Summary
There are few choices inBaldur’s Gate 3that have more impact on a playthrough than the choice of which race and class the player will embody on their travels through the Sword Coast. As Larian Studios continues to deliverhuge updates likeBaldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 6, there is still more that the developer can do to improve this crucial first choice.
The specific update that would be a boon on subsequent playthroughs would be to add more playable races toBaldur’s Gate 3. These don’t even have to draw from the far reaches ofDungeons and Dragons, with Aarakocra or Tortles either, but could come from the intelligent races already found in the latest version of the game.
Additional Races Could Add Even More Depth to Baldur’s Gate 3
Aasimar, Bugbears, and Goblins
Aside from the already playable characters, there exist a handful of intelligent creatures that are available to players inD&D, even though they are relegated toNPCs forBaldur’s Gate 3’s world. These include creatures that are generally evil, like Bugbears, Goblins, and Hobgoblins, as well as the literally angelic Aasimar. However, even though these races are available to find as either friendly NPCs or troublesome enemies, complete with varying body types and facial features, none are available to players at the start of the game.
The absence of these races in the base game hasn’t gone unnoticed by players already, as the modding community already has a plethora ofadditional race mods forBaldur’s Gate 3, with some of the creatures already in the game being among the most popular. The groundwork has already started and the call for more playable races from the community has already been made loud and clear. That isn’t to say that the process would be simple, or should be expected in the next major patch, but it is still worth putting on the roadmap to keep players coming back for additional playthroughs.
New Races Could Enhance Player Alignments
AlthoughBaldur’s Gatedoesn’t necessarily have the classic good/evil or lawful/chaotic alignment system made famous byD&D, the game does offer the ability to embody either a holier-than-thou hero or a fiendish devil. These differing alignments currently care very little about what race the player chooses from the beginning, with most of the available races having diverse backgrounds that could fit anywhere on the classic chart. However, including characters like Hobgoblins, which are usually seen to lean more evil than good, could help strengthen therole-playing inBaldur’s Gate 3.
The choice to start the game as a Hobgoblin could act as the backdrop for an evil playthrough, or could put the player in a position to be a hero in spite of the reputation that the chosen race carries with them. Either way, this could make for a more compelling campaign, as players either choose to embrace or reject the expected alignment of their character. Playing as an unexpectedly good Hobgoblin or a pure evil Aasimercorrupted byBaldur’s Gate 3’s Dark Urgecould add a layer to the story that has nothing to do with the beats already baked into the script.
Additional Races as DLC in Baldur’s Gate 3
Although the specifics offuture DLC forBaldur’s Gate 3haven’t been confirmed by Larian Studios at the time of this writing, more content may come to the game. So, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a roadmap for future DLC appearing within the next year of continued development, including some type of new character customization along with more playable races. Considering how popular additional options have become among the modding community, it would be an easy win for Larian Studios to put at least a few more races on offer to choose from right from the start.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
