Summary
One year after its release,Baldur’s Gate 3still dominates the internet. From exciting news of its upcoming mod support to the longevity and relevance of its character-driven story, gamers won’t lose their love and respect any time soon. But even with its numerous accolades,Baldur’s Gate 3is not without areas to improve.
The companions that players add to their party throughout the adventure arguably make upBG3, as without them (as is possible), the game notably feels rather empty. But whileBG3’s companionsare mostly varied in story and personality, there is still one little area of Faerunian diversity that feels neglected at camp — the lack of small companions.
More Small Companions Would Add Representation to BG3
Except for whichever race players choose, the small races feel underrepresented by a long shot.Dungeons & Dragonsis the originator of a lot of fantasy tropes, and becauseBG3is based on the tabletop game, it did well leaning into that. But the current setup makes one wonder where all the gnomes and halflings went — to say nothing of some monstrousraces that are fun to play inD&D.
Goblins Not Being Playable in BG3 is an Oversight
Goblins might be the most obvious oversight in playable races considering the diversity of existing options, even if only playable via a companion. Given the importance of goblins in Act 1, finding a companionwhile getting throughBaldur’s Gate 3’s Goblin Campor even being able to interact with that area as a goblin would be immensely interesting. Where drow can bypass the goblin camp guards by being terrifying to goblinkind, the only way a goblin can do the same is if players free the goblin captive in the druid grove, after which she can be convinced to lead them to the camp, foregoing any checks to get in.
Baldur’s Gate 3does an excellent job at humanizing goblins where they are typically nothing but low-level enemies at theD&Dtable. For another example,goblin Gribbo is Volo’s captorearly in the game, and through dialogue with her, players can discover she is well-meaning and considers the bard to be a pigeon that she is protecting from the other goblins by keeping him in a cage. She can be persuaded to let him out by being told he looks sick.
Moments like these really change the dynamics of these interactions and add more weight to the decision to wipe out the goblin camp in general. Being able to add either the goblin prisoner or Gribbo to camp would have made sense, especially if they rallied against the Absolute, and players would likely get entertaining party banter while traveling out of it at least.
BG3’s Gnomes are Limited to a Minor Subplot
All gnomish representation inBG3comes withthe Ironhand deep gnomesplayers interact with throughout the game and the brief interactions with the Gondians. Yet the Ironhands are dominated by their suffering at the hands of the Absolute in Acts 1 and 2 and headed by an NPC notoriously disliked, Wulbren Bongle. The Gondians’ place in the story is that of a comparatively minor role in taking down Gortash and his Steel Watch in Act 3.
While searching for Wulbren, his partner, Barcus Wroot, can be convinced to briefly join the camp. With a compelling story regarding his one-sided relationship with Wulbren,Barcus would have made an excellent companion. Given he is met early in the game and this subplot doesn’t resolve until late, he would have made sense in camp, and the Ironhand/Gondian story could have easily been made a companion quest with more weight.
Through Barcus, players get the most classically gnomish features — a love of invention, cleverness, and a fast and almost nervous manner of speaking. And he is already a loved NPC, so players could’ve had the opportunity to bond with him and adjust Ironhand leadership more organically, just as almost every other companion has to make a tough choice regarding their personal affiliations.
Halflings are Vastly Underrepresented in Baldur’s Gate
Very few recurring NPCs inBG3are halflings, a race enjoyed for its similarities toThe Lord of the Ringshobbits. The few in-game dialoguesplayer halflings get inBG3center around their adoration for food, comfort, and good manners. With the tremendous popularity ofLotR, having a companion reminiscent of that archetype would give the grim storyline and drama-filled camp some much-needed relief.
Barbarian Karlachis an excellent example of a character loved for her smile in the face of harrowing experiences and her lighthearted interactions with both the player and other companions. A classic halfling character would likely do much the same thing, bringing further variety to the camp. And for fans of this race, the overall limited number of halflings inBaldur’s Gate 3feels tough to swallow.
Kobolds Hold Immense Roleplay Potential for BG3
Finally, kobolds would be a delightful addition to playable races or companions, with popular mods already including them among race options. While monstrous and therefore not a part of the core racial makeup, they are one of themost popular draconic racesnext to the dragonborn, which do exist in the game, so no kobolds feels like an additional oversight.
The only kobold NPC players meet is Popper, a merchant atthe Circus of the Last Days. He is arguably one of the most enjoyable, displaying classically kobold traits like a certain naivety about the world and an aggressive but adorable approach to sales. He also has special dialogues with dragonborns, showing kobolds’ respect for their larger draconic kin. Similarly to goblins, letting players lean into a more monstrous, even “feral” play style typical of these mini dragons could add a little extra fun to the game, and one can imagine Popper would make a most ferocious companion.
The potential of small races joining camp, let alone the opportunities that seem to exist in the game already, is too great to imagine passing up in a world so esteemed for its fantastical tropes. So whileBaldur’s Gate 3excels at its characterization, this subtle area could certainly have used a little more range.
