Baldur's Gate 3 Anniversary StatsRomance in the Forgotten Realms
As Baldur's Gate 3 celebrates its anniversary, Larian Studios shared intriguing statistics highlighting player preferences and behaviors on Twitter (X). These stats offer a captivating look at how the community shaped their adventures. From favorite characters to quirky choices, let's examine the numbers and what they reveal about the journey, starting with romance.
Romance was a key part of many players' journeys. Over 75 million companion kisses were shared, with Shadowheart leading at 27 million kisses, followed by Astarion at 15 million, and Minthara with 169,937. In Act 1's Celebration night, 32.5% of players chose Shadowheart, 13.5% Karlach, and 15.6% slept alone. By Act 3, Shadowheart's final romance scene was experienced by 48.8% of players, while 17.6% romanced Karlach, and 12.9% held hands with Lae'zel.
For the adventurous, 658,000 players enjoyed intimate moments with Halsin, with 70% choosing his human form and 30% his bear form. Additionally, 1.1 million players had encounters with the Emperor, with 63% preferring the Dream Guardian form and 37% exploring the mind flayer tentacles.
Fun and Fanciful Feats
Beyond epic battles and decisions, players engaged in whimsical activities. 1.9 million players became cheese wheels, showcasing the game's playful mechanics. Friendly dinosaurs received visits from 3.5 million players, while 2 million freed Us from the Colony, highlighting a fondness for quirky side quests. The Dark Urge, known for sinister inclinations, had at least 3,777 players spare Alfira, indirectly boosting lute rock.
Animal companions were significant. Scratch, the loyal dog, was petted over 120 million times, likely due to his perfect fetch. The Owlbear Cub was petted over 41 million times. Interestingly, 141,600 players attempted to pet His Majesty, the cat—the same number who conquered Honour Mode.
Character Class and Race Preferences
Despite the charm of pre-made characters, a remarkable 93% of players created custom avatars. This highlights the appeal of personalization. Among pre-made characters, Astarion was most popular, with 1.21 million players, followed by Gale with 1.20 million and Shadowheart with 0.86 million. Interestingly, 15% of custom avatars were based on the Dark Urge.
For classes, Paladin led with nearly 10 million players. The Sorcerer class attracted over 7.5 million players, matching the Fighter class in popularity. Other classes like Barbarian, Rogue, Warlock, Monk, and Druid had strong representation, though below 7.5 million. Rangers were chosen by 5 million players, and Clerics by fewer than 5 million.
Diving deeper, we see specific class-race combinations that players favored. For instance, Dwarves predominantly chose the Paladin class, with 20% embracing this role, while Dragonborn were most likely to be Sorcerers, reflecting their innate magical abilities. Halflings leaned towards Bard and Rogue, classes that align well with their cultural traits. Gnomes and Tieflings also showed unique class preferences, with Gnomes favoring Bards and Druids, and Tieflings balancing between Paladin, Barbarian, and Warlock.
Epic Achievements and Surprising Outcomes
Baldur's Gate 3 has seen its share of heroic and dramatic moments. 141,660 players successfully conquered the game's daunting Honour Mode, a testament to their skill and perseverance. In contrast, 1,223,305 playthroughs ended in defeat, illustrating the game's challenging nature. Of those who faced defeat, 76% opted to delete their saved games, while 24% decided to continue their adventure in custom mode, demonstrating resilience and determination.
In terms of endings, players faced tough choices. 1.8 million betrayed the Emperor, showing a willingness to make morally complex decisions. Meanwhile, 329,000 players convinced Orpheus to live as a mind flayer, highlighting the appeal of unique narrative paths. A significant 3.3 million players chose to kill the Netherbrain, with 200,000 of these having Gale sacrifice himself in the process. A curious and rare choice saw 34 players as Avatar Lae'zel chose self-sacrifice after being rejected by Vlaakith, adding a poignant touch to their journey.
Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary stats paint a vibrant picture of the game's community. From serious accomplishments to whimsical moments, these numbers highlight the diverse ways players have engaged with the game. Whether conquering epic challenges, exploring quirky side quests, or forging romantic connections, the journey in the Forgotten Realms has been anything but ordinary.
