Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3is 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 inBaldur’s Gate 3that 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 3can 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 stillBaldur’s Gate 3classesthat can give the extra kick and advantages in higher difficulties.
The Best Subclass
Baldur’s Gate 3has 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:
Best Practices For Playing Tactician Mode
It’s Important to Multiclass
Making use of the multiclass mechanic is a good idea and there are manymulticlass builds inBG3that 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 isBaldur’s Gate 3’s Astarionas he is already a Rogue.
The Best Companions
Baldur’s Gate 3boasts 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.
Use Charisma to Defeat Powerful Foes
This rule might sound unusual, but there are a few mini-bosses throughoutBaldur’s Gate 3that 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 useCharisma to avoid combat inBG3.
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 throughoutBaldur’s Gate 3can greatly aid in leveling up and finding powerful gear that could easily be missed inBaldur’s Gate 3.
