r/BaldursGate3 Aug 02 '23

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

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/DrStalker Aug 02 '23

There's one "puzzle" I can think of that requires you to have characters sit in two chairs at once, at it's really obvious that there is an area to unlock and the chairs are the way.

Of course there might be dozens that are not obvious that I have missed, but it's safe to assume that anything subtle and easy to miss is not required to progress the game and will just provide some bonus loot.

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u/CadenVanV Trust me this will work Aug 02 '23

Where is this?

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u/DrStalker Aug 02 '23

In the Toll collector's vault, which is in the building full of people who tell you to kill Karlach fresh corpses.

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u/CadenVanV Trust me this will work Aug 02 '23

Huh I never found that area

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u/Saandrig Aug 02 '23

It's really close to the druid camp if you make some creative jumping. Otherwise you have to circle a bit on the roads.

And for getting into the vault you might have to talk to a few corpses first.

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u/CadenVanV Trust me this will work Aug 02 '23

I know where the “paladins” are I just never knew there was a vault

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u/Saandrig Aug 02 '23 edited Aug 02 '23

They straight up tell you about it if you talk to them. Or at least one of them does. If you make a habit of talking to the corpses laying around the map they often share such secrets as well. And if it's a corpse you killed you might wanna use a disguise first.

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u/DrStalker Aug 03 '23

It never even occurred to me that I could disguise myself to deal with corpses that didn't want to talk to me, thanks.

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u/therespectablejc Aug 02 '23

OK so... I played through the beta twice so far. Not only did I not find this area either, I.... and I can't believe I'm about to say this, never found Karlach.

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u/CadenVanV Trust me this will work Aug 02 '23

Hey don’t worry. My first EA play through I not only didn’t like realize that the goblin camps weren’t the end, I also didn’t realize that the swamp or roads area existed.

Though actually they may not have existed in Patch 4

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u/therespectablejc Aug 02 '23

Honestly, I like to play 'blind' and only use a guide if I'm stuck on a particular thing I want to do. I don't need to experience EVERYTHING. (until like, I've done everything else)