Baldur’s Gate 3, a game that has garnered early critical acclaim and proven its commercial success through impressive Steam concurrency records, caters to a community of dedicated players. Given its PC-centric nature and nearly three-year stint in Steam Early Access, it was almost inevitable that the game would see substantial modding activity.
While staying true to the Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition framework, Baldur’s Gate 3 introduces its own unique twists, which might not align with the preferences of all purist players.
This guide showcases a selection of the top-notch Baldur’s Gate 3 mods that are currently compatible with the launch version. These mods span across quality-of-life enhancements, rule adjustments, expanded party size and level caps, and much more.
Before diving into the modding realm, a crucial step is to set up the Mod Fixer developed by Mharius. This straightforward process entails extracting the contents of the “Full Release Mod Fixer.pak” into the directory “AppData\Local\Larian Studios\Baldur’s Gate 3\Mods.”
Note that the “AppData” folder might be concealed, requiring you to unveil hidden files in Windows File Explorer settings. If an error message pops up upon launching the game, stating that it couldn’t ‘create a working story’, you should also download the optional file and install it in the same directory.
Best Mods for Baldur’s Gate 3
1. Party Limit Begone
A notable mod, Party Limit Begone by Sildur, pushes the boundaries of Larian’s default party size of four characters. The initial version, compatible with the game’s 1.0 release, increased the single-player party limit to eight, while multiplayer remained at four.
Subsequently, version 1.2 doubled the party limit across both single-player and multiplayer to sixteen and eight characters, respectively. It’s worth noting that this version requires patching the Baldur’s Gate 3.exe file.
If you prefer to avoid this, version 1.0.1 can be obtained from the Nexus Mods archive. Simply drop its content into the “Mods” folder within “Baldur’s Gate 3/Data,” proceed to the in-game camp, ask a companion to wait there, and then re-add them along with additional members.
2. The Level 20 Cap (up to 20 with Multiclassing)
The Level 20 (Multiclass) mod by Malcroix earns a special place in the realm of Baldur’s Gate 3 mods. While Dungeons and Dragons has a level cap of 20, the game itself caps at level 12. Enter this mod, which enables players to overcome this limitation using the built-in multiclassing feature.
To fully utilize it, plan to reach level 12 as your final stage, as leveling beyond this point becomes impossible. For instance, if you’re aiming for a Level 12 Fighter/8 Barbarian, allocate 11 Fighter levels, followed by 8 Barbarian levels, and finally reach level 12 as a Fighter.
The mod offers three variants, one intended for testing and two for gameplay. One variant lifts the level cap without boosting XP, potentially letting you surpass level 12. The other variant reduces XP requirements for leveling, allowing you to reach level 20 with diligent experience accumulation. To install, extract the mod’s contents into the “Baldur’s Gate 3/Data” folder.
3. 5e Spells
Incorporating additional spells and feats is a common pursuit for many modders to bridge gaps in the gameplay. The “5e Spells” mod by Celes, available on Nexus Mods, introduces an extensive selection of spells from official D&D5e sources.
Drawing from texts like Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything and Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, this mod extends Baldur’s Gate 3’s spell repertoire to include iconic spells like Finger of Death, reaching up to 9th-level incantations such as Invulnerability, Time Stop, and True Resurrection.
The mod also aligns spell durations with the Player’s Handbook, although an optional download retains Larian’s redesigns. Installing this mod requires the BG3 Mod Manager, where you can activate it and save the load order before launching the game.
4. Feat Extra
On the other hand, the “Feat Extra” mod introduces a handful of missing Feats to Baldur’s Gate 3. Although modest in quantity, these Feats, including Eldritch Adept, Elven Accuracy, and others, offer valuable options for character progression, particularly when complemented by the aforementioned spell mod. To incorporate this mod, also employ the BG3 Mod Manager.
5. Animate Dead ++
Among the newer Baldur’s Gate 3 mods, “Animate Dead ++” by Sailor Cat streamlines the necromancer experience. The mod eliminates the requirement for nearby corpses and overcomes default minion limitations, enabling you to raise as many undead as your spell slots allow. Installation is facilitated by the BG3 Mod Manager.
6. Fix Bad DM
Larian’s interpretation of D&D5e involves notable alterations. The “Fix Bad DM” mod by Eric strives to rectify certain aspects of gameplay, restoring some original behaviors and enhancing balance. This mod converts actions like shoving and jumping from bonus actions to full actions, aiming to address their overpowered nature.
The mod also introduces changes in weapon behavior and action recovery after being downed, contributing to fairer gameplay. To install, utilize the BG3 Mod Manager.
The “Mage Hand Improved” mod by Delfigalo1368 comes in handy by expanding the usability of the Mage Hand spell. While the game typically limits Mage Hand usage to two casts per short rest, this mod grants you the ability to cast it at will. Installation is managed through the BG3 Mod Manager.
Furthermore, the “Ritual Casting for Wizards” mod resurrects the mechanics of ritual casting from D&D5e for spells like Disguise Self, Feather Fall, and more. The installation process involves the BG3 Mod Manager.
7. Bigger Fonts
Quality-of-life enhancements are crucial for an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience. The “Bigger Fonts” mod by Cezarrr ensures better readability, an especially valuable asset when playing on larger screens from a distance. This mod doesn’t require the BG3 Mod Manager; you can directly place its contents into the “Baldur’s Gate 3\Mods” folder.
8. Carry Weight Tweaks
The “Carry Weight Tweaks” mod, courtesy of Avalonica, reduces the burden of inventory management by significantly augmenting character carry capacity. This enhancement is particularly handy during extended adventures. Install the mod using the BG3 Mod Manager.
9. No More Dirt and Blood
Visual enhancement is a realm frequented by modders, with various presets available on Nexus Mods. However, two noteworthy mods include “No More Dirt and Blood” by Margerard, which eliminates dirt and blood accumulation on characters after battles, offering two options: to halt accumulation or render it invisible. For installation, extract the mod’s contents into the “Baldurs Gate 3\Data” folder.
10. No Fog No Outline Better Colors
The “No Fog No Outline Better Colors” mod by DisablePP and uploaded by Poponos improves visuals by removing fog and its outline, while enhancing color quality. This mod should be extracted to the same directory as the game’s .exe file.
11. Customizer’s Compendium
Character customization aficionados will appreciate mods that expand these options. “Customizer’s Compendium” by AlanaSP unlocks NPC character creation options, allowing more diverse character designs.
With Baldur’s Gate 3 thriving and its modding community vibrant, expect further exciting expansions of the gameplay experience. Keep an eye out for new additions that promise to enrich your adventures in this captivating world.
