Baldur’s Gate 3 Top Down View: How to get in and out

Sourav Banik
laz-zel in baldur's gate 3

In traditional Dungeons & Dragons, most battle maps are looked at with a top down view – so how do you achieve the same design in Baldur’s Gate 3? Here’s everything you need to know.

Turn-based RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3 allow players to play the game from a third-person perspective, giving those players an alternative view of the battle and allowing for more tactics. You view the character model along with their companions from the top at an angle, bringing in all the surroundings along with the character you’re playing.

Such a design also feels reminiscent of traditional TTRPG designs, where you look at the battle from the top. Thankfully this design is implemented in Baldur’s Gate 3, with the Top Down View camera being an available option. So, if you’re wondering how to get in and out of the Top Down View in Baldur’s Gate 3, here’s everything you need to know.

a screenshot of top down view in Baldur's Gate 3
The top-down view or Tactical View can be beneficial in combat.

How to switch to Top Down View in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Switching to the Top Down View or Tactical Camera in Baldur’s Gate 3 is very simple. However, if you’re not aware of the process, just follow this simple set of steps below:

  1. Open the game.
  2. Once you’re inside and everything is loaded up properly, press the ‘O’ button on your keyboard.

It will now switch to the Tactical Camera view. You can toggle between the different camera views using the same button. In order to zoom in and out in the Top Down View, simply use the Scroll Wheel of your mouse. If you want, you may change the key mapping from the Settings menu.

However, if you’re playing using a controller, zoom out all the way using the Right Stick to switch to the Tactical Camera view. You can switch back to the other camera angles by zooming in using the same stick. That’s how you get in and out of the Top Down View in Baldur’s Gate 3.

When to use Tactical Camera in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Although it comes down to a personal preference, you may find the Top Down View handy during combat in Baldur’s Gate 3.

It can help you focus, and plan your moves efficiently, especially when there are many enemies nearby and the environment is dense.

So, there you have it — that’s basically everything you need to know about the Top Down View in Baldur’s Gate 3. For more about the game, be sure to check our other content and guides:

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About The Author

Sourav is a Games Writer at Dexerto, specializing in writing tips and guides for a number of games, including Apex Legends, Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo 4, Palworld, The Finals, XDefiant, and occasionally Tech. He is also passionate about esports, following games such as Valorant and Rainbow Six Siege. He previously wrote for Sportskeeda. Contact Sourav at sourav.banik@dexerto.com