Is a tank necessary?

[doonz]

If I go with astarion, gale, wyll and shadowheart will I gimp myself?

[Dondu]

no

[Rambling Old Fish]

Hi fellow number guy

[Cat]

Not really, but you might struggle if your team is too squishy, nothing stops you from doing that though, you just have to approach combat in a way that favours your approach. Since you bring Astrarion I assume you'll be using stealth to help thin the enemy numbers. A tank is nice to have but not required to play.

[wtiger27]

Not really. But Shadowheart can be a decent tank if you want one. Even if you do not respec her.

[AsianGirlLover]

You can play this game in a million different ways. Combat is a puzzle, and if you want to play without a tank, that simply means you’ll be leaning on less obvious ways of approaching your problems, like stealth and positioning.

[Comuse]

cleric is a tank class, wyll could be a back up as well.

[terrafu]

Eh it's not necessary but you would have to plan out how to compensate for the lack of damage sponge such as spells that increase your AC, making your characters super fast through handy spells like haste.

Honestly if you lack a tank adding in a buffer and debuffer can basically fulfill that role and act as a damage mitigator and making everyone as mobile as possible and long-range reduces how effective enemy melee can be. A buffer and debuff caster can also double as utility out of combat in ways a tank may not be able too. Downside is spell slot limitations of course.

Also, have sneak on always to add some potential bonus extra long-range damage combat before combat. So a dex heavy and low armoured party would work well for that. Also have positioning in mind too to plan where your party is difficult for your enemies to reach you.

[Jinkaru]

The game operates on Hans Solo Shot First bases. However, you achieve that is up to you.

[FunkyMonkey]

No, you just need to adjust your tactics to your team. Just keep in mind that you should have someone that is able to take a hit or stand in the way of enemies if needed. Shadowheart can do that pretty easily with her spells, buff with Shield of Faith and Mirror images and no one will touch her. Or go more offensive with Spirit guardians and Mirror images.

[Twitch.tv/KAEN_SG]

A Tank is not needed. I've beaten EA with several different classes as a solo character with no companions.

[AdahnGorion]

No such thing as a "Tank" in D&D

[ahsanford]

Originally posted by doonz:

If I go with astarion, gale, wyll and shadowheart will I gimp myself?

No, as aggro and taunting isn't really a mechanic in BG3.

But most encounters do involve a non-trivial portion of your enemies being meatbags that rush you in melee.

So I don't think you need a tank, but having at least one high AC / high HP character is helpful, no doubt.

- A

[Ettanin]

If the AI is the same as in DOS2, then you will gimp yourself if you rely on a tank because the enemy will focus the weakest link whenever possible.

[TRON]

All you need is a ranged stealth character like Astarion. He can solo most encounters with the silly stealth mechanics in the game.

[maniacal<1>]

DnD doesn't utilize the trinity system. You can run a class composition of anything and still make it work.