BG3: Players' Hilarious Emperor Encounters

For Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary, Larian Studios has decided to release statistics about player choices and preferences. Read on to discover the epic accomplishments, unique playstyles, and whimsical moments that define the community's journey.

Baldur's Gate 3 Anniversary StatsRomance in the Forgotten Realms

As Baldur's Gate 3 celebrates its anniversary, Larian Studios released a trove of intriguing statistics highlighting player behaviors and preferences on their Twitter (X) yesterday. These stats offer a fascinating glimpse into how the community has shaped their adventures in the game. From favored characters to quirky in-game decisions, let's dive into the numbers and what they reveal about the journey so far, starting with players' romantic choices.

Romance in Baldur's Gate 3 was not just an afterthought but a key part of many players' journeys. Over 75 million companion kisses were shared, with Shadowheart leading the way 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 to spend the night with Shadowheart, 13.5% with Karlach, and 15.6% opted to sleep alone. By Act 3, Shadowheart continued to capture hearts, with 48.8% of players experiencing her final romance scene, while 17.6% had a romantic dinner with Karlach, and 12.9% held hands with Lae'zel.

For the more 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 intimate encounters with the Emperor, with 63% preferring the Dream Guardian form and 37% exploring the unique experience of mind flayer tentacles.

Fun and Fanciful Feats

Beyond epic battles and dramatic decisions, players engaged in plenty of whimsical activities. 1.9 million players transformed into cheese wheels, a humorous testament to the game's playful mechanics. Friendly dinosaurs received visits from 3.5 million players, while 2 million players freed Us from the Colony, showing a penchant for quirky side quests. The Dark Urge, known for its sinister inclinations, had at least 3,777 players find a way to spare Alfira, indirectly contributing to the proliferation of lute rock in the game.

Animal companions also played a significant role in the Baldur's Gate 3 experience. Scratch, the loyal dog, was petted over 120 million times, likely due to his perfect fetch record. The Owlbear Cub, another beloved companion, was petted over 41 million times. Interestingly, 141,600 players attempted to pet His Majesty, the cat—coincidentally the same number who conquered Honour Mode, adding a whimsical twist to the stat.

Character Class and Race Preferences

Despite the charm and depth of the game's pre-made characters, a staggering 93% of players chose to create their own custom avatars. This overwhelming preference underscores the allure of personalizing one's hero in the expansive world of Baldur's Gate 3. Among the pre-made characters, Astarion, the vampire rogue, emerged as the most popular choice, with 1.21 million players, closely followed by the wizard Gale with 1.20 million and the cleric Shadowheart with 0.86 million. Interestingly, 15% of custom avatars were based on the enigmatic Dark Urge, indicating players' fascination with mysterious backstories.

When it comes to class selection, the Paladin class led the charge, with nearly 10 million players donning the holy warrior's mantle. The versatility and power of the Sorcerer class also attracted a significant following, with over 7.5 million players embracing its arcane might. The Fighter class, known for its straightforward combat prowess, matched the Sorcerer in popularity. Other classes like Barbarian, Rogue, Warlock, Monk, and Druid had solid representation, though each fell short of the 7.5 million mark. Rangers and Clerics rounded out the list, with Rangers chosen by 5 million players and Clerics by fewer than 5 million.

Racial selections also varied significantly, with Elves leading with over 12.5 million choices. Half-Elves and Humans shared second place, each boasting 12.5 million players. Tieflings, with their distinctive infernal lineage, attracted over 10 million players. Drow and Dragonborn followed, each exceeding 7.5 million. Less prevalent but still noteworthy were the Half-Orcs, Githyanki, and Dwarves, each selected by over 2.5 million players. Gnomes and Halflings, though fewer, still contributed with less than 2.5 million each.

Examining further, we observe specific class-race pairings players favored. For example, Dwarves predominantly selected the Paladin class, with 20% embracing this role, while Dragonborn were most likely to be Sorcerers, reflecting their inherent magical talents. Halflings gravitated towards Bard and Rogue, classes aligning well with their cultural attributes. Gnomes and Tieflings also displayed 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 witnessed its share of heroic and dramatic moments. 141,660 players successfully completed the game's challenging Honour Mode, a testament to their skill and tenacity. Conversely, 1,223,305 playthroughs ended in defeat, illustrating the game's demanding nature. Of those defeated, 76% opted to delete their saved games, while 24% chose to continue their adventure in custom mode, demonstrating resilience and resolve.

Regarding endings, players faced difficult decisions. 1.8 million betrayed the Emperor, showcasing a willingness to make morally complex choices. Meanwhile, 329,000 players persuaded Orpheus to live as a mind flayer, highlighting the allure of unique narrative paths. A substantial 3.3 million players chose to kill the Netherbrain, with 200,000 of these having Gale sacrifice himself in the process. A curious and infrequent choice saw 34 players as Avatar Lae'zel opt for self-sacrifice after being rejected by Vlaakith, adding a poignant element to their journey.

Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary statistics paint a vivid picture of the game's community. From significant accomplishments to whimsical moments, these figures highlight the diverse ways players have interacted with the game. Whether conquering epic challenges, exploring quirky side quests, or forming romantic relationships, the journey in the Forgotten Realms has been anything but typical.