Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3builds uponDungeons and Dragons Fifth Editionand reworks it to bring the tabletop game to the world of video games. Of course, many of the rules inDungeons and Dragonsrevolve around a tabletop game focused on roleplaying with friends,meaning many rules had to be changedto bringBaldur’s Gate 3to life.
Some changes are definitely for the better, as Fifth Edition is almost ten years old, and players have had time to assess what does and doesn’t work. There are even some changes that could be introduced to tabletopDungeons and Dragonsto create a new twist on an existing ruleset. Here are the best changes from the tabletop game that made it intoBaldur’s Gate 3.
1Critical Failure/Success
Automatic Success On A Natural 20
InBaldur’s Gate 3,the d20 acts slightly differently than in the tabletop game. A natural 20 is the best possible outcome when rolling one’s ability checks in-game, though inBaldur’s Gate 3a natural 20 means automatic success, and a natural 1 means automatic failure, irrespective of bonuses.
While this was definitely the right choice for the video game, it might not work as well in the tabletop version as players may prefer what their skill checks represent. Regardless, this was a great decision forBaldur’s Gate 3as itadds to the excitement of rolling a natural 20, and should be rewarded.
2Inspiration
Allows Inspiration To Stack
Inspiration is a fantastic resource inDungeons and Dragons,but there’s a key difference between how it is used on the tabletop, and how it’s used inBaldur’s Gate 3.In Fifth Edition, players cannot stack inspiration, and it is awarded by the Dungeon Master when the players roleplay in a way that is true to their character, to reward non-combat related accomplishments. It allows players to reroll the dice on an attack, saving throw, or skill check.
InBaldur’s Gate 3, inspiration serves the same purpose (except for in combat) and allows up to 4 inspiration points at once. This is a welcome change, as sometimes the dice roll luck runs out, and an extra shot to convince a villain to lay down their sword can feel like a worthy trade-off for roleplaying in trueDungeons and Dragonsspirit.
3Short Rests
Away With Hit Dice And Hello To Limited Rests
Short Rests are vastly different inBaldur’s Gate 3, and it’s arguably for the better. Short Rests in Fifth Edition feel a little unintuitive and clunky, especially for newer players. Larian Studios has streamlined this process inBaldur’s Gate 3and limited the party to two short rests every day, which heals 50% of their maximum HP.
While this does tend to make adventuring days feel shorter individually, it’s more common to retreat and lick wounds and take a long rest after some epic battle. It allows each encounter, which will typically represent a day within itself, to feel much more threatening and cinematic.
4Racial Ability Bonuses
More Flexible Character Creation
When creating a character inDungeons and Dragons, players must select a race, and different species have bonuses based on their natural predisposition. While this makes sense to ensure Goliaths are strong, or Gnomes excel in intelligence, it can be a little frustrating to be torn between a class and a species, soBaldur’s Gate 3does away with racial bonuses, and allows players to work withwhatever class and species combination they please! This allows for much more flexibility in the character creation process, as players can pick an ability to improve in place of whatever the typical racial bonus would be.
In defense of the tabletop game,Tasha’sCauldronof Everythingdoes include a section on allowing characters to ignore racial ability score increases, and instead pick one that fits the character the player wants to play.Baldur’s Gate 3just makes Tasha’s optional rule the default, which is a welcome change.
5Initiative
Reworks Initiative & Creates Opportunities For More Interesting Combat
Instead of rolling a d20 to determine initiative like in the tabletop game,Baldur’s Gate 3rolls a d4 and adds any typical initiative bonuses. Initiative ties are resolved by the creature with the higher dexterity score. This essentially means anyone controlled by the player, who rolls the same initiative, can take their turns simultaneously. This is a great aspect ofBaldur’s Gate 3that allows the partyto come together in combat, combining each of their abilities, like the Wizard casting Tasha’s Hideous Laughter seconds before the Rogue lands a devastating sneak attack.
The reduced dice mean it’s easier for allies to get tied in initiative, which sets up great options for coordinated attacks, and it helps to keep the combat flowing instead of growing tired or stale. While this might not be a great feature to adapt for the tabletop game, it works flawlessly inBaldur’s Gate 3.
6Prepared Spells
Allows Spell Changing On The Fly
It’s not uncommon for regular games to forgo prepared spells in Fifth Edition, because preparing and informing a new list of spells at every long rest is a little tedious unless it is known that one specific spell is needed. Most players will opt for a “default” spell list with their DM, especially in regular sessions, and explain if they take another spell one day briefly.
This makes it a slightly more tedious feature than it’s planned to be,butBaldur’s Gate 3addresses thisand allows any classes that have to prepare their spells to do so at any point of an adventure, as long as it isn’t during battle.
7Spellcasting & Spell Scrolls
Simplifies Spellcasting & Makes It More Accessible
Spellcasting inDungeons and Dragonsis more restrictive than inBaldur’s Gate 3. In the tabletop game, players can typically only cast one leveled spell per turn, as if a spell is cast as a bonus action, but typically requires 1 action. The only other thing that can be cast that turn is a cantrip. This feature disappears inBaldur’s Gate 3, and players can cast away at their heart’s content, allowing for much more magnificent displays of power inBaldur’s Gate 3.
Spell Scrolls also work a little differently inBaldur’s Gate 3. To use one successfully the player must first possess the ability to cast spells, locking classes like Barbarians without the spellcasting feature out of them entirely. What’s more, players need to make an ability check that’s 10+ the level of the spell, which can fail and render the scroll useless. Spell Scrolls inBaldur’s Gate 3allow any class to use them and don’t require any ability check to use, making them much more versatile tools overall.
8Potions
Adds A Common Houserule To The Game
Some might not even realize that this is a change from the tabletop game. It’s a common house rule that potions only take a bonus action to drink, but the official rules do explain that drinking a potion costs 1 action. Larian Studios have gone and done what most people were thinking anyway andchanged potion consumption to a bonus action inBaldur’s Gate 3,and their changes don’t end there! Players can help out their fallen comrades by throwing a healing potion at them, restoring and potentially stabilizing allies in the heat of battle.
This can be crucial to keep the party fighting for another day, and it works great in-game. A significant portion ofDungeons and Dragonsplayers may already use rules similar to this in their own game, which explains why this was an excellent choice to make, as it breeds strategic thinking in the heat of battle, and overall makes fights way more dynamic.
