BG3 Advantage Guide

While equipping the best gear and leveling up your character and companion is going to give you a strong advantage in combat, there are also more subtle tactical ways you can gain an edge in Baldur’s Gate 3. Using the terrain, for example, as well as surfaces such as water and oil, can make or break a battle. Perhaps the strongest thing to have on your side, though, is Advantage. To learn how to make this mechanism work in your favor, read on for our full BG3 Advantage guide.

Baldur's Gate 3 – Advantage and Disadvantage Guide

At the most basic level, each attack between one of your characters and an enemy will have two Advantage stats, one for you and one for them. The three possibilities are Advantage, Disadvantage, or the standard neutral state. However, if one side has at least one Advantage and the other has at least one Disadvantage, they cancel each other out (returning you to the neutral no-effect position). If (during an attack roll) you have either an Advantage or Disadvantage, the attack roll will be affected. 

Related: How to Reach the Adamantine Forge in Baldur’s Gate 3

If you or an opponent has an Advantage on an attack roll, the attack is rolled twice, and the best roll is used. If they have a Disadvantage the opposite applies, so two dice are rolled, but the worst one is used. Even if you have multiple Advantages or Disadvantages at once, you still only roll two dice. Note that Advantage and Disadvantage apply to attack roles in this case, not saving throws, so if you’re relying on the opponent to fail a save (such as from some types of spell damage), the roll is not affected by this. 

How to gain Advantage in BG3

It is possible to gain advantage in the following scenarios:

• The enemy can’t see you: Examples include a Blinded opponent or attacks performed against an enemy when you’re successfully hidden.
• You have the high ground (ranged): If you attack from higher up, you’ll gain Advantage.
• You are behind the enemy (melee): Backstab attacks gain Advantage.
• The enemy is prone (melee): There are multiple ways to make an enemy prone, such as Hold or Paralyze effects and being knocked over. 

Remember, these all apply to your attackers too, so do your best to avoid putting yourself in these situations where possible (such as trying to gain higher ground).

How to get Disadvantage in Baldur’s Gate 3

Combatants in the following situations will gain theDisadvante status unless countered with an Advantage (above):

• The enemy is prone (ranged attack): Unlike melee attacks on prone enemies, attacking a prone character from range gives you a Disadvantage.
• Ranged attacks when threatened: If an opponent is within melee range and you try to complete a ranged attack.
• Attacking blind: If your sight is impaired, via anything from smoke to a blind spell effect.
• Attacking a character with an ability causing Disadvantage: Blur is the best example. 
• Attacking from outside your weapon’s range (ranged weapons): You can still attack up to almost four times a weapon’s listed range but are much less likely to hit.
• Attacking an enemy who is on higher ground (ranged): If you’re aiming upwards, you’ll be at a disadvantage in BG3.
• Attacking in poor light without a way to deal with darkness: If you have members of your party who can’t see in the dark, be sure you have a source of light (torches or spells such as Dancing Lights).
• Gnomes and Halflings: If you’ve equipped characters from either of these races with a heavy weapon, they’ll always have a Disadvantage in combat. 

While you’ll still be relying on the whim of the dice, gaining an Advantage on combat throws will go a long way to winning battles, even against opponents stronger than you. 

Using Rogue class: The Masters of Advantage

I've found Rogues such as Astarion are the absolute masters of gaining Advantage in combat, making them lethal companions at both close and long range. Their ability to sneak and hide successfully due to their high Dexterity makes it easy to sneak to high ground or move behind opponents out of sight, allowing them to gain Advantage in most situations if played well.

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3: Should you let Astarion Drink Your Blood?

However, you need to make sure you are wearing armor you are proficient in. Wearing armor you do not have proficiency for will give you a Disadvantage, meaning no matter what else you do,t you won’t receive an Advantage. You’ll only cancel out the Disadvantage.

Looking for more guides to help you get to grips with Baldur's Gate 3? Check out the likes of BG3: How to save Vanra from Auntie Ethel in Baldur’s Gate 3, our BG3 Illithid Powers Guide, and much more here at Pro Game Guides!