The long-awaited continuation of the Baldur's Gate video game series is here! Set in the Forgotten Realms and featuring Dungeons & Dragons mechanics, Baldur's Gate 3 has been a highly-anticipated release for gamers and D&D fans alike.

Keep reading for details on how Baldur's Gate 3 lets you explore the Forgotten Realms through stunning cinematics, and forge your own story through strategic, narrative gameplay. Did we mention all the iconic D&D monsters, like mind flayers, you'll get to battle?

• What Is Baldur’s Gate 3? The Ultimate D&D Video Game Experience
• Baldur’s Gate Gameplay Rooted in D&D
• What D&D References Can We Expect?
• Preorder Your Copy and Play Today

Play As the Companions From Baldur's Gate 3

You can now select the companion characters from Baldur's Gate 3 when creating a premade character! Bring Astarion, Shadowheart, or one of your other favorite companions along on your adventure into tabletop D&D!

What Is Baldur’s Gate 3? The Ultimate D&D Video Game Experience

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a story-rich, party-based RPG set in the Forgotten Realms and based on D&D mechanics. The game was developed by Larian Studios, the creators behind the critically acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin 2.

As evidenced by the narrative and mechanical spectacle that is Divinity: Original Sin 2, Larian Studios specializes in games that simulate the same immersion, meaningful choice, and storytelling involved in tabletop gaming. From dialogues that echo the unpredictability of a Dungeon Master's choices to dice rolls determining success or failure, Baldur's Gate 3 will hold the spirit of D&D at its heart.

Baldur’s Gate Gameplay Rooted in D&D

D&D was the first formalized roleplaying game and paved the way for other RPGs by introducing character classes and other mechanics that have carried on for nearly 50 years. But while even modern RPG games still use elements of D&D, Baldur’s Gate 3 was built from the ground up to mirror what it would be like to play D&D as a video game.

Every aspect of the game is rooted in D&D, from character creation to combat mechanics, skill checks to spellcasting. Even the behind-the-scene mechanics are based on rolls of the dice! And just like D&D, every choice you make, every alliance you form, and every battle you fight significantly influences the world around you. Players have the freedom to approach challenges in a multitude of ways—talk, sneak, teleport, or just blast your way through!

New to D&D? Check Out These Resources

If your introduction to Dungeons & Dragons is through Baldur’s Gate 3, you can start playing D&D using D&D Beyond by signing up for an account and accessing the Basic Rules, which will teach you the fundamentals of the game. We also offer premade characters and campaigns, allowing you and your friends to jump straight into the action with starter characters and adventures.

If you’re interested in learning more about the monsters in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Monster Manual has statistics, information, and art for over 150 of the most classic D&D creatures.

What D&D References Can We Expect?

Baldur’s Gate 3 is shaping up to be the ultimate video game experience for D&D fans. Not only is the game set in one of D&D’s most popular settings, but the entire system is based on the fifth edition ruleset.

This means that you’ll be able to roll up a tiefling sorcerer and blast your enemies with fireball, just like you can when you play tabletop D&D. Speaking of enemies, the bestiary of classic D&D monsters you’ll face off against is too long to list. But, based on the early access previews and trailers, we’ve already seen mind flayers, githyanki warriors, red dragons, imps, and more!

In a community update on June 29, Larian showed the vast number of options from D&D that you can use to make your character unique:

• 11 species and 31 subspecies
• 12 classes and 46 subclasses
• 600 spells and actions (not including upcasting spells)
• 308 passive features

For more information, click on the infographics below to expand them:

Play Solo or Bring Your Friends!

Speaking of true-to-form D&D, we know D&D is always better with friends. While the single-player experience is engrossing, Baldur’s Gate 3 truly shines in its cooperative multiplayer gameplay. Players can team up locally and online to take on the challenges of the Forgotten Realms together! They can even make choices collectively or individually, just like D&D, which can always lead to intriguing interparty dynamics.

 What Story Will You Tell?

Like D&D, Baldur's Gate 3 is not just a game—it's an epic journey, a testament to the magic of collaborative storytelling, and a portal into a world where heroes are forged, alliances are tested, and danger awaits around every corner. So gather your party members and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!

Mike Bernier (@arcane_eye) is the founder of Arcane Eye, a site focused on providing useful tips and tricks to all those involved in the world of D&D. Outside of writing for Arcane Eye, Mike spends most of his time playing games, hiking with his girlfriend, and tending the veritable jungle of houseplants that have invaded his house.