Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3is a dream come true forDungeons and Dragonsfans and RPG gamers alike. Larian’s ambitious 2023 hit is perhaps the best adaptation of tabletopD&Dever created, providing a compelling, palpable sense of freedom in a way that other role-playing games simply haven’t managed to do. Indeed,Baldur’s Gate 3channels the spirit ofD&Din a number of ways, but it still features some restrictions that could be excised in a sequel.
Like most traditional Western RPGs,Baldur’s Gate 3places a premium on player customization and control, kicking things off with an in-depth character creation system that draws from 5th-editionDungeons and Dragons. In this way, the game manages to go beyond typical class archetypes like mages, warriors, rogues, and archers, offering various subclasses and other associated tweaks based on the player’s selected fantasy race. Freedom in build-crafting doesn’t end after the character-creation process, though, asBaldur’s Gate 3includes multiclassing, aD&Dfeature that lets players switch to another class at any point during a playthrough while retaining the skills they earned in their initial class up til that point. This broadens build variety by a significant margin, but it has one odd caveat.
The Next Baldur’s Gate Should Nix the Easy Mode Multiclass Restriction
Why Multiclassing Isn’t Available In Baldur’s Gate 3’s Easy Mode
Multiclassing is one ofBaldur’s Gate 3’s more complexfeatures, and someone without prior knowledge ofDungeons and Dragonscould conceivably run into some issues with the system. Common mistakes like choosing redundant powers and not accounting for gear proficiencies can easily nerf a customBaldur’s Gate 3character. In other words, multiclassing isn’t particularly suited for novice players, nor for anyone looking for a more relaxed, story-focused RPG experience.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s easy modeis described as “a narrative experience placing story before combat,” so it’s not the best option for hardcore RPG fans or anyone looking for in-depth stat-tweaking. Additionally, with how easy it is to ruin a character through multiclassing, it’s likely that Larian wanted to save players from themselves with this consideration; someone’s easy mode experience could potentially become a lot harder and more frustrating through botched multiclassing, so removing the feature altogether may have seemed like the best choice.
Locking Easy Mode Players Out of Multiclassing Is an Unnecessary Restriction
Multiclassing is certainly hard to get right, but that’s all the more reason for it to be made available for those on easy mode.Baldur’s Gate 3’s higher difficultiesunlock multiclassing, but it’s more likely for players to run into multiclass-related issues on these difficulties by virtue of their inherent challenge. For someone looking to experiment with the feature, more room for error would be helpful, so multiclassing on easy mode would actually make more sense for those inexperienced with the concept.
Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, the multiclass easy mode restriction is a restriction on player freedom, which is antithetical to the rest ofBG3’s design philosophy. If a player wants to build a ridiculous multiclassed character in easy mode, they should be able to do so. It’s also worth noting that multiclassing canenhanceBaldur’s Gate 3’s RPG elements—it’s not just about combat. Players looking for “a narrative experience placing story before combat” could still get mileage out of the feature.
Multiclassing is also easily reversible, which makes the restriction even more questionable if the reason behind it is to protect players from themselves.
It makes sense to keep players from going off the deep end with multiclassing, but outright removing the feature from easy mode feels like an overreaction. One or more warning messages that apprise players of multiclassing’s complexity probably would have sufficed, as it would allow players to make informed decisions about their playthrough, regardless of their chosen difficulty setting.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
