How to Level Up Fast in Baldur’s Gate 3? Explained

Obtain XP in Baldur’s Gate 3 by completing side quests and defeating enemies if you want to level up.

Baldur's Gate 3 System Requirements Windows and Mac
The game locks spells and combat abilities behind level caps (Source: Larian Studios)

Journeying through the Forgotten Realms to neutralize the threat of the Absolute in Baldur’s Gate 3 is an absolute joy that’s made even better by the game’s complex combat, spells, intricate cast of characters, and conflicting factions. To make the most of these features and steer outcomes in their favor, players should focus on leveling up.

As you gain XP, you will level up and receive skill points to purchase new spells and combat abilities. Some of the game’s strongest powers are locked behind level caps, so you must level up to optimize your playthrough and have a smoother experience.

How to Gain XP in Baldur’s Gate 3

The easiest way to gain XP is to simply play the game! As you progress through the main story questline, you earn XP for completing quests. The enemies you beat along the way also grant XP.

Baldur’s Gate 3 greatly encourages combat. So, when you find yourself in a heated conversation with an NPC, you can expect to earn XP. Difficult enemies drop more XP. You’ll encounter them as minibosses scattered across the world or as bosses at the end of main or side questlines. If you’re in the early game, mainly Act 1, make sure to clear out the Goblin camps as each goblin rewards around 50-100 XP.

Exploration is the name of the game when it comes to RPGs, and Baldur’s Gate 3 rewards the curious cats in the form of XP. Much like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey or The Witcher 3, you gain XP every time you step into a new location for the first time. 

Baldur's Gate 3 Lorroakan at Sorcerous Sundries
Interact with NPCs to get side quests (Source: Larian Studios)

Explore, talk ,and read

Side quests in Baldur’s Gate 3 net you XP while enhancing your narrative experience. They lead you to discover new areas and dungeons, as well as new enemies that you can defeat to gain XP. To find side quests, interact with as many NPCs as possible in new locations. Some of these NPCs may have quests for you that you may complete for substantial amounts of XP. 

Lastly, make sure to interact with books and other readable items because they may contain information that could lead you to your next quest.

Kill Everyone

If you’re not one to hold back on violence, then killing everyone is another way of levelling up. Every enemy you kill grants you XP so engage in as many fights as you can whenever you can. However, remember, should you kill an important NPC you will lose out on their quest.

A Silver Tongue

While the game heavily rewards you for combat, sometimes the enemies might just be tougher than what you bargained for. Instead of brute-forcing your way through the section, greying your hair in the process, we recommend playing smart and talking your way out of a conflict.

Using smart dialogue options in Baldur’s Gate 3 grants a little bit of XP while leaving avenues open to revisit the NPC later down the line for a side quest.

Side Quests to Look Out For

Side Quests in the early game are sparse, but you should make the best of what is available. Here’s a quick overview of the side quests you should not ignore:

  • In Act 1, the Missing Shipment Quest can give you anywhere between 500-1200 XP, depending on the choices you make.
  • Another quest that involves saving trapped refugees can grant you anywhere between 500-1000 XP. Defeating the enemies grants 300 XP, and if you rescue all the refugees intact, expect over 1000 XP in total.
  • The side quest where you save Mayrina from the Hag is one of the meatier quests in the early game and rewards you around 1200 XP for defeating the end boss.

Developed by Larian Studios, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a turn-based RPG set in the world of Dungeons and Dragons. Critics widely praised the game upon its release in 2023, and it won several Game of the Year awards.


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