Baldurs Gate 3: Can I change difficulty level? Baldurs Gate 3 guide, walkthrough
This BG3 guide explains how to change the difficulty level. We explain how many levels of difficulty there are in the game and how to overcome harder battles.
Last update: 31 May 2024
On this page of our guide we answer a very important question - whether in Baldur's Gate 3 can you change difficulty level at any moment. You may find this option useful if for some reason you cannot win a difficult fight. On this page you'll learn whether you need to begin a new playthrough to change difficulty levels.
- How to choose a different difficulty level?
- How to increase your chances of winning more difficult battles?
How to choose a different difficulty level?
- In the Early Access version of Baldurs Gate 3, an option to change difficulty levels wasn't available, but the premiere day version offers this option. You choose the difficulty level when starting a new game, but fortunately, you can also adjust it freely during the course of the campaign without the need to restart your progress.
- Changing the difficulty level is very easy - simply press ESC and choose the difficulty level button (screenshot above). You'll be taken to the difficulty level choice screen, same one you've encountered when starting a new game.
We describe all 3 difficulty levels in detail on a dedicated page (Difficulty levels from Basics section). On that page we explain, among others, the main differences between them.
How to increase your chances of winning more difficult battles?
The world of BG3 is full of difficult encounters and you may have problems defeating a given opponent even after lowering the difficulty level. There are a few ways of handling such a situation.
- Start with attempting to solve the quest peacefully. Combat isn't always required to handle a problem. For example, you can choose different dialogue options or complete an Intimidation Skill Check that prevents combat.
- Have a full party of 4 as soon as possible. Fighting as a 4-man team is much easier - your side can perform actions and moves more often, and your repertoire will be much more diverse (melee combat, ranged combat, magic etc.). You can find a complete list of recruitable companions on a dedicated page (All companions).
- Make sure to inspect opponents' cards as often as possible. You can display these by highlighting an enemy with mouse, pressing RMB and choosing Inspect. Thanks to cards, you can view opponent's weaknesses and resistances to certain types of attacks, spells, or elements.
- Avoid more powerful opponents. Employ stealth (watch out for red fields - they show the range of the opponent's sight) or look for alternative paths to your destination.
- Return to tougher battles with more developed characters. There is no need of fighting a difficult battle right there and then. Load a save before the confrontation with the particular opponent and focus on other quests or explore other locations. You can return later on as a more powerful team with better equipment and spells.