[ SOLVED/HELPED ]Any tips to not struggle even on Explorer Difficulty

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Billi

Dec 26, 2023 @ 10:35am

[ SOLVED/HELPED ]Any tips to not struggle even on Explorer Difficulty

So, I am super bad at CRPGs though I love Turn-Based RPGs like the old ones but I dont know they just seem super complicated to me but I am really in love with the story and invested in it
Is there a mod or a way I can like go through the combat alot easier, I tried looking for a 2x XP mod but its no longer working in new version, any tips or helping mods would be great. (I dont want to make enemies get one-shot too)

EDIT: Alot of people have given very helpful and long responses and they have given very good advise as well so I think there is already enough and I really appreciate all those who came forward and replied nicely!

Last edited by Billi; Dec 27, 2023 @ 10:07am

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Showing 1-15 of 34 comments

Wokelander has Baldur's Gate 3

Dec 26, 2023 @ 10:43am

Learn the rules, read a guide, switch to Explorer difficulty

Firecam

Dec 26, 2023 @ 10:44am

Explorer difficulty.

All Enemies maximum health decreased by 30%.
Party members receive a 100% bonus to hit points.
Items purchased from a merchant are at a 20% discount.
All proficiency bonuses (including allies' and enemies') are increased by 2.

What else could you possibly need.

Billi

Dec 26, 2023 @ 10:48am

Originally posted by Khorvale:
Learn the rules, read a guide, switch to Explorer difficulty

Originally posted by Firecam:
Explorer difficulty.

All Enemies maximum health decreased by 30%.
Party members receive a 100% bonus to hit points.
Items purchased from a merchant are at a 20% discount.
All proficiency bonuses (including allies' and enemies') are increased by 2.

What else could you possibly need.

I forgot to mention I am actually on Explorer Difficulty
But I guess I will invest a little time in some videos learning the gameplay mechanics

アンジェル

Dec 26, 2023 @ 10:50am

Originally posted by Billi:
Any tips to not struggle even on Adventure Difficulty
So, I am super bad at CRPGs though I love Turn-Based RPGs like the old ones but I dont know they just seem super complicated to me but I am really in love with the story and invested in it
Is there a mod or a way I can like go through the combat alot easier, I tried looking for a 2x XP mod but its no longer working in new version, any tips or helping mods would be great. (I dont want to make enemies get one-shot too)

Explorer difficulty would be indeed the best choice, as it still gives you a sense of accomplishment. Anything more is akin to "God-mode".

If it is still too hard I recommend two additional approaches you can consider

a) using the support vessel trick to "reduce incoming damage by half"
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3102875934

b) use a multiclass character as described in the beginner friendly classes here
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3025093305

Those character builds are so strong, that it becomes rather hard to lose.

You might also want to check your route in Act 1, as some paths can be harder than others to take to accumulate enough experience points
https://steamcommunity.com/app/1086940/discussions/2/4038103682226800644/#c4038103682227594296

Once you are past a certain treshold it should be a breeze.

Henry-NYC Dec 26, 2023 @ 11:42am

Originally posted by Billi:
So, I am super bad at CRPGs though I love Turn-Based RPGs like the old ones but I dont know they just seem super complicated to me but I am really in love with the story and invested in it
Is there a mod or a way I can like go through the combat alot easier, I tried looking for a 2x XP mod but its no longer working in new version, any tips or helping mods would be great. (I dont want to make enemies get one-shot too)

No, you are not that bad at all.

I believe you are a much better player than you assumed in this post.

I believe your only "issue" is that you wish to skip combat or as much of it as possible. Unfortunately, all BG games (BG3 is just the latest one of them) are heavily focused on combat.

A best (possible THE most efficient/effective) way to learn how to play this game is by repeatedly playing a new character on Balanced/Tactician until level 3 or 4 - repeat as many times as you wish, until you stop using potions in combat, stop feeling struggling in combat, stop dying (not even once, not even on Tactician difficulty).

After that, you will feel Explorer Mode is simply a walk in the park.

On the other hand, if you grow dependent on a mod for holding your hand everywhere in the game, you will never, ever be able to learn how to play this game like most others do. Not because you are bad at playing, but because you choose to be babysat all the time.

Learning to drive and also drive safely (equivalent to no dying in video games) may take many hours, but once you have learned, driving and driving safely is forever a piece of cake.

victorvnv Dec 26, 2023 @ 11:59am

Get gud

Chroniver

Dec 26, 2023 @ 12:10pm

1) Ignore the guys attacking you in the comments and just have fun.

2) Try to choose a number of classes that naturally get a big power progression (pretty much regardless of what you do) in the game.
These are generally: paladin, fighter, barbarian, sorcerer, warlock, cleric (to a lesser extent).
Avoid these classes which are powerful but depend much more on good builds and choices: ranger, bard, wizard, monk, druid.
Rogue can be your skill monkey to open locks and chests but usually requires a bit of positioning to get the best use in combat.

3) For spells and feats, try to focus on the ones that do actual damage to enemies or inflict conditions that majorly impact their action economy. Spells that can knock enemies prone, paralyze them or frighten them or any of the "hold" spells are generally worthwhile as well as the ones that do a lot of damage.

