Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (2024)

Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (1)

Jump to:

  • Platforms
  • Difficulty explained
  • Character creation
  • Companions
  • Romance
  • Spells
  • Weapons
  • How to long and short rest
  • How to revive the dead
  • Remove or destroy the brain?
  • How to free Shadowheart from the pod
  • Commander Zhalk
  • Goblin camp
  • Where to go after the crashed ship
  • What to do with the scuffed rock
  • How to beat the hag
  • Moon puzzle
  • How to get into the cellar
  • How to find the Owlbear cub
  • All Underdark entrances
  • Dank Crypt walkthrough
  • Where to go after Nautiloid ship crash
  • Why am I affected by Bane?
  • How to find Karlach
  • Necromany of Thay key choice
  • Halsin's location

Baldur's Gate 3 guides and walkthroughs are something that we all make use of from time to time, whether it's working out how to beat a boss, find a treasure, solve a puzzle or understand a complicated mechanic. BG3 is an incredibly deep and broad game, and it's easy to find confusing or difficult elements within that - or just want a clue about the best to handle things going forward when you want to make a friend. From Astarion to Zevlor, everything you need to know about Baldur's Gate 3 is waiting just below!

Baldur's Gate 3 platforms

Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (2)

Baldur's Gate 3 is out now on PC, Mac, and PS5. As for whether we'll see Baldur's Gate 3 on Xbox and Switch, we have all the details there.

Is there Baldur's Gate 3 multiplayer support?

There is Baldur's Gate 3 multiplayer support, with online functionality that let you play with friends, or anyone hosting a game. Players can choose between couch co-op or online co-op to take friends on a journey with them

Does Baldur's Gate 3 support cross-save progression?

When it comes to crossplay, Larian has stated "Baldur's Gate 3 will support cross-save progression between PC, Mac, and PS5… Allowing you to transfer your saves between platforms and continue your adventure wherever you purchase the game."

However, Baldur's Gate 3 early access saves are not be carried across to the full game. You'll have to find your Baldur's Gate 3 save location and delete any early access save to play the full release.

Difficulty explained

Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (3)

Deciding on a Baldur's Gate 3 difficulty will be your first big decision. There's Explorer, Normal, or Tactician to chose from, essentially translating to story mode, default and hard.

Character creation

Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (4)

There is a lot to take in while making your Baldur's Gate 3 character. Things like a Baldur's Gate 3 background letting you choose between things like light-fingered Urchins to Acolytes, Criminals, and Folk Heroes, and more with your background providing experience-based extras linked to your character's past.

Then there's the big one, your best Baldur's Gate 3 class and Baldur's Gate 3 races which will obviously decide your power set, abilities and specialties. There's a lot of complicated interplays that can shape your character so you want all the info you can get.

There's also Baldur's Gate 3 skills and we can tell you more there from the basics of your character's skills, including how each one might play out in the game and which will benefit you the most. It's a core tenet of any good DND build, and the same goes for Baldur's Gate 3. If you're not too savvy on your skills just yet, we can help you change that.

Companions

Once you've made your character and set out into the world you'll need to think about which Baldur's Gate 3 companions you want with you. You'll meet far more than the four you can have in your Baldur's Gate 3 party and getting the right mix is important. The companions you have with you party forms the basis of your battles and their requisite skills will come in handy at certain times.

Romance

Obviously once you have some companions and are spending some time with them then the chance for some Baldur's Gate 3 romances will pop up. Larian describes this potential for love in the game as "reactive systems all throughout the journey of a relationship," along with "hundreds of permutations that define where a relationship heads."

The short version of that is any potential relationship will depend on how people view almost anything you do. Companions will form opinions of you based on your actions, dialogue choices, and who you choose to form alliances. Romancing some companions might have a negative impact on your relationships with others, so be aware of that when you settle down to make camp each night.

Spells

Combat uses a wide range of Baldur's Gate 3 spells to defeat enemies. These can be pure offense, buffs and debuffs, tricks, traps and more. Depending upon the class and race of your character, your innate magical strengths and weaknesses will dictate which spells you are able to wield so you want to pick the best.

