Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 Pre-Release Thread [EARLY ACCESS RELEASED, GO TO NEW THREAD]

[Elex]

I feel like they’re obsessing too much about mind flayers. A good D&D game should have a ton of diversity in bestiary

I'm not super familiar with DnD monster hierarchy but the Illithids in BG2 had a bunch of underlings and if Larian try to replicate the BG2 magic, then they're gonna have huge side quests that are only tangentially related to the main plot, if at all and that's where they can pick and choose fom the bestiary to their hearts' content.

What I worry about is a good antagonist. Somebody like Irenicus, you continously meet during and interact on your journey and not some Illithid mastermind asspull during the final stretch of the game. Irenicus isn't the greatest villain when it comes to writing, but you constatly feel his presence in the game and that's what makes him one of the most memorable antagonists in RPGs. Very few games manage to replicate that feeling.

in the currents published material mind flayer are cr7 and above (elder brain is cr14) not low level stuff, so it’s clear that they need some “face” as an antagonist

 

[Steezus]

in the currents published material mind flayer are cr7 and above (elder brain is cr14) not low level stuff, so it’s clear that they need some “face” as an antagonist

You're missing the point. It doesn't matter if it's a high level Elder Brain, a demon or a shmuck named Jimmy Six Shooter. I worry about them replicating a villain as effective as Irenicus.

 

[Fairfax]

This is the only mention of mind flayers in Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus:

Duke Belynne Stelmane

Once a vigorous and formidable politician, Duke Belynne Stelmane recently suffered a seizure that left her with a partially paralyzed face and slowed speech. In truth, a mind flayer provoked the duke's "seizure" when it took mental possession of her. Now Stelmane wages a silent war against the mind flayer's influence, biding her time until she can find a way to signal for aid or regain her will. Not even Stelmane's aides are aware of her secret struggle, though they cover for her as best they can.

Given her current situation, Duke Stelmane is in no position to oppose attempts by her fellow dukes to seize the reins of power in Baldur's Gate.

Seems likely to be a part of BG3's plot.

Bhaalspawn Saga seems to be just a footnote (not sure, I haven't read the whole thing):

Bhaalspawn

Over the years, Baldur's Gate has harbored countless evil schemes and conspiracies. Perhaps the most dastardly, though, was that perpetrated by Bhaal, god of murder, who foresaw his own death during the Time of Troubles. While in mortal form, Bhaal conceived multitudes of offspring, plotting to have them resurrect him. They actively hunted and slew each other, with the survivors collecting ever more of Bhaal's godly essence.

Sarevok, a Bhaalspawn and member of the Iron Throne merchants' guild, sought to spark war with the nation of Amn and become the new Lord of Murder. Another Bhaalspawn, aided by powerful allies, thwarted Sarevok's plan and brought stability, if not peace, to Baldur's Gate once more. Yet, Bhaal and his faithful have menaced the city ever since.

Since the time when the Bhaalspawn Sarevok plotted to start a war between Baldur's Gate and Amn as a path to claiming Bhaal's power, awareness of the Lord of Murder's children has grown. Baldur's Gate maintains a grim draw for Bhaalspawn, whether due to some foul influence in the city itself, or merely because of Sarevok's lingering reputation.

(FR lore buffs will notice Abdel Adrian isn't even named, which could suggest some potential retcons/vagueness about what's canon)

Some fan service:

Statue of Minsc and Boo.

For years the Wide hosted one of the city's most cherished landmarks: the Beloved Ranger, a statue of a powerful warrior in plate mail wearing a cheerful grin and cradling a hamster in his hands. Recently, though, the statue was revealed to be the Rashemi hero, Minsc, and his "miniature giant space hamster" companion, Boo, trapped under the effects of petrifying magic. When the magic was dispelled, it freed the heroes to walk the world once more but robbed the Wide of a bit of its charm. The merchants complained loudly, and a replacement statue of Minsc and Boo was promptly commissioned and set atop the pedestal where the actual heroes stood for years.

Murderous servants of the Dead Three corner their prey near the statue of Minsc and Boo.

 

[_Vic_]

I just read the following comment about Descent into Avernus: a character who casts the find familiar spell can henceforth choose to conjure an abyssal chicken instead of a raven.Now if I can summon one of these as a familiar in BG 3 I'm sold . This is an abyssal chicken:

Note to myself: never go KFC in Avernus.

 

[Cryomancer]

I just read the following comment about Descent into Avernus: a character who casts the find familiar spell can henceforth choose to conjure an abyssal chicken instead of a raven.Now if I can summon one of these as a familiar in BG 3 I'm sold . This is an abyssal chicken:

Are familiars more useful on 5e? Good like NWN1? Where you can have an hellhound, fairy dragon, etc and they evolve with you?

 

[Generic-Giant-Spider]

Abyssal creatures ain't got shit on an 800 lbs giant arachnid coming down on your head, squashing your elf cleric into bloody paste and drowning the gnome rogue in the blood.

 

[_Vic_]

I just read the following comment about Descent into Avernus: a character who casts the find familiar spell can henceforth choose to conjure an abyssal chicken instead of a raven.Now if I can summon one of these as a familiar in BG 3 I'm sold . This is an abyssal chicken:

Are familiars more useful on 5e? Good like NWN1? Where you can have an hellhound, fairy dragon, etc and they evolve with you?

