In Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3), combat is a rich and tactical experience influenced heavily by Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules. One key mechanic that often catches players off guard is the use of offhand attacks when dual wielding. While dual wielding offers the potential for more damage, there are strategic moments where disabling your offhand attack can be crucial whether to preserve your bonus action, avoid triggering enemy reactions, or prepare for a different bonus action ability. Knowing how to turn off offhand attacks in BG3 gives players better control over each combat round, especially when managing classes like Rogue, Ranger, or Fighter.
Understanding Offhand Attacks in Baldur’s Gate 3
Offhand attacks in BG3 are governed by the bonus action system. When a character equips two light melee weapons (or a weapon combination that allows dual wielding), they gain the ability to make an offhand attack using their bonus action. This offhand strike doesn’t include the character’s ability modifier to damage unless they have the Two-Weapon Fighting style or certain feats.
By default, BG3 often queues this bonus action attack automatically at the end of your main hand attack. For many players, this behavior may seem convenient, but it can cause issues in combat when you want to save your bonus action for a different ability like using Cunning Action, activating a potion, or casting a bonus action spell.
When You Might Want to Disable Offhand Attacks
- You plan to use a different bonus action ability this turn (e.g., Rogues using Cunning Action: Disengage).
- You want to avoid triggering enemy reactions like Hellish Rebuke or Sentinel.
- You are trying to avoid pushing an enemy out of a specific area or triggering game effects like opportunity attacks.
- You want to optimize your attack priority by saving the bonus action for another phase in the combat.
How to Turn Off Offhand Attacks
Fortunately, BG3 provides an easy-to-use system to manage your offhand attacks. Here’s how to disable them so that you retain full control over your bonus actions in any situation:
Manual Deactivation from the Hotbar
When you are dual wielding, an icon for your offhand attack appears on your hotbar. This icon typically resembles two crossed weapons or is marked as Offhand Attack. By default, this action is set to automatically activate whenever your main weapon attacks provided your bonus action is available.
To turn off automatic offhand attacks:
- Look for the offhand attack icon on your hotbar (usually the bottom of your screen).
- Right-click the icon to open a small context menu.
- Choose the option labeled ‘Toggle Offhand Attack’ or uncheck Auto-use bonus action.
- Alternatively, click the icon once to gray it out, which deactivates the action for that round.
By disabling it, you prevent the game from automatically using your bonus action on an offhand attack unless you manually click the offhand icon during your turn.
Using Tactical Mode or Turn-Based Planning
Another way to control your bonus actions is through careful turn-based planning. When in combat, plan your turn by manually choosing each action. Avoid clicking on the enemy multiple times or using auto-attack behaviors, which may trigger your offhand attack unintentionally.
If you’re using a character who regularly relies on bonus actions for mobility or utility like a Rogue or Monk develop the habit of toggling off the offhand attack at the start of battle, then only using it when it provides clear advantage.
Classes That Are Affected by Offhand Usage
Different classes use bonus actions in varying ways. Turning off your offhand attack can be especially useful depending on your class or subclass strategy.
Rogue
Rogues rely on their bonus actions for movement and evasion through Cunning Action (Dash, Disengage, or Hide). Using an offhand attack can sometimes prevent them from escaping a dangerous situation. It’s typically better to disengage safely than to deal minor damage with an offhand strike.
Ranger
While Rangers can benefit from dual wielding through the Two-Weapon Fighting Style, certain subclass abilities or spells might require their bonus action. For example, casting Hunter’s Mark or using features like Ensnaring Strike can conflict with offhand attacks.
Fighter
Fighters using the Dual Wielder feat can benefit greatly from offhand attacks, especially with Action Surge and Extra Attacks in play. However, in certain scenarios where a fighter needs to Second Wind or use subclass features (like Battle Master maneuvers), turning off the offhand strike can be helpful for strategic planning.
Bard, Paladin, Warlock
These classes sometimes wield dual weapons but rely heavily on bonus action spells or effects, like Bardic Inspiration, Smite, or Hex. If you’re playing a Warlock with Hex up, for example, and you need to move it to another target, keeping your bonus action unused is critical.
Dual Wielding Efficiency and Trade-offs
It’s worth considering the trade-offs of dual wielding overall. While having two weapons looks cool and can add to damage per round, it can often restrict tactical freedom if not managed properly. Players using dual weapons should understand that every offhand attack uses the one bonus action available per turn, and that action might be better used for defense, healing, or repositioning.
Additionally, unless you have the Two-Weapon Fighting Style, your offhand attacks won’t include your ability modifier for damage, reducing their effectiveness. In harder battles, this small damage might not justify losing access to other key actions.
Optimizing Combat with Offhand Toggle
Controlling when to attack and when to hold back is a key skill in mastering BG3’s turn-based tactical system. Turning off offhand attacks at the right time can open up possibilities like:
- Timing opportunity attacks without wasting a bonus action
- Saving your bonus action for a healing potion or utility spell
- Executing combo strategies where you open with a control effect and follow up next turn with full damage
- Reducing aggro or threat generation when playing a stealth-focused build
These tactics give you flexibility and ensure you’re not locked into suboptimal attack patterns. Smart players disable offhand auto-use by default and only activate it when they see a tactical opening or need to finish off an enemy.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, offhand attacks can be both a blessing and a curse. While they offer extra damage potential, they come at the cost of your only bonus action each round. By learning how to turn off your offhand attack and understanding when not to use it, you can make smarter tactical choices and keep your character’s abilities flexible. Whether you’re dodging enemy reactions, saving a disengage for retreat, or prepping for a powerful bonus action spell, disabling offhand attacks can give you the upper hand. Mastering this small but vital aspect of combat will improve your decision-making and allow you to maximize the potential of every turn.