In Baldur’s Gate 3, mastering the intricacies of combat goes beyond mere attacks; it involves strategically utilizing bonus actions to gain the upper hand in battles. These special actions, denoted by an orange triangle, allow players to perform quick maneuvers, cast spells, or use abilities that can turn the tide of a fight. From jumping across the battlefield to shoving enemies off ledges, understanding how to effectively integrate bonus actions into your gameplay can elevate your character’s combat prowess and enhance your overall experience in this richly detailed RPG.
- Movement – an orange strip located above the skill strip. It allows characters to move around the battlefield;
- Actions – marked with a green circle that appears under the character’s portrait during combat. They allow performing attacks, utilizing certain movements, and lifting unconscious allies;
- Bonus Actions – marked by an orange triangle, appearing during the fight under the character’s portrait. These allow you to cast certain spells, perform some of the movements, and drink medicinal potions.
Of course, you can do all these activities simultaneously within one round.
To learn what type of action you will use when performing a given action, place the cursor on the action’s icon on the bottom bar. After a while, a panel will appear containing this information. You will also find information regarding the action.
In the case of movement actions, such as help or attempt to restealth, information comes from their background:
- Blue are supplied from Bonus Actions.
- Red consumes standard action points.
How do bonus actions differ between character classes
In Baldur’s Gate 3, bonus actions vary significantly between character classes, each offering unique tactical advantages that can influence gameplay. Here’s a breakdown of how different classes utilize bonus actions:
Class-Specific Bonus Actions
- Rogue: The Rogue class is particularly notable for its Cunning Action, which allows them to use their bonus action to Dash, Disengage, or Hide. This flexibility enhances their mobility and stealth capabilities, making them formidable in combat.
- Fighter: Fighters can utilize bonus actions primarily through two-weapon fighting, allowing them to make an additional attack with a light weapon. This is a straightforward yet effective use of their bonus action to increase damage output.
- Barbarian: Barbarians can enter a Frenzy state using their bonus action, which enables them to make an additional attack as part of their Rage feature. This ability amplifies their offensive potential during each turn.
- Druid: Circle of the Moon Druids can use their bonus action to transform into animals via Wild Shape, providing versatility in combat and exploration. This ability allows them to adapt to various situations quickly.
- Bard: Bards can use their bonus action to grant Bardic Inspiration to allies, boosting their effectiveness in combat. This support role is crucial for team dynamics and can turn the tide in challenging encounters.
- Monk: Monks have access to abilities like Shadow Step, which allows them to teleport and gain advantage on attacks. This mobility-focused bonus action enhances their hit-and-run tactics during battles.
General Rules for Bonus Actions
Regardless of class, all characters can perform one bonus action per turn, but they cannot convert standard actions into bonus actions or vice versa. The specific options available depend on class features, spells, or other abilities explicitly stating they can be used as a bonus action. Understanding these nuances is essential for maximizing combat effectiveness and strategic planning in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Which classes have the most unique bonus actions
In Baldur’s Gate 3, several classes stand out for their unique and impactful bonus actions, each offering distinct advantages that can significantly influence gameplay. Here are the classes with the most notable bonus actions:
Classes with Unique Bonus Actions
- Rogue: The Rogue class excels with its Cunning Action, allowing players to use their bonus action to Dash, Disengage, or Hide. This versatility enhances mobility and tactical positioning in combat, making Rogues highly effective in both offense and defense.
- Monk: Monks can utilize Flurry of Blows, which allows them to make two unarmed strikes as a bonus action after taking the Attack action. This ability significantly increases their damage output and combat effectiveness, especially when combined with their mobility.
- Druid: Druids can transform into animals using their Wild Shape feature as a bonus action. This transformation provides not only new abilities but also enhances survivability and tactical options in various situations, making Druids incredibly versatile.
- Thief (Rogue Subclass): Thieves gain an additional bonus action through their subclass features, enabling them to perform multiple actions per turn. This includes using their bonus action for Cunning Action while also allowing for additional attacks or utility actions, amplifying their effectiveness in combat.
- Bard: Bards can use their bonus action to grant Bardic Inspiration to allies, boosting their performance in combat. This support role is crucial for team dynamics and can be a game-changer in challenging encounters.
- Warlock: Warlocks have access to spells like Hex, which can be cast as a bonus action. This spell allows them to deal extra damage while also imposing disadvantage on one ability check of the target, adding a strategic layer to their attacks.
These classes leverage their unique bonus actions to create dynamic and engaging gameplay experiences, allowing players to explore various strategies and tactics during encounters in Baldur’s Gate 3.
