Baldur's Gate 3 Anniversary StatsRomance in the Forgotten Realms

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

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 appeal 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.

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.