Summary
The world ofDungeons and Dragonsis often considered the paragon of all things high fantasy, its monsters included. Larian Studios’ award-winningBaldur’s Gate 3took this fact and ran with it, from the main mind flayer problem to largely insignificant NPCs.
YetBaldur’s Gate 3could teachD&Dand its video game adaptations something that’s easily forgotten—the game is simply more compelling when players can interact with fantastical creatures outside of combat. This is especially true for druids, given their reserve of spells that allow them to socialize with some creatures. Moreover, friendly or otherwise intelligent monsters encourage players to take routes other than violence.BG3has pioneered this, setting a precedent forD&Dmonsters going forward, whether in its origin tabletop game or futureBaldur’s Gategames.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Leads in Roleplay with its Monsters
Owlbear Cub
The owlbear is one of the most iconic creatures inD&D. Alongside the dog Scratch, players canrecruit an owlbear cub to camp, and the spell Speak with Animals will reveal cute dialogue from the not-at-all-dangerous little creature. By the end of the game, the owlbear has grown much bigger and will be adorned with armor to help fight the Absolute’s forces. It would be one thing to include the legendary owlbear as a simple nod toD&Dand allow players to speak with it, but it’s quite another to include it as a regular companion that players can pet and later go to battle with. In almost any other context, owlbears are a classic low-level enemy, making this piece stand out from whatD&Dplayers usually see from such dangerous beasts.
Ogres
In Act 1 in the Blighted Village, players can meet a trio of ogres led by Lump the Enlightened. If players comment on his enlightenment, which is far greater than his companions', he will say, “Am I not astonishing?” After offering him a large sum of gold or succeeding on a Persuasion check, Lump will agree to helptake out Priestess Gut’s goblin camp, and the ogre trio is the most powerful summon to have in the early game. On an amusing note, players who kill Lump will be able to see how he got his wit when he drops the Warped Headband of Intellect, which increases the wearer’s Intelligence score to 17.
Ogres, trolls, and the like are known for being huge fools who find it hard to think and hit even harder. This is true for Lump’s companions, but not Lump himself. In fact, a lot ofmonsters for low levelD&Dplayershave low intelligence, making them experience fodder and little more.Baldur’s Gate 3takes a relatively minor interaction with traditionally dumb creatures and fills it with interesting dialogue and legitimate bartering for a much more memorable scene.
The Strange Ox
The presence of a strangely intelligent ox is an investigation that spans across all three ofBG3’s acts, provided the creature is not killed. Using Speak with Animals, dialogue with it will reveal its insistence on being a real ox, its goals to get to Baldur’s Gate, and the horrific visions its mind harbors. If players are friendly to the ox that is actually an ooze, it will become one of thebest summons for the final battle with the Absolute.
Similarly to an owlbear, taking a relatively ordinary animal and making it anything but simply isn’t seen in a lot ofD&Dgames. Going a step further and making an ox the disguise for an incredibly sinister ooze (which also isn’t typical of oozes) is a fresh level of creativity thatBG3has become known for. Breaks in convention like this are crucial for establishing the identity of futureD&Dgames, and can teachD&Ddungeon masters a thing or two.
D&D’s Staple Threats Offer More in BG3
Omeluum
The mind flayer Omeluum is an exceptional example ofBaldur’s Gate 3’s friendly monsters and has become rather beloved in the fan community. After meeting it in the Underdark, Omeluum explains how it managed to break away from its Elder Brain and wishes to develop a brain-free diet for its kin. It is even sympathetic to the hostility players might feel toward it and only politely asks not to be attacked. It then offers to extract the player’s tadpole and can provideimpressive assistance in the Iron Thronein Act 3.
Despite being one of the most iconic villains inD&Das a whole, this mind flayer is a steady source of aid and friendship over the course ofBG3. For any roleplaying game, deeply intelligent monsters with a societal tendency to kill and subjugate, like mind flayers, choosing instead to be allies is criminally underutilized and creatively thrilling. AfterBG3, it wouldn’t be surprising if futureD&Dgames continue finding unique roles for mind flayers.
Moonrise Gnolls
While exploring Moonrise Towers in Act 2, players will discover an Absolutist controlling a small pack of gnolls in an attempt to turn them from their violent nature. If players sever her connection to them, they will slaughter her and offer a bit of dialogue. Notably, this exchange offers more onthe amnesic Dark Urge’s storyfor those pursuing the evil path. While perhaps not the most exciting among the friendly monsters, the gnolls at Moonrise provide a rare roleplaying opportunity—that is, rewarding players with lore for siding with monsters. This scene may seem insignificant and easy to miss in such a large game, but with details like this,D&Dwriters can instantly make a story more complex.
There are a number of fascinating interactions with creatures of all types inBG3, but by far the most unexpected are those that occur with monsters. InDungeons and Dragons, it’s easy to fall into a game of playing the hero who slays every enemy in their path. Allowing for dynamic interactions with various outcomes instead rounds out a world and makes gameplay emotionally rewarding, which is whyBaldur’s Gate 3paves the way for both better tabletop gaming and richer stories inBaldur’s Gate 4and beyond.
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.
