Summary
While there’s an unavoidable challenge that awaits whichever developer ends up committing to theBaldur’s Gate 4project, this title’s production will also reap the benefits of building upon the foundation established by Larian. With several keychanges to theDungeons and Dragonsformula, however, the next game will have to consider whether it’s best to continue withBaldur’s Gate 3’s approach to leveling.
From potions as bonus actions to the effects of certain Feats,Baldur’s Gate3sees Larian having taken several liberties when it comes to adapting the ruleset ofDnD5e the game was originally based on. These generally seem to serve the purpose of condensing systems into an enjoyable CRPG experience, with capping level progression at 12 being one of the biggest examples. Beginning at level 1 and slowly reaching this limit has become a normal part of play for fans, but several tabletop players are also no strangers to starting campaigns at higher levels in order to facilitate a more exciting campaign.
Baldur’s Gate 4’s Pacing Would Feel Natural if It Starts at Level 1 Again
Introducing a Generation of Gamers to DnD’s Mechanics
There’s enough depth inBG3to support ongoing discovery and experimentation related to different character builds, but the game also takes its time with introducing these options. By creating their character at the lowest possible level and customizing all the granular details of their starting skills and attributes, even some players who are totally unfamiliar withDnDhave been able to learn about it through the relatively leisurely pace ofBaldur’s Gate 3’s three acts.
Slowly Building Up a Party’s Bond
Apart from the gameplay impact of learning about each companion’s respective class as the story progresses, beginning the narrative with a team who are all on equally lowly footing provides a natural feeling of growth alongside them. AssumingBaldur’s Gate 4features a new castof its own, featuring a starting level of 1 once more might be the most ideal setup for their character development while also creating a forgiving environment for new players.
A Higher Starting Level for Baldur’s Gate 4 Could Mean New Heights of Power Scaling
The Potential to Capture an Appeal Which Many Tabletop Campaigns Struggle to Harness
Within the tabletop community, higher-levelDungeons and Dragonscampaign sessionshave earned a somewhat negative reputation for ironically being far less exciting than their earlier counterparts. Handling a lot of calculations and accounting for every player’s powerful skills can slow games down significantly on the DM’s end, but the virtual context ofBG4wouldn’t share the same problems. Players would theoretically be able to live out a more realized high-level character fantasy, and this would best be facilitated by beginning the game at a level beyond 1 to begin with.
More Build Variety Comes From Greater Complexity
It would be more demanding for players to have to allocate stats and skills for multiple levels from the start, but featuring a higher starting level in the nextBaldur’s Gatewould also continue the franchise’s legacy of emphasizing player choice. If the level cap goes up as well, there will be vastly more options available in terms of both multiclassing and delving deeper into a single class than level 12. This could end up being intimidating to those who enjoyed the more casual presentation thatBG3has become known for, but it may just as easily feel like an evolution that goes further than its predecessor. Depending on the direction its developer takes, the intensity of starting at a higher level could end up complementing or distracting from the inevitablydifferent vision ofBaldur’s Gate 4.
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.
