Baldur's Gate 3

[Kurth]

Looks like BG3 is on sale for $48 for the next couple of weeks. It's time I bought it.

You take the plunge yet, Kraken? After refilling my character three times, I finally settled on a half-elf gloomstalker ranger. I’m tens of hours in and still in Act 1.

[Kraken]

Looks like BG3 is on sale for $48 for the next couple of weeks. It's time I bought it.

You take the plunge yet, Kraken? After refilling my character three times, I finally settled on a half-elf gloomstalker ranger. I’m tens of hours in and still in Act 1.

Not yet. I'm finishing up an interminable Stellaris endgame that will probably take me another week.

[Kurth]

Looks like BG3 is on sale for $48 for the next couple of weeks. It's time I bought it.

You take the plunge yet, Kraken? After refilling my character three times, I finally settled on a half-elf gloomstalker ranger. I’m tens of hours in and still in Act 1.

Not yet. I'm finishing up an interminable Stellaris endgame that will probably take me another week.

Ha! I love Stellaris, but “interminable” is a great adjective to describe some of my end games, too. Great game, but it definitely drags in the end game and starts to feel a little like work.

[Kraken]

Looks like BG3 is on sale for $48 for the next couple of weeks. It's time I bought it.

You take the plunge yet, Kraken? After refilling my character three times, I finally settled on a half-elf gloomstalker ranger. I’m tens of hours in and still in Act 1.

Not yet. I'm finishing up an interminable Stellaris endgame that will probably take me another week.

Ha! I love Stellaris, but “interminable” is a great adjective to describe some of my end games, too. Great game, but it definitely drags in the end game and starts to feel a little like work.

I own or control half the galaxy, I'm wrapping up a war of conquest, and the endgame crisis has triggered. If I decide to stick with it to the end, it's going to be a while.

Anyway, I'll buy BG3 while it's on sale and it will be my next game. I'm burning out on Stellaris.

[Jaymann]

Looks like BG3 is on sale for $48 for the next couple of weeks. It's time I bought it.

You take the plunge yet, Kraken? After refilling my character three times, I finally settled on a half-elf gloomstalker ranger. I’m tens of hours in and still in Act 1.

Gloomstalker Ranger (with archery and sharpshooter) is my go-to.

[msteelers]

I want to come back to this and go through the dark urge storyline, but there are just too many games at the moment and my time is limited. Someday I’ll come back to this!

[Kurth]

Looks like BG3 is on sale for $48 for the next couple of weeks. It's time I bought it.

You take the plunge yet, Kraken? After refilling my character three times, I finally settled on a half-elf gloomstalker ranger. I’m tens of hours in and still in Act 1.

Gloomstalker Ranger (with archery and sharpshooter) is my go-to.

Enjoying this build, but shouldn’t I see a sneak attack option when I’m sniping someone from hiding using dread ambusher? Am I missing something?

[Jaymann]

It seems like you should, I know I get a popup to use sneak attack as an option. What's funny is I can select it after the shot hits so I only take it if they didn't die. Here are my skills, none of them mention sneak attack, but I do get it:

Sharpshooter
Archery
Assassin's Alacrity
Assassinate: Ambush
Assassinate: Initiative
Dread Ambusher
Extra Attack
Sharpshooter Low Ground

I also have the Illithid powers:
Favourable Beginnings
Luck of the Far Realms
Awakened

[Jaymann]

Here is my latest themed party. I give you Larry, Moe, and Curly...

[Kraken]

If I want a character who has the initiative to pass, and save his points for the end of the round, is there a "wait" button? Seems you can only move/act and end turn.

Also this is the first game I've ever seen where I couldn't customize my character's hair color and facial hair, but had to choose a penis.

[disarm]

If I want a character who has the initiative to pass, and save his points for the end of the round, is there a "wait" button? Seems you can only move/act and end turn.

While there is a mechanism for delaying actions in 5e D&D, this is not something's they implemented in BG3. Each character has to take their turn in the order determined by initiative, whether it fits your ideal battle plan or not.

You'll learn to work around the limitation, but I can think of at least one situation where it was pretty annoying...a fight with a powerful creature that always focused its attack on the last character to damage it. My initiative in that battle (which took a few tries to win) often put Gale as my last character before the enemy turn, essentially removing his usefulness for the fight. If I ever used him to do damage, the enemy would turn its attention directly at him and practically wipe him out with a single attack due to his low HP and AC. I had to think of other ways for a mage to be useful in that situation.

[Jaymann]

You can hit "end turn" (or just do one melee attack first) and all of your action points will be available for the next round.

[Kraken]

You can hit "end turn" (or just do one melee attack first) and all of your action points will be available for the next round.

Unused AP carry over between rounds? That would be most useful.

[Zarathud]

You can click on a character who is next and before the enemies to have that character act immediately.

[Jaymann]

You can hit "end turn" (or just do one melee attack first) and all of your action points will be available for the next round.

