Current Events > Baldurs Gate 3 seems stupidly awkward to play. Minor spoilers.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Literally just did the first area. I missed releasing the prisoner from the tank by going the wrong way and starting the final bit of the level with the mindflayer guy.

Also the women I found died because she ended up separated from my guy because Id done something dumb and I did the battle at the end on my own and she got killed from some demon things. Really wish there was more of a tutorial for the combat because if it stays like this Im not gonna be playing for long.

It actually sounds like you might be stupidly awkward

Not really

Also the woman in the tank lives either way so don't worry about it

I ask this with absolute sincerity: is this your first RPG? Your first game with turn based tactical combat?

Irony posted...

It actually sounds like you might be stupidly awkward

Dont gate keep.

This isn't gatekeeping unless you mean you were gatekeeping yourself

Gobstoppers12 posted...

I ask this with absolute sincerity: is this your first RPG? Your first game with turn based tactical combat?

In terms of CRPGs pretty much. I tried the OG Baldurs gate when I was a kid but didnt get far. I did enjoy FO2 but again didnt get far.

The controls just freaked me out when I realised the women I was with ended up two rooms back and no idea why. Plus youre given like 20 different skills to play with and I have no idea what they do. Could have done with some more hand holding at the start otherwise Im gonna have spent more time downloading the game than playing it.

it takes a little getting used to, especially if you're not familiar with the genre (don't want to make any assumptions, though).

the main fight you're talking about in the first area also kind of happens unexpectedly.

I recommend loading an earlier auto save.

Gobstoppers12 posted...

I ask this with absolute sincerity: is this your first RPG? Your first game with turn based tactical combat?

I was gonna say I bet $5 steambux it is, but then tc might lie to spite me

Skill issue tbqh.

It's really not that complicated.

I stopped after about 5 hours. The combat was me being absolutely steamrolled the first time then steamrolling the second without really changing tactics.

Baron_Ox posted...

it takes a little getting used to, especially if you're not familiar with the genre (don't want to make any assumptions, though).

the main fight you're talking about in the first area also kind of happens unexpectedly.

I recommend loading an earlier auto save.

I might do that. Any idea why my characters got separated? I have a feeling I was messing with the grouping options.

SHRlKE posted...

Could have done with some more hand holding at the start otherwise Im gonna have spent more time downloading the game than playing it.

If you don't already know the spells from D&D it's a much steeper learning curve. Same with the action, reaction, and bonus action economy.

Once you figure out the rules and what all the spells do (including which kinds of actions they take), the game plays very well.

The big thing you seem to be missing is the group/unlink function which lets you move without the others following you. It sounds like you accidentally ungrouped. I forget which button it is, but I think if you're on PC you can right click link the group together again in the drop down menu of your portrait.

Basically... you just need to spend some time reading the various controls and spell descriptions.

Also, rule 1 of any game with exploration involved-- interact with EVERYTHING in the room before you move to the next room.

Guide posted...

I was gonna say I bet $5 steambux it is, but then tc might lie to spite me

See post 7.

I recommend having multiple save files if a battle or decision you make goes horribly wrong or in a direction you don't like. Consequences in WRPG's like these are far more game changing than JRPG's, even though I save scum in JRPG's as well.

on the left of the screen (on console, at least) you can see how your team is grouped together.

if there are no gaps between the boxes, then they're grouped, but if there's a big gap between the character boxes, then they aren't.

Gobstoppers12 posted...

If you don't already know the spells from D&D it's a much steeper learning curve. Same with the action, reaction, and bonus action economy.

Once you figure out the rules and what all the spells do (including which kinds of actions they take), the game plays very well.

The big thing you seem to be missing is the group/unlink function which lets you move without the others following you. It sounds like you accidentally ungrouped. I forget which button it is, but I think if you're on PC you can right click link the group together again in the drop down menu of your portrait.

Basically... you just need to spend some time reading the various controls and spell descriptions.

Also, rule 1 of any game with exploration involved-- interact with EVERYTHING in the room before you move to the next room.

Yeah its deffo the grouping. Ill reload an earlier save. What caught me was that I had the save the women in the pod quest selected and it took me to that final fight! I assumed one way would continue the story but the icon on the map made me assume that would be for the side quest. Guess not.

