Video Games
How to play Baldur's Gate 3
Explore, negotiate and fight with a party whose choices shape the story. Combat uses initiative and limited action resources; the campaign ends through its story decisions, not a point target.
What you need
Installed game on a supported platform; mouse/keyboard or supported controller
Set up the game
- Choose Balanced and create an origin or custom character. Read race, class and background choices rather than assuming they are only cosmetic.
- Learn journal, inventory, Examine, character switching and short/long rest menus. Recruit companions and inspect their equipment and abilities.
If you play on PC for long stretches, a comfortable mouse or headset makes a real difference. Razer's accessory range is one place to compare options; check platform compatibility first. (Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How links work.)
Playing Baldur's Gate 3
- Explore and talk to characters; use dialogue, skills, stealth or combat where available. Rolls can change outcomes, so a dialogue choice is not a guaranteed success.
- When combat begins, follow initiative. A typical turn supplies movement, an action and a bonus action; reactions respond to triggers. Class features and effects can modify the available resources.
- Read the displayed cost before attacking, casting, jumping or using items. Bonus actions are specific options, not permission to repeat any normal action for free.
- Inspect targets and positioning, spend resources, then end the character’s turn. Do not assume walking away from an adjacent enemy is harmless; reactions can matter.
- Win an encounter by meeting its objective or overcoming opposition. Rest to restore appropriate health/resources, and continue story choices. A full long rest uses camp supplies; resource recovery depends on rest type.
One resource cannot pay twice
A character uses their action to Dash toward an enemy. The extra movement gets them close, but the ordinary action is now spent, so a normal action-cost attack is unavailable unless another feature grants it. A remaining bonus action can fund only a legal bonus-action option. Next time, compare whether a ranged attack from the starting position serves the turn better.
Plan a turn before clicking
First decide whether the character needs to move, help an ally, control a threat or deal damage. Then inspect which action and bonus-action costs that plan needs. Moving some distance, acting and then using remaining movement may be possible, but terrain and enemy reactions can make the route costly. An exciting ability that consumes both action resources may prevent a second useful step. Hovering or inspecting first preserves options that cannot be reclaimed after confirming an action.
Beginner decisions
- Read the combat log after an unexpected miss or effect. It can explain a rule interaction better than immediately rebuilding the character.
- Before a difficult encounter, arrange the party so one area attack does not hit everybody and each member can reach a useful target.
Common rule mix-ups
- Treating BG3 as if every tabletop D&D rule is identical.
- Spending an action on movement assistance and then expecting the same action still to be available for a spell.
Questions about this game
Can I use a bonus action first?
Yes, when its conditions permit; it is a separate resource, not necessarily an after-attack step.
Does a short rest restore everything?
No. It restores some health and resources; a full long rest restores more, with class-specific differences.
Sources and edition notes
Unmodded Baldur’s Gate 3, Balanced campaign, standard four-character adventuring party. Tactician, Honour and custom/modded games can change difficulty and action interactions.
Sources and stated format checked October 14, 2026. This records a document check, not a claim of hands-on testing.
- Larian: controller tools, actions, journal and resting
- BG3 community wiki: supplemental resource mechanics
- BG3 community wiki: supplemental resting mechanics