When Baldur’s Gate 3 launches on Steam in August, the role-playing game will bring some changes compared to Early Access. MeinMMO shows you what.
Baldur’s Gate 3 celebrates its full release on August 3rd. The role-playing game has been playable since October 2020 in Early Access, but with the release of the final version, new content will be added.
In addition to pre-made playable characters and new classes, new mercenaries that you can create yourself will be added to the game. There will also be updates for the character editor, a new crafting system, and new story acts (via Steam).
We have created an overview of the changes between Early Access and the final game and summarized it on MeinMMO.
Changes for Act 1, Addition of Act 2 and 3
With the full release of the game, Baldur’s Gate 3 will be supplemented by the second and third acts. During Early Access, only the first act was playable.
In a community update from July 12th, the developers also wrote, Act 1 makes up only a quarter of the entire content that will be available at launch.
Additionally, even Act 1 in the final game has 33% more content than at the start of Early Access, as much has been changed or added.
Introduction of “Origin Characters” including the “Dark Urge”
Starting August 3rd, Baldur’s Gate 3 players can play so-called “Origin Characters.” These are pre-made heroes who bring “their own stories, desires, and attitudes towards the world” with them.
If you prefer to play a self-created character instead of a pre-made one, it will also be possible to take the Origin Characters as companions on your journey.
With the introduction of the Origin Characters, additional “The Dark Urge” will be playable, giving you the opportunity to embody an ultimate villain.
Introduction of Hirelings – Mercenaries for your Team
If you are not interested in having the Origin Characters as companions, or if you manage to scare them away somehow, you will have the option to rely on so-called “Hirelings” in the final game. These are mercenaries who can temporarily join your team.
With the full release, you will have 12 Hirelings available for recruitment – one for each class. Each of them has their own name and appearance and can be redesigned at any time.
New Class and Subclasses
In Baldur’s Gate 3, there are 12 classes in the final game, as the Monk is added to the role-playing game, which was not available during Early Access. According to lead writer Adam Smith, the Monk is even the strongest class.
Additionally, Baldur’s Gate 3 promises to bring at least one new subclass for every class introduced during Early Access at the full release of the game. In total, there will be 46 subclasses, of which nearly half are new.
Multiclassing and Respeccing
Baldur’s Gate 3 will allow you to combine classes (“Multiclassing”) or create new ones (“Respeccing”) in the final game.
Through multiclassing, you can shape your class as you wish or as your role-playing requires. A warrior, for example, might be able to cast arcane spells, and rogues can master divine magic.
Through respeccing, or reassigning your skills, you can redesign your build. This is meant to encourage players to try new combinations and experiment. In Early Access, both respeccing and multiclassing were not possible.
Alchemy as Crafting System
The release is supposed to bring a new crafting system with the art of alchemy, allowing you to transform herbs, wild mushrooms, crystals, and monster parts into useful items.
You can then create a variety of extracts with ingredients from the wilderness, which you then combine into potions, poisons, and oils. The final products can ultimately be used to consume or apply to your weapons.
Update for Character Editor
The character creation toolbox is also expected to have evolved compared to the Early Access phase. There are animations that briefly present the different races as well as various options added.
Some of the new options give you the opportunity to freely customize your character regarding body shape, voice, pronouns, and genitals:
Steam: Baldur’s Gate 3 leaves you the choice of which genitals your character should have
