Discover how to use Reverberation, a powerful status effect that can be combined with weapons and builds in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Reverberation in Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the newer conditions introduced to the game, and it can be inflicted on enemies. It has negative status effects or debuffs that affect the enemies and do additional thunder damage. To pair it off, it also has extremely satisfying explosive sounds once it hits the targets.
This guide will explore everything regarding Reverberation in Baldur’s Gate 3. Not all items have this ability, and not all builds can utilize this status effect effectively. However, with the right combination of items, you can easily make a build that will make your life easier in BG3.
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How Does Reverberation Work in Baldur’s Gate 3
Reverberation is a stacking status effect that can be applied to enemies debuffing strength, dexterity, and concentration while causing prone at 5 or more stacks. For each stack that an enemy has, certain stats are negated by one. Here’s how Reverberation works in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Application: Reverberation is applied through specific items and/or spells. These items or spells usually require certain conditions to trigger the effect.
- Duration: Reverberation is not infinite and lasts for a specific number of rounds depending on various factors.
- Effects: Reverberation in Baldur’s Gate 3 can have two different types of effects –
- Debuff: For every turn the condition remains active, the affected enemy suffers a -1 debuff to its Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution saving throws.
- Thunder Damage and prone: If there are four or more stacks of Reverberation remaining, the enemy will have to make a Constitution saving throw or be prone while also taking thunder damage.
Why is Reverberation Powerful
Reverberation is a potent status effect in Baldur’s Gate 3 due to its significant impact on enemy survivability and skill usage. By reducing their strength, dexterity, and constitution saving throws, Reverberation drastically increases the chances of successfully landing powerful spells that can otherwise be avoided by saving throws.
Most of the powerful spells like Disintegrate, Fireball, Wall of Fire, and Wall of Ice, to name a few, rely heavily on dexterity and saving throws. Taking away their potency automatically makes every fight much easier. Additionally, enemies that are prone will be much easier to hit. Although the final thunder damage is beneficial, the star of this show is the debuffs.
It should be noted that enemies immune to thunder damage will not take any damage from it. This also means that the damage bit will not work in Silence since it completely negates thunder. Silence doesn’t remove the Reverberation condition, and enemies will still suffer from the saving throw penalty.
Additionally, the Prone Status effect eliminates an enemy’s turn by stunning them. Therefore, not only do you debuff enemies, but you stun them, possibly with stacking debuff!
All items that have Reverberation in Baldur’s Gate 3
Spells cannot inflict reverberation can only be dealt with through the following four items:
Items | Effect |
---|---|
Gloves of Belligerent Skies | When the wearer deals Thunder damage, Lightning damage, or Radiant damage, inflict 2 turns of Reverberation upon the target(s). |
Boots of Stormy Clamour | When the wearer inflicts a condition upon a hostile creature, they also inflict 2 turns of Reverberation. |
Spineshudder Amulet | When the wearer deals damage with a ranged Spell Attack, inflict 2 turns of Reverberation Reverberation on the target(s). |
Markoheshkir | Grants Kereska’s Favour which can grant Bone-shaking Thunder. When you deal spell damage, inflict 1 turn of Reverberation upon the target. |
All the above items, except Markoheshkir, are uncommon and can be acquired without much hassle in Baldur’s Gate 3. The latter is a legendary quarterstaff.
All items that interact with Reverberation
The following items in Baldur’s Gate 3 have unique interactions with Reverberation:
Item | Effect |
---|---|
Ring of Absolute Force | If the wearer bears the Absolute’s Brand, they deal 1 additional Thunder damage with Thunder damage spells and attacks. |
Thunderskin Cloak | When a creature with Reverberation deals damage to the wearer, the creature needs to make a Constitution saving throw or become Dazed. |
Ring of Spiteful Thunder | When the wearer deals Thunder damage to a Reverberating creature, it becomes Dazed unless it succeeds a Constitution saving throw. |
Build Combinations with Reverberation
The best build for Reverberation is Tempest Cleric or Storm Sorcerer. Any build that emphasizes thunder spells or damage uses the Reverberation stack mechanic, aiming for 5 to knock enemies prone. Therefore, Tempest Cleric has the most built-in thunder damage, but it is melee and ranged, especially since players can select the Shadowheart companion near the start of Baldur’s Gate 3. Below is a sample build using Reverberation in BG3:
Class: Cleric
Subclass: Tempest
Armor: Heavy
Weapon: Greatsword
Background: Soldier
Race: Wood Elf
- Strength – 8
- Dexterity – 14
- Constitution – 16
- Intelligence – 10
- Wisdom – 16
- Charisma – 10
Skills
- Perception, Insight, Acrobatics
Feats
- War Caster
- Ability Improvement (Wisdom)
Weapons, Armor, Gear
- Hat of the Storm Scion’s Power
- Thunderskin Cloak
- Adamantine Splint Armor
- Boots of Stormy Clamour
- Gloves of Belligerent Skies
- Ring of Spiteful Thunder
- Coruscation Ring
- Markoheshkir
Important Thunder Spells
- Thunderwave
- Shatter
- Destructive Wave
Core Mechanics
- Thunder damage: The build focuses on dealing Thunder damage through spells like Thunder Wave, Shatter, and Destructive Wave to maximize Reverberation application.
- Item synergies: Items like the Hat of the Storm Scion’s Power and Ring of Spiteful Thunder enhance Thunder damage and amplify the Reverberation effect.
- Spell selection: Spells that deal Thunder damage or inflict conditions are prioritized. Spirit Guardians is particularly effective as it deals radiant damage, which also triggers Reverberation through items.
- Arcane Acuity: As Reverberation increases spell save DC, landing spells becomes easier, creating a positive feedback loop.
Combat Strategy
- Initiate combat: Begin combat by using spells like Thunder Wave or Shatter to apply initial Reverberation stacks.
- Maintain pressure: Continuously attack enemies with Thunder damage spells and weapon attacks to build up Reverberation.
- Utilize crowd control: Spells like Hold Person and Spirit Guardians can help control the battlefield while applying Reverberation.
- Exploit weakness: Once enemies have multiple Reverberation stacks, they are more susceptible to conditions and damage.
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