10 Pro Tips to Master Tactician Mode in Baldur's Gate 3

So you've decided to take on Baldur's Gate 3 on Tactician Mode. You're brave—or perhaps a glutton for punishment. Enemies are deadlier, use better tactics, and you have fewer Long Rests. But with the right strategy, you can turn the tables. Here are 10 pro tips to conquer Faerûn on its hardest difficulty.

1. Optimize Your Party Composition

Tactician enemies target your weakest saves and spread damage. Build a balanced party: a frontliner (Fighter/Paladin), a controller (Wizard/Bard), a healer/support (Cleric), and a ranged damage dealer (Ranger/Rogue). Avoid overlapping roles. A Life Domain Cleric with heavy armor and a Divination Wizard can manipulate rolls—critical for clutch moments.

2. Abuse the High Ground

Height advantage grants +2 to attack rolls. Place ranged characters on ledges and push enemies off with Thunderwave or Shove. Use misty step and fly to reposition. In the goblin camp, take the high wooden bridge—you'll have a massive advantage.

3. Master the Action Economy

Every action matters. Use bonus actions for class features (Cunning Action, Jump) or spells like Healing Word. Don't underestimate Shove: it can break concentration or push an enemy off a cliff. Reload if you waste a turn; perfection is key.

4. Control the Battlefield

Spells like Grease, Web, and Hypnotic Pattern are game-changers. They lock down enemies, forcing them to waste turns. Darkness can block ranged attacks. Use Spike Growth to create kill zones. A few well-placed control spells can win a fight before it starts.

5. Save Scum Liberally

In Tactician Mode, one bad roll can end a run. Quicksave before every conversation and fight. If a plan fails, reload and try a different approach. There's no shame in it—this is how you learn the AI's patterns.

6. Use Long Rests Sparingly

You only have 80 supplies for a full rest? Actually, you have 40—the game doesn't lie. Camp supplies are scarce; use Short Rests and healing potions. Reserve Long Rests for tough battles or narrative moments. Partial rests (with no supplies) still restore class features—do them for story progression.

7. Craft Potions and Poisons

Alchemy is your best friend. Brew Health Potions and Antidotes. Coat weapons with Poison or Drow Poison for extra damage. Buy ingredients from merchants (like Auntie Ethel's basket). Always pick up mushrooms and herbs.

8. Exploit Enemy AI

Enemies prioritize squishy targets. Put your tank in their face with threatening spells like Compelled Duel. Use invisibility or stealth to bypass encounters. The AI also hates surfaces—lure them through water then electrify it with Call Lightning.

9. Respec Your Origin Companions

Withers allows reclassing. Change Shadowheart to a Tempest Cleric for heavy armor and lightning damage? Yes please. Make Astarion a Gloom Stalker Ranger for insane first-turn burst. Optimize every companion's stats to 16 in their main stat, then prioritize Dex and Con.

10. Know the Key Encounters

Some fights demand specific strategies. The Githyanki patrol: use the zaith'isk debuff? No, just kill them early with positioning. The Spider Matriarch: lure her webs to drop her. The Phase Spider Matriarch? Same. Study the arena before engaging.

Tactician Mode is unforgiving, but with patience and these tips, you'll overcome every challenge. Remember: the game is about staying alive, not being fancy. Good luck, adventurer.