Baldur's Gate 3: The Unwritten Rules of Playing Tactician Mode Explained (2024)

Baldur’s Gate 3 is well known for its storytelling and role-playing elements. It gives players the freedom to play the game however they want, from being a malevolent person with a lust for killing to being a golden saint who will do whatever they can to protect the innocent, and many more styles.

There is one feature in Baldur’s Gate 3 that can be very intimidating, and that is Tactician Mode, the former highest difficulty setting in the game before Honor Mode was introduced. Tactician Mode isn’t for the faint of heart and comes with many challenges. It is perfect for those who want a tough fight and the thrill of accomplishment against great odds. For players who want to complete Tactician Mode, but are worried about the extra challenge, there are a few unwritten rules that can help make it somewhat easier.

Creating A Character for Tactician Mode

The Best Classes for Tactician Mode

Baldur’s Gate 3 can be played in many ways and has given the freedom to players to play how they want. When playing Tactician Mode, it’s best for players to use the class they feel most comfortable with. Players may not want to try a new class and struggle to learn the rules for that class while they attempt Tactician mode. Even though it’s recommended for players to pick the class they feel most comfortable with, there are still Baldur's Gate 3 classes that can give the extra kick and advantages in higher difficulties.

• Ranger
• Paladin
• Fighter
• Bard
• Monk
• Sorcerer

The Best Subclass

Baldur’s Gate 3 has lots of subclasses to choose from, and it can be difficult to pick out the one that best suits the players' style. In Tactician Mode, it's best to pick the subclass that will give either the most damage or the most aid in battle. Of course, it’s all up to the player as, just like the classes, it is best for players to pick what they want. The best subclass may not be the same as the best class, and thus it's best to do some experimentation.

However, a particularly powerful subclass, although not a deadly one, is the Beast Master subclass for Ranger. This subclass is somewhat underrated and thus is easily dismissed, but it comes in very handy in Tactician Mode as it gives the ability to summon a deadly bear, and once the player reaches level 10 of the Ranger class, the bear can summon an additional bear, giving the player two extra companions.

Notable subclasses that are excellent for Tactician mode are as follows:

• Gloomstalker and Beast Master: Ranger Subclass
• Oathbreaker and Oath of Vengeance: Paladin Subclass
• Eldritch Knight: Fighter Subclass
• College of Swords: Bard Subclass
• Way of the Open Hand: Monk Subclass
• Storm Sorcery: Sorcerer Subclass

Best Practices For Playing Tactician Mode

It’s Important to Multiclass

Making use of the multiclass mechanic is a good idea and there are many multiclass builds in BG3 that can be incredibly deadly. However, there is one class that grants a massive advantage to healing, which is an area players must also focus on because, with a lack of healing spells, Tactician Mode will become much harder.

It is best to have at least one companion or the player character reach level 2 of the Bard class so that they can cast Song of Rest, which is a valuable skill in Tactician Mode as it adds an extra short rest. For damage, it's best to have a Gloomstalker Assassin multiclass (Ranger/Rogue), which will be a great advantage on the battlefield. If players don't want their own characters to take on this build, then a perfect choice is Baldur's Gate 3's Astarion as he is already a Rogue.

The Best Companions

Baldur’s Gate 3 boasts a wide cast of characters, and there are a few that are well suited to making Tactician mode a walk in the park. At the end of the day, any companion will do, as Withers can change the class of companions and player characters alike, but some players may not want to change the class of their companions.

• Astarion: Having a rogue in the party always provides a helpful hand, whether that’s in battle or out in the wilderness. Astarion can unlock anything, and he can disable any trap. He can also become a very deadly ally if the player focuses on building his ranged skills as well as his short-ranged skills, as he can deal massive amounts of damage with a bow or even a dagger.
• Lae’zel: A powerful Githyanki warrior who could become even more deadly if she were to become an Eldritch Knight. Lae’zel is a fighter and, at some point, she will have the ability to attack a foe several times in one fight, and combined with spells from the Eldritch Knight subclass, she can be the ultimate tank of the team.
• Wyll: Quite possibly the most underrated companion in Baldur’s Gate 3, Wyll is a very powerful Warlock and if the player specializes in his Eldritch and Fireball spells, then he will become a deadly asset in Tactician and can at time defeat a foe in one turn.

Use Charisma to Defeat Powerful Foes

This rule might sound unusual, but there are a few mini-bosses throughout Baldur’s Gate 3 that can be defeated through persuasion. Doing this will still reward the player as if they have killed the foe. However, if the player character doesn’t have high Charisma, then don’t fret, as Gale is very good at persuading these enemies to either end themselves or to stand down - in fact, it's possible to use Charisma to avoid combat in BG3.

It is still recommended to have a high Charisma for boss fights in the story, as there is one occasion where the player can convince Ketheric Thorm to stand down after the first battle with him. Not only that, but having a high Charisma can let players get themselves out of tricky situations in general.

Focus on Completing and Exploring as Much Content as Possible

It’s worth mentioning that to make Tactician Mode much easier is leveling up and getting the best gear possible. This means that players must focus on doing everything that each act has to offer. Completing every quest, exploring all the nooks and crannies throughout Baldur’s Gate 3 can greatly aid in leveling up and finding powerful gear that could easily be missed in Baldur's Gate 3.

Baldur's Gate 3

Franchise

Baldur's Gate

Platform(s)

PC , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X

Released

August 3, 2023

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Publisher(s)

Larian Studios

Genre(s)

RPG

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

How Long To Beat

30 Hours

Metascore

96

Split Screen Orientation

Vertical Only

Number of Players

1-4

PS Plus Availability

N/A

Local Co-Op Support

1-2 Players

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