Weapons

As well as using spells, your Baldur's Gate 3 weapons come in handy for hand-to-hand combat. Some weapons are magical, some ordinary and others can only be acquired by completing a specific quest line. With so many out there to collect and choose from, check out the guide for an in-depth look.

How to long and short rest

Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (6)

Baldur's Gate 3 long and short rests are a vital part of survival and what you pick all depends on how much health and skill replenishment you need. You can take up to two short rests per day before needing a long rest in the evening, where you are transported to a safe campfire ground to regroup with your companions. Our guide on how to take long rests or short rests in Baldur's Gate 3 will help you work it it.

How to revive the dead

Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (7)

When it comes to reviving the dead in Baldur's Gate 3, you'll need a specific item or spell. Namely, the Scroll of Revivify or the Revivify spell. Our guide will explain how to get your hands on both and make sure death is only a temporary inconvenience.

More Baldur's Gate 3 guides:

  • How to highlight objects in Baldur's Gate 3
  • what advantage and disadvantage means in Baldur's Gate 3
  • How to dual-wield weapons in Baldur's Gate 3
  • Baldur's Gate 3 level cap

Baldur's Gate 3 walkthroughs

Remove or destroy the brain?

It's the first choice you're faced with: should you remove or destroy the brain in Baldur's Gate 3? Destroying it will effectively skip the tutorial help, so we suggest not doing that if this is your first time playing. What happens when you free it, and should you mutilate it? Well, check the guide to find out.

How to free Shadowheart from the pod

If you're wondering how to free Shadowheart from the pod in Baldur's Gate 3 then we can breakdown everything you need to do to get her out. It's worth it too as you'll need the help and she's a great party member.

Commander Zhalk

You'll meet the Baldur's Gate 3 Commander Zhalk character while trying to escape the ship you wake on. If you're curious about fighting him, and if it's worth it, we break it all down.

Goblin camp

Wondering how to get into the goblin camp in Baldur's Gate 3? This early-game mission can be a bit of a headscratcher, especially when you're still figuring out the lay of the land. Luckily for you, we've played enough of the early access game to help you breach the encampment with ease.

Where to go after the crashed ship

If you're not sure where to go after the crashed ship in Baldur's Gate 3 then we can lay out a few options to get you started in the world.

What to do with the scuffed rock

Of all the things for people to focus on Baldur's Gate 3's scuffed rock is a weird one. It's a rock. However, it's a rock the game singles out and can only reveal the reward it hides if you know what to do.

Baldur's Gate 3 hag

Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (8)

If you're having trouble beating the Baldur's Gate 3 hag, Auntie Ethel, our guide will set you straight. This hideous creature is holding Mayrina hostage, and it's up to you to rescue her from Ethel's foul clutches. The above guide will walk you through how to deal with Auntie Ethel - whatever you do, don't take her first deal unless you want to lose an eye!

Baldur's Gate 3 moon puzzle

Solving the Baldur's Gate 3 moon puzzle can be tricky, but our guide will help you work it out. It's the one thing standing between you and the Underdark, and it doesn't help that the moon puzzle is one of the hardest to complete. The tips we give in the above guide will make the Defiled Temple moon puzzle that much more approachable.

Baldur's Gate 3 cellar

Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (9)

Getting into the Baldur's Gate 3 cellar beneath the blighted village is a lengthier process than you might think. Not only do you have to do a little interior decorating to access the entrance, but a battle or two awaits you below. The guide above will help you find and access the cellar in Baldur's Gate 3, as well as what to say to the Ornate Mirror once confronted with it.

Baldur's Gate 3 Owlbear cub

The Baldur's Gate 3 owlbear cub is a creature you could come across a few times in your playthrough. Protected by its mother at first, you'll have to pass a dialogue check to avoid having to face off against her. It's a weird yet cute little bear cub, so if you're wondering if you can actually keep him around, check out the above guide.

