Reactions Explained in Baldur's Gate 3

Confused by Baldur's Gate 3 reactions? Learn how Attacks of Opportunity, Divine Smite, and Counterspell work, and how to manage them in combat.

Alright, let’s talk about Reactions in Baldur’s Gate 3. Think of them as special moves that happen automatically or with your quick approval when certain things pop off in combat. You know, like when an enemy tries to run away from your melee fighter? That’s an Attack of Opportunity, and it’s a classic reaction!

Other cool reactions include a Paladin’s Divine Smite, which you can use when you land a hit, or a Wizard’s Counterspell to shut down an enemy caster. Since BG3 is turn-based, you don't need lightning-fast reflexes. The best part? You can actually set up which reactions you want to use and even get a prompt before they happen, giving you total control. No more accidentally burning through spell slots!

Want to see what reactions your character has? Just open their inventory by pressing the I key. Look for three buttons in the top left corner – the third one, with two intersecting arrows, is your Reactions tab. Here, you’ll see all the reactions available to your character. Some characters, especially at lower levels, might not have any reactions yet, and that’s totally fine.

For each reaction listed, you’ll see a little dot next to it. If the dot is checked, the reaction will happen automatically whenever its condition is met (assuming you have the resources, like a spell slot). If the dot is empty, it’ll never trigger. But here’s the really useful part: there’s an “Ask” box right next to it. Check this, and the game will pause and ask you if you want to use that reaction every single time it’s available. This is super handy for managing resources and making sure you’re using reactions when you *really* want to.

For example, a 2nd-level Paladin gets two Divine Smite reactions. One triggers on any hit, and the other only on a critical hit. If you have the first one set to “Ask,” you’ll get a prompt every time you hit an enemy, asking if you want to spend a spell slot to smite them. It’s a great way to control your resources and make sure you’re not wasting that powerful ability.

Remember, reactions aren't free! They often cost resources, most commonly a spell slot, in addition to using up your character’s single reaction for that combat round. So, always keep an eye on your spell slots and make sure you’ve got the resources before you commit to a reaction!