Bringing a tabletop game to another medium is no mean feat, butBaldur’s Gate 3has successfully adapted many aspects ofDungeons & Dragons5th Edition to create a fantastic and complex RPG. Alongside the spells, magic items and ability scores are status conditions lifted straight fromD&D’sPlayer’s Handbook. Not everyone has playedD&Dprior to loading upBG3for the first time, however, leading to a little confusion for some.
Status conditions can be triggered in a few different ways, withsome being imposed by spells, while others rely on the environmentaround the players to take effect. Conditions inBG3cover a range of situations, and while some can be beneficial, others can seriously impact the team in combat. There are some greatstatus effects inBaldur’s Gate 3, and these are some of the most common people will encounter.
15Blinded - Significantly Affects Attack Rolls
Caused By Spells, Familiars & Environmental Effects
Blinded is a fairly straightforward condition that limits a character’s ability to see, which in turn affects them negatively in battle. Blinded targets have the reach of their ranged attacks and ranged spells significantly reduced to only three meters/10 feet.All their attack rolls will be at disadvantage, while attacks against them have advantage.
Wildheart barbarians with Aspect of the Beast: Chimpanzee can fling camp supplies at targets to blind them.
Blinded can be inflicted by spells such asSunbeam,Colour Spray, and of course,Blindness, as well as raven familiars or Wild Shapes. There are also environmental conditions that will inflict Blinded, such as fog or darkness.
14Charmed - Prevents Attacks On Caster
Caused By Spells, Illithid Powers & Class Actions
Charmed is a classicD&Dstatus, the result of being enchanted by a spellcaster. While charmed, targetscannot attack the caster and the caster has advantage on Charisma checks in dialogue. The most common way for a character to become Charmed is by usingCharm Personagainst them.
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However there is also Tadpole Charm, anillithid power inBG3, that can be used as a reaction. Spells such asCalm EmotionsandProtection from Evil and Goodgive immunity from being Charmed, along withElixir of Peerless Focusand fey ancestry.
13Entangled/Enwebbed - Prevents Movement & Gives Enemies Attack Advantage
Caused By Environmental Effects & Spells
Entangled and Enwebbed are two separate conditions that will have the same effect on targets, be they the enemy or the party. When Entangled/Enwebbed. the target can’t move, and their Dexterity saving throws will be at disadvantage. However, the more dangerous aspect for trapped targets is thatall attack rolls against them will be at advantage.
Entangled is triggered by spells such asEntangleand areas covered by twisting vines. Enwebbed is caused by coming into contact with webs, either those created by spells or crafted byspiders throughout the game.
12Frightened - Terrible For Melee Attackers
Caused By Spells, Class Actions & Certain Enemy Actions
Frightened is a particularly annoying condition when used against the party, as it makes any fight immediately harder than it needs to be. Frightened targets can’t move, but even worse, they will alsohave disadvantage on their attack rolls and ability checks.
There are tons of spells inBG3that can cause fear, such asDissonant Whispersandwrathful smite, but there are also certain enemies that utilize features that inflict the Frightened condition. This is most notable in thebattle with Viconia in the House of Griefwith her various Mapped Terror spells.
11Bleeding - Small Damage Over Time
Caused By Weapon Actions, Grenades & Certain Passive Features
Bleeding is a condition that at first doesn’t seem to have much of an effect but can quickly add up in tough fights, both in the party’s favor and against it. Bleeding is typically inflicted by weapon actions, butthrown items such as shrapnel grenadesand spiked bulbs will also cause bleeding.
Bleeding targets take two slashing damage at the start of their turn for the duration. However, the most dangerous aspect of Bleeding for the party is that itimposes disadvantage on Constitution saving throws, which can spell disaster for concentrating spellcasters.
10Poisoned - Disadvantage On Ability Checks & Attacks
Caused By Spells, Creatures & Poisoned Items
As one might expect, the Poisoned condition occurs when a character comes into contact with a poisoned item, substance, or venomous creature. Spider familiars and Wild Shapes are a great source of consistent poison damage, as is the spellray of sickness.
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Poisoned will alsoimpose disadvantage on all attack rolls and ability checksfor the duration, making it effective both in and out of combat. Weapons can also be poisoned using the variouspoisons found throughoutBG3,such as theWyvern Toxingiven in Act 1 orDrow Poisonthat can be crafted.
9Wrath - Extra Damage With Melee Weapons
Caused By Certain Items
Not all conditions are negative, andWrath is very useful for the party, particularly melee fighters. Wrath is gained by wearing certain equipment that can generate Wrath under specific conditions. For example, theBloodguzzler Garblets the wearer gain Wrath for two turns whenever they are damaged by an enemy.
While the character has Wrath, they willgain a plus one bonus to damage with melee weapons every turn. The amount of turns Wrath will be active will stack based on items worn and actions taken, such as dashing with the Linebreaker Boots.
8Chilled - Vulnerability & Resistance To Damages
Caused By Weapon Passives & Class Actions Of Particular Enemies
Chilled is a condition the party will only rarely come across with enemies but can use to their own advantage with the right equipment. The best way is to find theMourning Frost staff inBG3’sAct 1, which enhances the wielder’s cold damage.
Chilled makes the affected target even more vulnerable to cold damage, at the expense of making them resistant to fire damage. However, Chilled is best used in a combo with water, as making Chilled targets wet will freeze them solid, preventing them from taking actions or reactions.
7Wet - Vulnerability & Resistance To Damages
Caused By Environmental Effects, Spells & Items
Speaking of Wet, this condition has a similar effect on targets as chilled with a little extra. Targets can obviously become wet after being doused in water, which can come from spells such asCreate or Destroy Wateror simply from bottles/barrels of water.
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Floor hazards caused by elemental attacks are some of the more interesting mechanics in Baldur’s Gate 3 that can really only work in a video game.
Wet targets are resistant to fire damage, but becomevulnerable to cold and lightning damage. Wet can be used to great effect by the party by creating water over an area to douse the enemy and then using lightning spells or arrows to electrify the puddle.
6Paralyzed - Prevents Movement, Affects Saving Throws & Attack Auto Succeed
Caused By Spells, Weapon Actions & Item Passives
Paralyzed is an awful condition to be hit withinBG3,as it not only causes party members to miss their turn but also leaves them defenseless in combat. Targets affected by Paralyzed can’t move or take actions, bonus actions, or reactions.
They will automatically fail all Strength or Dexterity saving throws, which makes them vulnerable to AOE effects. However, the worst aspect is thatall attack rolls made against them will automatically succeed, and any made within three meters/10 feet will be automatic crits, which can easily devastate the party inthe game’s hardest boss fights.
