Roleplaying game fans can enjoyBaldur’s Gate 3as perhaps the most accurate translation ofDungeons & Dragons 5erules in a video game so far, upgrading the TTRPG’s usual “pen and paper with the occasional battle mat” experience into a visual turn-based spectacle. However,Baldur’s Gate 3isn’t the first game of Larian Studios to come close to aD&D-esque experience. Some fans considerDivinity: Original Sin 2“proof of concept” that Larian Studios can pull off aD&D 5evideo game adaptation.
Players ofDivinityinterested inBaldur’s Gate 3may want to know what the game improves compared to the already-acclaimedOriginal Sin 2. However, aside from the change of setting and different mechanics, how doesBG3showcase a level-up in Larian Studios’ RPG approach?
Updated Aug 03, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:With Hotfix #20 adjusting the Baldur’s Gate 3 experience with bug fixes for a more smoother playthrough, fans of the acclaimed D&D 5e adaptation may be eager to try new approaches to gameplay and even crazier shenanigans with the game’s wonderful cast. While the idea of Baldur’s Gate 3 opening up its gameplay mechanics to pave the way for fun plays can remind players of Divinity: Original Sin 2, the Baldur’s Gate sequel seems to be able to pull off a more cohesive experience compared to Larian Studios' previous release. Among improvements Baldur’s Gate 3 implemented past Original Sin 2 include more grounded romance, attaching values to respec opportunities, and more rules-inclined min-maxing opportunities.
1Necromancy Is Deadlier
The Game Provides A Way To Maximize Summons
Necromancy can be accessed through theNecromancer Skills inDivinity: Original Sin 2gameplay, giving players access to abilities that leech life off opponents. Much of these mechanics are also present in the Necromancer School inDungeons & Dragons, only this time boasting summoning options usually only present inDOS2’s separate roster of Summoning Skills.
WhileDivinity’s slate of Necromancer Skills follows a theme of decay with its effects, the general “negative” aspect of Necromancy Spells inBaldur’s Gate 3makes them more expanded toolkits for players. Moreover, the option to use corpses in a myriad of ways and even create multiple minions at a time makes Necromancy a vast improvement inBG3.
2The Dark Urge Offers An Evil Path
A Dedicated Evil-Aligned Custom Origin
While theBaldur’s Gate 3narrativealso offers a story with a custom character like inDivinity: Original Sin 2gameplay, the existence of the Dark Urge within theBaldur’s Gatesequel already opens up an expanded story for players. Both games feature Default Origins consisting of Companion options with their own story within the core narrative, allowing players to pursue their routes as the main character or a side character to a personalized Custom Origin.
At first glance, the Dark Urge seems like a Custom Origin but leaning towards an evil playthrough. However,Baldur’s Gate 3reveals a more nuanced story involving the Dark Urge that was quite separate from a Custom Origin. In this manner,Baldur’s Gate 3already makes an improvement fromDOS2, especially when certain story events happen differently from the perspective of the Custom Origin portrayed as a traveling hero compared to the Dark Urge who is constantly tempted by evil desires.
3Different Ways Of Cheesing The Game
Capitalize On Abusing The Environment For Fun
As with most RPGs similar toDivinity: Original Sin 2, gameplay inBaldur’s Gate 3also incentivizes finding ways of maximizing a party’s toolkit to overcome the most challenging of threats. Both games boast interactive environments, with spells and other interactive elements constantly creating surfaces and background effects that can affect combat. However, whileDOS2makes game-breaking effects appear like bugs,Baldur’s Gate 3cheesing fits perfectly within the confines of its source material.
The game conveniently places lethal crevices beside bosses as well as various vertical spaces to capitalize on height-based Advantages. Likewise, talking to a merchant while casting Sleep on them puts them on two states (In-Dialogue and Sleeping) at once, allowinganother party member to Pickpocketand never wake the NPC despite the results.
4The Rules Encourage Min-Maxing
Maximize 5e Rules That Offer Power Plays
Given theexpansive ruleset ofD&D, adapting mechanics such as Spells, Feats, and even Magic Items inBaldur’s Gate 3also means giving players room for wacky combinations. What makesBG3’s iteration of game-breaking builds more enjoyable is how they build upon existing cheese methods that existed as early as in the TTRPG.
For instance, combining Feats like the Polearm Master with Sentinel can help players dish out decent Opportunity Attack damage from mid-range instead of the usual melee range. Not only that, players can start cheesing their way to the meta as early as character creation. Min-maxing is a viable option inD&D 5e, especially for Dungeon Masters who allow this and players who are anticipating a challenging campaign. With the right starting stats, players can hyper-optimize their characters based on their desired Class and even Multiclass targets.