Baldur's Gate 3 Underdark entrances

Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (10)

Tracking down all the Baldur's Gate 3 Underdark entrance locations is hard work, but our guide will map them out for you. The twisted underworld is just one way to access the Moonrise Towers, but how you actually get down there is another story altogether. You'll want to be at least a level three before venturing to the Underdark, but if that's you ticked off already, we have more tips for what to expect down there.

Baldur's Gate 3 Dank Crypt

Navigating the Baldur's Gate 3 Dank Crypt is tricky business. The trap you'll find down there is something fresh out of Saw, with the room filling with a mystery black grease as all the doors fuse shut. If you're stumped on how to get out, our guide will help you find and meet Withers in the Dank Crypt!

Baldur's gate 3 Nautiloid ship

Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (11)

Feeling a little stumped and wondering what to do after the Baldur's Gate 3 Nautiloid ship crash? Our guide has a few ideas, including fully mapped out instructions to take the bewilderment out of it.

Baldur's Gate 3 Bane

Wondering why you keep getting affected by Bane in Baldur's Gate 3? Some might find themselves hindered by this status effect each time they attack, docking their damage per hit. The good news is that Bane is linked to one specific piece of gear that can easily be unequipped. Here's how to deal with Bane and get rid of it for good.

Baldur's Gate 3 Karlach

She's a new companion and romance option, so if you're wondering how to find Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3, we'll make it easy for you. The Tiefling NPC rears her head in the Hunt the Devil quest, where you'll get the chance to side with her or someone else in a rather sizeable choice moment. The early access version sees her added to your party as a companion rather than a romance option, but since the full version allows you to woo her as well, our guide to finding Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3 will bring you a little closer to winning her devilish heart.

Baldur's Gate 3 Necromancy of Thay choice

Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (12)

When faced with the Baldur's Gate 3 Necromany of Thay key choice, what should you do? You can either destroy it entirely, or open the book using your newly-found key. This choice leads to two very different outcomes, so if you're unsure which path to take, our guide lets you in on the outcomes of both.

Baldur's Gate 3 Halsin's location

If you want to find Baldur's Gate 3's Halsin in the Goblin Camp, we'll show you just how to do that. He's another one of your potential companions, so this is definitely a worthwhile venture for anyone hoping to expand their ranks.

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Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (13)

Jasmine Gould-Wilson

Staff Writer, GamesRadar+

Jasmine is a staff writer at GamesRadar+. Raised in Hong Kong and having graduated with an English Literature degree from Queen Mary, University of London in 2017, her passion for entertainment writing has taken her from reviewing underground concerts to blogging about the intersection between horror movies and browser games. Having made the career jump from TV broadcast operations to video games journalism during the pandemic, she cut her teeth as a freelance writer with TheGamer, Gamezo, and Tech Radar Gaming before accepting a full-time role here at GamesRadar. Whether Jasmine is researching the latest in gaming litigation for a news piece, writing how-to guides for The Sims 4, or extolling the necessity of a Resident Evil: CODE Veronica remake, you'll probably find her listening to metalcore at the same time.

With contributions from

  • Leon HurleyManaging editor for guides

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Every Baldur's Gate 3 guide and walkthrough you'll ever need (2024)

FAQs

Should I let Astarion bite me? ›

Should you Let Astarion Bite You? Letting Astarion bite you is an easy way to get approval with him. The simple answer is yes, as the only downside is gaining the Bloodless debuff, while Astarion gains the Happy buff and his approval rating of you increases.

Can you actually remove the parasite in BG3? ›

There is currently no way to remove the Illithid Tadpole parasites in Baldur's Gate 3. The twist is that once you start this 'Remove the Parasite' quest, you're offered several different options to choose from. How your story progresses ahead is up to you with what options you choose and how lucky you are.

Is there a BG3 strategy guide? ›

IGN's BG3 guide covers every main quest in the game- looking at everything from puzzle solutions and boss strategies, to critical lore points and even hidden pieces of loot.

How many endings does BG3 have? ›

So, while BG3 doesn't really have 17,000 completely unique endings, there are at least 17,000 variations on the endings it has. Most players will probably never see the same exact ending variation twice, which makes each replay as interesting as the last.