Unused AP carry over between rounds? That would be most useful.

They don't accumulate though. If you have 5 AP and end turn, you will still have 5 next round, not ten. It does mean you don't have to waste your AP while waiting for the enemy to get in range.

[Kurth]

I'm now 30 hours into this game, and I succumbed to reading a very thorough walk-through of Act 1. I'm not even halfway through the walkthrough and realizing I've missed so much. I'm actually considering restarting. Someone, please, talk some sense to me!

[Jaymann]

I'm now 30 hours into this game, and I succumbed to reading a very thorough walk-through of Act 1. I'm not even halfway through the walkthrough and realizing I've missed so much. I'm actually considering restarting. Someone, please, talk some sense to me!

Since you are still in Act 1 there is little of import that you can't go back and check out. Just hold off on completing Act 2 until you are satisfied you have exhausted Act 1. Until you go for the boss in Act 2 you can still revisit Act 1 areas.

[Scraper]

I'm now 30 hours into this game, and I succumbed to reading a very thorough walk-through of Act 1. I'm not even halfway through the walkthrough and realizing I've missed so much. I'm actually considering restarting. Someone, please, talk some sense to me!

You can't do that in this game. There are so many choices to make that will affect the story, that you really just have to make your choices as you go and live with the consequences. The other options and missed content are for another play through. If you play it any other way you'll never make it to the end.

I think i reloaded twice on my first play through. One was because I earned a pre-mature false ending and the other was because I REALLY didn't like the result of a choice I just made. Other than that I lived with what happened and moved on.

[Jaymann]

Unless you are in Honour Mode you can save before tough choices...

[Max Peck]

Also this is the first game I've ever seen where I couldn't customize my character's hair color and facial hair, but had to choose a penis.

You can customize your character's hair colour, as well as facial hair. The different customization options are listed the right side of the "Edit appearance" screen. By default you are in the General mode, but you can switch to Body Art, Eyes, Makeup, Hair or Facial Hair, although the last option is only present for those races that have facial hair. There are no bearded elves, apparently.

[Kraken]

Also this is the first game I've ever seen where I couldn't customize my character's hair color and facial hair, but had to choose a penis.

You can customize your character's hair colour, as well as facial hair. The different customization options are listed the right side of the "Edit appearance" screen. By default you are in the General mode, but you can switch to Body Art, Eyes, Makeup, Hair or Facial Hair, although the last option is only present for those races that have facial hair. There are no bearded elves, apparently.

Thanks, I'll look for that. I was flailing around in an unfamiliar interface when I built my character. Who's a rogue/thief and yet doesn't appear to have lockpicking as a skill.

[Max Peck]

I'm now 30 hours into this game, and I succumbed to reading a very thorough walk-through of Act 1. I'm not even halfway through the walkthrough and realizing I've missed so much. I'm actually considering restarting. Someone, please, talk some sense to me!

The game is designed to be played multiple times in order to experience the different origin character perspectives. Unless you're dead set on only playing it once I wouldn't get hung up on seeing everything or following one optimal path.

[Max Peck]

Who's a rogue/thief and yet doesn't appear to have lockpicking as a skill.

Lock picking (along with pocket picking and trap disarming) is covered by the sleight of hand skill.

[Kraken]

Who's a rogue/thief and yet doesn't appear to have lockpicking as a skill.

Lock picking (along with pocket picking and trap disarming) is covered by the sleight of hand skill.

I'll look for that, too. I've come across a few locked doors and never got a popup option to pick the lock...guess you have to choose the skill icon to initiate it?

[Max Peck]

You need to right-click on the door/chest/whatever to bring up a context menu which will have an option to pick the lock. You also need to have at least one thieves' tool in order to attempt the skill check. The tools are a consumable item, but only get used up if you fail the skill check.

[Kurth]

Who's a rogue/thief and yet doesn't appear to have lockpicking as a skill.

Lock picking (along with pocket picking and trap disarming) is covered by the sleight of hand skill.

I'll look for that, too. I've come across a few locked doors and never got a popup option to pick the lock...guess you have to choose the skill icon to initiate it?

Playing on PS5, you have to call up the context menu, and that will give you the option to bash or pick the locked door/chest/whatever.

[Jaymann]

After all this time I found another game mechanic you can take advantage of. It is a bit convoluted, so bear with me. It concerns the Warlock (or Eldritch Knight) spell Pact Weapon, which allows you to permanently bind a weapon to you, even one you are not qualified to use, and then you will be able to use it. The Baneful is a good example, as its effects only come out as a bound weapon.

Here's the trick: One you have bound a weapon you can re-spec into any class you want and the weapon remains permanently bound to your character. That's right. So anytime I am denied the use of a weapon, I am going to re-spec into a Warlock, bind it, and re-spec again.

I love contemplating the possibilities.

[Kraken]

I thought BG3 was going to be a romp but I'm 108 hours in and not through the first act yet. And I'm using walkthroughs every time I get stuck, which is often. I'm not very good at adventure games but I'm having a blast plodding through it. On the plus side, I'm leaving very few stones unturned.

