BG3 Stats Show Players Got Frisky with the Emperor, Turned into Cheese and More

Larian Studios celebrated Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary by unveiling a fascinating collection of player statistics, showcasing the diverse ways players experienced the game. These stats, shared on Twitter (X), reveal everything from romantic entanglements to unusual in-game antics. Let's delve into the data and explore the community's adventures in the Forgotten Realms.

Romantic Pursuits in the Forgotten Realms

Romance played a significant role for many players. A staggering 75 million companion kisses were recorded, with Shadowheart leading the pack at 27 million. Astarion followed closely with 15 million, while Minthara received 169,937. On Act 1's celebratory night, player choices were diverse: 32.5% spent the night with Shadowheart, 13.5% with Karlach, and 15.6% chose solitude. By Act 3, Shadowheart's popularity persisted, with 48.8% experiencing her final romance scene. Karlach's romantic dinner was shared by 17.6%, and 12.9% held hands with Lae'zel.

For those seeking less conventional romance, 658,000 players engaged with Halsin, with 70% opting for his human form and 30% his bear form. An astonishing 1.1 million players pursued romance with the Emperor, with 63% preferring the Dream Guardian form and 37% embracing the mind flayer experience.

Whimsical Adventures and Quirky Quests

Beyond the epic battles and dramatic choices, players indulged in some unusual activities. 1.9 million players became cheese wheels, a testament to the game's playful nature. Friendly dinosaurs received 3.5 million visits, while 2 million players liberated Us from the Colony, highlighting the appeal of the game's side quests. Even the Dark Urge showed a softer side, with 3,777 players finding a way to spare Alfira, unexpectedly promoting a surge in lute rock.

Animal companions also received a lot of attention. Scratch, the loyal canine companion, was petted over 120 million times, likely due to his flawless fetch skills. The Owlbear Cub wasn't far behind, with over 41 million pets. A curious 141,600 players attempted to pet His Majesty, the cat – the same number who conquered Honour Mode, adding a touch of irony.

Character Creation and Class/Race Preferences

Despite the game's compelling pre-made characters, a remarkable 93% of players created custom avatars, showcasing a desire for personalized heroes. Among the pre-made characters, Astarion (1.21 million players) was the most popular, followed by Gale (1.20 million) and Shadowheart (0.86 million). Interestingly, 15% of custom characters were based on the Dark Urge.

The Paladin class dominated with nearly 10 million players, followed closely by the Sorcerer and Fighter classes (both over 7.5 million). Other classes, including Barbarian, Rogue, Warlock, Monk, and Druid, also had a considerable following. Rangers and Clerics rounded out the list.

Elves were the most popular race (over 12.5 million), followed by Half-Elves and Humans (both 12.5 million). Tieflings, Drow, and Dragonborn also had significant representation (all over 7.5 million). Half-Orcs, Githyanki, and Dwarves were less frequently chosen, but still exceeded 2.5 million each. Gnomes and Halflings had the lowest numbers, under 2.5 million each. Specific class-race combinations also emerged as favorites, reflecting player preferences and character synergy.

Epic Achievements and Storyline Choices

The game's challenging Honour Mode was conquered by 141,660 players, a testament to their skill. Conversely, 1,223,305 playthroughs ended in defeat, with 76% of players deleting their saves and 24% continuing in custom mode.

Players faced difficult moral choices. 1.8 million players betrayed the Emperor, showcasing a willingness to make difficult decisions. 329,000 players convinced Orpheus to live as a mind flayer, while 3.3 million killed the Netherbrain (with 200,000 involving Gale's sacrifice). A rare outcome saw 34 players experience Avatar Lae'zel's self-sacrifice after rejection by Vlaakith.

The anniversary statistics paint a vivid portrait of Baldur's Gate 3's diverse and engaged community, highlighting the myriad ways players have interacted with the game's rich narrative and challenging gameplay.