Larian Studios celebrated Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary by unveiling fascinating player statistics, offering a glimpse into the community's diverse gameplay experiences. From romantic entanglements to bizarre occurrences, the data reveals a rich tapestry of player choices and achievements.
Romantic Pursuits in the Forgotten Realms
The stats highlight the significant role romance played in many players' journeys. A staggering 75 million companion kisses were recorded, with Shadowheart leading the pack at 27 million, followed by Astarion (15 million) and Minthara (169,937). Act 1's celebratory night saw 32.5% of players choosing Shadowheart, 13.5% Karlach, and 15.6% opting for solitude. By Act 3, Shadowheart maintained her popularity (48.8% experienced her final romance scene), while 17.6% romanced Karlach, and 12.9% shared a tender moment with Lae'zel.
More adventurous players engaged in intimate encounters with Halsin (658,000 players), with 70% preferring his human form and 30% his bear form. An impressive 1.1 million players pursued romance with the Emperor, with 63% opting for the Dream Guardian form and 37% exploring the mind flayer tentacle option.
Whimsical Adventures and Quirky Choices
Beyond the romance, players engaged in plenty of unusual activities. A remarkable 1.9 million players transformed into cheese wheels, showcasing the game's humorous elements. Friendly dinosaurs received 3.5 million visits, while 2 million players freed Us from the Colony, demonstrating a fondness for unconventional side quests. Surprisingly, 3,777 Dark Urge players spared Alfira, indirectly influencing the game's lute rock scene.
Animal companions also received considerable attention. Scratch, the loyal canine, was petted over 120 million times, while the Owlbear Cub received over 41 million pets. A curious 141,600 players attempted to pet His Majesty, the cat—the same number who conquered Honour Mode.
Character Creation and Class/Race Preferences
A significant 93% of players created custom avatars, highlighting the appeal of personalization. Among 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 avatars were based on the Dark Urge.
Paladin was the most chosen class (nearly 10 million players), followed closely by Sorcerer and Fighter (both over 7.5 million). Other classes, including Barbarian, Rogue, Warlock, Monk, and Druid, also had considerable representation. Elves were the most popular race (over 12.5 million), followed by Half-Elves and Humans (both 12.5 million). Tieflings, Drow, and Dragonborn also exceeded 7.5 million selections.
Specific class-race combinations revealed interesting trends. Dwarves predominantly chose Paladin (20%), while Dragonborn favored Sorcerer. Halflings leaned towards Bard and Rogue, and Gnomes and Tieflings displayed unique class preferences.
Epic Achievements and Narrative Choices
141,660 players conquered Honour Mode, showcasing remarkable skill. Conversely, 1,223,305 playthroughs ended in defeat, with 76% of defeated players deleting their saves and 24% continuing in custom mode.
Players faced significant narrative choices. 1.8 million betrayed the Emperor, while 329,000 convinced Orpheus to remain a mind flayer. A substantial 3.3 million players killed the Netherbrain, with 200,000 involving Gale's sacrifice. A rare outcome saw 34 players experience Avatar Lae'zel's self-sacrifice after rejection by Vlaakith.
The anniversary statistics paint a vibrant picture of Baldur's Gate 3's diverse and engaging community. From grand achievements to humorous moments, the data highlights the countless ways players have shaped their experiences within the Forgotten Realms.