Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Suggestions & Feedback Monster buffs maybe need to be dialed back a tad..

From what I have played so far....comparing the monsters to their 5e equivalents, I noticed a pattern of upscaling basically every monster out there (without really upscaling the PCs):

- Goblins

...have about 2-4 times their 5e Hitpoints
...seem to also have a major strength increase (see: how far your body gets flung when you get punched off the cliff, and how rarely the push fails)
...commonly possess AOE bomb attacks


- Bulettes

...have a massively buffed Leap Attack. Compared to 5e, it doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity, has a MASSIVELY increased range (I did the math; the 5e version scaled to this game has a no-running-start jump range of ~9 meters, whereas this guy can jump halfway across the screen), and has a significantly increased range of effect for the landing knockdown. Finally, it can do this as a BONUS action (!!!) and follow up with a melee attack...every round.
...have now been given a ranged AOE acid spit attack.


- Hook Horrors

...have been given a new leap move that much like the Bulette allows it to traverse basically anywhere on the screen without provoking AOE attacks, and also has a knockdown effect against anyone it lands next to. Does this every round...no escape for backline characters.


- Minotaurs

...when engaged in melee, can still perform their charge attack at point blank without the 10ft running start (3.048m). And they do it every turn.




I think I'm maybe ok with monsters getting some slightly different flavoring compared to PHB, but I think there are some balancing issues to be had. Would it be possible to maybe tone down some of it? Especially the leap moves. It doesn't help that we are limited to 4 PC's (another conversation), which is generally considered a "weak" party in D&D balancing, while the monsters are only stronger.

essentially boils down to another "can we please bring it closer to the actual 5e rules please"

which i agree with

Someone needs to be able to compete with Lae'zel's 90-foot Hulk leaps. Just saying

I do want it closer to 5e but that's not really what i'm saying.

I'm just specifically talking about the balancing between the monsters and the PC's. I don't have a problem with some divergence from the book as long as it improves playability.

I'm not sure I agree with all your points. Especially the goblins. They are nowhere near as strong as the intellect devourers, for example. And their hp, except for some special named characters is around 8-12, which seems normal for levels 1-2.

As per 5e rules, the bulette does not need a running start. It can use a bonus action to make a standing leap of 30 ft (which translates to 9-10 m here) AND gets that knockback if the leap is more than 15 ft.

I agree about the minotaurs, though. Their charge works for even point blank, but the knockback requires a running start of 10 ft (3m here).

Not sure about the hook horrors.

Also, shove and knockbacks in general have been boosted. 5e uses 5ft (1.5-2 m here) knockbacks as the default, with exceptions like the minotaur, but the base here seems to be 5m or more.

Regarding goblins: only at the beginning do they go 8-12. Once you get across the bridge it appears 12 is the minimum, whereas many more have 24-30 HP. I wouldn't have much issue with this though, but had to point out the difference because it is still a pattern.

Regarding bulettes: I'm well aware the bulette doesn't need a running start. It's still 9m. Whereas the Larian version jumps a lot farther than that, possibly almost double the distance. And in 5e the knockdown only affects things in the Bulette's landing space, whereas the Larian version hits everything in a AOE around it.

Can't seem to edit original post so here's a new monster to the list that needs rebalancing...


The Gnoll Hunters in the cliffs above the Tollhouse.

- At 4th level, they get 3 attacks a round, equivalent to an 11th level Fighter.
- Like Goblin archers, they have an incredible HULK-SMASH shove attack that never fails and sends you flying ludicrous distances.