Explorer ain't that easy! Do I just suck at CRPGs?

[Windwalker]

I haven't played much 5E at all or many CRPGs for years. I'm finding BG3 combat to be pretty difficult, even on Explorer mode. Does anyone else feel this way, or am I just that bad at this stuff?


EDIT: Here's a little more of an explanation as to why I think I'm having difficulty, as I responded to someone in the comments: I'm not good at tactical combat and I don't have much experience in games that require it. So what may seem simple or intuitive to some people, like positioning or which spells are best in a given situation, just isn't that apparent to me. There are so many ways to approach all the fights that I find it overwhelming. Add on top of that that I have some knowledge of 5E, but nothing in-depth.

[Wrath]

I play on the medium difficulty and it's hard enough for a first play through, pretty sure if I pla through it again Id go the highest one though.

[Hidden Gunman]

With levelling based on your xp, and xp based on enemy hp, it doesnt really matter. At some point, much earlier on the higher difficulties, you become OP. So its likely more challenging for longer on the lower difficulties.

[videomike_Ultimate_Plushie]

If it helps, I have two friends who both say they're on explorer and find is difficult. cRPGs and well, most turn based battles like this, tend to struggle with a middle ground difficulty.

[pirate240]

When it comes to CRPGs, it helps to take on the mindset of running a marathon instead of a sprint. Slow down and think through your turns, take your time to consider how the enemies will act, and save-scum frequently.

[Frostbeast]

After playing the Original Sin games. BG3 feels almost easy. I think its just a Larian thing to amp up their games a bit.

[Count D'Cinamon]

Learning the mechanic one step at a time and pick classes that's pretty straight forward can help you. Also loot things when you can, explore and do side quests for exp to help you level up.

Utilize sneak when possible so you can position your party before a battle.

Here's some general tips that might be helpful:

- Fighter with Battle Master subclass is very good in this game. Riposte and Pushing maneuver is good pick. I recommend putting great weapon master feat when you can as the bonus attack is very nice to have

- Wild magic sorcerer is also a pretty good spell caster class with some flexible option for spells. With sorcery point (class resource) you can do things like twinned your single target spell to attack 2 instead. or cast it at longer range. etc

- Often check what enemy you are facing and use the better approach. You can always right click and examine the enemy to see their info. What you want to consider is usually their AC and what kind of damage are they resist or weak against.

Of course on high AC enemy, and attack or spell that use attack roll might not be the best unless you get something that add advantage. Thus might want to consider having some save checks or AOE spells on hand.

- while you might want to save things like leveled spell slot a bit more, def use up your class features and resources that will replenish on Short rest. It's better for you to waste some of them rather than getting hit because you cant kill them fast enough.

- Shift+C auto sneak your whole party, and G is to toggle group and ungroup. Useful to know.

- You can turn something that use reaction to always use or ask before by clicking on their icon on bottom right, or somewhere in the inventory-character menu.

- Some feature you can also toggle under "passive" on the bottom, so make sure to check that one especially if you are using Great Weapon master since it add -5 to attack roll by default.

[✙205🍉🐆→]

What computer RPGs have you played before?

[hamilcar602]

No, you don't suck. The difficulty of a game like this is much more about the experience you bring to the table vs. any kind of in-game slider.

I'm playing on balanced. Some fights are trivial, some I find challenging.

People who play these games for a living, like Mortym or ChristopherOdd, will find tactician mildly (or minimally) challenging, while balanced is a boring cake walk.

Keep plugging at it. After you wrap your brain around 5E, general cRPG mechanics, and Larian's not-always-intuitive UI, I bet it will get much easier for you.

[Lamp]

Been finding balanced too easy, then I went and started a jack-of-all-trades achiev game on tactician. Tactician does not go well when your MC is borked lol

[⇧⇨⇩⇩⇩]

Originally posted by Glowyrm:

I haven't played much 5E at all or many CRPGs for years. I'm finding BG3 combat to be pretty difficult, even on Explorer mode. Does anyone else feel this way, or am I just that bad at this stuff?

Let me have it!!

Its very much a matter of how you view the battlefield. If you treat it like a boxing ring where you run in and duke it out then it will be difficult. If you view it like a chess board and actively think about where to move your pieces so they can do relevant actions, and also when possible make oponents waste their main action to just dash because they couldnt reach any of your characters with an attack, then even tactician becomes easy.

Also think about enviorment effects. Fire surfaces, combining water and light ing etc.

[Windwalker]

Originally posted by morrganstain:

Originally posted by Glowyrm:

I haven't played much 5E at all or many CRPGs for years. I'm finding BG3 combat to be pretty difficult, even on Explorer mode. Does anyone else feel this way, or am I just that bad at this stuff?

Let me have it!!

Its very much a matter of how you view the battlefield. If you treat it like a boxing ring where you run in and duke it out then it will be difficult. If you view it like a chess board and actively think about where to move your pieces so they can do relevant actions, and also when possible make oponents waste their main action to just dash because they couldnt reach any of your characters with an attack, then even tactician becomes easy.

Also think about enviorment effects. Fire surfaces, combining water and light ing etc.

I think that's my problem. I'm a horrible tactician, or strategist, not sure what the appropriate term is. I expected to be able to just go toe to toe in easy mode, coast through and enjoy the story.

[azaris]

Explorer isn't that much easier than Balanced. You only get enemies with -30% hp and a +2 proficiency bonus to hit. If you have no clue about the 5E combat system (AoO, advantage/disadvantage, attack bonuses etc.) and just run headlong into battles using a weapon you're not proficient in against enemies that have the high ground and outnumber you 3-to-1, you're gonna get destroyed all the same.

[Corn Pop]

it's difficult at first but gets easier once you get more levels.

[Amateur Nitpicker]

I am not gonna lie. This isn't really "beginner" friendly if you don't have an idea of general DnD rules. Like what is AC, what is action economics, what are ability scores and how does it affect me.

Unlike other games where you have a "mana bar" and potions to "recharge mana", think of your spells are limited bullets per fight and "no" in usual circumstances you cant reload midway.

I think if you learn the game little by little. Like positioning, using dash or even casting spells before the fight can save you time and actually like the game. You cannot really rush fights unlike Skyrim which is more action oriented.

This game is not for everyone and I kinda understand that. See a lot of people praise it as "game of the year" but that doesn't mean you would enjoy it. like if you hate tactics you will not really enjoy this one.

[JinxTheWorld]

Just mod the crap out of the game. I despise tactical turn based combat. However I enjoy rpgs. I basically gave myself 10 action points per turn and teleport anywhere within 100ft anytime. I have 30 in every stat and proficiency in everything. My average roll in conversations is 40-50. Combat is trivial, but quick.

I like action rpgs like dragon age 3 and mass effect. Not xcom.