Baldur's Gate 3

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Baldur’s Gate 3 is a story-rich, party-based RPG set in the universe of Dungeons & Dragons, where your choices shape a tale of fellowship and betrayal, survival and sacrifice, and the lure of absolute power. (Website)

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Does defensive duelist work? (self.baldurs_gate_3)

submitted 3 weeks ago by uid0gid0 to c/baldurs_gate_3

15 comments fedilink hide all child comments

On tabletop I play a Way of the Astral Self Monk with defensive duelist. I thought I'd try that in the game and switched Astarion to open hand Monk. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong but it never seems to activate.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I don't have an answer for you, but would defensive duelist work with a monk? Doesn't it require a weapon in the main hand and an empty off hand?

[–] uid0gid0 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Defensive duelist only requirements are a finesse weapon with which you are proficient. No mention is made of an empty off-hand.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

I genuinely thought it did. Interesting.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

Monks can use weapons, but not Open Hand. Elemental monk works better with weapons than bare-handed in BG3. I don't think any martial weapons are also finesse weapons, though.

[–] uid0gid0 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Why do you think open hand monks can't use weapons?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Poor phrasing in my part. It's not that they can't, it just wouldn't be useful since the main abilities do require you to be unarmed in at least 1 hand.

[–] uid0gid0 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

I don't want to be a contrarian, but I can't find anything in the PHB that says you can't wield a weapon. Unarmed strikes don't even need to be made with your hands. Is it a sage advice that I'm unaware of or something?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

They are talking about BG3. There you cannot make a regular unarmed strike while holding a weapon.

There are many significant differences in the rules between BG3 and 5e.

[–] uid0gid0 2 points 3 weeks ago

I'm realizing this more as I play the game. Shield Master not allowing you to shove people prone is one that really annoyed me.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

I was aware monks can (at the very least I was aware of Kensei), I'd just never considered it as advantageous enough to go Defensive Duelist, I guess.

In an MP save I'm in, I'm playing an open hand monk and am currently using that staff you can buy from Auntie Ethel in the grove because of the bonuses to unarmed damage.