Baldur's Gate 3 Newbie Guide: My Biggest Advice After 2+ Years of Playing

Hey everyone! It's 2026, and even though Baldur's Gate 3 has been out for over two years now, I still see tons of new players jumping into this masterpiece for the first time. 🎮 Seeing those fresh faces discovering Faerûn for themselves brings back so many memories of my own first run. If you're just starting your journey, buckle up—you're in for one hell of an adventure. Honestly, I wish I could wipe my memory and experience it all again! But since I can't, let me share the single most important piece of advice I wish someone had screamed at me when I first created my character.

The #1 Rule: LONG REST. LIKE, CONSTANTLY.

I know, I know. You're thinking, "But won't I run out of camp supplies?" or "What if I miss a timed quest?" Trust me, I had all those fears too. On my first playthrough, I was so terrified of advancing the story too quickly or triggering some doom counter that I basically treated long rests like they were a precious, limited resource. Big mistake. Huge. 😅

The truth is, long resting is not just a mechanic to restore spell slots and health—it's the primary engine for the game's story and character development. So many pivotal moments, hilarious conversations, and deep companion revelations are locked behind those campfire scenes. If you're not resting often, you're literally missing half the game.

Let me break down why this is so crucial:

• Companion Stories Unfold at Camp: Want to know why Shadowheart is so secretive? Curious about Astarion's past? Eager to see Gale's... magical condition? These threads unravel almost exclusively during long rests.

• Romance Progresses Here: Thinking of wooing Karlach or winning over Lae'zel? Those tender (or not-so-tender) moments happen by the fire.

• Critical Plot Beats Trigger: Certain story events are designed to occur after you rest. If you don't rest, they get queued up and can sometimes get lost or overwritten.

I remember a post from a while back on the game's subreddit where a new player got the physical copy for Christmas. The top comment, with thousands of upvotes, was pure gold: "Enjoy the game, Long rest often, stay off this subreddit for obvious reasons." The community overwhelmingly agreed. One player shared how they avoided resting for fear of missing content, only to realize in Act 3 that they had skipped massive chunks of companion arcs. Don't be that player!

But Wait... What About Supplies and Time?

New player anxiety is real. Here’s the practical side:

• Camp Supplies are Plentiful: Seriously, loot everything. You'll find more food and wine than you can possibly use. Don't hoard it—use it!

• Partial Rests are Your Friend: You can do a partial rest (which costs no supplies) just to check if any camp events are queued up. If a companion has a "!" above their head at camp, you know you've got something waiting.

• Most Quests Aren't Actually Timed: There are a few exceptions (like saving someone from a burning building), but 95% of quests will not fail because you took a nap. The game is designed to be explored at your pace.

Other Golden Nuggets of Wisdom from a Veteran

While the long rest advice is king, here are a few other pro-tips I've gathered from my multiple playthroughs since launch:

1. Save. All. The. Time.

   • Quick-save (F5) is your best friend. Before a conversation, after a battle, when you see a suspicious-looking chest... just save. The game is full of surprises, and not all of them are pleasant. 😬

2. Embrace the Weird Interactions

   • The community wasn't joking about "lick the spider." Baldur's Gate 3 is packed with bizarre, hilarious, and often rewarding interactions you'd never think to try. Talk to animals. Try to pick up everything. Sometimes the dumbest option yields the best results.

3. Hold Onto That Rope! (And Other "Useless" Items)

   • You'll find a lot of junk. Some of it is just vendor trash, but other items, like rope, have surprising uses or are components for quests. When in doubt, keep it in your traveler's chest at camp.

The Magic of Going In Blind (But Informed)

The final piece of advice in that Reddit comment is just as vital: stay off the subreddit and wikis for your first run. Spoilers are everywhere, and this game's strength is in its discovery. You only get one first playthrough. Let yourself be surprised by the consequences of your choices, both good and bad.

Seeing new players in 2026 still discovering the magic of Baldur's Gate 3 is incredible. The game has aged like fine wine, with ongoing support and a vibrant community. My journey from clueless newbie to someone giving advice has been a blast. So take a deep breath, gather your party, and don't forget to make camp. Seriously, go take a nap right now. Your companions have some things they'd really like to tell you. 🏕️✨

TL;DR for New Players:

• 😴 REST OFTEN - This is not a suggestion, it's a commandment.

• 💾 Save constantly - You'll thank me later.

• 🕵️ Explore everything - Talk, loot, lick (maybe).

• 🚫 Avoid spoilers - Your first run is a sacred experience.

Now get out there and save Faerûn... after a good night's sleep, of course.