One thing that got me was the reaction attacks. Is that kinda like overwatch from Xcom? How do I avoid it / use it to my advantage?

What are you playing as, race/class wise?

The game is vastly more fun after watching beginner tip videos. It was very awkward for me at first too, and I was regretting my purchase. Amazing afterwards though.

I am curious what people think to my character. I think it was a Wood Elf / Noble / Paladin build with the subtype being the middle option... not the retribution one and not the goody too shoes one. No idea if thats good or not but its what me and my wife picked.

Really sounds like user error.

Ar0ge posted...

Really sounds like user error.

It most definitely is. Either help out or leave the topic. Gate keeping really isnt a great look.

SHRlKE posted...

One thing that got me was the reaction attacks. Is that kinda like overwatch from Xcom? How do I avoid it / use it to my advantage?

So, that's called an "attack of opportunity." Basically, if you move into range of an enemy, or start your turn in range of an enemy, they can attack you (by spending their reaction) if you move out of their range.

The way to avoid being hit by opportunity attacks in the most basic functionality is to use the Disengage action before moving. This takes the place of either attacking or dashing but allows you to move without being hit by opportunity attacks.

There are spells and abilities that also let you avoid opportunity attacks, as well, so look for that terminology.

The one thing to remember when you use an opportunity attack against an enemy is that it uses your Reaction, which replenishes at the start of your turn. You need a reaction to use spells like Shield which activate in response to an attack... not to be confused with simply wearing a shield, which is always active.

Edit: small thing to mention, you can tell if your planned movement will provoke an opportunity attack because there will be a small red line between the enemy and your movement path.

SHRlKE posted...

It most definitely is. Either help out or leave the topic. Gate keeping really isnt a great look.

Familiarize yourself with DnD 5E a bit. That'll go a long way.

Take your time.

Ar0ge posted...

Familiarize yourself with DnD 5E a bit. That'll go a long way.

Take your time.

Im happy to do stuff in game. Im not prepared to read through hundreds of pages of a rule book though. It shouldnt be that tough. You could try being more like @Gobstoppers12 and actually helping me rather than sneering from the side lines though.

Edit: Ive also just googled and BG3 isnt strictly 5e anyway.

Also, if you decide to duel wield:

Down next to the icon showing your weapon you'll see a little double-sword button.

If you click it one way you'll automatically attack with both weapons.

Click it the other way and you'll only swing your main hand weapon instead of both.

Took me a lot longer to figure out than I'd care to admit.

Gobstoppers12 posted...

So, that's called an "attack of opportunity." Basically, if you move into range of an enemy, or start your turn in range of an enemy, they can attack you (by spending their reaction) if you move out of their range.

The way to avoid being hit by opportunity attacks in the most basic functionality is to use the Disengage action before moving. This takes the place of either attacking or dashing but allows you to move without being hit by opportunity attacks.

There are spells and abilities that also let you avoid opportunity attacks, as well, so look for that terminology.

The one thing to remember when you use an opportunity attack against an enemy is that it uses your Reaction, which replenishes at the start of your turn. You need a reaction to use spells like Shield which activate in response to an attack... not to be confused with simply wearing a shield, which is always active.

Edit: small thing to mention, you can tell if your planned movement will provoke an opportunity attack because there will be a small red line between the enemy and your movement path.

Ok thats great thanks. Ill watch some beginner videos on YouTube as well. Love to see your views on my build as well.

Wood Elf / Noble / Paladin.

SHRlKE posted...

I am curious what people think to my character. I think it was a Wood Elf / Noble / Paladin build with the subtype being the middle option... not the retribution one and not the goody too shoes one. No idea if thats good or not but its what me and my wife picked.

Wood Elf is considered one of the best races since they get a little bonus movement which is generally always useful. Noble is a fine background to pick for a party face due to Persuasion (Id say Guild Artisan is better since History checks are rare compared to Insight which comes up somewhat often, but its not a big deal). Sounds like you picked Devotion Paladin, which is considered the weakest variant but dont let that stop you from playing it if you want. Paladins in general, regardless of which subclass youre on, are very powerful.

