Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3is based on the same rules and systems asDungeons and Dragons, and players familiar with the tabletop RPG are likely to draw parallels in their experiences while playing the two games. Those who enjoy bothDungeons and DragonsandBaldur’s Gate 3have obviously called attention to howBaldur’s Gate 3improved on mechanics and systems inDungeons and Dragons, as well as how it also closely emulates the experience of playing a TRPG even in single-player mode. However, this also includes some ofDungeons and Dragons' drawbacks. One of the most noticeable, especially in Acts 2 and 3, is having a party that is too big.
Ideal Numbers in Baldur’s Gate 3
Campaign Numbers in Dungeons and Dragons, BG3 Compared to Other RPGs
The ideal party size for aDungeons and Dragonscampaign is 3–5 players; any more than five results in a campaign that’s difficult to manage and players that get overlooked.Baldur’s Gate 3has a whopping 10 companions, which is well over the ideal party size for aDungeons and Dragonscampaign. While CRPGs likeBaldur’s Gate 3usually include groups of companions that number ten or even more, the nature ofBaldur’s Gate 3as more reliant onDungeons and Dragons' storytelling and mechanics makes it so that some companions feel lost in the mix.
Other CRPGs with large parties, such as BioWare’sDragon AgeandMass Effect, have quests that focus on each individual character in the form of Loyalty Missions or companion quests. WhileBaldur’s Gate 3does include companion quests, not all of them are as in-depth as the others, and the extent of the companion’s quest largely depends on their connection to the broader plot. For example,Shadowheart’s personal questtakes up much of Act 2 and coincides withBaldur’s Gate 3’s main story. Shadowheart’s story continues in Act 3, making it necessary to have her in the party for much of Act 2 and parts of Act 3, taking up an entire party slot for a large part of the game.
Too Many Companions in Baldur’s Gate 3
Why Too Many Companions is a Problem and Possible Solutions
This becomes a problem when there are at least six other companions, and players who want to recruit everyone will have at least eight companions by the middle of Act 2. This makes managing the party incredibly difficult, as certain party members need to be present at certain trigger points for their own stories to trigger, while others remain neglected at camp for entire Acts ofBaldur’s Gate 3. WhenJaheira and Minsc join the party in Act 3, the problem is compounded, as there is very little time left to get to know them.
Some players have tried to mitigate this by simplynot recruiting all the available companions in a single campaign. Rather than approaching it like a BioWare game, they instead roleplay which characters they think the player character would be most likely to recruit in the quest to remove the tadpole. Doing so means having fewer people at camp and closes off some storylines, but it also means there’s less pressure to micromanage a small crowd of people.
With all therespeccing options available to all party members, as well as the ability to hire others to make up for any gaps in the party, it’s definitely a viable strategy. While DMs can’t just kick people out of their campaigns in real life, the issuesBaldur’s Gate 3players have been facing are a good reminder to keep a party campaign to a manageable size so that everyone can be included at the table.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