[Jaymann]

I thought BG3 was going to be a romp but I'm 108 hours in and not through the first act yet. And I'm using walkthroughs every time I get stuck, which is often. I'm not very good at adventure games but I'm having a blast plodding through it. On the plus side, I'm leaving very few stones unturned.

You're doing it right, and believe me there will be things that you missed. Keep calm and carry on.

[Kurth]

I thought BG3 was going to be a romp but I'm 108 hours in and not through the first act yet. And I'm using walkthroughs every time I get stuck, which is often. I'm not very good at adventure games but I'm having a blast plodding through it. On the plus side, I'm leaving very few stones unturned.

I spent forever in Act 1, but Act 2 went by much quicker. I’m 148 hours in now, and I’ve landed in Act 3.

I love this game.

[Kraken]

I thought BG3 was going to be a romp but I'm 108 hours in and not through the first act yet. And I'm using walkthroughs every time I get stuck, which is often. I'm not very good at adventure games but I'm having a blast plodding through it. On the plus side, I'm leaving very few stones unturned.

I spent forever in Act 1, but Act 2 went by much quicker. I’m 148 hours in now, and I’ve landed in Act 3.

I love this game.

I just crossed into Act 2 last night after about 110 hours. Glad to hear that it's shorter or picks up the pace, and I'm having enough fun to think about playing again with a different class. I've never played any adventure game twice.

[Max Peck]

BG3 is specifically designed to be played multiple times. The intended way to do it is initially with a custom character, followed by replays with any of the origin characters (who are also the fully developed companions you will meet in the game) so that you can experience the story from their perspectives. And then there's the Dark Urge playthrough for the batshit insane chaotic evil experience.

[gbasden]

And then there's the Dark Urge playthrough for the batshit insane chaotic evil experience.

Well, or Lawful Good experience if you do a resist playthrough. Mostly. Kind of.

[Max Peck]

You can try to resist the urges, but I'm not sure it's possible to have a completely atrocity-free Dark Urge playthrough. There is a sort of virtue in making the effort to be a good person, and occasionally failing horribly.

[Scraper]

I thought BG3 was going to be a romp but I'm 108 hours in and not through the first act yet. And I'm using walkthroughs every time I get stuck, which is often. I'm not very good at adventure games but I'm having a blast plodding through it. On the plus side, I'm leaving very few stones unturned.

I spent forever in Act 1, but Act 2 went by much quicker. I’m 148 hours in now, and I’ve landed in Act 3.

I love this game.

Act 3 was the longest one for me. I also enjoyed it the most.

[msteelers]

I remember Act 1 taking the longest, but there's a ton to do in Act 3 as well so that definitely could be the longer act.

I still want to get back to a Dark Urge run-through here, but the game takes so long I'm a bit intimidated on starting a new game.

[Jaymann]

I recently finished my second Honour Mode run and have that down to a formula:

Spoiler:

Use a Druergar Tav and hire another one for two free invis characters at level 5.
Avoid any non-essential boss fights.
Keep one character invis and out of combat so they can rez if things go south.
Use barrelmancy on Minthara and the goblin big boss.
Pick off the dwarfs in the Grymforge from above first and call in the 3 ogres to help against Nere.
Choose to side with Kar'niss against the Harpers then attack him to get his moonlantern.
Find "the letter" so you can talk Ketheric into killing himself.
In Act 3 solo kill any lone merchants, loot and go invis.
Become a blood assassin before the fight with Orin.
Tell Gortash you will join forces with him so the Netherbrain kills him.
Use invis to run past the fight on the way to the Netherbrain.
Use Gale to destroy the Netherbrain.

It almost seems easy if you go that route. But the game doesn't fight fair so neither do I.

[gbasden]

You can try to resist the urges, but I'm not sure it's possible to have a completely atrocity-free Dark Urge playthrough. There is a sort of virtue in making the effort to be a good person, and occasionally failing horribly.

You are absolutely correct in every way.

[Kraken]

Is there any downside to going to one's campsite really really often? Is the game keeping an elapsed time counter that doesn't like me to sleep a lot?

Conversely, does the game track fatigue and punish one for not sleeping enough?

I usually go camping when I take damage after my first short rest. The second short rest is an emergency backup nap that I don't like to rely on.

At my age, I know about emergency naps.

[Jaymann]

Is there any downside to going to one's campsite really really often? Is the game keeping an elapsed time counter that doesn't like me to sleep a lot? No. There are some events that only happen when you take a long rest.

Conversely, does the game track fatigue and punish one for not sleeping enough? No. The only disadvantage is your characters start whining.

I usually go camping when I take damage after my first short rest. The second short rest is an emergency backup nap that I don't like to rely on.

At my age, I know about emergency naps.

Just be sure to loot all containers for food. You can right click on it and send it to camp so you don't have to lug it around.