Larian Studios celebrated Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary by releasing a fascinating collection of player statistics, showcasing diverse gameplay choices and preferences. The data reveals a community embracing both epic adventures and whimsical escapades within the Forgotten Realms.
Romantic Encounters and Intimate Choices
The statistics 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. Astarion followed with 15 million, while Minthara received 169,937. Act 1's celebratory night saw 32.5% of players choosing Shadowheart, 13.5% opting for Karlach, and 15.6% choosing solitude. By Act 3, Shadowheart's popularity soared, with 48.8% of players experiencing her final romance scene. Karlach and Lae'zel also enjoyed significant romantic interest.
A more adventurous 658,000 players pursued romance with Halsin, with a preference for his human form (70%) over his bear form (30%). An impressive 1.1 million players engaged in intimate encounters with the Emperor, with a majority (63%) favoring his Dream Guardian form.
Whimsical Adventures and Quirky Side Quests
Beyond romance, players indulged in numerous playful activities. 1.9 million players transformed into cheese wheels, a testament to the game's humorous elements. Friendly dinosaurs welcomed 3.5 million visitors, while 2 million players liberated Us from the Colony. Even the Dark Urge, known for their dark tendencies, saw 3,777 players find a way to spare Alfira, unexpectedly contributing to the game's lute rock soundtrack.
Animal companions also received considerable attention. Scratch, the loyal canine, received over 120 million pets, while the Owlbear Cub garnered over 41 million. 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 remarkable 93% of players created custom avatars, demonstrating a strong desire for personalized character experiences. Among pre-made characters, Astarion, Gale, and Shadowheart were the most popular choices. Interestingly, 15% of custom characters were based on the Dark Urge.
The Paladin class proved overwhelmingly popular, with nearly 10 million players. Sorcerers and Fighters followed closely behind, each exceeding 7.5 million. Other classes, including Barbarian, Rogue, Warlock, Monk, and Druid, also enjoyed significant representation.
Elves were the most popular race, with over 12.5 million selections. Humans and Half-Elves shared second place, followed by Tieflings, Drow, and Dragonborn. Half-Orcs, Githyanki, and Dwarves were also popular choices. Specific class-race combinations revealed interesting trends, reflecting players' strategic choices and roleplaying preferences.
Epic Achievements and Diverse Endings
The statistics also highlight the game's challenging aspects. 141,660 players conquered Honour Mode, while 1,223,305 playthroughs ended in defeat. Of those defeated, 76% deleted their saves, while 24% continued in custom mode.
Players faced difficult moral decisions, with 1.8 million betraying the Emperor. 329,000 players convinced Orpheus to remain a mind flayer, while 3.3 million killed the Netherbrain (200,000 with Gale's sacrifice). A rare outcome saw 34 players experience Avatar Lae'zel's self-sacrifice after rejection.
The anniversary statistics paint a vivid portrait of Baldur's Gate 3's diverse and engaged community. From romantic entanglements to humorous mishaps and challenging battles, the players' journeys have been exceptionally varied and memorable.
