Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3’s combat is refreshing and vastly different from many other RPGs on the market, and that is likely due to its strong ties toDungeons and Dragons. Almost every single aspect of its core gameplay loop is directly built from the way things work inD&D, and that helps create a fantastic RPG. Players must utilize dice rolls, spell slots, and adhere to the rules ofD&D’s combat if they want any chance at winning the day. This creates a very challenging and strategic battle system, but something important is missing fromBaldur’s Gate 3’s version.
WhileBaldur’s Gate 3mostly emulates every important aspect ofDungeons and Dragons, Larian Studios chose to leave out two critical combat features. Players cannot ready actions or prepare dodges on their turn, and that seems like a strange omission. The focus of combat should be on dealing damage or supporting allies, but players should also be able to prepare for whatever their enemy plans to do next. Adding these features would not only give players more things to do, but it could also add a new layer of strategy toBaldur’s Gate 3’s already challenging battle system.
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Baldur’s Gate 3 Players Cannot Ready Actions
Baldur’s Gate 3’s combat systemfeels ripped straight from the pages ofDungeons and Dragons. Each battle begins with initiative rolls and then the entire game enters a turn-based mode. On their turn, players can move, take an action, and take a bonus action. Actions often buff allies, deal damage to opponents, or lay down traps for the enemy to walk through. Magic users can also cast spells using any available spell slot they have, and classes with companions get to control those companions separately. Once players do everything they can, the next player gets their turn and that continues until the battle is over.
Dungeons and Dragonsfans should know exactly what to expect from this combat system, and it works surprisingly well in video game form. Combat can often be the slowest part ofD&D, but Larian Studios was able to speed it up a bit and make it more engaging for players who are waiting for their turn. What could take an hour in an actual tabletop session ends up taking less than half the time, and that is a fantastic change. However, in Larian’s attempt to simplify the experience, it left out somecritical aspects ofDungeons and Dragons' version.
While some classes may have abilities that help them avoid attacks, there is no dodge action anywhere inBaldur’s Gate.InDungeons and Dragons, the dodge action lets players prepare to dodge any attack that is aimed at them. It forces an attacker that players can see to have a disadvantage on attack rolls against them and players can roll Dexterity saving throws at advantage. This is a great action to take if players are worried that the next attack will be deadly and also helps make the combat a bit more realistic.
Dungeons and Dragonsalso lets players ready actions that are triggered once a specific thing occurs. Readying actions is vital as it allows players to get an edge on their opponents once the specific criteria are met. This means that players can prepare an attack for when an opponent moves to a specific spot, for when an ally moves away from a group of enemies, or anything else that they can think of. It is almost like a reaction of sorts, but a bit more strategic, and also helps make combat feel more real.
Dodging and readying actions area big part ofDungeons and Dragons, but for some reason Larian left both abilities out ofBaldur’s Gate 3. While the game’s combat is thrilling, it could have been even better with the inclusion of these two abilities. Hopefully, futureD&Dgames orBaldur’s Gate 3patches see the return of these vital abilities as they are sorely missed by fans.
Baldur’s Gate 3is available now on PC, with a PS5 release on September 6 and an Xbox launch to follow.
