Quick Links
Baldur’s Gate 3uses the game mechanics ofthe tabletop roleplaying systemDungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition. One of these mechanics is the damage system, which sorts all possible sources of harm into 13 categories.
The reason this matters is the fact that each creature and object inBaldur’s Gate 3can respond differently to each type of damage. For instance, a magma mephit is made up of superheated stone, and so fire damage does nothing to them. If players want to maximize their damage output, they should pay close attention to what kinds of damage they’re dealing and how their targets respond to each damage type.
RELATED:Baldur’s Gate 3 - Combat Guide: Beginner Tips and Tricks
Resistances, Immunities, and Vulnerabilities
A very useful resource many players may overlook is the character sheet. Players can see them by opening the interaction menu (right click on PC) and choosing “Examine.” This brings up information like the creature’s ability scores, current conditions, and resistances.
If a creature has no resistances listed, this means it has no special reaction to any type of damage. However, if a damage type shows up on this list, the creature has a resistance, an immunity, or a vulnerability.
For example,the creature in the image above, Grym, has a special response to every damage type in the game. It’s immune to Fire, Lightning, Necrotic, Psychic, Poison, and Radiant damage, it resists Slashing, Piercing, Acid, Thunder, Cold, and Force damage, and it’s vulnerable to Bludgeoning damage.
RELATED:How to Change Your Name in Baldur’s Gate 3
Physical
Baldur’s Gate 3sorts all damage from real, physical sources into three types: Slashing comes from edged and raking weapons, Piercing comes from sharp, thrusting weapons, and Bludgeoning comes from blunt weapons. Most creatures respond the same way to all three weapon types, but a few (like Grym) have a special response to a specific type.
Many powerful creatures resist damage from non-magical weaponsbut take full damage from magic weapons. A magic weapon includes any weapon with a special enchantment, a warlock’s Pact of the Blade weapon, a monk’s unarmed attacks (starting at level six), and more. Players should have no trouble finding magic weapons by level three or four.
Fire
The remaining 10 damage types are elemental, and for the most part they come from magical sources like spells, enchantments, and alchemy. Of the 10 elements, Fire is probably the most common.Sorcerers and Wizards can use the Flame Bolt cantrip, which deals a d10 of damage but has no other special effect. Druids and Clerics can getProduce Flame, which creates light and can be thrown to cause a little Fire damage.
Unfortunately, Fire resistance is almost as common as fire. Most demons and devils resist Fire, and fire elementals are completely immune to the element. Fire effects can also set the ground on fire, dealing Fire damage to anyone who stands on it. However, the flames eventually die down and leave ash behind.
Cold
Cold is almost as common as Fire, and so are the number of creatures who can resist it.Sorcerers and Wizards can cast Ray of Frostas a cantrip, which deals a d8 of damage and also reduces the target’s movement speed by 10 feet. Cold spells create patches of ice, and this ice can cause creatures to trip and fall prone before it melts.
Acid
Much fewer creatures resist acid compared to Fire and Cold, but it can be a very dangerous element to wield. The Acid cantrip,Acid Splash, is available to Sorcerers and Wizards, and while it only deals a d6 of damage it requires a Dexterity save instead of an attack roll and can hit adjacent creatures. Acid spellsalso leave acid pools behindthat can damage creatures, and unlike most surface types acid can stick around if players don’t wash it off with blood or water.
RELATED:Baldur’s Gate 3: Guide to Resting
Lightning
Lightning uses the power of electricity to harm enemies, although Lightning resistance is also fairly common.Shocking Graspgives Sorcerers and Wizards easy access to Lightning damage. The spell deals a d8 of damage, and while it’s a melee spell it prevents the target from using their reaction. This makes it easy for the spellcaster to run away safely. Lightning spells can electrify water surfaces, but they otherwise have no regional effects.
Poison
Poison may be the most common resistance and immunity found inBaldur’s Gate 3. Constructs, elementals, and undead creatures are completely immune to poison, as are all demons and devils. On the bright side, the cantripPoison Spray(available to Druids, Warlocks, Sorcerers, and Wizards) deals a d12 of damage, but its range is 10 feet instead of 60.
Thunder
While Poison resistance is easy to find, almost no creatures or objects have any resistance to Thunder damage. “Thunder” refers to the damage caused by shockwaves, and so even sturdy objects are often vulnerable to Thunder damage.
Unfortunately, there are no cantrips in the game that deal Thunder damage. Still, players can get regular access to this rare damage type through first-level spells likeThunderwaveandChromatic Orb.
Force
Force resistance is even rarer than Thunder resistance. It’s a special type that represents magic dealing pure, physical harm to a creature or object.The Warlock’s Eldritch Blastis the only cantrip that uses pure Force damage, but other classes can get access to it thanks to spells likeMagic Missileand Spiritual Weapon.
RELATED:Baldur’s Gate 3: Guide to Advantage and Disadvantage
Psychic
Psychic damage directly attacks the mind, which means all objects and mindless constructs are immune to this type. The only psychic cantrip isVicious Mockery,which is only available to Bards. It only deals a d4 of damage, but the target must make a Wisdom save and will get disadvantage on their next attack if the spell succeeds. Bards can also learn the first-level spellDissonant Whispers, which Frightens the target creature.
In general, spells that deal psychic damage are less harmful than other spells but also apply some very useful status effects. Mind flayers also deal psychic damage, and party members who empower their tadpole will get more ways of dealing this damage type.
Radiant
Clerics and Paladins are the only classesthat can deal Radiant damage regularly. The main damage cantrip for Clerics isSacred Flame, which requires a Dexterity save and deals a d8 of damage. Few creatures can resist Radiant damage, and some undead monsters are especially vulnerable to it.
Necrotic
Necrotic damage is the power of death itself. Like Poison, Necrotic damage doesn’t work on objects or constructs,and it’s ineffective on the undead, but it works just fine on demons, devils, and elementals. The necrotic cantrip is Bone Chill, and it deals a d8 of damage and prevents the target from healing for the next round. Sorcerers, Warlocks, and Wizards all get access to this spell.
Overall, players should always have a Sorcerer or Wizard around to deal elemental damage, and they should always have at least two damaging cantrips in case one doesn’t work. Still,a melee character with a magic weaponcan hurt almost every enemy in the game, so ensure the party’s front line is fully equipped for combat.
Baldur’s Gate 3is available now on macOS and PC.
MORE:Baldur’s Gate 3 Players Think They’ve Found an Avatar: The Last Airbender Easter Egg
