Drawing Inspiration from Baldur's Gate 3: Ideas, Opportunities, and Cautions for Your Tabletop RPGs
Most, if not everyone, has heard about the recently released Baldur’s Gate 3. For anyone unfamiliar, this classic style Role Playing Game (CRPG) takes players through the D&D world of Faerun. The system it uses is fairly close to Dungeons and Dragons 5E, though it has been adjusted for a few reasons. The result is a game that captures the essence of a D&D adventure and presents it in video game form. I have played other CRPGs, so I knew what to expect. But playing it so far, it has given me a lot of ideas, specifically towards what I could implement at my table. So, what exactly did I find in BG3 that sparked my imagination for my tabletop games? Let’s dive in.
Key Features to Highlight
There are many elements of BG3 that catch my eye and make me want to implement them into my tabletop games. At its core, the system in BG3 mimics 5E. It uses similar terminology and mechanics, which made it easier to pick up. There are some areas that it differs from both the game and standard gameplay that I feel could be interesting.
Loot For Days
I immediately noticed that Baldur’s Gate 3 was not miserly when handing out magic items. Early in my play through, I have come across magical armor, weapons, rings, and necklaces. In a normal 5E game, this can mean disaster for balance. Per the 2014 Dungeon Master’s Guide:
“The magic items they find include common consumable items (potions and scrolls) and a very few uncommon permanent items. Their magic can have a big impact in a single encounter, but it doesn’t change the course of an adventure.”
But BG3 maintains the balance. How does it do that? Making the bonuses situational.
Where in the 5E TTRPG we will often see additional damage or powerful effects tied to a magical item, Baldur’s Gate 3 likes to give effects of varying usefulness.
Items such as the Amulet of Elemental Torment, an uncommon magic item that will add effects to spells depending on the surface the caster stands in. For example, standing in an area that is on fire will add the chance for a Burn effect to a spell. Will it always be optimal for a caster to stand in an area that is on fire, or frozen? No, but it can be nice when it works.
Some magic items only grant effects to allies, such as the Hellrider’s Pride. These gloves give a +1 to Strength saving throws, but will also give Resistance to Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage dealt by weapon attacks for 1 turn. A limited, situational effect that comes when one player is helping another.
Extra Combat Options
Early in combat, I learned about the power of the Shove. In Baldur’s Gate 3, Shove is a bonus action which pits the user’s Athletics against the target’s Athletics or Acrobatics, whichever is higher. While the primary use is pushing an enemy back, this can also attempt to wake a creature or break them free from certain spells.
In 5E, shoving is an Attack action. It has the option of knocking a player prone or push them 5 feet away. But I rarely see it used, and that comes down to Action Economy. When players face the choice between forcing movement or doing damage, often they will pick the latter. There might be certain circumstances, but usually it works better to hurt an enemy. Moving this ability to Bonus Action means that a character engaged with an enemy will rarely be without a Bonus Action option. I often found myself shoving an enemy at the end of my turn in BG3, often with an unforeseen benefit the result.
There are other universal options available for characters to use as a Bonus Action, though some of them work better in the game itself. Jump works similarly to Shove. There are also weapon specific Bonus Actions (called Weapon Actions) that can be used once per short rest. The increase in options means that characters, especially melee martial ones, will rarely find themselves unable to do something.
The World is Your Weapon
Fights can break out anywhere in Baldur’s Gate 3, and the environment can be just as varied. You may fight on a cliff-side, or in the storerooms of the enemy camp, or anywhere in between. What all these areas have in common ties into the additional actions I just talked about. The world itself offers more elements to bring into combat.
While shoving an enemy back can be a great way to move without being attacked, it becomes even better if your shove causes them to fall off of something. At the least, your enemy will take some fall damage and end up prone. If you are skilled (or lucky) you may end a fight prematurely. Now that Bonus Action Shove can do so much more, it becomes almost optimal.
The environmental resources don’t stop there. Muddy terrain can slow enemies or knock them prone. Large pieces of terrain, like a statue or a crate, can be shoved or thrown for damage and a way to put some distance between you and your enemy. And do not get me started on the ability to blow up barrels to cause chaos and carnage in equal amounts.
As I became accustomed to the utility the world around my characters could provide, I looked out for items in combat. These options could even be the playing field against a stronger enemy.
Hidden Dangers
Translating ideas from Baldur’s Gate 3 into your tabletop games might seem like a fantastic journey, but it’s not without its perils. Here’s why:
Development Complexity: Baldur’s Gate 3 results from countless hours of design, testing, and tweaking by a skilled team at Larian Studios. Attempting to replicate some of these elements in your tabletop games can add a significant workload to your plate. It’s essential to recognize the effort required to make these concepts work in a different context.
Scale and Flow of Combat: BG3 provides action-packed combat filled with items and opportunities, but adapting these scenarios to your tabletop can be taxing. Running large-scale combat with many elements might slow the game down and burden the Dungeon Master.
Game System Differences: While the mechanics of BG3 might resemble D&D 5E, the game’s system is simplified and adapted for video game play. Introducing these mechanics into your tabletop sessions might feel out of place, or even unbalance the game.
Example: Imagine introducing a video game-like magic item that seems perfectly balanced on-screen but turns out to be overpowering or disruptive in a live tabletop setting.
Adapting ideas from Baldur’s Gate 3 is an intriguing prospect, full of potential creativity and fun. However, it’s wise to approach with caution, mindful of these hidden dangers. Consider what might work best for your specific group and be willing to adjust as needed. It might be a trial-and-error process, but that’s all part of the adventure!
Final Thoughts
While I’ve covered several aspects that Baldur’s Gate 3 offers, there’s undoubtedly more to explore. The game’s rich world and complex mechanics offer endless possibilities, and it’s a topic I plan to revisit in future posts. However, I’m not locking myself into any specific promises right now. The world of BG3 is vast, and I want to leave room to wander, discover, and share more as I continue to delve into its depths. Stay tuned as we continue to find inspiration in unexpected places.
Conclusion
While Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a treasure trove of ideas for D&D enthusiasts, it’s merely one example of how the world of gaming can fuel our creative tabletop experiences. The magic of Dungeons and Dragons isn’t confined to the rulebooks; it thrives on innovation and thinking outside the box. BG3 is a reminder that we can find inspiration in unlikely places. From the nuanced storytelling of a gripping novel to the thrilling visuals of a blockbuster movie, or even the natural wonders we encounter in our daily lives, there’s a world of inspiration waiting to be tapped. By staying curious and open to the unexpected, we can transform our tabletop adventures into something truly extraordinary. So next time you find yourself stuck for ideas, remember to look beyond the familiar paths. You never know what new horizons might await. And in the meantime, give Baldur’s Gate 3 a try; it might just spark the next big idea for your gaming table.
Have you already played BG3? What has your experience been so far? What specific features did you find inspiring? How have you adapted video game mechanics into your tabletop games, whether from BG3 or elsewhere? Are there unique twists you’ve added to your own game that were inspired by different mediums like books, movies, or daily experiences? I would love to hear about it, and maybe we can all learn something new from each other’s creativity.