Although do be aware your oath does come up in gameplay. If you do something that goes against your oath, something will happen. Its not exactly a bad thing, but it may be something you want to avoid.

Srk700 posted...

If you do something that goes against your oath, something will happen. Its not exactly a bad thing, but it may be something you want to avoid.

it is extremely easy to do that stuff by accident
i'm playing a Paladin, had to reload several times cause i didn't want that to happen

I thought the dialogue would tell you if an action counted as oath breaking

HighSeraph posted...

I thought the dialogue would tell you if an action counted as oath breaking

no, it certainly does not

ROBANN_88 posted...

no, it certainly does not

Technically it does after you break the oath

yeah, it's very clear afterwards
i assumed they meant warning beforehand

see look, these types of games take a certain level of skill to play.
you have to save first. and then, when things go wrong, you load that save.
it's a skill you gotta get really, really comfortable with. like, it's really your best ability.
so save. and then fuck up. and then reload and then try it over and over. skills needed.

I think part of the fun of dice rolling is letting things end up the way the dice rolls and not save scumming tbh

HighSeraph posted...

I think part of the fun of dice rolling is letting things end up the way the dice rolls and not save scumming tbh

I agree. Only reason Im tempted to reload before the end of the first bit is purely to double check I understand the company.

Combat*

HighSeraph posted...

I think part of the fun of dice rolling is letting things end up the way the dice rolls and not save scumming tbh

there's a difference between bad dice rolls and making bad choices...like accidentaly Oath Breaking

SHRlKE posted...

Literally just did the first area. I missed releasing the prisoner from the tank by going the wrong way and starting the final bit of the level with the mindflayer guy.

Also the women I found died because she ended up separated from my guy because Id done something dumb and I did the battle at the end on my own and she got killed from some demon things. Really wish there was more of a tutorial for the combat because if it stays like this Im not gonna be playing for long.

I agree should be more of a tutorial.

Just be aware that since you picked Paladin, it would behoove you to get used to long resting.

Smites are a powerful but costly resource. And those spell slots only come back on a long rest.

Do you have any specific questions? I fucking adore BG3 and recently beat Honor Mode so I'm an open book.

ROBANN_88 posted...

there's a difference between bad dice rolls and making bad choices...like accidentaly Oath Breaking

"Accidentally"

<_<

Also I would agree that BG3 is complex, but certainly not unintuitive. The tutorial doesn't necessarily hit you with a million intrusive windows, but you can potentially learn everything the games systems have to offer, should you be willing to look, from the tutorial. Like opportunity attacks, proper positioning, and task saturation management

Cemith posted...

"Accidentally"

yeah. i don't wanna go into detail here cause avoiding spoilers for the new player, but i accidentaly Oath Broke a few times

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Let me introduce you to Divinity: Original Sin 2, which is a very awkward name for the incredible game that convinced WotC to let Larian make Baldur's Gate 3. There's even a link to the Steam page in the launcher for BG3.

It uses essentially the same game engine as BG3 but with an arguably better rule set for a computer game.

BewmHedshot posted...

It uses essentially the same game engine as BG3 but with an arguably better rule set for a computer game.

I'm so looking forward to my playthrough of DOS2 eventually. This game made me a fan boy of Larian.

Cemith posted...

Just be aware that since you picked Paladin, it would behoove you to get used to long resting.

Smites are a powerful but costly resource. And those spell slots only come back on a long rest.

Do you have any specific questions? I fucking adore BG3 and recently beat Honor Mode so I'm an open book.

Im just about to turn in for the night (uk) but I might drop you a few queries tomorrow if its ok.

When it comes to oathbreaking for a Paladin, words can matter. Even if you're facing off against something obviously evil, such as goblins that have had a time of killing and torturing, you may need to morally grandstand and let them make the first move.

SHRlKE posted...

Im just about to turn in for the night (uk) but I might drop you a few queries tomorrow if its ok.

Sure dud. Looking forward to it.

SHRlKE posted...

In terms of CRPGs pretty much.

Good tip for these types of games is your goal/quest marker is where you should go last. Hover over everything and check it out.