Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Suggestions & Feedback Changing equipment during combat is broken

First of all, I haven't fully tested all interactions, but here is what, afaik, you can achieve by changing around equipment mid fight:

- Switch to / put on a shield for higher AC before ending your turn while you attack with a two handed weapon

- Switch to melee to get Attack of Opportunity after using ranged attack

- Switch to equipment with special abilities, use them, and switch it again (in a single turn)

- Change to most defensive armor before ending turn while otherwise using something with offensive advantages

- Cycle unique items to the currently active player to utilize during their turn, then pass it on. For example the 18 INT headgear or the magic missile amulet.

None of that makes any sense. Suggested changes:
- Switching equipment should cost an action
- You should not be able to change weapon sets if you can't attack anymore
- No magic pockets during combats

Another one: You can attack with big two-handed weapon, change to 2 one-handed and make a bonus attack and finally switch to shield (you don't even need to be proficient with shield because proficiency influence only attacking and not defending). Also you can switch armors like this and not need to be proficient with it.

I agree that changing equipment on character should be locked*, but using expandables (potions, scrolls) should be allowed from the Equipment window.

*Example:
I swapped the anti-web shoes between the characters while fighting the spiders :D, which made it much easier encounter.

The DnD 5e rules have the solution.

I do think the scrolls/potions/food should still be magic pocketed, or something needs to change a bit on how inventory is managed.

This sounds like a non-issue in what is essentially a single player game with no PVP. I mean... maybe just don't do it rather than asking them to break apart their inventory system to counter a fairly unintuitive way to get advantage.

Oh wait me until I change my pants before you attack!

I would say the changes I suggested shouldn't be particularly complicated to implement.

I don't think it's a non-issue. Maybe some people do, but I don't want an experience where I have to decide what should and shouldn't be allowed. Primarily, the game should avoid having broken mechanics. If devs are unable to do that, then sure, maybe it's better to create your own custom rules for your playthrough to make it more enjoyable. Also, changing equipment mid fight is something that could be balanced and have a cost. "Just don't do it" isn't really a solution. I want it to have a proper implementation that makes sense.

People complain about rest system not being good, since you can long rest almost anywhere. This greatly affects the balance of warlocks and other spellcasters in particular. It makes the game less exciting when you can long rest after every encounter. Now you don't have to do that, you can choose to long rest less frequently. Does that mean it's a non-issue? No. Devs should absolutely do something about.

Similarly, let's say the weapon set switching trick. One press of a button and you can switch to sword/shield after shooting with a bow. The game allows it. It's a mechanic. It's easy to do. Why wouldn't you do it? It's not a great experience to play a game find mechanics that make you go "yeah this is dumb" and have to decide if you should use it or not.

I'm also not saying this is a deal breaker and I can't enjoy the game. This is EA and they are asking for feedback. I find that this is something that they could change to improve the game. If the devs don't care, whatever, but why are you opposed to suggesting improvements?

Changing armor during combat should definitely not be allowed since you'd need several minutes to don an armor. Magic pockets shouldn't work during combat either.

But weapon switching should remain untouched, at least for your equipped weapon sets.