Summary
With the latestBaldur’s Gate 3patches adding a variety of improvements such as updated endings and the much-awaited Magic Mirror, fans ofDungeons & Dragonsare likely eager to find out what else devs Larian Studios has in store for the acclaimed RPG. However, with the game constantly updating the title with patches alongside a dedicated modding community adding their improvements to theBaldur’s Gateentry, one might wonder what exactly a “proper”Baldur’s Gate 3DLC should contain.
Now that patches added things such as improved Companion endings and the much-awaited Magic Mirror, it’s evident that Larian Studios provides improvements packed in every update. With this in mind, extra content inBaldur’s Gateis likely massive in scope and contains more than just a few quality-of-life improvements. However, what could aBaldur’s Gate 3DLC contain?
10Raising The Level Cap
Playersenjoying theirBaldur’s Gate 3combatmight notice that theirD&Dcharacters can only reach Level 12 instead of the traditional 20-level cap of theDungeons & Dragonsexperience. Larian Studios explained attempting to craft a game around all full 20 character levels can “break” the core gameplay, leaving players with a reduced yet tactically immersive title.
However, as patches prove the team’s ability to fix gameplay errors, it could still be possible for future DLCs to include further Levels for players. This could come with increasing difficulty on the part of enemies in the form of new areas as well as the option for enemies to scale with the party’s own levels.
9Game Master Mode
AsidefromDivinity: Original Sin 2and its prequel receiving critical acclaim for its gameplay and story, Larian Studios is also known for helping content creators produce game-ready mods for their products. The aforementioned games use the Divinity Engine to build mods, withDOS2releasing with a Game Master Mode where players can create custom campaigns.
Whereas Nexus Mods currently has the best selection ofBaldur’s Gate 3mods as of release, it’s possible for Larian Studios to fulfill anyD&Dfan’s desire to get a visual editor to create fully playable campaigns. ThisBG3version of a Game Master Mode could come in its own DLC or even be released as its product.
8Hirelings And The Magic Mirror
The release of the Magic Mirror in the recent patch has become a godsend for players who constantly want tomodify theirBaldur’s Gate 3characterson a whim. This cosmetic tool can help players avoid the need to create backup characters for the sake of having a different appearance.
Despite the pure visual benefit of the tool, it gives players access to further methods of personalizing theirBaldur’s Gateexperience. In turn, aBaldur’s Gate 3DLCcould potentially extend the benefits of the Magic Mirror to create fully customizable Hirelings, affording players the opportunity to at least create headcanons for their new allies.
7NPCs Become Companions
While thecoreBaldur’s Gate 3castis comprised of six Origins and four potential Companions, the Larian Studios title still has quite a number of compelling NPCs scattered across the game. Some of them have rather short stints such as Abdirak, the torture-loving worshipper of Loviatar who has quite the disturbingly-alluring way of professing his faith. Likewise, lasting NPCs such as Dammon the blacksmith remain integral to some of the Companions’ plots.
However, the depth attached to their characters can provide enough material to transform them into Companions in DLCs. In the case of the aforementioned characters, Abdirak could become a Trickery Domain Cleric, whereas Dammon could even introduce the Artificer due to his smithing specialization.
6Introduce The Psionic Subclasses
The presence of the Illithid parasite in the protagonists’ heads in theBaldur’s Gate 3story also gives them access to a wide array of Illithid Powers. These largely take the form of psionic powers that use the mind to either manipulate the environment or trigger a wide variety of psychic effects. ForD&Dsavants, the Illithid Powers are a tad similar to the psionic Classes released in previous editions. Unfortunately for5e, there has yet to be an equivalent of the Psion or the Psychic Warrior in the game.
However, newBaldur’s Gate 3content could potentially introduce Subclasses that represent a character’s reliance on the psychic arts. InTasha’s Cauldron of Everything, players get access to three extra Subclasses that focus on psychic abilities. Fighters have the Psi Warrior that infuses their martial prowess with psychic energy, the Sorcerers have the Aberrant Mind that modifies their powerset with psychic abilities, and the Rogue has the Soulknife that has access to special psionic capabilities.
5Include Other Cities
While the eponymous city of Baldur’s Gate remains one of the most iconic locations in the Forgotten Realms, the campaign setting is home to several other locales that could be the setting of aBaldur’s Gate 3gameplayscenario. For instance, Waterdeep in the north of the Sword Coast is a popular trading city that is home toWaterdeep: Dragon Heistwhich puts players face to face against the most dangerous criminals of the realms.
Likewise, Larian Studios can play off nostalgia and set DLC stories in other popular Forgotten Realms cities in older games. Such a location is Neverwinter, this time located in the far north that boasts rather warm winters and unique threats.
4Visit Other Realms
Should the prospect of visiting another city in Faerun be rather dull, then perhaps players who want toenhance theirBaldur’s Gate 3experiencecould expect a DLC that takes them to other realms. Outside the mortal plane of existence are various other locations thatBG3players could visit, especially with the Githyanki having spacecraft that could travel the perilous Astral Sea.
With this in mind, a DLC pack that offers the exploration of realms via a Githyanki creche could pave the way for location-exclusive content. For instance, players could find themselves trapped in an unsavory deal with the Fey in the Feywild or their characters may be forced to encounter their worst evils in the Shadowfell.
3Timeline Demands Descent Into Avernus
Despite the recentD&Dgame taking place hundreds of years after the originalBaldur’s Gatetitle, thegameplay ofBaldur’s Gate 3apparently takes place as soon as the adventureDescent Into Avernusfinishes. In turn, potential DLC material could adapt this journey as a “prequel” of sorts that ties intoBG3’s introduction.
Should this DLC proceed, players may start at Baldur’s Gate as the city descends into corruption, forcing the characters to go to Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells, to seek redemption. Upon arrival, they have to somehow negotiate with Avernus’s ruler, Archdevil Zariel, to succeed. The existence of the Archdevil as an integral NPC means such a DLC could star Karlach and explain her exploits during the Blood War.
2Remake Existing Adventures
Content is a possible issue should a narrative game likeBaldur’s Gate 3hope to offer expanded material via DLC. Thankfully, its source material is chock full of potential stories that could be translated intoBaldur’s Gate 3gameplay. Just the sheerreleased material forD&D 5ealone could make for stories set in the Forgotten Realms focus on locations and events outside the scope ofBG3’s events.
For instance, short adventures such asStorm King’s Thunderor evenRime of the Frostmaidencould serve as one-act DLC packs to further expandBG3gameplay. Likewise, longer campaigns such asCurse of Strahdcould take place in multi-act expansion packs.
1Complete The Class Roster
When gamersundergo aBaldur’s Gate 3playthrough for the first time, they might notice that the title has the full slate ofD&DClasses from the Player’s Handbook. This gives them access to a roster of 12 Classes with at least three Subclasses each, giving them a multitude of character customization options. However, the game could also complete the official roster of Classes by adding two more from additional releases: the Artificer and the Blood Hunter.
Released inTasha’s Cauldron of Everything, the Artificer is the go-to Class to invent Magic Items and create knick-knacks for the party’s benefit. Meanwhile,Critical Roleintroduces the Blood Hunter who uses a combination of martial prowess and their blood to fight toe-to-toe against the fiercest of foes. Adding these two Classes can makeBaldur’s Gate 3a more complete experience, at least on a mechanical level.
