BG3: Do I need to Play Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2?

As excitement builds for Baldur’s Gate 3, a common question arises: Do you need to play the original Baldur’s Gate games to enjoy this new installment? The answer is a resounding no. Set over 120 years after its predecessors and featuring a fresh cast and storyline, Baldur’s Gate 3 stands as a standalone adventure. While newcomers will encounter some nods to the rich lore of the Baldur’s Gate universe, familiarizing oneself with the first two games is not necessary to fully appreciate the gameplay and narrative of this latest chapter. However, for those eager to delve into the origins of this beloved franchise, playing the original titles offers a rewarding experience that showcases the evolution of RPG storytelling and mechanics.

Before playing BG3, you may be asking yourself whether knowingBaldurs Gate 1 and Baldurs Gate 2 is necessary to understand the plot and the premises of the world of Forgotten Realms better. From this page of our guide, you’ll learn whetherBaldurs Gate 3‘s plot is friendly to newcomers and people that don’t have the knowledge of the rules of paperback Dungeons & Dragons or aren’t acquainted with turn-based role-playing games.

Is knowledge of the plot of BG1 and BG2 required?

In Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3), prior knowledge of the plots from Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 is not a requirement for players. The game is set approximately a hundred years after the events of the last installment, Throne of Bhaal, and introduces a new storyline centered around the invasion of Mind Flayers. While familiar characters and references from previous games may appear, the narrative is designed to be accessible to newcomers, allowing players to engage with the game without needing to recall past events or storylines. For those interested in the broader lore, summaries of the earlier games are available, but they are not essential for enjoying BG3 .

1. The action of Baldur’s Gate 3 starts about a hundred years after the events of the previous installment of the series, specifically the Throne of Bhaal expansion to the game Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn. We are once again taken to the world of Forgotten Realms with its crown city of Baldur’s Gate.
2. The story presented inBG3 is a completely new story and there is no need to know or recall the events from the previous installments of the series. The new plot focuses on the invasion of the Ilithids (Mind Flayers), in which the main protagonist will be entangled.
3. Nevertheless, you can encounter several characters known from previous installments of Baldur’s Gate (this is due, for example, due to their unnatural lifespan or being resurrected), and encounter various references to people or significant events from the past.

But, in case you want to know the full story, we have what you need – from this page of our BG3 guide, you can access detailed summaries of all the previous parts of the series.

1. “Baldur’s Gate Saga” – This is a condensed summary of the two previous BG installments along with their expansions.
2. Baldur’s Gate 1 – on this page you can find descriptions and rundowns of all chapters of the first installment of the BG series, including Tales from Sword Coast and Siege of Dragonspear expansions.
3. Baldur’s Gate 2 Shadows of Amn – on this page, you can find a rundown of all Chapters of the second installment of the Baldur’s Gate series
4. “Baldur’s Gate 2 Throne of Bhaal” – the final page of the chapter describes the plot of a major expansion to BG2 which continues the events from the base game.

Do I need to be well-versed in turn-based games mechanics and the DnD system?

Understanding turn-based game mechanics and the Dungeons & Dragons (DnD) system can enhance your experience with Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3), but it’s not a strict requirement. BG3 employs a streamlined version of the DnD 5th Edition rules, making it more accessible to newcomers compared to its predecessors, which used the more complex 2.5 Edition rules. Familiarity with turn-based mechanics will certainly help players strategize effectively during combat, but those new to the genre can still enjoy the game without prior knowledge. The narrative and character-driven elements of BG3 stand strong on their own, allowing players to engage with the story and world even if they aren’t well-versed in the underlying mechanics.

1. All of the main gameplay mechanics in BG3are based on the pen-and-paper RPG system Dungeons & Dragons, which affects, among other things, character stats and the way damage is dealt and received. Familiarity with the current DnD rules is not mandatory, although it may facilitate character development and the creation of optimal builds or creating an effective party.
2. Baldur’s Gate 3 uses a turn-based system for combat which places a lot of emphasis on the correct use of abilities, attacks, or spells, as well as right approach to encountered dangers (e.g. opponents with unique attacks or resistances). Fortunately, understanding the basics of this system is quite easy. Not being familiar with turn-based RPGs doesn’t have to be an obstacle, nor does it have to be a huge disadvantage if you preferred the combat system from BG1 and BG2. Over time, you should perform better and get used to new mechanics.
3. In BG3, you have a choice of various difficulty levels, from the lowest, “Story” which allows for much easier victories in combat, freeing you to focus more on the plot and exploration. In the game, you have access to numerous tutorials that explain statistics or certain mechanics, as well as can modify the difficulty level even in the middle of a playthrough.
4. As your knowledge of the game grows, you canstart an approach to more complex topics, such as multiclass heroes or unique combinations of abilities or spells. Less experienced players should however stick to simpler, proven techniques. An additional convenience is the ability to reset the character so you can create it from scratch again. This eliminates the risk of creating a completely ineffective build. Moreover, you can do so without interrupting the course of the current campaign.