5Sidequests Are Packed With Lore
Faerun Has Something To Offer With Even The Shortest Sidequest
Larian Studios and itsDivine Divinityfranchisego as far back as 2002, which meansDivinity: Original Sin 2had fifteen years’ worth of lore to pack into its modern iteration of the world of Rivellon. In turn, it makes sense for sidequests inDOS2to immerse and expand a player’s view of Rivellon and what’s at stake through short tasks and entertaining NPCs.
However, a “world packed with lore” also fits the description of theForgotten Realmscampaign setting thatBaldur’s Gate 3is based on. This time, bothBG3’smain quest and sidequests have 30+ years’ worth of lore to use as a basis for their stories, using dialogue and quest themes to introduce factions, deities, cultures, and even traditions to players. Additionally, just the gameplay mechanic of Passive Skills prompting notes from the Narrator can do wonders in introducing Faerun to players even if they’re just exploring a small fraction of the region.
6Crafting Is More Meaningful
Consumables Have More Impact In Fights In Terms Of Healing, Buffs, Effects
Most thingsplayers can find inDivinity: Original Sin 2are interactive, with many of them being ingredients to create various items in the game’s Crafting System. Items that can be crafted in the game range from consumables such as Food and Potions, as well as combat armaments such as Coatings. However, Crafting inBaldur’s Gate 3ups the ante by adding more depth to the resulting items.
InBaldur’s Gate 3, most of the flowers, herbs, and minerals scattered around the game could be picked up to craft various items. However, these craftables aren’t solely limited to healing Potions, or even one-time spell Scrolls. Rather, the game improves the prospect of Crafting through special outcomes such as Elixirs that grant effects until a Long Rest or even Coatings that affect weapons in different ways.
7Faerun Packs More Depth Than Rivellon
Dialogue, Books, And Background Elements Offer Extra Details
Where Faerun improves upon Rivellon is its depth, as decades' worth of literature can help depict more cohesive chains of events based on plot hooks Larian Studios wants to use in theBaldur’s Gategame. Thisdepth is seen immediately in Act 1. Based on the plot hook of a Mindflayer launching a full-scale invasion of Faerun through psionic parasites, certain situations can happen in response.
First, the Githyanki will likely attempt to fight their former masters (the Mindflayers) to ensure they do no more harm in the Astral Plane. Next, disorganized Goblins may be the perfect “local” invasion force, prompting nearby societies to panic and have potential in-fighting. Lastly, players being infected but not transforming into Mindflayers can be a personal hook that involves them in the larger plot.
8Character Stories Are More Personal To The Setting
All Characters Eventually Have A Stake In The Overall Story
Similar toDivinity: Original Sin 2,Baldur’s Gate 3players can select a pre-made Origin as their main character and major Companions, with their personal stories becoming a significant part of relationship-building with players. Like inDOS2where players become Sourcerers and eventual Divinities-to-be,Baldur’s Gate 3characters are True Soulswhose possession of the Mindflayer parasite is instrumental to their Faerun invasion.
However,Baldur’s Gate 3improves upon this approach toward characters with more personal stakes instead of backstories having some “coincidental” connection to the plot. For instance, Astarion’s parasite allowed him to exist in daylight despite being a vampire, Gale has a mysterious hunger for Magic Items, Wyll’s infection interrupted him from his chase of fellow Origin Karlach, and the Dark Urge forces players to struggle with not just a Mindflayer worm but also murderous tendencies.
9Romance Has More Physicality
The Game Offers More Physical Intimacy
While the prospect of romancing a Companion isn’t new in bothDivinity: Original Sin 2and the olderBaldur’s Gatetitles, the idea of combining better graphics and a stronger narrative has paved the way for more impactful moments of intimacy inBaldur’s Gate 3. It’s precisely due to the game’s strong character writingthat someone like Astarionhas become a prime target of both in-game romance and out-of-game fan arts.
However, perhaps more enticing is the idea that the game has intimacy mechanics for players who want to get physical with their Companions. On top of being able to turn off the intensity of intimate reactions between characters, the game can even let players customize their character’s genitalia.
10Mechanical Limitations Make More Interesting Setups
Taking Advantage Of The Environment Is More Worthwhile With Rule Limits
Freedom of builds becomes one of the highlights of theDivinity: Original Sin 2experience, especially when all characters can learn all existing Skills (an amalgam of both martial and magic skills) in the title.Baldur’s Gate 3adaptingD&Dmechanicssets hard limitations to character builds, with Classes having set Features and a pool of Spells that set them apart from the rest of the selections.
While players can Multiclass to choose another Class and access their perks, this does prevent the original Class from accessing their endgame benefits. This approach challengesBG3players to make builds more suitable for their needs, instead of theDOS2formula where characters can practically pack almost the same set of Skills.