A familiar is a spirit that takes an animal form you choose: bat, cat, crab, frog (toad), hawk, lizard, octopus, owl, poisonous snake, fish (quipper), rat, raven, sea horse, spider, or weasel (Counts as a fey, fiend or celestial. Curse Of Strahd allows you to be also undead. )
Other options open up if you choose the Pact of the Chain feature. These options are imp, pseudodragon, quasit, or sprite. If you DM allows it you can also use Almiraj and Flying Monkey from Tomb Of Annihilation and the demon couterparts of Avernus.

You have the usual features: can´t attack but can make other actions, you can use your touch spells with your familiar, you can possess the familiar to use his beast senses, you can summon and unsummon the creature, you can polymorph the creature using a spell in it, etc.... so It could be useful for lots of RP situations and maybe in some combats but they are not meant to be used to fight like in NWN, they are not companions. Kind of an improved unseen servant.

https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/find-familiar

 

[ERYFKRAD]

Abyssal creatures ain't got shit on an 800 lbs giant arachnid coming down on your head, squashing your elf cleric into bloody paste and drowning the gnome rogue in the blood.

Yeah but you're going for the elf first, so you can't be all that terrible.

 

[Storyfag]

Duke Belynne Stelmane recently suffered a seizure that left her

Oh this sort of shit TRIGGERS me. The female title is Duchess and is not, in fact, limited to mean "the wife of Duke".

 

[Cael]

Duke Belynne Stelmane recently suffered a seizure that left her

Oh this sort of shit TRIGGERS me. The female title is Duchess and is not, in fact, limited to mean "the wife of Duke".

Identifies as female. Not is one.

 

[Lacrymas]

I'm pretty sure the title for specifically BG the city has always been unisex.

 

[Harry Easter]

I'm pretty sure the title for specifically BG the city has always been unisex.

Think so too. Dunno if you can be a Baroness, while having the title of Duke, but that would be too much overthinking it :D.

And seeing what Fairfax I thought a bit about the story and now I'm sure that the Mindflayer will be the foreground attackers, while the real villains will really be priests of Bhaal and co. Probably a "How far are you ready to go" - narrative, because the flayers and their fleet seem too strong (for the NPC's) and we have to keep the city together somehow.

What could support this idea:

- This games is supposed to be darker and working together with the Dead Three is very dark, considering how dickish they are supposed to be.
- Keeps the encounter and enemies varried and interesting and the narrative is more varried too.
- You "get" human clerics better, than tentacle from outer space.
- If we can choose between factions, choosing the evil gods makes more sense.
- They wouldn't have make such a fuss about Bhaal getting resurrected, if they hadn't bigger plans with him... I hope.
- A transformed cleric of Bhaal is probably a better final boss, than an unmoving Elder brain (that still controls it minions and hijacks their bodies).

 

[Rinslin Merwind]

Is there any details about gameplay? If still not, then why the fuck bump this thread?

 

[Harry Easter]

Is there any details about gameplay? If still not, then why the fuck bump this thread?

What else is there to talk about? Also: speculations are fun. Keeps the hype up.

 

[Elex]

I just read the following comment about Descent into Avernus: a character who casts the find familiar spell can henceforth choose to conjure an abyssal chicken instead of a raven.Now if I can summon one of these as a familiar in BG 3 I'm sold . This is an abyssal chicken:

Note to myself: never go KFC in Avernus.

fun fact there is a restaurant in avernus.
the last page of the book have a menu.

- Deep fried miniature giant space hamster, seasoned to perfection with rosemary, basil, thyme, and tears -


so Boo is in the book.

 

[TT1]

Is there any details about gameplay? If still not, then why the fuck bump this thread?

 

[Thonius]

Eh if it's going to be in Hell - MEH. Epic levels, kill devils left and right.... cringe.

 

[Storyfag]

I'm pretty sure the title for specifically BG the city has always been unisex.

This only means the brain-rot runs old

 

[Makabb]

gameplay

 

[Lilura]

What else is there to talk about? Also: speculations are fun. Keeps the hype up.

Yes, I'm all for keeping the hype up for BG3. It's not like I have an agenda or anything, either.

 

[Chippy]

I can't use the Codex while this avatar shit is going on.

It's causing me all sorts of autistic injuries.

 

[Harry Easter]

Yes, I'm all for keeping the hype up for BG3. It's not like I have an agenda or anything, either.

Eh, just glad that we get another big D&D-game after thirteen years, not counting addons and Sword Coast: Legends (wasted potential, shitty save system)? Baldur's Gate 3 may be the last big classic style-RPG (with Divinity 3... at least I hope, it will be more like Original Sin/Baldur's Gate...) until the big drought starts again and we only have action-rpg's to play, until the next resurrection. Or worse: until everybody copies only Assassins Creed: Odyssey, which some people seem to think of as an RPG?

 

[Grunker]

we get another D&D-game

that remains to be seen

 

[skaraher]

Kingmaker is the true Baldur's Gate 3

 

[Sordid MCA/Prosper Hybryd]

I can't use the Codex while this avatar shit is going on.

It's causing me all sorts of autistic injuries.

Agree.

Is it RPG Codex or Israel after all?