When a character’s turn begins, choose the main thing you need to accomplish: attack, cast a spell, or help an ally. Most characters normally have one action, one bonus action and movement; a reaction is used when its trigger occurs, sometimes during someone else’s turn. These are separate resources rather than a shared pool of action points.
When a character’s turn begins, choose the main thing you need to accomplish: attack, cast a spell, or help an ally. Most characters normally have one action, one bonus action and movement; a reaction is used when its trigger occurs, sometimes during someone else’s turn. These are separate resources rather than a shared pool of action points.
This guide covers the base-game combat rules without assuming mods. Class features, conditions and equipment can change what a character can use. The interface differs between mouse and keyboard and controller, so read the selected ability’s description for its actual cost.
Read the turn before acting
Check the initiative order and which character you control. Look at that character’s available resources and the enemy’s position. Select or inspect an ability to see its range, conditions and cost. If an option is unavailable, check those requirements before ending the turn.
| Resource | Common use | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Action | Most weapon attacks and spells labelled as costing an action | Different abilities can use different resources. |
| Bonus action | Jumping, drinking a healing potion, and abilities labelled as bonus actions | An unused action does not give you another bonus action. |
| Movement | Reaching a target or moving to cover | Jumping also consumes movement distance. |
| Reaction | A response to a trigger, such as an opportunity attack when an enemy leaves melee reach | It is conditional, not a button for an extra attack whenever you want. |
These resources generally refresh at the start of the character’s next turn. Some features grant extra resources; longer-term resources such as spell slots do not simply refill every turn.
Practice one turn
Imagine a melee character near an enemy. The character is injured, carries a healing potion and has their action, bonus action and movement available:
- Check the route and move close enough to use the weapon.
- Make a weapon attack, spending the action. It may hit or miss, so check whether the enemy is still able to act.
- If healing is needed, use the potion from the character’s inventory, spending the bonus action. If health is safe, save that bonus action for another available ability instead.
- Decide whether to move somewhere safer before ending the turn. Leaving an enemy’s melee reach may trigger an opportunity attack; check the available disengage options and their costs before moving away.
This is a practice sequence, not a required order. If the character is at risk of going down, drinking first and attacking second can be sensible. Check the cost of each step either way.
Why can’t I use another ability?
To choose when a reaction is used, open the selected character’s spellbook and its Reactions tab. Enable the reaction, then select Ask to receive a prompt when it triggers. On keyboard the default shortcut is L; controller navigation may differ.
Inspect the ability and compare its cost with the resources remaining. For example, after drinking a potion you cannot use another bonus action just because your action remains available. Extra Attack and class features create exceptions, so do not apply the example blindly to every character.
A reaction also needs a trigger. When an enemy leaves melee reach, your character may make an opportunity attack using their reaction. If it has already been spent on another ability, it is unavailable until refreshed. Review the character’s reaction settings and ability descriptions to decide when the game should ask you.
In the next fight, practice movement, an action and a bonus action with one character, then watch for reaction opportunities during the enemy turn. Once the costs make sense, class abilities and spells become much easier to plan.
Sources: Spike Chunsoft official combat guide · bg3.wiki: Actions · Gameplay mechanics · BG3 Wiki: Reactions
Sources
- Spike Chunsoft official combat guide — Spike Chunsoft official combat guide
- bg3.wiki: Actions — bg3.wiki: Actions
- Gameplay mechanics — Gameplay mechanics
- BG3 Wiki: Reactions — Reactions tab and Ask setting
Revision history
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