Tips For A BG3 Solo Run

Highlights

A solo run in Baldur's Gate 3 can be challenging, but players can use explosives like Smokepowder bombs to dispatch multiple enemies at once and strategically place Smokepowder barrels for devastating explosions.
Quick saving is crucial for survival in solo play, allowing players to save at the start and during battles to avoid repeating failed attempts. It also enables players to manipulate dialogue choices and potentially avoid combat.
While solo players can't take companions with them, characters like Gale can still be useful at camp for brewing potions. Players should also prioritize high armor class and choose classes like Paladins that can sustain themselves and quickly defeat enemies.

Baldur's Gate 3 is already a challenging title for some players due to the different difficulties available to players, such as Tactician mode, and the recently added Honour mode that only allows the player to have one save, and if they die they must start from the beginning. Players have also gotten creative with BG3 as they have created their own challenges.

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One such common challenge is the solo run of Baldur's Gate 3. Players are unable to adventure across the CRPG's three acts with any companions other than the character they have created. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as moments that force the player to bring someone along, like the beginning of the game, but other than that, they play alone. For those who wish to try the challenge, these are some tips for surviving or preparing for a solo run.

1 Always Stock Explosives

Smokepowder Barrels & Bombs Can Save Lives

The equipment a player prepares to take into battle with them is almost as important as the class they choose in Baldur's Gate 3. Explosives have the potential of dispatching multiple enemies at once, though it will require a player to use an action to throw the Smokepowder bomb at them.

Players that haven't automatically made an enemy of themselves can even prepare a horrendous explosion for their soon-to-be enemies if they have collected Smokepowder barrels. Placing them around the battlefield won't cause anyone to bat an eyelid until the explosion of a lifetime has been ignited.

2 Remember To Quick Save

Every Battle Can Be A Challenge

While such a tip may at first sound obvious, it's better to remind players that the quick save option exists in all versions of Baldur's Gate 3. This feature has been a lifesaver in countless battles when playing the RPG normally but becomes even more vital for players who have decided to take on the dangers of Faerun all by themselves. Players may choose not only to save at the start of a battle but also throughout the battle if they have hit an enemy with a critical hit that they don't want to repeat if they end up failing the battle.

Besides this, players can also cheat their rolls in conversations if they have saved before picking a dialogue choice. This means a player could avoid combat entirely if they were to successfully pick a dialogue option that either makes the potential enemy a friend or manipulates them into defeating themselves.

3 Companions Can Still Have Some Use

Gale Has The Potential To Be Useful Simply Staying At Camp

While this challenge does mean players can't take companions out with them while they travel across Faerun, this doesn't mean they are unable to still be at camp for the player to use when they need to. Especially as characters like Gale can help the player create plenty more potions.

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Once the wizard has reached level two, players can turn Gale into a Transmutation Wizard. With this subclass, Gale instantly learns Experimental Alchemy. With this feature, Gale can brew two alchemy potions instead of one if he successfully rolls higher than a 15 in a medicine check. This means players could make even more healing potions out of fewer ingredients and all they have to do is put Gale in the team while they are in camp.

4 Have A High Armor Class

Heavy Armor Will Cause More Hits To Miss

When expecting to face enemies alone, it's a good idea to have the highest armor class possible to make it a harder time for enemies to hit the player. One of the easiest ways to do this is by picking a class or gaining the level-up feat that allows the player to equip heavy armor.

Throughout BG3, players are likely to find a wide variety of heavy armor that they will want to equip to better their chances of survival, with some of the greatest combinations putting the players' AC way above 20.

5 Pick Classes That Can Hold Their Own

Paladins Have The Potential To Remain Alive

Before a player even begins their solo challenge run of Baldur's Gate 3, they should carefully consider what class or classes they wish to combine in the hope of not only quickly dispatching enemies but also being able to sustain themselves on the battlefield.

One of the greatest ways to do this is by selecting the starting class of Paladin and then multiclassing it into other things. As a Paladin, players will be able to equip heavy armor, heal themselves with Lay on Hands, and most importantly, kill things quickly with their various smite spells.

6 Gain The Alert Feat As Soon As Possible

No Longer Be Surprised In Combat

When playing Baldur's Gate 3, if a player hits certain benchmarks for leveling their character, they can access various feats. These feats include several useful things, such as Warcaster, the ability to increase an attribute, as well as many other options for a player to experiment with.

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Due to the branching nature of Baldur's Gate 3's storyline, not it's incredibly difficult to keep these NPCs and companions alive up to final battle.

An option every player should get first if they plan to play the game by themselves with zero companions is the Alert feat. Players that have this feat can no longer be surprised during combat. This means that if an enemy ambushes the player, the player will no longer skip their turn and instead will be able to attack during the ambush round of combat.

7 Use Summons Constantly

Mud Mephits And Other Creatures Make Great Distractions

While a player cannot have any companions on their team, this doesn't include the various summons players can create. As long as the player has the scrolls or the spell slot to summon them, the player will rely on the various conjured creatures in Baldur's Gate 3.

These summons can make great distractions or simple cannon fodder to keep the foes away from attacking them instead. If players manage to level up their spellcasting class high enough, they may even earn the ability to summon even deadlier allies that can control the battlefield.

8 Think Tactically About Battles

Always Be The First To Hit From The Shadows

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One of the greatest tips that can be given while attempting a solo challenge run of Baldur's Gate 3 is to approach every battle carefully and tactically. Players shouldn't walk blindly into battles, as this has the potential to cause the opponents to get one too many shots off first on them.

Instead, sneaking as close as possible to get the first attack and possibly surprise the group of enemies means players are far more likely to survive. In addition, finding potential advantages before the battle begins, such as the high ground, or environmental exploits is useful.