Since the release ofBaldur’s Gate 3, Wizards of the Coast seems determined touse its popularity to attract players to the wider world ofD&D. Not only have popularBaldur’s Gate 3companions started to become mascots for the TTRPG, some have even been referenced in recentD&Dsourcebooks. Given the popularity ofBaldur’s Gate 3, it’s understandable that Wizards would want to capture some of that momentum and use it to get players who may just be into video games to giveDungeons & Dragonsa try.
BetweenAstarion’s cameo in the newD&D Player’s Handbookand the upcomingIcons of the Realmsminiatures featuring the game’s party members, it seems clear that elements ofBaldur’s Gate 3will be making their way into the TTRPG. If Wizards really wants to attractBaldur’s Gate 3players toD&D, I think they should take things a step further. Some Easter eggs here and there might be fun for players who are already fans of both, but if Wizards really wantsnew players to tryD&D, they need to do more to onboardBaldur’s Gateplayers.
D&D Should Make A BG3 Starter Set
Starter Sets Are Good For Teaching New Players D&D
Introductory adventure modules are one of the best ways to onboard new players toDungeons & Dragons. The quests are shorter and easier for new DMs to prepare because they include maps and story hooks. Intro adventures also come with pre-generated characters that new players can use to help learn the game without having to know all the aspects of character creation. My first time playingD&D, me and my playgroup used theLost Mines of Phandelverstarter set, and it was perfect for teaching us the game without overwhelming us with information.
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Creating one of these modules based onBaldur’s Gate 3could be a great way to get fans who have only played the video game intoD&D. Players coming fromBaldur’s Gatewill already have a bit more knowledge than a total beginner would, so the module could even be slightly more advanced to help attract existingD&Dplayers to try it out as well. On top of that,Baldur’s Gate 3’s cast of characters is perfectly suited for building an introductory quest around.
BG3’s Cast Is Perfect For Premade Characters
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Cast Includes A Good Mixture Of Classes
Baldur’s Gate 3’s companionscover a good base ofD&Dclasses, so they would make a good choice for a new party. There’s a good split with Karlach (Barbarian), Lae’zel (Fighter), and Astarion (Rogue) being martial classes and Shadowheart (Cleric), Wyll (Warlock), and Gale (Wizard) being magic users. Although not a starting party member, throwing Halsin into the mix could also let the party use a Druid, which can be a helpful class for new parties thanks to their resilience.
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Although this doesn’t cover every class in the current edition ofDungeons & Dragons, it would still allow for a good variety.Anyone familiar withBaldur’s Gate 3would also have a pretty good idea of how to create a good team composition. For instance, I usually play as a Rogue Tav, so I would know to pick Astarion, and I would know which party members usually help make up for my shortcomings and synergize well with my strengths (typically Karlach, Gale, and Shadowheart). Seven is also about the most players you’d want in aD&Dparty.
Role-Playing As Characters You Know Well Is More Comfortable
Role-Playing As A Baldur’s Gate Character Could Be Less Intimidating
Aside from being a good mix of classes and making party composition easier,playing asBaldur’s Gate 3characters could help new players get into role-playing. Some of them may have already chosen that character as their origin character in the game, meaning they are used to making decisions from their perspective. Even if players didn’t run with a givenBaldur’s Gate 3character, they all have such distinct personalities that it would be easier to adopt that persona while getting used to playingD&D.
I know when I started playingD&D, it helped a lot to base my character’s personality on a fictional character that I liked, at least to start. I’m not trained at acting or improv, so it was useful to play a character that I already felt I knew intimately and try to translate that toD&D, like my early archeologist character, Waterdeep Jones. By allowing new players to step into their role as a familiar face fromBaldur’s Gate 3, aD&Dintro adventure would give new players an even easier version of this trick.
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Role-playing can be one of the biggest barriers to entry forD&D, but it is also essential for keeping a game alive. Sure,D&Dcombat provides plenty of ways to have creative fun, but it doesn’t feel as exciting if you lose interest in the story or the character you’re playing. I’ve had times when I struggled to find the motivation to attend my weeklyD&Dgames because my enthusiasm for the character I was playing was gone or because the overall group had stopped engaging in roleplay as much.
Since the game isn’t getting any DLC, aD&Dmodule could be a fun way to add new content to the story.
Anyone who has finishedBaldur’s Gate 3has proven that they are willing to spend a lot of time with these characters, and they have likely gotten to know them well.Their enduring popularity among fans is probably a good sign that they would enjoy playing as themin aD&Dadventure module. As someone who is currently wearing a replica of Gale’s earring as he writes this, I know I would be excited at a chance to play my favorite Wizard in a new adventure.
The Promise Of New BG3 Content Would Attract A Lot Of Players
A New Adventure Could Mean Adding To The BG3 Story
While I think there would be a lot of enthusiasm for aBaldur’s Gate 3adventure module, I don’t think Wizards should just convert the opening section of the game into an introductoryD&Dquest. That’s not just becauseI’ve playedBaldur’s Gate’s opening too many times, but also because it would take away a lot of the tension that makesD&Dfun. Not knowing what decision is the right one or wondering what’s around the next corner in a dungeon is a lot of fun, so anyBaldur’s Gatemodule would need to be new content.
I also think that the promise of new content set within the world ofBaldur’s Gate 3would be hard to pass up for die-hard fans of the game. Since the game isn’t getting any DLC, aD&Dmodule could be a fun way to add new content to the story. It may also helpBaldur’s Gate 3fans see that a lot of what they like about the game is also true ofD&D, and who doesn’t like finding a new hobby?
