Summary
Players trying to save Faerun inBaldur’s Gate 3are in for a wild adventure as they have to traverse the Forgotten Realms to stop a Mind Flayer invasion and prevent an Illithid parasite from transforming them into these parasitic invaders. In thisDungeons and Dragonsvideo game, players work their way from Levels 1 to 12 in a three-act story, acquiring powerful spells and gear as they come to the root of their present predicament.
While player characters at Level 12 are significantly powerful close to the game’s final act, They can fast-track their way into these improvements should they access certain upgrades ahead of time. Unfortunately for players, some of these upgrades are easy to miss due to their unimposing nature - but they can change a gamer’s playthrough of theD&Dgame when used correctly.
Tap Into More Ability Modifiers For Better Rolls
Process
Certain level-up thresholds, depending on the Class. When Feats are available for acquisition, consider getting Ability Score Improvement
Effect
Get permanent +2 to a single Ability Score or +1 to two Ability Scores, potentially being able to increase Modifiers
Players who level up their characters throughout the course of theirBaldur’s Gate 3gameplay may eventually have to choose Feats for their builds. InD&Dplaythroughs, Feats are additional Features that provide special perks and buffs that improve a character’s flavor and performance in specific situations.
However, while Feats such as the Magic Adept and Tavern Brawler can add to a character’s flexibility, players shouldconsider the impact of a Featas mundane-looking asAbility Score Improvementto their overall builds. Thanks to ASIs, players can get +2 to a single Ability Score or +1 to two Ability Scores. When used properly, these bonuses can increase a Modifier to a much-needed +1, drastically improving a character’s in-game performance.
Access A Potent Fire Damage Sword Early In The Game
Defeat Commander Zhalk in the Nautiloid ship in Avernus (Tutorial Level)
Acquire the Everburn Blade
Before players end up in Faerun, the game’s prologue traps the Nautiloid ship in Avernus, the first of the Nine Hells. Prior to players escaping the ship, they have to fight Commander Zhalk, a winged 8th-Level Fiend who serves as their first boss. Thanks to the aid of a Mind Flayer, this boss fight won’t exhausta low-level player’sBaldur’s Gate 3combat resources. However, while players aren’t required to kill Zhalk, his reward may be worth his execution.
Should players succeed, Zhalk drops theEverburn Blade, an Uncommon Greatsword. It deals 2d6 Slashing + 1d4 Fire Damage, with the Ever-Burning property that ensures its flames cannot be doused by water. While practically the equivalent of a Fire Damage Greatsword, Everburn Blade makes for a decent early-game weapon upgrade for the party’s dedicated tank.
Access Better Modifiers With A Free Ability Upgrade
Defeat Auntie Ethel during the “Save Mayrina” quest and take the deal to spare her life
Get +1 to any Ability Score, and this can exceed Level 20
Originally introduced as the resident trader and physician in the Emerald Grove’s Hollow, playersenjoying theirBaldur’s Gate 3gameplaymay eventually encounter her near the Sunlit Wetlands south of the Blighted Village. Encountering her there will unlock the “Save Mayrina” quest, where players need to chase Auntie Ethel and eventually confront her about a girl named Mayrina.
If players take the deal to save Mayrina’s life, they getAuntie Ethel’s Hair. This item permanently gives players +1 to any Ability Score, with the option to raise them past 20. Despite its meager bonus, enhancing Ability Scores almost never happens in the game unless done through specific Feats (Ability Score Improvement) and temporarily through Magic Items. With the right boost, an Ability Score can boost its Modifier, improving a player’s rolls.
Access Illithid Powers Via Bonus Actions For More Efficient Action Economy
Enter the Creche Y’llek and make the Zaith’isk explode. Survive all the associated Saving Throws
Awakened status (use Illithid Powers as a Bonus Action)
Should players get Lae’zel to the Creche Y’llek in Act 1 ofBaldur’s Gate 3gameplay, they can improve their relationship further with the Gith warrior. However, while Lae’zel would likely volunteer to enter one of its devices, players should opt to partake in the process instead. Players should then cause the Zaith’isk to explode and survive all subsequent Saving Throws, which can be made easier if done from inside the device.
Succeeding the Saves will unlock the Awakened status, allowing players to use Illithid Powers they’ve unlocked as Bonus Actions. This can be a significant buff in the latter parts of the game, where players can use their parasite’s innate psionic abilities in combat. However, players need to be wary of failing any of the Saves, as they inflict permanent debuffs to Ability Scores.
Get Extra Dialogue Options With Branded Characters
Allow the player character to be branded by Gut, and then talk to Warlock Greez as other companions
Brand of the Absolute (unlocks benefits from Absolute Equipment and dialogue options with Absolute followers)
One of the earliest encounters players will have with a relevant choice intheirBaldur’s Gate 3gameplaywould be with Gut in the Goblin Camp. After all, the mark she will provide the player character with, theMark of the Absolute,will be a permanent status, and being associated with the introduced villainous faction can leave a sour tongue for players who want a Good Playthrough.
