If you have heard anything about Baldur’s Gate 3, chances are you have. Then you already know that it has got a bit of a reputation. Then you might’ve heard people claim that it is the best RPGs ever made, a masterpiece they call it, and then hit you with clips of the most unhinged things happening in-game. To most people, especially those who
have never played anything similar, it can look
like a pain to get into.

Turn-based combat, dice rolls, and dialogue that actually affect the game. All that can make it feel overwhelming for new players, as if the game expects you to already know how it works.

That is actually quite far from the truth. Shocking, I know! Once you start playing it, you realize not only is it easier to understand than you initially thought, but it also does so much of what most other RPGs do not even try.

Writer: Edgy  Designer: Yato
Date: **/4/2026

abilities, skills, and even your character’s background, or proficiencies, can affect what dialogue options you get. And just because you make a decision, it does not mean you will succeed. Try to intimidate a guard and he might just unsheath his sword. That freedom is why no two runs of Baldur’s Gate 3 feel the same.

Right from the start, the game doesn’t hold your hand and tell you what to do. Some of the characters you encounter might have suggestions or hints for you,
but there is rarely any situation in which you are forced into one path. Do you want to save that
person? Ignore them? Kill them yourself? Recruit them? You do you. Additionally, your race, class,

“Your violence hasn’t gone unnoticed.
It’s about to be returned in kind.”
– Narrator

Baldur’s Gate 3 doesn’t force you down a single path. You can fight, talk, sneak, experiment with what’s around you, or be unique and find a workaround. Nothing feels like it is set in stone. you can be as creative as you want and watch how the game
reacts to your shenanigans. 

But be warned that your choices can actually matter. Go on a murder spree or make some questionable decisions, and some characters might not want to team up with you, or the story might shift in ways
you would not expect. So be free, and do what you want, but also face the consequences.

“It’s the fatal flaw of mortalkind. Take away their free will, and they call you a tyrant. Allow them to indulge it, and they become tyrants.”
– Raphael

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a top-down turn-based strategy RPG that follows the D&D ruleset. The D&D rules and combat system are usually what scare people
away from playing the game. Turn-based combat,
dice rolls, and a massive arsenal of actions, spells,
and items. And on top of all that, you have combat variables like initiative, advantage, and a lot more. That makes some people think that they will need
to memorise everything before even starting a run,
and that’s far from the truth.

“A measured approach is often the difference between victory and disaster.”
– Gale of Waterdeep

A lot of actions in Baldur’s Gate 3 are decided by dice rolls, similar to how you roll a die attempting to pass
a skill check outside of combat; in combat, this is no different. Sometimes you will land a perfect critical hit, and sometimes you completely miss the attack. While in combat, the dice rolls in the background, and instead, hovering over your target shows your attack’s likelihood of hitting, so you do not need
to worry about the math behind it.

There are other variables in the game that could be
the difference between winning the fight or losing
it. Where you stand and what’s around you matter
and can be used to your advantage; you can interact with objects in the environment, move to a better position to have an advantage over your enemies,
and when done right, this will increase the odds
of your attacks hitting and, in some cases,
even guarantee it. 

Sneaking up on an enemy or surprising them will get you initiative, which will let you get your turn earlier than them or skip their turn entirely. And before long, you will have a better understanding of the mechanics, and the system will feel less complicated and more like a strategy game that rewards your smart and creative decisions. Turn-based combat is simple; all it means
is that every character gets a turn in combat.

During your turn, you can move around, attack, cast spells, use items, or just be creative. The game lets you be as creative as you want, even during combat; jump to the high ground, hide, dip your weapon in fire, or confuse the enemy somehow. No healer in your team? Smash a healing potion on your companion’s face.
It is your turn, do what you want.

“Even the waves of fate can break upon
the shores of will.”
– Elminster Aumar

After getting comfortable with the way combat works, you will have already noticed that everything you have been saying and the choices you have made stick with you throughout the game. These choices do not just exist during conversations but actually affect how
the story plays out.

Most RPG games give you dialogue options that seem important but end up having zero impact on the story; that is not the case with BG3. How you talk to people, who you help, who you betray, how you carry yourself, and even who you ignore can impact the quests,
the story, and how everything unfolds. 

One choice could open up a whole new path for you, while another could close one without you even knowing. That depth makes conversations feel important and worth thinking about.

Companions are a big part of that. They are not just followers who nod along to whatever decision you make; every companion has their own personality, dislikes, beliefs, and some pretty strong opinions about the world around them. Make some heroic decisions, and a companion might respect you for
it; do the same thing, and a different companion might think you’re being naive. Some companions
are ruthless, selfish, and will approve and respect
you when making choices that align with that.
Others prefer diplomacy and helping others.

Then we have some that are,  let’s just say, are not very fond of certain races. Help someone, and they will like it, but help the wrong group of people, and suddenly, they’re giving you the side eye. Yes, they are kind of racist. This is not limited to your travel companions;
it also applies to many characters you will encounter throughout your journey. Trying to please every single person might not be the best idea. Making too many choices that go against a companion’s personality
could make them start to lose respect, and if you
keep going down that road, they might end up
leaving you for good.

“I suppose the finer details are lost on a creature like you.”

– Shadowheart

On the other hand, if the decisions you make line up with their goals and you support and help them with their personal struggles, your relationship will grow stronger. Over time, your actions can influence them as well. When they respect you, your opinions will matter to them, but if they do not, then what you say or do might not change their mind at all. That is what makes the characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 feel a lot less two-dimensional. 

It is not just good and evil archetypes; they have flaws, biases and their own perspective of the world around them. All of this adds another layer to the game where your choices are not just about completing a quest.

They shape your relationship with the people you’re travelling with, and that can completely change what path you decide to take and how your story plays out.

The game is set in a fantasy world where weird things
is just the norm. People use magic, monsters roaming around, and ancient ruins are scattered everywhere. Everywhere you go, there is something happening. Villages under attack, travellers along your path,
and powerful creatures never too far.

Coming back to an area after completing a long quest, you notice that the story of that area has progressed, and the area feels more alive. Talking to the characters there feels less redundant because they now have new dialogue. The area itself can be affected by your decisions, as if every location has its own story constantly running in the background.

Humans are only a small part of the world. Dwarves, Elves, draws, tieflings, githyanki, and a lot more races all exist alongside each other, while they don’t always get along, it’s still very amusing to see all these races interact with each other, and they all have their own cultures and, of course, differences. Some races have long histories with each other, and it’s not always pleasant. Yes, racism exists in this world, and it shows up throughout the game more than you’d expect.
And yes, you can play as any race you want.

It wouldn’t be a fantasy RPG without Magic and monsters. The amount of magic spells available in the game is vast, more than 600 spells! What spells you can learn heavily depends on your race and class, but not to worry, there’s always something for whichever class or race you pick. Monsters and magical creatures are also a big part of the game, with over a hundred unique types of enemies. All that together creates an environment that feels like and encounters that are rarely predictable.

Baldur’s Gate 3 might look complicated at first,
and that scares a lot of people away. But once you play it, you realise it’s not about memorising systems or having perfect D&D knowledge. 

 It’s about making decisions and living with
 the consequences. The game gives you a lot of freedom, lets you choose your own path, make your own mistakes, 

and then adapts to whatever it is you decide to do. 
If you’ve read this, then you’re ready to hop in and see where your decisions lead you. You don’t need to know everything to start your journey.

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