Baldur's Gate 3 Beginner's Guide

New to Baldur's Gate 3? How to build your character, how dice rolls and turn-based combat work, and the tips that make your first act much easier.

Updated 3 November 2026Checked for patch Patch 84 sources
Image: Larian Studios / YouTube

Baldur's Gate 3 is a huge, story-driven RPG based on Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. You're infected with a mind flayer tadpole and have to find a cure before it turns you into a monster – with up to three companions at your side. It can look complicated at first, but you only need a few rules to get going.

Step 1: Create your character

Custom or OriginMake your own character, play as the Dark Urge, or pick one of six Origin companions with their own story.
Pick a classFighter, Paladin and Warlock are forgiving first choices.
Ability scoresPut your highest scores in your class's main ability, then Constitution for hit points.
DifficultyExplorer mode is the easiest; Balanced is the standard experience. You can change difficulty later (except Honour Mode).

Step 2: The rules you need

Everything is a d20 rollAttacks, skill checks and saving throws roll a 20-sided die plus bonuses against a target number.
AdvantageRoll two dice and keep the higher. High ground, hiding and some spells give you advantage.
Action and bonus actionEach turn you get one action, one bonus action and movement. Learn which skills use which.
RestsShort rests restore some abilities; long rests at camp restore everything and move the story forward.

Combat is turn-based: everyone acts in order, so you have time to plan. You can also play the whole game in co-op – up to four players online, or two on one screen with split-screen.

Step 3: Tips for your first act

Save oftenQuicksave before conversations and fights. Choices really matter, and the dice can be cruel.
Look up and downJump, climb and check high ground – it gives attack bonuses and hides secret areas.
Drink, throw, shovePotions can be thrown at allies, and shoving enemies off ledges is a perfectly good tactic.
Long rest regularlyMany companion scenes only happen at camp – don't be afraid to rest.
Explore Act 1The first act is huge and full of gear that makes the rest much easier.
Read your spellsConcentration spells end when you cast another one – check the icon before you stack buffs.

Next, read about the three acts or meet your companions.

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Reference page written by AI (Claude) and checked against the sources above. Games change with every patch – the patch this page was last checked for is shown at the top.