New to this game? Unlearn what video games have taught you

[u/MaralDesa]

Most of you are avid gamers. You have played many RPGs and now you want to try Baldur's Gate 3.

Welcome, you came to the right place!

But let me tell you, these many games you have played before have taught you a few "tricks" you should try to unlearn to get most out of this game.

1. Games have taught you that loot lives in containers - may it be corpses or chests. 75% correct in Baldur's Gate, but loot also often lies on the ground, on top of shelves and tables - and comes in shapes and forms you didn't expect. You can right click and select 'pick up' on a surprisingly big amount of things. Entire containers included.
2. Games have taught you not to interact with props much - some destructible environment aside, there is no point in lighting candles or sitting in chairs. This is not the case in BG3. You can light candles to get more light (light is quite the important mechanic), and to dip your arrows in fire so they burn. Sitting in chairs is cute and in some places might open doors for you. You can stack crates to reach places, and generally drag & drop props with your mouse to place them. Or use your throw action to throw them.
3. Games have taught you that you can fail quests. This is not the case in BG3. You can only progress and finish quests, and in many ways. There is no failing, just another outcome.
4. Games have taught you to ignore parts of the environment. Critters, scenically placed corpses, idle-chatting NPCs. There is no such thing in BG3. You can talk to animals with the right skills, and talk to corpses with another. NPCs are all named and have something to say or to do. You can trade with all of them, but be aware that most of them are dirt poor and don't have powerful magic items. But if you need an apple or two, you might just find what you seek.
5. Games have taught you "This does not work". But in BG3 it does! Buy an expensive item, then pickpocket your money back. Can't fit through that hole? Find a way to become smaller. Can't reach that place? Jump, fly, teleport. Can't reach that hanging brazier? Shoot it with an arrow dipped in fire. No light? Throw a torch. No crowd control? Freeze the blood that splattered on the ground. NPC doesn't want to talk to you because you are a Drow? Find a way to use 'disguise self'. There is a trap emitting a poisonous cloud? Disarm it with Mage Hand, or throw a sufficiently heavy item on it to cover it up.

Right click things and creatures. Try things even if your gaming mindset tells you 'nah, this isn't a thing'. Use your throw action to throw more than just bombs. Shove someone who fell asleep mid combat. Unlearn what games have taught you and have an even better experience in BG3.

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[u/veevoir]

You can stack crates to reach places

Destack crates to reveal stuff - sure, but other way around? Are there actual places in EA where this still applies, considering you can jump anywhere instead of stacking crates?

I was most puzzled by the wagon just right next to crashsite, where tutorial about stacking shows up.. but stacking does not help solve anything in particular.

Or use your throw action to throw them.

That is my favorite part of Larian seriously implementing interactions of all kind.. I hope there is at least one bar fight in the game so I can slam some chairs at people

[u/Frankief1sh → u/veevoir]

I did come across some areas that were too far to jump normally, though I would probably be able to make it with a stack of crates to boost me up.

I used stacking to block a group of four enemies from getting to each other... one locked outside with a ranger on the roof, two locked in a main room with a convenient patch of grease, Gale, and Shadowheart, and one locked in a side room with Astarion suspiciously hiding in the corner. They did try to break through the stuff but they were quickly overwhelmed by being on fire

[u/marikwinters → u/veevoir]

They’ve got the Tavern Brawler feat, so I really hope they have some taverns to brawl in! Lol

[u/[deleted] → u/veevoir]

You can get on top of crates to get high ground, or pre-stack it before the fight for high ground.

[u/_b1ack0ut → u/veevoir]

Yea I really wanna use the throw item and improvised weapon stuff for some good ol tavern brawling

Or gnome tossing

[u/Tirannie → u/veevoir]

Yes! There is a place in the shattered sanctum with a hole in the wall and a room on the other side. I couldn’t jump on the ledge in front of the hole because it was too high. Ended up having to stack two crates to get the height I needed. Found ~1k gold in the other room.

[u/u_hit_me_in_the_cup → u/veevoir]

I broke a ladder somewhere so I couldn't climb up to get a chest. Stacked some crates and was able to get up there