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

Baldur's Gate 3
(Image credit: Larian Studios)

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

Baldur's Gate 3

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

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

Baldur's Gate 3

(Image credit: Larian)

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

Baldur's Gate 3 races

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

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

baldur's gate 3 party

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

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

Baldur's Gate 3

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

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

A Scroll of Revivify is used to bring back Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

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: 

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

Baldur's Gate 3

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

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

Entrance to the cellar in Baldur's Gate 3

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

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

Baldur's Gate 3 underdark

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

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

Baldur's Gate 3

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

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

Baldur's Gate 3

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

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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Jasmine Gould-Wilson
Staff Writer, 12DOVE

Jasmine is a staff writer at 12DOVE. 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.

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