I've played Larian's RPG for over 1000 hours, and these are the 5 best ways to replay Baldur's Gate 3

What are the best ways to replay Baldur's Gate 3? I've spent a lot of time thinking about this very question. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot.

Having played close to 1,000 hours of Larian's sprawling RPG since it first released on PS5, I've created many different Tavs, role-played as various established origin characters, and taken a host of approaches over the years. And that's the beauty of a game like Baldur's Gate 3; it's an experience that's meant to be replayed by design, with so much freedom of choice and room for experimentation. But there are definitely certain playthroughs I've done that have been more rewarding or downright run han others, and after much deliberation, I've finally come to the conclusion that the five ways I've listed below are truly the best ways to replay Baldur's Gate 3.

I will say that many of these aren't suited to your very first try at Larian's RPG. For that, I'd suggest following your heart and seeing where the Sword Coast leads you. But once you've experienced what is without a doubt one of the best RPGs for the first time, then my suggestions are here for you when you're ready to step back into Faerûn. Whether you're looking for something playful to shake up your journey, a challenge, or you want something narratively satisfying as you set out to rid yourself of the Mind Flayer tadpole, there's something here for you. So, read on as I guide you through the best ways to replay Baldur's Gate 3.

5. Everyone's a bard run

As William Shakespeare famously wrote, "all the world's a stage", and now you can transform Faerûn into one, too. How? Why, by playing as a bard and reclassing or multi-classing every companion to be one, too. If you want the party to maintain their signature fighting styles, I'd opt for the latter, but if you want to go all in by turning Baldur's Gate 3 into a musical of your own making, then outfitting everyone with bardic skills and instruments is the way to do it.

All you need to do is create a custom game and enable multiclassing, and then once a character levels up, ensure you select multiclass and opt for bard. Or, alternatively, get Withers in your party after finding him in the Dank Crypt in Act 1, and bring each member of your party to him to change up classes. Personally, I think the Bard is hands down the best Baldur's Gate 3 class. Not only do they have high charisma, which gives them the gift of the gab, but they also have incredibly entertaining and useful skills. From Bardic Inspiration, which gives your allies a hearty buff, to the useful Song of Rest action that acts like a short rest to recover, I'll never tire of using Vicious Mockery to hurl insults at my foes, or casting Dissonant Whispers to cause some good psychic damage.

But you also can't discount the simple joy of having them play a ditty, busk for coins from a nearby crowd, or play out a battle to the beat of your drum or strum of your lute. And when your entire party can do all of those things, well, you can transform every fight into a musical. Having each character deliver their own unique put-downs with Vicious Mockery never gets old, either. Oh, and if you want some added entertainment, make sure everyone has the ability to talk to animals.

4. No weapons run

When it comes to combat in Baldur's Gate 3, Larian offers up the freedom to mess around and find out what happens. With so many classes that have their own unique fighting styles, you can do everything from dual-wielding two sticks of salami to using cantrips and spells to find workarounds against the toughest of foes. But if you want a different kind of challenge, consider this: a no weapons run.

Yes, as our very own senior staff writer Jasmine Gould-Wilson outlines for GamesRadar+'s RPG club subscribers, going fully weapons-free is no cakewalk. In fact, it can get downright tricky, but it's also incredibly satisfying to work out ways to defeat enemies when weapons are no longer part of the equation. Naturally, to pull off this run, you need to ensure you don't equip or use any melee or ranged weapons.

Of course, with no weapons in hand, that leaves room for you to use your arms as veritable throwing machines, and creating a character who's great at lobbing stuff could be an approach. Magic is also still an option, but you can't have a weapon equipped to give yourself extra abilities or buffs. Doing this run really will make you think outside the box during combat, and if you're looking to experiment more when it comes to battles, then this is the one to consider trying out.

3. Honour Mode

When Baldur's Gate 3's patch 5 landed towards the end of 2023, the Honour Mode difficulty was officially introduced to the fold, and as its description reads you can expect a "fraught and deadly campaign" should you choose it. And trust me, that's no exaggeration. If you're after a challenge with real high stakes, then it's got you written all over it. As the toughest difficulty option for Larian's RPG, Honour mode gives you a single save slot, and ups the ante from Tactician difficulty by introducing permadeath if a party member dies in combat.

Should your entire party fall during a combat scenario, then that's it. Game over. No reload for you, bucko. So, this is me giving you a warning. It's unforgiving and not one to take on until you're well-versed in Baldur's Gate 3's turn-based combat and class builds. With just a 10% success rate among players a year after Honour mode was added, it's certainly no small feat to complete the sprawling RPG and its many challenging encounters in this setting. You never know what might spell your ultimate demise, as is evidenced from this poor soul who lost a 50 hour attempt, or this unlucky adventurer whose 60-hour run came to an end in the most unexpected of ways.

But if you manage to overcome Baldur's Gate 3's Honour mode, you'll not only earn yourself the Foehammer achievement, but you'll also get a Golden D20 dice which you can roll in future playthroughs and wear like a badge of, well, honour.

2. Origin run - Gale or Karlach

Once you've experienced the story as your own customizable character, you should absolutely explore the RPG as one of the established companions. With various origins to choose from, you can play as any one of the core party members who travel alongside you, and each one has their own unique interactions, motivations, and narrative arcs that allow you to experience the Sword Coast from other perspectives.

While you'll likely be drawn to your personal favorites, I'd personally recommend replaying Baldur's Gate 3 as either Gale or Karlach. Both characters bring something different to the table, and I really love how enjoyable it is to play as either from a role-playing perspective. I first played as Gale back in 2024, after a poll dropped revealing he was the most popular origin among players. When I decided to try him out for myself, I quickly understood why.

Thanks to his Netherese orb predicament, there are so many unique dialogue options, interactions, and moments when you're playing as Gale that shake up the experience of the adventure throughout all three acts. Plus, as an added bonus, you have the adorable cat-like Tressym Tara at camp with you. Karlach, on the other hand, is the only origin companion who has an inner monologue, which offers so much insight into her character during certain story beats and encounters. While I have a deep attachment to the fiery tiefling, I think anyone could get invested in her personal story, too.

1. Dark Urge resistance run

If you were to ask me what the quintessential way to play Baldur's Gate 3 is, I'd give you the same answer every time: The Dark Urge resistance run. Alongside the many established companion origins you can play, there's also the unique and decidedly dark option to play as The Dark Urge. Awakening on the Mind Flayer ship with a bout of Amnesia, you feel a sinister urge which seemingly sparks the desire to kill in a very bloody fashion.

This origin is a role-playing dream come true from the get-go. As you try to understand these unexplained urges and reclaim the haunted past you can't remember, it's left up to you to decide how you handle it. Do you confide in your companions, or try to hide the bloodthirsty side of yourself? You're also free to choose if you give in to these urges or you resist them, and I'd recommend the latter every day of the week.

Not only do I consider The Dark Urge the true canon storyline for my customizable Tav, but the resistance run is also easily the most fulfilling and satisfying way to play Baldur's Gate 3, let alone replay. And if you really want some extra plot goodness from a role-playing perspective, I actually think Astarion's romance is very fitting for The Dark Urge if you're going down the resistance path. Both can connect over some similarities in their unfortunate circumstances and past experiences, and it just enriches the whole experience. But of course, that's entirely optional, and no matter if you choose to romance someone or not, you won't regret diving back into one of the best story-driven RPGs all over again in this way.

Look ahead to more role-playing goodness with our roundup of upcoming RPGs.