Player Antics Revealed in BG3 Data: Smut, Cheese, and Surprises

Larian Studios celebrated Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary by releasing a fascinating collection of player statistics, showcasing diverse gameplay styles and choices. The data reveals a community that embraces both epic battles and whimsical side quests.

Romantic Encounters in the Forgotten Realms

The stats highlight the significance of romance in players' journeys. A staggering 75 million companion kisses were recorded, with Shadowheart leading the pack at 27 million. Astarion followed with 15 million, while Minthara received 169,937. Act 1's celebratory night saw 32.5% of players with Shadowheart, 13.5% with Karlach, and 15.6% choosing solitude. By Act 3, Shadowheart's popularity continued, with 48.8% experiencing her final romance scene.

For those seeking unconventional romance, 658,000 players engaged with Halsin, with a preference for his human form (70%). An impressive 1.1 million players pursued a relationship with the Emperor, favoring the Dream Guardian form (63%).

Whimsical Adventures and Companion Interactions

Beyond romance, players indulged in playful activities. 1.9 million players transformed into cheese wheels, showcasing the game's humorous elements. Friendly dinosaurs received 3.5 million visits, while 2 million players freed Us from the Colony. Even the Dark Urge showed a softer side, with 3,777 players finding a way to spare Alfira.

Animal companions were also popular. Scratch the dog received over 120 million pets, while the Owlbear Cub garnered over 41 million. A curious 141,600 players attempted to pet the Emperor's cat – the same number who completed Honour Mode.

Character Creation and Class/Race Preferences

An overwhelming 93% of players created custom characters, demonstrating a strong desire for personalization. Among pre-made characters, Astarion was 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 closely by Sorcerer and Fighter (over 7.5 million each). Other classes had significant but smaller numbers.

Elves were the most popular race (over 12.5 million), followed by Half-Elves and Humans (12.5 million each). Tieflings, Drow, and Dragonborn also exceeded 7.5 million. Less popular races included Half-Orcs, Githyanki, and Dwarves. Specific class-race combinations also emerged as favorites, reflecting player preferences and character synergy.

Epic Achievements and Story Choices

141,660 players conquered 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, while 329,000 convinced Orpheus to remain a mind flayer. 3.3 million players killed the Netherbrain, with 200,000 involving Gale's sacrifice. A rare occurrence saw 34 players experience Avatar Lae'zel's self-sacrifice.

The statistics paint a vibrant picture of the Baldur's Gate 3 community, showcasing the diversity of player choices and experiences within the game.