However, acquiring the Mark of the Absolute can provide valuable benefits to players, particularly special dialogue options that can make it easier to deal with other followers of the Absolute.
Interestingly enough, the player character isn’t the only one who can receive the Mark of the Absolute. Controlling a Companion and speaking with Warlock Greez in the same location gives them the opportunity to be marked with the same Brand as well, providing the same benefits as the player character.
Trade Volo For Permanent See Invisibility
When speaking to Volo at the Campsite, agree to undergo his experimental surgery
See Invisibility (permanent, comes with eye color change)
One of the key mysteries a player can encounter in theirBaldur’s Gate 3experience would be the removal of their mind parasite. Among thosejoining the Campsite, the popular explorer Volo would be one such person to offer experimenting on the players to try and remove it. In a game where death can be permanent, a player may be hesitant to put their life in the hands of a questionable figure like Volo. However, should they agree to the surgery, they getVolo’s Ersatz Eye.
Unlocking this item will cost players one of their eyes but get this as a replacement. This unique item grants players a permanent See Invisibility effect, allowing them to jump the gun on enemies who want to try using stealth against the party.
Astarion should bite Araj Oblodra in Moonrise Towers
Potion of Everlasting Vigour (gain permanent +2 Strength, remains after respec)
Among the player’s Companions inBaldur’s Gate 3, Astarion is likely one of the most unique due to his nature as a Vampire. It’s this other quality of the character that has made him rather popular with other NPCs in the game, such as Araj Oblodra in Moonrise Towers. Unlike other NPCs, Araj’s offerings go far beyond traditional items, especially when she can createunique potionswith blood samples.
At some point, players are given the choice to convince Astarion to bite Araj Oblodra, which they should to acquire one of the most efficient upgrades in the game:Potion of Everlasting Vigour. When drunk, the receiving character gets a permanent +2 Strength, practically the equivalent of an Ability Score Increase (Feat), without having to level up. This boost also stays with the character even when respecing, making it valuable for melee fighters.
Tap Into Necromantic Powers For Extra Summons
Read the Tharchiate Codex in Ramazith’s Tower, then read the last page of Necromancy of Thay and succeed a DC 20 Wisdom Saving Throw
Danse Macabre (summon four ghouls to fight with the player)
One of the most interesting areas players can explore inBaldur’s Gate 3is Ramazith’s Tower, especially with how its mazes and main Vault can contain items that players don’t necessarily “need” but can provide massive boosts when acquired. Such an item would be the Tharchiate Codex, located at the end of the Tower’s Vault. Reading it alone wouldn’t change the players as much, but reading it after acquiring the Necromancy of Thay can make the player one step closer to becoming a full-fledged servant of undeath.
After reading the Codex, players will now be able to read the Necromancy of Thay’s last page. This is the hardest part of the Nercomancy of Thay’s challenges, as doing so requires players to succeed a DC 20 Wisdom Save. However, succeeding in this challenge unlocksDanse Macabre,a special Spellthat inflicts a -5 Constitution Curse on players in exchange for summoning four ghouls that can fight alongside them, adding quite the advantage of numbers for players in tough situations.
Consume the Shadow Weave from any of the Thorm’s corpses
Get an additional Level 3 Spell Slot that recharges after a Long Rest. This is separate from other Spell Slots
Throughout Act Two ofBaldur’s Gate 3gameplay, players may come face to face with the Thorms and fight them to make progress with specific quests. Should a player take control ofGale as the main player character, they can unlock quite a useful upgrade upon absorbing the Shadow Weave from any of the Thorms upon defeat.
Doing so unlocks a specialLevel 3 Shadow Spell Slotfor the character. This is a separate Level 3 Spell Slot that recharges after a Long Rest, allowing Gale to tap into more of his powerful Level 3 Spells to turn the tide of a disadvantageous battle. Cleansing the Shadow Weave grants Mystra’s Blessing until the Long Rest, which instead grants Immunity to Fire, Acid, Cold, Force, and Thunder Damage unless the damage Gale should receive exceeds 10.
Access An Easy AOE For The Dark Urge
As the Dark Urge, convince Volo to provide players with a special book
Acquire the Piercing Growl Action for the Dark Urge (Piercing Damage with Bleeding and Fear to a group of enemies)
When playerscreate a character based on the Dark Urge, not only do they get a much darkerBaldur’s Gate 3playthrough but also a protagonist with increasingly ominous abilities. Unfortunately, players of the Dark Urge may lose out on a nifty Action if they haven’t acquired Volo as an NPC in the Camp and make him stay until the final Act of the game.
In doing so, players can goad (or even Pickpocket) Volo into giving a special book in his inventory to players. This gives the Dark Urge access to an ability called thePiercing Growl, which deals 3d8 + 4 Piercing Damage (or half on a CON Save) to foes on top of instilling Bleeding and Fear. This AOE, with a couple of status conditions, can easily debilitate enemies on the field.
