In the world of Dungeons and Dragons, chance plays a vital role, and this mechanic is cleverly integrated into the gameplay of Baldur’s Gate 3. Players frequently engage in rolling dice to determine the success of various actions, checks, and saves, a process that can be significantly influenced by character attributes. For instance, a high Charisma score can make several rolls feel effortless, particularly when playing as Tav or Durge, who excels in conversational challenges.
However, not every roll is straightforward. Certain challenges are designed to be immensely difficult, and some may require a Natural 20 to stand a chance of success. While these challenging rolls add tension to the game, managing them effectively—such as quicksaving beforehand—becomes crucial. For those embracing Honour Mode, reliance on Inspiration becomes essential, heightening the stakes even further.
This guide includes spoilers for Baldur’s Gate 3, leading players through some of the game’s more complex scenarios.
9 Resist the Urges
Willpower and Dice Combined
Embracing the role of the Dark Urge offers one of the most compelling narratives in Baldur’s Gate 3. Players find themselves at the center of a complex storyline, becoming integral to the plot’s progression and resolution that rivals Tav’s experience. This route is rich with dark temptations that test players’ resolve, often leading to deadly outcomes. Each time a player confronts these urges, it requires a dice roll that can be formidable.
As an inherently curious player, I often reload previous saves to explore different outcomes, which is especially challenging when grappling with the enticing yet dangerous options presented by the urges. This gameplay mechanic creates a fascinating interplay between moral choices and chance, forcing players to balance exploration with caution.
8 Open the Hidden Door
Hiding the Dawnmaster’s Crest
Acquiring The Blood of Lathander without resorting to theft entails solving a complex puzzle involving the Dawnmaster’s Crest, which serves as the key to the weapon. Alternatively, players may opt to bypass this convoluted process altogether by lockpicking the hidden door containing the crest. However, with a difficulty class (DC) of 30, those lacking proficiency in Sleight of Hand might find themselves at a substantial disadvantage.
Even more challenging, players must first succeed at a Perception Check to locate the door, making it imperative to approach carefully. Successfully lockpicking the door allows players to simplify their quest for The Blood of Lathander, streamlining their progress.
7 Talk Gale Out of Godhood
Stop Trying to One-Up Your Ex
As much as I admire Gale, his obsession with outsmarting Mystra can be genuinely taxing, especially when tasked with the challenge of dissuading him from pursuing godhood. His ambition, fueled by the desire to harness the Netherese Crown and manipulate the Weave for personal gain, can led to dire consequences if not addressed correctly.
For players romantically involved with Gale, persuading him is relatively straightforward. However, maintaining just a friendship requires navigating a different level of complexity, particularly with technical glitches suggesting he may disregard your advice. All the while, the stakes remain high as failure could result in his early demise.
6 Convince Lae’zel to Leave the Zaith’isk
Everything Is Not What It Seems
Lae’zel faces her worst fears as a Githyanki, grappling with an infection from a mind flayer tadpole while feeling abandoned by her kind. Her journey leads her into a trap, believing that the Zaith’isk will save her. The truth, however, reveals that it is an illusion, leading to fatal consequences if players do not persuade her to leave.
Players must navigate challenging persuasion checks, with the initial attempts set at a DC of 30. Failure not only results in a lower Intelligence and Wisdom rating for Lae’zel but could also culminate in her death if not handled timely. To save her, players must act quickly and decisively, ensuring they pass the checks as she remains obstinate in her beliefs.
5 Convince Yurgir to Fight Raphael
A Pretty Stubborn Orthon
You’ll often find yourself needing to persuade Yurgir, an Orthon with a daunting DC of 30 whenever you attempt to enlist his help. Encountered in the iconic House of Hope, players must decide whether to encourage him to join the fight against Raphael. Successfully convincing him not only aids you in this epic duel but potentially offers a powerful ally for later battles.
Should players manage to persuade him, he can stand by your side against Raphael, providing invaluable assistance in the combat. Alternatively, eliminating Yurgir alongside Raphael increases the difficulty of subsequent encounters, showcasing the significance of this choice.
4 Persuade Shadowheart to Defy Shar
Come to the Light
When players first cross paths with Shadowheart, her unwavering devotion to Shar is palpable. As her trust in you grows, Shadowheart reveals intimate details about her life, eventually leading to doubts about her allegiance to Shar. By the time players reach the Gauntlet of Shar and encounter Dame Aylin, a crucial decision emerges: encourage Shadowheart to slay Aylin or inspire her to reject Shar and embrace the light.
For players with a strong bond with Shadowheart, the option to guide her toward defiance becomes available, particularly if they adopt the role of a Selûnite cleric, fostering deeper introspection. However, failing to engage in a successful persuasion (with a DC of 30) risks the lives of both Dame Aylin and the residents of Last Light Inn, making this choice pivotal for the overarching narrative.
3 Convince Yurgir to Kill Himself
And Everyone Else, For Good Measure
The Gauntlet of Shar is an incredibly intense location within the game, marked by its connection to Raphael, particularly through his agent, Yurgir. This disoriented Orthon faces a mental torment due to his contract with Raphael. Players are tasked with discerning a loophole in a fatal song tied to Yurgir’s predicament, a feat that can lead to catastrophic consequences for him and others.
While persuading Yurgir to turn against his followers may appear simpler with a DC of 16, subsequent attempts to convince him to harm himself are significantly more challenging, requiring rolls of 20 or higher without offering Advantage. Players must rely strictly on their modifiers and luck to navigate this precarious situation.
2 Unlock The Counting House Vaults
Skip the Puzzle Altogether
Gaining access to the Counting House is vital for recruiting Minsc into your party. Before reaching the High Security Vault, players are faced with a code-based puzzle that can feel tedious and uninviting. If players are not familiar with the puzzle from earlier encounters, they may find themselves frustrated, attempting to unlock a door through trial and error.
Instead of engaging with the puzzle, consider the challenges of lockpicking the vault. However, this option presents its own convoluted difficulty, requiring a Natural 20 to succeed due to the high DC of 99. The most efficient alternative is utilizing the Knock spell, which streamlines the process and eliminates the need for exhaustive trial and error.
1 Dominate the Brain
Make the Final Boss a Little Easier
In the climactic moments of Baldur’s Gate 3, players are presented with the challenge to Dominate the Brain, a seemingly insurmountable task with a DC of 99. Achieving this roll requires a Natural 20, making it an endeavor that most players will not succeed at. Nonetheless, attempting this roll is not entirely pointless; if you do succeed, you will reduce the Brain’s HP by 10 percent, a valuable advantage in an incredibly tough battle ahead.
Despite the daunting DC, players should not be disheartened if they fail, as the overall gaming experience and narrative remain largely unchanged. The challenge lies in the journey, and even the act of attempting this roll adds depth to your adventure.
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