Folk around me have started playing BG3, so I wanna jump in too, but I’m feeling kinda lost at first. How much should I grind the game mechanics, you know? Like, should I focus more on the story or the character relationships? What do you think I should prioritize to get the most out of the game? And how do you actually put theory into practice instead of just talking about it?
How do I get really good at BG3?
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It's normal to feel lost when diving into BG3 — this massive RPG, rooted in D&D, can be confusing even for those who've played tabletop for 20 years. When I introduced BG3 to my old Dota 2 team, I always emphasized: "This game isn’t about the combat system or the story — it’s about how you choose to enjoy the systems." So in your first week, ask yourself: "Do I play for tactics or for the story?" For example, I used to focus on tactics in Dota 2 at 3k+ MMR, but in BG3, I discovered the comedy in character dialogue — my focus shifted. Since BG3’s mechanics carry the soul of the game, it helps to learn them well, but the worst thing you can do is force yourself to use every system just because you can.
For practice, here’s what I recommend to teammates: "Spend your first week really exploring the mod settings." The best place to start is the "Play with people who’ve never played D&D before" mode — it has 80% of the normal combat system, but simpler character creation and story flow. Then try the "Story Focused" single-player mode. Here, character relationships and dialogue options take center stage, while combat is toned down. This way, you learn both BG3’s basics and your own playstyle. Remember, BG3’s combat system is basically the digital version of rolling dice in a D&D 5E tabletop game — if you're tactics-focused, you’ll need to learn things like finding targets in chaos, positioning tactics, and team composition. But whatever your focus is, go with it — the systems fill the gaps, but your preference shapes the experience.
When I first started BG3, I was asking myself the same questions, bro. It's totally normal to get lost in the game, especially if you haven't played tactical RPGs like Divinity: Original Sin before. My advice? Start with character relationships and the story, then dive into the mechanics once you feel comfortable with the controls. For example, I had a solid party going, but I didn't understand positioning in battles, so I messed up the first few scenes.
The most important thing is to apply what you learn in theory. There's a section in the game called "learning mode" where reading and tweaking character dialogues is super helpful. I started the game without memorizing each race's abilities during character creation, but after a few rounds, everything clicked. Focus on your characters' skill trees and how they interact with each other, then build tactics based on your party composition.
Also, don’t underestimate the starting team. On my first playthrough, I picked random NPCs, and I couldn’t connect with their stories. Choosing your own party makes both the story and combat experience way smoother. Later, taking on the role of one of the main characters in the story is really fun. For combat, it’s best for beginners to turn off "Turn-Based Mode" to track actions, then turn it back on to see what’s happening.
In short, get a feel for the game first, then dive into the details. I got completely wrecked in my first playthrough, but don’t worry—it gets better with time. Have fun!