protect the caster.
4. Short and long rests—restore resources; don’t skimp on rests before boss fights.

Exploration and Choices

The world reacts to everything: a stolen goblet, a rescued dwarf, a fish eaten from a barrel. Explore every nook and cranny—BG3 rewards curiosity with secret quests and gear. Save often (F5), keep multiple save files, and don’t be afraid of “bad” outcomes—failed rolls often unlock the most memorable story branches.

Video: Official Launch Trailer

Common beginner mistakes

• Ignoring bonus actions—jumping, shoving, and potions—can turn the tide of battle.
• Selling all your loot—many “trinkets” are quest items and ingredients.
• Playing without a priest or a rogue—traps and wounds will come back to haunt you.
• Rushing through the main quest—half the content is hidden in side stories.

Conclusion

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a rare game where 100 hours fly by like a single evening around a campfire with friends. Put together a party that suits your style, talk to everyone, experiment in combat—and one day you’ll find yourself starting a second playthrough as “a completely different person.” Assemble your party—and off you go.