Advantage and Disadvantage explained - get more hits! - Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3)

What are Advantage and Disadvantage?

In "Baldur's Gate 3", both mechanics come into play when characters perform an ability check, saving throw, or an attack roll.

• Advantage (green hexagon with arrow up inside): When players have an Advantage, they roll two D20 dice instead of one and use the higher of the two rolls to decide the outcome. This mechanic essentially doubles the player's chance of success.

• Disadvantage (red hexagon with arrow down inside): Conversely, when at a Disadvantage, players roll two D20 dice and use the lower of the two rolls. This reduces the player's chance of success by half.

Gaining Advantage in Baldur’s Gate 3

Advantage provides a significant boost to the player's chances of success. To gain an Advantage, players must meet specific conditions:

• You are hidden from the target of your attack.
• You have an ally within 1.5m of the target of your attack.
• The target is prone.
• You are using a spell or ability that grants an Advantage.

Navigating Disadvantage

While Advantage is a sought-after state, players should be wary of situations that impose a Disadvantage:

• Making a ranged attack while an enemy is near you
• Attacking an enemy you can't see
• Attacking an enemy beyond the normal range of your ranged weapons
• Being in darkness without the ability to see in the dark (Darkvision).
• Making ranged attacks while an enemy is within melee range.

Additional Tips

1. Use Environment: Utilize the hide action when out of an enemy's line of sight to end your turn in stealth.
2. Positioning: Always be aware of your surroundings. Being on higher ground can provide an advantage while being on lower ground can lead to a disadvantage.
3. Work with Allies: Engage enemies with a melee character. You'll gain an Advantage if they maintain a 1.5m distance from the target.
4. Spells & Abilities: Employ spells and abilities like the Sleep, and the Grease spell to achieve an advantage.

Caveats

When several conditions influence a roll, whether they provide an Advantage or assign Disadvantage, you don't roll more than a single extra D20. For instance, even if two beneficial conditions offer an advantage, you're limited to just one extra d20 roll.

If a roll is affected by both Advantages and Disadvantages due to various circumstances, they cancel each other out, and you only roll a single D20. This remains the case even if there are multiple sources of Disadvantage and just one for Advantage, or the other way around. In these scenarios, neither advantage nor disadvantage applies.

Conclusion

The Advantage and Disadvantage mechanics in "Baldur's Gate 3" add layers of depth and strategy to the game. They encourage players to think tactically, considering their position, abilities, and environment before making a move. By understanding and leveraging these mechanics, players can navigate the challenges of the game more effectively, leading to a richer RPG experience.