For more information and insight regarding the world of BG3, you can visit the Universe chapter of our guide.

1. Introduction – a good place for information regarding the setting and main elements of the plot of BG3.
2. What is DnD and Forgotten Realms? – on this page we describe the assumptions of the pen-and-paper RPG system and introduce you to the world of Faerun.
3. World of the game – from this page, you can learn more about Sword Coast and Amn regions.
4. Gods, Factions, and Heroes – here you can find more information about the Gods of the world, Factions, and important people from Baldur’s Gate.

What are the main differences in gameplay between Baldur’s Gate 1/2 and 3

The gameplay differences between Baldur’s Gate 1 & 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3 are substantial, reflecting advancements in technology and shifts in design philosophy. Here are the main distinctions:

Combat System

• Real-Time with Pause vs. Turn-Based: The original games utilize a real-time with pause combat system, allowing players to pause the action to strategize, which creates a faster-paced experience. In contrast, Baldur’s Gate 3 employs a turn-based combat system, emphasizing tactical decision-making and allowing players to carefully plan their moves during each character’s turn.

Exploration and World Design

• Exploration Maps: In BG1 and BG2, exploration is divided into distinct areas connected by map gates, promoting a sense of progression through various locations. BG3, however, features a more integrated exploration model where players traverse a large, continuous map, which can feel more crammed but offers a different flow of exploration.

Narrative and Quest Structure

• Storytelling Approach: The narrative style has shifted from the verbose prose of the earlier games to a more concise dialogue format in BG3, which includes full voice acting for all lines. This change reduces the descriptive text that characterized the original games, leading to a different pacing in storytelling. Additionally, questing in BG3 can be less linear, with players often leaving quests unfinished for extended periods, whereas quests in the earlier games typically had quicker resolutions.

Character Customization

• Character Models and Portraits: In BG1 and BG2, players selected from predefined portraits that may not have matched their character models. BG3 allows for more personalized character creation, where the portrait matches the designed character model, enhancing immersion.

Game Mechanics and Systems

• Complexity and Accessibility: The mechanics in BG3 are influenced by modern RPG design trends, offering various difficulty settings and tutorials that cater to both new and experienced players. This contrasts with the older games’ systems, which can feel more cumbersome due to their reliance on earlier Dungeons & Dragons rulesets.

Companions and Interaction

• Companion Dynamics: While both series feature companions with unique stories, BG3 places a stronger emphasis on character interactions and relationships influenced by player choices. This leads to more dynamic storytelling but can sometimes feel less personal compared to the simpler motivations of companions in the earlier titles.

In summary, while Baldur’s Gate 3 retains the essence of its predecessors, it introduces significant changes in combat style, exploration design, narrative delivery, character customization, and gameplay mechanics that reflect modern gaming expectations.

How does the combat system differ between Baldur’s Gate 1/2 and 3

The combat system in Baldur’s Gate 1 and differs significantly from that in Baldur’s Gate 3, reflecting advancements in game design and changes in mechanics. Here are the key differences:

Combat Mechanics

• Real-Time with Pause vs. Turn-Based: Both Baldur’s Gate 1 and utilize a real-time with pause system, allowing players to pause the game to issue commands during combat. This system emphasizes quick decision-making and tactical planning in a fluid environment. In contrast, Baldur’s Gate 3 adopts a turn-based combat system, where players take turns to act, making each decision more deliberate and strategic.

Tactical Complexity

• Simplicity vs. Depth: The earlier games feature simpler combat mechanics, where battles often rely on straightforward tactics like buffing characters and attacking enemies directly. In BG3, combat is more complex, requiring players to consider terrain, environmental interactions (such as setting areas on fire), and the unique abilities of both allies and enemies. This shift towards depth encourages players to think critically about positioning and resource management.

Dice Rolls and Outcomes

• Hidden vs. Visible Mechanics: In Baldur’s Gate 1 and , dice rolls for actions were handled off-screen, with players only seeing the results of these rolls. However, BG3 displays real-time dice rolls for various actions, such as attacks or skill checks, adding a layer of transparency and engagement to the gameplay.

Character Actions

• Action Economy: In the original games, characters could perform multiple actions (like moving and attacking) in a single round based on their speed and abilities. In BG3, each character typically has one main action and one bonus action per turn, which simplifies the action economy but can also limit strategic options compared to the more fluid action choices available in earlier titles.

Environmental Interactions

• Static vs. Dynamic Environments: The environments in Baldur’s Gate 1 and are largely static during combat, while BG3 features dynamic environments where players can use their surroundings to their advantage—such as triggering traps or leveraging high ground for bonuses. This adds another layer of strategy to encounters.

In summary, while the original Baldur’s Gate games focus on real-time strategy with an emphasis on quick tactical decisions, Baldur’s Gate 3 shifts to a turn-based system that encourages deeper strategic planning and interaction with the game world.