What happens if I let Astarion drink my blood? ›

When you let Astarion drink your blood, you'll wake up with the Bloodless debuff. Until you long rest again, you'll have a -1 on all checks. The only way to avoid the debuff is to let him kill the character. You can always use a Scroll of Revivify the next morning or pay 200 to have Withers bring you back to life.

What happens if you let Astarion turn you into a vampire? ›

Upon another long rest, the ascended Astarion will give the player-controlled character the opportunity to turn into a vampire spawn by drinking a drop of his blood. While this will grant them access to the basic Vampiric Bite ability, they'll be much weaker than Astarion.

What happens if you give the hag your eye in BG3? ›

So, what do you get if you agree? First off, your character will visually get a whited out eye. This will give you the Paid the Price condition, meaning you have +1 on Intimidation checks but disadvantage on Perception checks or when you're fighting Hags.

Can Raphael actually remove the tadpole? ›

Raphael can remove the tadpole in your head in an instant, but is this option worth owing him one? You'll run into all manner of characters during your journey in Baldur's Gate 3, but one of the most peculiar is Raphael, who appears behind your party during Act 1.

Can you be evil in BG3? ›

1: Yes, going evil will have some companions leave you (specifically Karlach, Wyll, and Gale... though I think you can persuade Gale into staying.). In return you do get a couple evil companions. 2: While it is entirely possible to do an evil playthrough, doing so cuts out a massive portion of the game's content.

What is the easiest class in BG3? ›

Bard, Cleric, and Paladin are the easiest classes for beginners in Baldur's Gate 3 due to their versatility and beginner-friendly mechanics. Each class has a unique role to play, with subclasses providing additional options for players to customize their characters to their playstyle.

What is the max level in BG3? ›

Summary. Baldur's Gate 3 is based on Dungeons & Dragons 5e but has a maximum level of 12, not the tabletop RPG's maximum level of 20. Expansion of the level cap is unlikely. Higher-level spells and stronger villains in late-game DnD make it challenging to continue Baldur's Gate 3 past level 12 in a video game format.

Who can you sleep with in BG3? ›

Companions you can romance as in have a relationship with:
  • Shadowheart.
  • Astarion.
  • Wyll.
  • Lae'zel.
  • Gale.
  • Karlach.
  • Halsin (only starts in Act 3)
  • Minthara (least content and you might want to be evil for this one)
Jan 12, 2024

Will the Emperor betray you in BG3? ›

He will make threatening remarks that emphasize the control he seeks to have over his chosen adventurer, and he will even completely betray the party and join the Netherbrain if the player seeks to free Prince Orpheus.

What happens if you side with the emperor in BG3? ›

Siding with the Emperor means losing a character and facing a harder Netherbrain fight. The choice in BG3 is a sacrifice, with no real winner, and all options mean losing something in return.

What is the most evil ending in BG3? ›

Right now, the most evil ending you can get involves becoming the Absolute. There are a few variations on this, as you can partner up with Astarion or Minthara to take the throne together, or just take all the power for yourself. If you're playing as The Dark Urge, you can even claim it in Bhaal's name.

Should I let Astarion complete the ritual? ›

If you allow Astarion to complete the ritual, he'll become much more abrasive, though he gains an improved bite and extra necrotic damage on his spells. Power corrupts absolutely, and it's no different for Astarion, who failed to break the cycle of torment established by a vampire ages ago.

Can you romance Astarion without letting him bite you? ›

The choice here does not impact the romance at all, but letting him bite you will raise his approval of you.

What happens if you let Astarion ascend? ›

If Astarion ascends, he loses all that character development and goes back to how he was when players first met him after the Nautiloid crash, but with the added evilness, hunger for power, and controlling demeanor. If the player chooses to prevent him from ascending, he later thanks them for saving him from himself.

Should I bite people in Vampyr? ›

biting/feeding on any mob(mortal or immortal) is fair game; have fun:P. but hands off npcs if you want good ending(i only embrase 2 and got good ending still). alot of weapons when you upgrade them there is sometimes way to make them also drain blood from you victims.

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