4) If you want to really optimize your characters, try to search youtube for any build guides for the classes that you ended up choosing, you'll find a lot of info there.

Last edited by Chroniver; Dec 26, 2023 @ 12:12pm

jack_of_tears has Baldur's Gate 3

Dec 26, 2023 @ 12:13pm

It just takes some time to learn the mechanics and the way things work to your advantage.

Make sure everyone who can wear armor is doing so. The mages who can't wear armor should have spells to create armor around themselves - these last until you long-rest, usually (always check the duration), so you only have to apply them once/day unless they get removed.

Use your Short-Rests, which recover most of your HP and some spell use. You get 2 between each Long Rest. Rest when you need to, there is no time limit on you due to story reasons.

Always use elevation when you can, as it gives you a good bonus to hit, and try to prevent others from using it against you. Everyone should have a bow or crossbow in their second slot so they can attack at range; make enemies run toward you while you shoot them from afar. This also applies to using Cantrips to attack them (all magic users have Cantrips they can cast at will).

Don't forget to use Potions and Scrolls - you can find and buy them to replace those you use and they will help a lot. Apply poison to your blades (by "using" the poison while you have a blade equipped).

Use magic that can attack multiple foes (like Sleep spell) so you can better control the battlefield.

Use stealth to scout ahead a bit with your Thief (Astarion by default) so you know what you're walking into.

Remember that you can shove foes off of high places if you have a good strength, so use that to your advantage when fighting on cliffs, stairs, etc.

Save often, the game is meant to be a challenge so there's no shame in saving before every fight, or even during the fight if you're doing well.

Look for barrels to blow up, or other ways to use your environment to your advantage.

Mages, like Gale, can summon Familiars with a spell - this will add another target for your foes and another ally for you.

Be sure to check all containers and explore your surroundings. Books are great because they weigh little, sell for a decent value, and reading them occasionally comes with xp or other rewards.

Take things slow. It's a great game but crpgs reward methodical and explorative play. Look for creative ways around your obstacles.

And again, save often.

I'm sure you can get the hang of it.

Last edited by jack_of_tears; Dec 26, 2023 @ 12:16pm

Annie Other has Baldur's Gate 3

Dec 26, 2023 @ 12:23pm

Sounds counter-intuitive, but maybe Balanced is better. Explorer gives a wrong impression on stats and skill checks while Balanced still is very forgiving, but will teach you the rules and how things work.
I am not good at strategy myself, and I am playing with a team that wasn't optimized for combat at all. And in the first dungeon, I even didn't have a fighter-type character. And much to my own surprise, it worked somehow. And was more fun than I expected.
Change difficulty to Balanced, look up the specific battles you struggle with on youtube, read up what your special attacks/skills and spells do and just try things.

Zeel Ara

Dec 26, 2023 @ 12:26pm

Nothing wrong with being new to a genre and/or uncomfortable with the gameplay loop. I think it's awesome that you're not only willing to dive into something that's new to you, but also willing to ask for help.

I'd say that a good place to start, if you want to make the combat a bit less intimidating, is to take a little more time to do things. Try to slow down the pace. Look at the battlefield for a moment before taking your turn, try to formulate a plan. It doesn't have to be some brilliant strategy or anything, it's enough that you simply consider what you are expecting to happen before you do it. You'll probably still get your butt handed to you at first, that's part of learning, but taking a little more time will allow you to see what works and what doesn't.

Another thing you can look into is the different skills and consumables you have available. There are a LOT of scrolls, potions, and arrows scattered around the game world, and remembering to use them can make a huge difference in a battle. There are more than enough, you don't have to be stingy. Similarly, remember to use all the skills and spells that works "once per short rest" or "once per long rest". It's easy to forget them because you're trying to save them for the perfect time. Don't. Use the when they can help you and then rest afterwards if you need to.

Other than that it is just a matter of persistence and patience. If you make a point of trying to figure out why things went pear shaped when they do, you will very quickly figure out ways get better results next time. Learning what *not* to do is a big part of improving.

Last edited by Zeel Ara; Dec 26, 2023 @ 12:28pm

#10

Revan619

Dec 27, 2023 @ 2:12am

#11

Vault Traveler has Baldur's Gate 3

Dec 27, 2023 @ 3:48am

Save a lot and check the enemy level to not fight against to strong enemies to soon.

#12

Recjawjind has Baldur's Gate 3

Dec 27, 2023 @ 4:07am

Honestly, on explorer it should be enough to make a fighter and a wizard/sorcerer, put the weapon with the highest +n bonus on the fighter, the armor with the highest AC value, cast haste on said fighter with the caster and just run up and leftclick enemies a bunch. Cast mage armor on your caster and just hang back and chill, if you're feeling fancy you can bring a second fighter and a second caster too, for hold person / monster.

I really can't see how it takes any more than that.
You don't need much more than leftclicking enemies on honour mode either.

Last edited by Recjawjind; Dec 27, 2023 @ 4:11am

#13