SinceBaldur’s Gate 3followsDungeons & Dragonsrules, players know thatBG3also places a huge focus on various combat elements. Unfortunately, these elements can easily overwhelm players unfamiliar withD&D 5emechanics. After all, a single attack roll not only relies on a D20 but also on Ability Modifiers, Proficiency Bonuses, as well as things including Advantages and Disadvantages. However, players who understand this basic principle can turn the combat in their favor.
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Moreover, players can look atD&Ditself as inspiration for some combat tactics they can utilize inBG3. In fact, some players may find themselves surprised at how sophisticated battles become when they apply certain strategies and tactics to their play style.
Updated on July 21, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam:The recent launch ofBaldur’s Gate 3proves the game is a step up from Larian Studios’ original work with Divinity: Original Sin 2, with the former’s adaptation of D&D mechanics necessitating a certain tactical edge to players who want to try it out. For players having a hard time adjusting to the game’s mechanics, perhaps looking at it from the perspective of a D&D player may help them out. Certain D&D tactics players can use to get the edge against the enemy especially deep into the mid-game and endgame include entering combat one at a time, maximizing the environment, staying within an ally’s range, and abusing Opportunity Attacks.
14Enter Combat One At A Time
On the off-chance that all characters get to enter combat at once, it’s dangerous to think of each character as a separate unit and have them go on their merry way. After all, if they’reoutnumbered inBaldur’s Gate 3combat, characters separate from the team can easily get overwhelmed. Instead, it’s more practical to think of how each character fits into the initiative order, and how this order ties into combat strategies.
In this regard, it’s better for characters to have a set function based on how early or how far they are in the initiative order. For instance, if Shadowheart goes first, she could buff the character who goes next so they deal more damage. Likewise, Shadowheart going last could decide if a character needs healing or if she can afford to dish out attacks.
13Use The Environment
In mostD&Dencounters, players only get information about themselves and the enemies they’re facing. However, more tactical players can utilize the general elements of their environment to gain the upper hand, be it cover or staying above ground for Advantage. These should always be principles that players apply tocharacters inBaldur’s Gate 3, especially when technical components can just as easily ruin an enemy’s combat flow.
On top of using surfaces for dipping and barrels to make explosions, players can capitalize on other interactive components to secure the advantage in encounters. For instance, players within an enemy’s line of sight could use a column or a wall to stay clear of their ranged attacks. Other characters could also break ladders and other structures to topple enemies staying above ground.
12Stay Within Reach Of Each Other
While thevast open environments ofBaldur’s Gate 3often encourage players to split up their characters to secure the most coverage in combat, players need to stay alert on how their positioning could factor into enemy strategy.
At worst, enemies can easily overwhelm a lone party member who is the closest to their pack. While this is the intended function of the tank, having too many enemies focus-firing on them could kill them easily. In situations where characters can be put at risk, players should have other characters close by to give them the necessary buffs and heals.
11Abuse Opportunity Attacks
Players have access to Actiosn, Bonus Actions, and Reactions in theirBaldur’s Gate 3playthrough, especially since the gameadaptsD&Drules. One of the most used situations involving Reactions are Opportunity Attacks or attacks that stop opponents from passing a character in melee while trying to reach a destination.
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When positioning characters, players should always take into account their melee range from an enemy combatant. That way, players can usearmaments like their Versatile Weaponsto strike as soon as enemies try to reposition. This is especially helpful against spellcasters and ranged attackers who often have little health.
10Cheese The Meta
Unlike inD&D,BG3actually allows players to know exactly what they’re up against. In old-schoolD&D, only the DM knows the exact stat blocks of monsters they unleash. In turn, players who do know the monsters they face are discouraged from “metagaming,” or applying their player knowledge to their characters. However,BG3’sExamine functioninherently allows players to look at monster statistics themselves.
Similar to the player’s own sheet, Examine allows players to see relevant data associated with the monster. These include Ability Scores and Resistances. In turn, players can use this “meta” information to avoid using features or spells that only deal half-damage (Resistant) to monsters. Moreover, they can capitalize on lower Ability Scores to plan debilitating effects against enemies.
9Never Stay Together
Players lose when the entire party dies - and unfortunately, some of the morepowerful AOE SpellsinBG3(andD&D) can remove precious HP in a single round. In turn, players should scatter their party as soon as they sense combat brewing. Ideally, players should always attempt to use the Hide Action to sneak up on enemies. Likewise, they can use the same maneuver to position themselves before starting combat, instead of using their actual turns to move.
Interestingly, players who end up bunched together in combat shouldn’t reload their save. Instead, they should ensure they at least have mobility features at the ready. Thankfully, the Jump/Disengage Bonus Action can ensure enemies won’t get Opportunity Attacks when players move in their vicinity. Likewise,Misty Step(Conjuration) can give spellcasters a handy teleport option.
8Initiative Matters
InD&D(and by extension,BG3), players and enemies determine who moves first via Initiative. This statistic gets calculated via a D20 + Dexterity Modifier. Likewise, this metric gives players an idea that Rogues and other Dexterity-aligned characters likely go first in combat. Interestingly, players can use this knowledge beforehand to their advantage.
For instance, players can most likely anticipate which of their characters go first and prepare strategies by then. Moreover, players can boost some of their characters' Dexterity (and therefore Initiative) to have some characters go sooner. These work well with Rogues as well as spellcasters, who canuse healing Spellsor offensive Spells from favorable positions.
7Secure The Advantage As Soon As Possible
InD&D, Advantage can easily turn the tide of battle, regardless of what it’s for. Essentially, Advantage allows players to roll twice on anything and use the higher result. In turn, Advantages almost always guarantee success in combat rolls - be it attacks or saving throws. Thankfully,BG3allows players to access Advantages easily - and they should do this often.
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For instance, players should actively Shove or find a means to throw enemies off high spaces to knock them Prone. Moreover, players should almost always attack enemies from above ground. If possible, players should enter battle via the Hide Action to prompt Surprise Attacks. All these give them Advantage. Likewise, players should find walls or crates they can hide behind to force enemies to have Disadvantage when trying to attack them, especially from range.
6Maximize Character Actions
UnlikeOriginal Sin 2and its feature to “carry over” unused AP, actions inBG3don’t pile up when players don’t use them. In turn, players should try to maximize their action list as much as possible. Characters should never have an action with useless options. For instance, aside fromallocating strong spellsand attacks under Actions, players should be able to use Bonus Actions and Reactions to access Cantrips, Off-Hand Attacks, and other useful combat options.
That way, players maximize their action list regardless of the situation. Moreover, this strategy incentivizes the creation of flexible characters that don’t just fill a particular role all the time.
Players might think that fighting enemies separately can eliminate them faster, right? However, based onD&Drules, using this strategy onBG3can become a death wish. Remember, enemies with low HP have just that - low HP. Unless they’re knocked Prone, Silenced, or incapacitated, they can still use all of their actions. Meaning, both low-HP and high-HP enemies hit the same.
Instead of fighting multiple enemies at once, players should instead focus fire. This popularD&Dstrategy meansfocusing attacks on one targetat a time (e.g., bosses) instead of multiple enemies. Mechanically speaking, this opens opportunities for players to deal more damage. After all, one less enemy means one less member in the Initiative Order.
