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 treasure trove of player statistics, offering fascinating insights into player choices and behaviors. The data reveals a diverse range of gameplay styles, from romantic entanglements to bizarre encounters and epic battles.

Romantic Pursuits in the Forgotten Realms

The statistics highlight the significant role romance played in many players' journeys. A staggering 75 million companion kisses were recorded, with Shadowheart receiving the most (27 million), followed by Astarion (15 million) and Minthara (169,937). Act 1's celebratory night saw 32.5% of players choosing Shadowheart, 13.5% opting for Karlach, and 15.6% choosing solitude. By Act 3, Shadowheart's popularity continued, with 48.8% experiencing her final romance scene, compared to 17.6% with Karlach and 12.9% with Lae'zel.

A more adventurous 658,000 players engaged in romantic encounters with Halsin, with 70% preferring his human form and 30% his bear form. An impressive 1.1 million players pursued romance with the Emperor, with 63% choosing the Dream Guardian form and 37% opting for the mind flayer tentacle experience.

Whimsical Adventures and Quirky Choices

Beyond romance, players engaged in a multitude of unusual activities. 1.9 million players transformed into cheese wheels, showcasing the game's playful mechanics. Friendly dinosaurs received 3.5 million visits, and 2 million players freed Us from the Colony, demonstrating a fondness for unconventional side quests. Remarkably, at least 3,777 Dark Urge players spared Alfira, unexpectedly contributing to the game's lute rock prevalence.

Animal companions also played a significant role. Scratch, the loyal canine, received over 120 million pets, likely due to his flawless fetching skills. The Owlbear Cub garnered over 41 million pets. Interestingly, 141,600 players attempted to pet His Majesty, the feline – the same number who conquered Honour Mode, adding a touch of irony to the statistics.

Character Creation and Class/Race Preferences

Despite the appeal of pre-made characters, an astounding 93% of players created custom avatars, emphasizing the 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). Intriguingly, 15% of custom avatars were based on the Dark Urge, reflecting players' fascination with enigmatic backstories.

The Paladin class dominated, with almost 10 million players choosing this holy warrior path. The Sorcerer and Fighter classes followed closely, each exceeding 7.5 million players. Other classes, including Barbarian, Rogue, Warlock, Monk, and Druid, also had considerable representation, though fewer than 7.5 million players. Rangers and Clerics had the lowest numbers, with Rangers chosen by 5 million and Clerics by fewer than 5 million.

Racial choices were equally diverse, with Elves leading the way (over 12.5 million), followed by Half-Elves and Humans (both 12.5 million). Tieflings attracted over 10 million players, followed by Drow and Dragonborn (both exceeding 7.5 million). Half-Orcs, Githyanki, and Dwarves were also popular, each chosen by over 2.5 million players. Gnomes and Halflings had lower numbers, each below 2.5 million. Certain class-race combinations were favored, such as Dwarves as Paladins and Dragonborn as Sorcerers.

Epic Achievements and Narrative Choices

141,660 players conquered Honour Mode, a testament to their skill. Conversely, 1,223,305 playthroughs ended in defeat, with 76% of those players deleting their saves and 24% continuing in custom mode. 1.8 million players betrayed the Emperor, while 329,000 convinced Orpheus to remain a mind flayer. A significant 3.3 million players 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.

In conclusion, Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary statistics paint a vivid picture of the game's diverse and engaging community, showcasing the wide array of choices and experiences players have embraced.