BG3 Players Unleash Unconventional Encounters

Larian Studios celebrated Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary by unveiling a fascinating collection of player statistics, offering a glimpse into the diverse ways players experienced the game. From romantic entanglements to bizarre escapades, the data reveals a rich tapestry of player choices and achievements.

A Look at Love (and Other Encounters) in the Forgotten Realms

The statistics highlight the importance of romance in many players' journeys. A staggering 75 million companion kisses were recorded, with Shadowheart leading the pack at 27 million. Astarion followed with 15 million, while Minthara garnered 169,937. Act 1's celebratory night saw 32.5% of players with Shadowheart, 13.5% with Karlach, and 15.6% choosing solitude. By Act 3, Shadowheart's popularity continued, with 48.8% experiencing her final romance scene.

For those seeking more unconventional relationships, 658,000 players pursued romance with Halsin (70% in human form, 30% bear form), and 1.1 million experienced intimacy with the Emperor (63% in Dream Guardian form, 37% with mind flayer tentacles).

Whimsical Adventures and Unexpected Choices

Beyond romance, players embraced the game's playful side. 1.9 million players transformed into cheese wheels, 3.5 million befriended dinosaurs, and 2 million freed Us from the Colony. Even the Dark Urge showed surprising compassion, with 3,777 players finding a way to spare Alfira.

The loyal canine companion, Scratch, received over 120 million pets, while the Owlbear Cub was petted over 41 million times. A curious parallel emerged: 141,600 players attempted to pet the Emperor's cat—the same number who conquered Honour Mode.

Character Customization and Class/Race Preferences

A remarkable 93% of players created custom characters, showcasing the game's robust character creation system. Among the pre-made characters, Astarion (1.21 million players) was the most popular, followed by Gale (1.20 million) and Shadowheart (0.86 million). Interestingly, 15% of custom characters were based on the Dark Urge.

The Paladin class reigned supreme, with almost 10 million players choosing this path. Sorcerers and Fighters were close behind, each exceeding 7.5 million players. Other classes, including Barbarian, Rogue, Warlock, Monk, and Druid, also saw considerable representation. Elves were the most popular race (over 12.5 million), followed by Half-Elves and Humans.

Specific class-race combinations also revealed interesting trends. Dwarves favored Paladins (20%), Dragonborn preferred Sorcerers, while Halflings gravitated towards Bards and Rogues.

Triumphs, Defeats, and Defining Moments

141,660 players conquered Honour Mode, showcasing exceptional skill. Conversely, 1,223,305 playthroughs ended in defeat, with 76% of those players deleting their saves.

Significant narrative choices included 1.8 million players betraying the Emperor, 329,000 convincing Orpheus to remain a mind flayer, and 3.3 million killing the Netherbrain (200,000 with Gale's sacrifice). A rare outcome saw 34 players experience Avatar Lae'zel's self-sacrifice after rejection.

The Baldur's Gate 3 anniversary stats provide a comprehensive overview of player choices and achievements, highlighting the game's depth and replayability. From grand victories to humorous mishaps, the journey through the Forgotten Realms has been uniquely shaped by its players.