Baldur’s Gate 3 Release Date: Gameplay Details, and Everything We Know So Far

Baldur’s Gate 3 Release Date: Fans of Dungeons & Dragons can rejoice: Baldur’s Gate 3 is on the way, and judging by what we saw at Summer Game Fest 2023, August cannot arrive soon enough. We’re confident it will make our list of the top role-playing games of the year due to its robust character creation and combat systems. Among the plethora of new games released in 2023, we’ve had our eyes on this one for quite some time, as the game has been in early access for quite some time. This means we have plenty of confirmed information regarding classes, romance systems, companions, and more to share with you.

Baldur’s Gate 3 has taken a long time to come to fulfilment. Black Isle Studios, one of the co-creators of the first two titles, shelved its ill-fated first attempt in 2003, when the developer ceased operations. Baldur’s Gate 3 was not successful until IP holder and publisher Wizards of the Coast eventually passed the torch to Larian Studios. Here’s everything we know about Baldur’s Gate 3’s fantastical universe, which is already in top shape based on what we’ve seen and experienced in the beta.

Baldur’s Gate 3 release date

If you’ve been enjoying it in early access, we have excellent news for you: Baldur’s Gate 3 will be released on August 3 for PC and Mac, while the Baldur’s Gate PS5 release date remains August 31, 2023.

The developer announced that it would be bringing BG3’s PC release date forward by a few weeks, effectively removing it from the way of the Xbox-exclusive Starfield’s release a few days later.

During the most recent Sony State of Play broadcast, Larian announced the Baldur’s Gate 3 release date with the debut of a new trailer. In a subsequent blog post, the developer breaks down the trailer’s content, including behind-the-scenes footage of American actor J.K. Simmons voicing the antagonist General Ketherick Thorm.

Three Baldur’s Gate platforms

Baldur’s Gate 3 is scheduled for release on PS5, Mac, and PC, but there is talk of additional platforms, while others have been ruled out. If you’re pondering, “Is Baldur’s Gate 3 on PS5, Xbox, and Switch?” the attached guide will explain which consoles and platforms you’ll need.

Will Baldur’s Gate 3 support multiplayer mode?

Larian has confirmed that Baldur’s Gate 3 will feature “full controller support” and “split-screen co-op,” meaning that “you’ll be able to experience your entire adventures in Faerûn with another player on the same device.” We’ve created a page detailing the functionality and regulations of Baldur’s Gate 3 multiplayer for additional information.

Does Baldur’s Gate 3 support cross-save progression?

Larian has additional crossplay-related good tidings. “Baldur’s Gate 3 will also support cross-save compatibility between PC, Mac, and PS5… Permitting you to migrate your save data between platforms and continue your journey regardless of where you purchase the game.”

However, Baldur’s Gate 3 early access saves will not carry over to the full game, which is terrible news if you’ve been playing the game for a while.

Baldur’s Gate 3 classes

If you wish to determine the finest Baldur’s Gate 3 class prior to the game’s official release, you’ll have a lengthy list to sort through. Currently, these are the only verified Character Classes for Baldur’s Gate 3, as seen in early access copies:

Cleric Fighter
Ranger
Rogue Warlock
Wizard
Druid
Sorcerer
Barbarian Bard
Paladin Monk (not available in early access but expected in the final release)

The Bard class is a more recent addition to the ranks, enabling your character to “hurl pithy one-liners at your enemies or play songs with your companions by the campfire.” It was introduced to the game alongside the Gnomes race and cosmetic hair upgrades in Patch 8: Of Valour and Love.

Three Baldur’s Gate allies

Companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 are NPCs that, once recruited, can accompany your character on his or her expedition. As you recruit them, you’ll discover that each companion has unique abilities, statistics, and equipment, all of which are influenced by their individual character histories.

Although the feature is not enabled in early access, there will be an Origin selection option during Character Creation. Origins are modelled after the five companions, so we would play the game from the perspective of your selected Origin, utilising the companion’s character sheet information, statistics, and Background features.

Here are all the known companions in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Astarion, the High Elf Rogue Shadowheart, the High Half-Elf Conjurer
The Human Wizard Gale
Lae’zel, the Githyanki Warrior Wyll, the Human Sorcerer

Baldur’s Gate 3 love story

There are currently six romances in Baldur’s Gate 3, with the potential for more to be added. This potential for love in the game is described by Larian as “reactive systems throughout a relationship’s journey” and “hundreds of permutations that define where a relationship goes.”

As you interact with your companions, they will form perceptions of you based on your actions, dialogue options, and alliance formation decisions. Having romantic relationships with certain companions could negatively affect your relationships with others, so keep this in mind as you set up camp each night.

According to the early access version of Baldur’s Gate 3, there are six romance options:

Astarion Shadowheart

Gale Lae’zel Wyll Minthara is a romantic non-companion NPC.

After creating your character, you will also be able to choose “who do you dream of?” as well as “who attracts you?” These do not affect who you can pursue later in the game, but the tadpole in your brain will assume this form to communicate with you in your dreams.

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Baldur’s Gate 3 ethnicities

Given that Baldur’s Gate 3 is a Dungeons & Dragons spin-off, it makes logical that the character Race system is identical. Your Race determines your inherent strengths, limitations, and abilities, allowing you to further customise your builds for your preferred playstyle.

Here are all the available Races and Subraces in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Asmodeus Tiefling
Forest Gnome Deep Gnome Drow Drow Half-Elf Dwarf Elf
Githyanki Gnome
Gold Dwarf
Half-Drow Half-Elf
High Half-Elf High Halfling
Half-Man with Lightfoot
Lolth-Pledged Drow
Mephistopheles’s Deep-Rooted Rock Gnome
Seldarine Drow Shield Dwarf
Courageous Halfling
Tiefling
Forest Elf
Zariel Tiefling

In Baldur’s Gate 3, there is no singular best race because each Race lends itself well to a particular play style. It’s all a matter of preference, and we’ll discuss this in greater detail next.

Baldur’s Gate 3 constructs

Your build is the foundation of combat in Baldur’s Gate 3, and constructing a strong build requires a delicate balance. You will invest a total of six Ability points in the following six categories: Strength, Wisdom, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, and Charisma. Then, you will craft your initial Skills, which are heavily influenced by your race.

Your character sheet allows you to map out who you are in the game, what abilities you possess, and how you can utilise them in accordance with your preferred gameplay style. Whether you prefer melee or ranged combat, you must know your Class and Race pairings for maximum efficiency, as you cannot acquire too many Ability Points after character creation.

Begin by selecting your Class, followed by a complementary Race or subrace. For instance, Wood Elves and Half-Elves pair well with the Rogue class, as they add Dexterity, Wisdom, and Stealth proficiencies that will help your stealthy Rogue excel. Alternatively, if you’re playing a Cleric Class, you should choose a Race that grants you additional Wisdom points.

Creation of Baldur’s Gate 3 characters

Before you begin exploring the Forgotten Realms, you will create your character, arguably the most essential and enjoyable aspect of any role-playing game. Your playable character is completely customizable, allowing you to choose their gender, nationality, and physical attributes, including over 150 different heads. After customising your character’s visage, you can select your Class and Race, as described earlier in this guide.

You will also be able to choose some Background characteristics, with each Background providing two features. As with Races, certain Backgrounds pair well with particular Classes. For instance, you would want your Bard to be an Entertainer. Here are the available Background options and the features they provide: