Baldur’s Gate 3 – What is Advantage & Disadvantage, Explained

Strap in, adventurer, because today, we’re about to pull back the curtain on the major mechanics of Advantage and Disadvantage in Baldur’s Gate 3. And don’t worry; it’s not as daunting as it sounds! Both of these are dice modifiers but are like two sides of the same coin that can significantly affect combat and choices made depending on if a friend or foe has them. Now let me explain dice modifiers and how they shape your combat and exploration in Baldur’s Gate 3.

How Advantage and Disadvantage works in Baldur’s Gate 3

Advantage and Disadvantage are crucial gameplay elements in Baldur’s Gate 3, influencing everything from attack rolls to ability checks. Picture this: I’m in a heated battle, facing an imposing adversary, and the outcome of my next dice roll could mean life or death. That’s where Advantage and Disadvantage may come into play. These special modifiers can tip the scales, making all the difference between a narrow escape and a crushing defeat. But you don’t always get them. They are based on certain factors, such as being in stealth or an ally flanking an enemy.

• Advantage
  • Advantage means you get to roll the d20 (that’s your 20-sided die) twice, picking the higher of the two results. It’s very much like getting a second chance.
    • Imagine me sweating over a persuasion check, needing a 15 to succeed. I roll my first die: a disappointing 7. But wait! Thanks to Advantage, I get a second roll, and it comes up a 17. I heave a sigh of relief as I take the 17, passing the persuasion check.
• Disadvantage
  • For Disadvantage, you roll the d20 twice, but you must take the lower result.
    • I’m attempting the same persuasion check as above. The tension is palpable as I roll a 19 on my first die—so far, so good. Then I roll the second die, and my heart sinks as I see a 2. Despite the initial high roll, Disadvantage forces me to take the 2, resulting in a failed persuasion check.

Regardless if you are making an ability check or trying to land an attack, the rule stays the same, roll twice and pick the higher or lower result. But all your modifiers and abilities. With this in mind, you always want Advantage to be on yourself or a teammate, and you want Disadvantage on your enemies.

How Advantage works on attack rolls in Baldur’s Gate 3

Imagine you’re facing a monstrous foe in the dank depths of an ancient dungeon. The beast snarls, baring its wicked fangs, and you know that landing the next strike is crucial. In situations like these, having Advantage can feel like the gods themselves are favoring you. When you have Advantage on an attack roll, you roll your trusty d20 twice and take the higher result. The result? Your chances of hitting your target skyrocket by 50%!

I remember one combat situation where my character was flanking an enemy, providing me Advantage on my attack roll. The first roll was a measly 5, which would’ve been a pitiful miss. However, the second roll gave me a powerful 18, allowing me to strike a critical hit, turning the tide of battle in my favor by killing them.

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 Countdown – Release Time & Date

How Disadvantage works on saving throws in Baldur’s Gate 3

Now, let’s venture into darker territories: the realm of Disadvantage. Picture yourself affected by a blinding spell, and now you need to make a crucial saving throw to dodge an oncoming attack. With Disadvantage, you roll your d20 twice but must take the lower result. It’s as if Lady Luck herself has turned her back on you. This can result in a heart-sinking 50% greater chance of failing the saving throw.

In one instance, my character was affected by a deafening spell. I needed a 12 or higher on my saving throw to shake off the effect. With the roll of the first die, I scored a promising 16, only to have my hopes dashed with the second roll landing a 4. The ringing in my ears persisted as I was forced to take the lower result due to Disadvantage.

How to get Advantage in Baldur’s Gate 3

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably already devising ways to gain that sweet Advantage in your gameplay. So, here’s the lowdown on how to get the upper hand in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Flanking an enemy: Positioning is key in any strategy. When you and an ally are positioned on opposite sides of an enemy, you are considered to be flanking them, granting you Advantage on your attack rolls.
• Attacking an unaware enemy: Nothing beats the element of surprise. If you manage to attack an enemy who hasn’t noticed you, you’ll gain Advantage.
• Attacking from Stealth: Any character that attacks from stealth and succeeds in the passive perception check will get an Advantage on their attack.
• Using a spell or ability that grants Advantage: There are several spells and abilities in the game that can give you Advantage.
  • One example of an ability is Reckless Attack, a Barbarian action.
    • Reckless Attack—Throw all caution in the wind to gain Advantage on your Attack Roll.
• Wearing a magical item that grants Advantage: Throughout your adventures, you’ll come across magical items that can bestow Advantage. Keep those in your inventory!

How to get Disadvantage in Baldur’s Gate 3

As much as we all like to succeed, it’s important to remember that failure can also be a great teacher. In Baldur’s Gate 3, there are several conditions that can give your character Disadvantage:

• Being blinded or deafened: Sensory impairments like blindness or deafness can significantly hamper your performance, leading to Disadvantage on your rolls.
• Being under the effects of a spell or ability that gives you Disadvantage: Some spells and abilities can impose Disadvantage. Be aware of enemy spellcasters who might use these against you.
• Wearing a magical item that gives Disadvantage: Not all that glitters is gold. Some magical items can also have downsides, such as conferring Disadvantage.
• Being in melee range to a ranged class: Ranged classes such as a Ranger uses a bow and arrow or something that attacks from a distance. If a melee fighter gets in close quarters with you, you cannot wield your ranged weapon effectively, so trying to use it will be at a Disadvantage.

How Advantage and Disadvantage works in combat in Baldur’s Gate 3

Now that you know how to gain Advantage and avoid Disadvantage, let’s talk about how these mechanics come into play during combat. The roll of the dice can dramatically change the outcome of any battle. Having Advantage on an attack roll can significantly increase your chances of hitting your target, potentially tipping the balance in your favor.

Consider this: during one of my heated battles, I had Advantage and was able to take down a formidable foe, turning a situation that looked dire into a glorious victory. That’s the power of understanding and using these mechanics to your Advantage!

In wrapping up, knowing your way around Advantage and Disadvantage in Baldur’s Gate 3 can really shift your game up a gear. It’s not just about stats and strategies—it’s about soaking up the highs and lows that these dice rolls bring to your journey. From outsmarting your enemies with a well-timed Advantage, to learning the hard way with a Disadvantage, it’s all part of the ride. Use what we’ve talked about here to your benefit and see how it transforms your game.