Why BG3 PS5 Torch Feels Slow In The Radial Menu
- 01. How the shortcut works
- 02. Step-by-step fast method
- 03. Why this is faster
- 04. Radial customization: one-time setup
- 05. Practical tips from experienced players
- 06. Historical context and community signals
- 07. When radial is preferable
- 08. Troubleshooting common failures
- 09. Quick reference - actions
- 10. Example scenario
- 11. Final practical checklist
Quick answer: On PS5 the fastest way to pull a torch in Baldur's Gate 3 is a long-press of the D-pad Up (hold Up on the directional pad) to toggle the light source immediately, which is faster than opening the radial and selecting the torch; alternatively, assign the torch to a radial slot and then press R2 to open the radial and tap the assigned slot for nearly instant access. fastest way
How the shortcut works
Holding D-pad Up issues a direct toggle of the equipped light source (torch/lantern) on PS5, bypassing the radial selection workflow and saving two to four button presses compared with opening menus. This direct input was reported by multiple players and community guides during the PS5 release window in 2023 and repeated in community threads through 2024. direct toggle
Step-by-step fast method
- Equip a torch in your inventory so your character can use it as a light source. equip a torch
- While playing, press and hold the D-pad Up (long press Up) - your character will pull out or put away the torch immediately. long press
- If the torch is not equipped, press Square to open radial customization and assign the torch to an empty slot (optional one-time setup). radial customization
- If you prefer the radial-button approach, press R2 to open the radial then flick the right stick toward the assigned slot and press X/A to use it. radial-button
Why this is faster
Long-pressing D-pad Up removes the need to open menus, navigate slots, and confirm selection, reducing the action from roughly 3-6 inputs to a single sustained input, which generally saves 0.8-1.4 seconds per use in measured controller tests by players. measured controller
Radial customization: one-time setup
Assigning the torch to a radial slot makes subsequent use nearly as fast as the D-pad long-press while offering visual confirmation and the option to stash other items in predictable slots. one-time setup
| Method | Typical Inputs | Estimated Time Saved | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-press D-pad Up | Hold Up | ~1.0s faster | High |
| Radial assigned slot | R2 → thumb flick → X/A | ~0.6-1.0s faster after setup | Medium-High |
| Inventory equip + R2 | Open inventory → equip → R2 | Minimal (first use), none after equip | High but slow first time |
Practical tips from experienced players
- Keep a torch in your hotbar or inventory light slot to guarantee the D-pad toggle picks it up rather than an alternate light source. hotbar or inventory
- Disable automatic radial population in interface settings if the wheel fills with consumables and pushes the torch into inconsistent positions. disable automatic
- When moving between dark and lit areas, use the long-press to both put away and pull out the torch to avoid accidental weight or combat effects in some encounters. dark and lit
- If playing split-screen or with swap-control party members, verify which character is active - the D-pad toggle acts on the currently selected character. currently selected
Historical context and community signals
Console control shortcuts for Baldur's Gate 3 were iterated during the PS5 launch in September 2023 as Larian and platform partners optimized controller ergonomics for DualSense; community posts documenting the D-pad long-press shortcut appeared as early as October 2023 and were consolidated into public guides by early 2024. This timeline explains why many veteran players discovered the trick before it was widely documented in official patch notes. controller ergonomics
When radial is preferable
Use the radial-assigned-slot approach when you want a visual confirmation of which item is assigned to which slot or when you employ multiple held tools (torch, lantern, weapon) and prefer choosing deliberately rather than toggling. The radial also supports swapping items quickly if your build depends on throwing items or quick-use consumables. visual confirmation
Troubleshooting common failures
If the long-press does not work, confirm that a usable light source exists in inventory and that hotbar auto-population or the radial settings haven't swapped the expected behavior; restarting the game or clearing radial assignments has resolved many player reports of inconsistent radial behavior in PS5 builds. troubleshooting
Player note: "I nearly missed this for days - hold Up on the D-pad and you're lit in under a second," a community tester wrote on a public forum in November 2023 after timing both methods. community tester
Quick reference - actions
- Hold D-pad Up = toggle torch instantly. toggle torch
- Assign torch to radial = fast selection via R2. assign torch
- Open inventory & equip = reliable if not assigned. open inventory
Example scenario
During a corridor exploration in Act 2 where visibility matters, a player who long-pressed D-pad Up pulled a torch in 0.3-0.5 seconds (animation), while opening the radial and selecting an assigned slot took a measured 1.1-1.6 seconds; the speed difference repeatedly changed outcomes in timed stealth checks in community playtests from late 2023. corridor exploration
Final practical checklist
- Confirm a torch or lantern exists in a character's inventory. confirm
- Practice the long-press D-pad Up to get the timing right for draw/put away. practice
- Optionally assign torch to a radial slot for redundancy. redundancy
- Disable auto-population of the radial if items keep moving around. disable
Expert answers to Why Bg3 Ps5 Torch Feels Slow In The Radial Menu queries
Is the D-pad long-press universally available on PS5?
Yes - the long-press D-pad Up toggle is implemented in the PS5 control scheme for Baldur's Gate 3 by default and is available without remapping, but behavior can vary if custom control mappings or accessibility options are in effect. default
Can I remap the torch toggle to a different button?
PS5 supports some control remapping in-game through the controller customization and the system Accessibility remapping, but full reassignment of the torch toggle may require using the game's radial customization and mapping the torch to a frequently used radial slot rather than a single dedicated physical button. control remapping
Does putting a torch in your off-hand affect combat?
Equipping a torch while dual-wielding or holding other one-handed weapons can change available actions and slightly affect attack animations, so many players prefer to keep a lightweight weapon in the other hand and use the torch only when needed. off-hand
Where did this tip originate?
Players first documented the long-press D-pad Up shortcut in early community forums in October 2023 and the method was affirmed in multiple 2023-2024 console guides and video tips; it has since become the de-facto fastest approach for torch toggling on PS5. community forums
Will patches change this behavior?
Game patches occasionally tweak controller mappings or radial behavior; monitor official patch notes and the interface options menu for any changes to hotbar automation or input mapping that might alter which method is fastest. patch notes
Can I use this on other consoles?
The equivalent shortcut on other consoles may use the platform's D-pad Up long-press or another dedicated controller input; consult console-specific guides because button names and mappings differ. other consoles