How to respec and how to unlock respecing in Baldur’s Gate 3

In the expansive world of Baldur’s Gate 3, the freedom to reshape your character is just a conversation away. Meet Withers, the enigmatic lich who offers players a chance to respec their heroes for a modest fee. Whether you’ve made a hasty class choice or simply wish to explore new builds, this guide reveals how to unlock this invaluable service early in your adventure. Dive into the details and discover how to redefine your journey in this critically acclaimed RPG.

How to unlock the Respec option?

To unlock the Respec option in Baldur’s Gate 3, players must first locate Withers, an undead character found in the Dank Crypt. This area can be accessed early in the game, shortly after your character awakens on the beach. To reach Withers, head to the double doors next to the Overgrown Ruins waypoint, which can be opened either by lockpicking or by finding an alternative entrance from above. Once inside, navigate through traps and enemies until you find an ornate sarcophagus. Interacting with it will summon Withers, who will then move to your camp after a brief dialogue. At camp, you can speak with him to respec your character for a fee of 100 gold, allowing you to reset abilities and experiment with different builds.

1. To get access to Respec option, you need to find and talk to a hooded skeleton – Withers. You can encounter him in Dank Crypt from Act 1. There are several entrances to this dungeon and we describe all 4 in detail on a dedicated page (How to enter Overgrown Ruins?).
2. Make your way to the northern part of the dungeon. In the place shown in the screenshot, there is a passive Perception Check to complete, which when successful reveals a secret button.
3. Revealing the secret chamber initiates a battle against skeletons which initially were just a bundle of bones. You have to defeat the whole group. To get past the enemies easier, you can relocate to the newly unlocked room and pick the skeletons one by one from there.

1. After the battle ends, examine the large sarcophagus. This will activate a cut-scene where Withers is freed from the container.
2. A conversation with the hooded skeleton will also begin. Do not attack him, instead choose any dialogue option as an answer to his question. Withers should be satisfied and will tell you that you will meet again. You can now leave the crypt.

1. Return to the camp. Withers should appear in it and you can initiate a conversation with the skeleton.

Everything there is to know about Camp can be found on a dedicated page (Camp).

How does reseting and redistributing points work?

In Baldur’s Gate 3, resetting and redistributing points is a straightforward process facilitated by the NPC Withers, who players can find early in the game. Once players pay Withers 100 gold, they can reset their character or companion to level one, allowing them to reallocate ability points, select a new class, and choose different skills and spells without losing any experience points already earned. This feature enables players to experiment with various builds and adapt their characters to better suit their playstyle or to correct initial mistakes in character creation. After the reset, players can immediately level up again, making new choices as they progress through the game.

1. In BG3, the character development system is very complicated, and creating a perfect hero involves multiple factors, such as choice of Abilities, Skills, Spells, or Feats. This versatility and complexity also creates a risk of creating an ineffective build. Poorly planned character development can lead to, for example, the character performing poorly in fights or unnecessarily having too many similar attacks.
2. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean that the whole save is compromised and you need to start the campaign from scratch losing dozens of hours worth of progress. There is an option to reset the character (the so-called Respec, which allows you to plan the character’s development from scratch.
3. You can reset any hero in your team – the main protagonist (Custom Origin or a predefined character) and all recruited party members.
4. While in the camp, select the hero you want to restart and talk to Withers. In the conversation, discuss the topic of services. Respec costs 100 gold (screenshot above).

1. This will take you back to the character creator, more exactly the section related to character class and its abilities/skills. For example, you canchoose the same class or decide on a completely new direction. This is particularly interesting especially for supporting characters. For example, Astarion doesn’t have to remain a rogue, and Shadowheart doesn’t have to be a cleric.
2. Regardless of choice, you’ll get back all spent development points, and the hero will return to level 1. You can develop it anew, this time choosing different Skills, Abilities, Proficiencies or spells.
3. Thanks to Respec, you can develop the hero differently e.g. choose different attacks, Skills, or spells. Moreover, you can get rid of an uneeded class e.g. you need a mage or a rogue to complement the party.

What are the best strategies for finding Withers early in the game

To find Withers early in Baldur’s Gate 3, follow these effective strategies:

1. Start at the Ravaged Beach: After the shipwreck tutorial, head north from the beach where you start. This area leads to the Overgrown Ruins, where you’ll encounter key NPCs and quests.
2. Unlock the Ancient Door: Look for an Ancient Door near where Shadowheart is located. You can either persuade the bandits inside to let you pass or use Thieves’ Tools to unlock it. These tools can often be found in nearby barrels on the beach.
3. Navigate to the Dank Crypt: Once inside, make your way through the Overgrown Ruins until you reach the Dank Crypt. Be prepared for combat as you may encounter enemies along the way.
4. Use Stealth or Combat: If you prefer a stealthy approach, try to sneak past or surprise enemies. Alternatively, engage them in combat if necessary. Ensure your party is well-equipped and healthy before proceeding.
5. Activate the Secret Door: Inside the crypt, look for a button that opens a secret door leading to Withers’ sarcophagus. Be cautious, as activating this may trigger enemies.
6. Interact with Withers: After defeating or bypassing any threats, approach Withers and engage in conversation to recruit him. He will then set up shop at your camp, offering respec services and other assistance for a fee.

By following these steps, you can efficiently locate Withers and unlock his valuable services early in your adventure, enhancing your gameplay experience significantly.

What are the benefits of recruiting Withers early in the game

Recruiting Withers early in Baldur’s Gate 3 offers several significant benefits that can greatly enhance your gameplay experience:

1. Character Respec: Withers allows players to respec their characters for a fee of 100 gold. This means you can completely reset your character’s class and abilities while retaining your experience points. This flexibility is invaluable for experimenting with different builds without having to restart the game, making it easier to adapt your strategy as you progress through the story.
2. Reviving Fallen Companions: Withers has the unique ability to revive fallen party members, providing a crucial safety net during challenging encounters. This can save you from losing valuable companions and help maintain your party’s strength throughout the adventure.
3. Access to Hirelings: Early on, Withers can also provide hirelings—additional characters that can fill gaps in your party or offer specialized skills. These hirelings can be particularly useful if your main companions are unavailable due to player choices or specific events in the game. For example, hiring a druid can enhance scouting capabilities or provide healing through spells like Goodberry.
4. Buffing and Utility Services: Withers’ hirelings can offer various buffs and utility services that can significantly improve your party’s effectiveness in combat. For instance, a bard hireling can provide party-wide buffs through Bardic Inspiration, while a cleric can offer healing and other support spells.
5. Strategic Flexibility: By utilizing Withers’ services, players gain strategic flexibility in how they approach challenges within the game. This includes the ability to adapt character builds based on evolving gameplay needs, ensuring that you can tackle different scenarios effectively as new challenges arise.

Overall, recruiting Withers early not only enhances character customization options but also provides essential support mechanisms that can make a substantial difference in your journey through Baldur’s Gate 3.