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

Larian Studios celebrated Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary by releasing a fascinating collection of player statistics, revealing surprising choices and playful moments within the game's expansive world. The data offers a compelling look at player preferences and behaviors, from romantic entanglements to unusual in-game antics.

Romantic Encounters in the Forgotten Realms

Larian's Twitter (X) post unveiled a wealth of romantic data. Over 75 million in-game kisses were shared, with Shadowheart receiving the most (27 million), followed by Astarion (15 million), and a significantly smaller number for Minthara (169,937). Act 1's celebratory night saw 32.5% of players choosing Shadowheart, 13.5% selecting Karlach, and 15.6% opting for solitude. By Act 3, Shadowheart's popularity soared, 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 pursued romance with Halsin, with 70% preferring his human form and 30% his bear form. Remarkably, 1.1 million players engaged intimately with the Emperor, with a preference for the Dream Guardian form (63%) over the mind flayer tentacle option (37%).

Whimsical Adventures and Unexpected Choices

Beyond romance, players indulged in some unusual activities. A staggering 1.9 million players transformed into cheese wheels, showcasing the game's playful mechanics. Friendly dinosaurs welcomed 3.5 million visitors, while 2 million players freed Us from the Colony, demonstrating a fondness for quirky side quests. Even the Dark Urge, known for their ruthless nature, saw 3,777 players spare Alfira, inadvertently fostering a surge in lute rock within the game.

Animal companions also received considerable attention. Scratch, the loyal canine, received over 120 million pets, likely attributed to his impeccable fetching skills. The Owlbear Cub wasn't far behind, with over 41 million pets. Interestingly, 141,600 players attempted to pet His Majesty, the cat – the same number who conquered Honour Mode.

Character Creation and Class/Race Preferences

A remarkable 93% of players opted to create custom characters, highlighting the appeal of personalized heroes. Among pre-made characters, Astarion (1.21 million players) led the popularity contest, followed closely by Gale (1.20 million) and Shadowheart (0.86 million). Intriguingly, 15% of custom characters were based on the enigmatic Dark Urge.

The Paladin class reigned supreme, with almost 10 million players embracing the holy warrior role. The Sorcerer and Fighter classes followed closely, each attracting over 7.5 million players. Other classes, such as Barbarian, Rogue, Warlock, Monk, and Druid, also had considerable representation, though fewer than 7.5 million. Rangers and Clerics trailed behind.

Elves dominated the racial choices (over 12.5 million), followed by Half-Elves and Humans (12.5 million each). Tieflings, Drow, and Dragonborn also attracted significant numbers, each exceeding 7.5 million. Half-Orcs, Githyanki, and Dwarves were less common but still notable. Gnomes and Halflings had the lowest numbers. Specific class-race combinations also emerged, revealing interesting player preferences.

Epic Feats and Diverse Endings

The statistics also highlight significant achievements and diverse narrative outcomes. 141,660 players conquered Honour Mode, while 1,223,305 playthroughs ended in defeat. Of those defeated, 76% deleted their saves, while 24% continued in custom mode.

Players made impactful choices, with 1.8 million betraying the Emperor, 329,000 persuading Orpheus to remain a mind flayer, and 3.3 million killing the Netherbrain (200,000 with 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 stats offer a rich tapestry of player experiences, showcasing the game's depth and the diverse ways players engaged with its compelling narrative and mechanics.