Baldur’s Gate 3 Combat: Actions, Initiative and Concentration
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Plan the whole turn before spending its action
An ordinary turn provides movement, an action and a bonus action. A reaction is available when its trigger occurs, which can happen during another creature’s turn. Class features and conditions can change these resources. A spare bonus action does not automatically pay for a second spell or attack that requires an action.
Before selecting a target, read the ability’s cost. Check the route your character will take and the space where they will finish. A strong attack is less useful if reaching its target leaves your caster surrounded.
Baldur’s Gate 3 uses a d4 initiative roll, modified by Dexterity and other bonuses. It does not use tabletop D&D’s d20 initiative roll. Read the portrait order at the top of the screen: removing an enemy that is about to act can be more valuable than damaging one whose turn has already passed.
Diagnose a miss before changing your build
An attack roll normally combines a d20 roll, the relevant ability modifier and any applicable proficiency or other bonuses, then compares the result with the target’s Armour Class. A damaging spell may instead force a saving throw. Those two attacks can perform very differently against the same enemy.
Use the combat log and the target’s information to distinguish:
- A low attack chance caused by the attack roll or a disadvantage.
- A successful hit that deals little damage because of resistance.
- A saving throw that lets the target resist a spell’s effect.
The response should match the cause. Changing damage type will not fix a weapon that struggles to hit. Increasing weapon accuracy will not help a spell whose effect depends on the enemy failing a save.
Keep one concentration plan per caster
A caster can maintain only one concentration effect at a time. Starting another ends the previous one. This is especially costly with Haste: breaking it causes Lethargic, so replacing your own Haste can disrupt the turn you meant to improve.
Taking damage normally prompts a Constitution saving throw to maintain concentration. Its difficulty is 10 or half the damage taken, whichever is higher. Conditions such as becoming prone or downed can also end concentration.
After casting a valuable control or support spell, ask whether the caster really needs to move closer. Let another party member apply damage while the spell continues doing its job. Do not cast a second concentration spell simply because its icon is available.
Recover the right resource
When the fight is over, check HP and class resources separately. Resting restores different abilities depending on the rest and class. If missed attacks remain the problem after resting, inspect weapon and armour proficiency before spending more consumables.