BG3 Stats Show Players Got Frisky with the Emperor, Turned into Cheese and More

Larian Studios celebrated Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary by unveiling fascinating player statistics, offering a glimpse into the diverse ways players experienced the game. The data reveals everything from romantic entanglements to bizarre side quests and surprising character choices.

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 the most popular choice (27 million kisses), 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 to sleep alone. By Act 3, Shadowheart maintained her lead (48.8% of players experienced her final romance scene), followed by Karlach (17.6%) and Lae'zel (12.9%). A more adventurous 658,000 players engaged in romantic encounters with Halsin, with a preference for his human form (70%). Remarkably, 1.1 million players pursued romance with the Emperor, with 63% preferring the Dream Guardian form.

Whimsical Adventures and Unexpected Events

Beyond romance, players indulged in numerous quirky activities. 1.9 million players transformed into cheese wheels, while 3.5 million befriended dinosaurs. 2 million players freed Us from the Colony, demonstrating a fondness for unusual side quests. Even the Dark Urge, known for their dark nature, saw 3,777 players spare Alfira, leading to an increase in lute rock within the game. Player affection for animal companions was evident: Scratch the dog received over 120 million pets, and the Owlbear Cub over 41 million. Interestingly, the same number of players (141,600) attempted to pet the Emperor's cat as conquered Honour Mode.

Character Customization and Class/Race Preferences

A significant 93% of players opted to create custom characters, highlighting the appeal of personalized gameplay. Among pre-made characters, Astarion was the most popular (1.21 million players), followed by Gale (1.20 million) and Shadowheart (0.86 million). 15% of custom characters were based on the Dark Urge. The Paladin class was the most chosen (nearly 10 million players), followed by the Sorcerer and Fighter (over 7.5 million each). Elves were the most popular race (over 12.5 million), followed by Half-Elves and Humans (12.5 million each).

Specific class-race combinations also emerged. Dwarves frequently chose the Paladin class (20%), while Dragonborn favored Sorcerer. Halflings gravitated towards Bard and Rogue, and Gnomes showed preference for Bards and Druids.

Epic Achievements and Story Choices

141,660 players completed Honour Mode, while 1,223,305 playthroughs ended in defeat (76% deleted saves, 24% continued in custom mode). 1.8 million players betrayed the Emperor, showcasing a willingness to make difficult moral choices. 329,000 players convinced Orpheus to remain a mind flayer, and 3.3 million players killed the Netherbrain (200,000 with Gale's sacrifice). A rare outcome involved 34 players witnessing Avatar Lae'zel's self-sacrifice after rejection by Vlaakith.

In conclusion, Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary statistics paint a rich and multifaceted picture of player behavior, showcasing both the game's challenging aspects and its ability to foster unique and memorable experiences.