Companion Character Diversity in Baldur’s Gate 3
Since its official launch, Baldur’s Gate 3 has received significant attention, primarily surrounding its Companion characters. With multiple quests, various places to discover, secrets to decode, and Companions to uncover or romance, it is clear that numerous Baldur’s Gate 3 players are continuing to immerse themselves in the world of Faerun. Despite this engrossing storyline, certain aspects of the game, notably the character design, have left some players questioning decisions made by Larian.
Lack of Diversity Among Companions
One topic of contention is the perceived lack of diversity among Companions. Specifically, critiques focus on their chosen races and how this influences both the player experience and in-game exploration. Companions and their races have been seen as somewhat homogenous, pushing players to seek alternative character designs for an enhanced game experience.
Online Discussions about Companion Diversity
In online discussion threads, players have been expressing their concerns. In one discussion, a player pointed out the races of the ten in-game companions – noting that half are elves, three are human, and only two represent different races (a Tiefling and a Githyanki). The player then asked, 'Doesn’t it feel like we could use some diversity?' This led to suggestions on including a Dwarf Companion or a Half-Orc as potential replacements.
This post garnered a sizeable response, with numerous upvotes and comments voicing similar concerns. One respondent expressed surprise at the absence of a dwarf or any smaller stature companions, considering the number of hidden areas suited for these characters, implying the lack of diversity adversely affects gameplay.
Veteran Players' Opinions and Hope for Greater Diversity
While many players would welcome a Dwarf companion, discussion also turned to the character of Helia, who was briefly introduced in the game's early access phase. Many expressed regret at her removal, noting that as a halfling bard werewolf, Helia offered an interesting character contrivance that could be reintroduced in a potential enhanced edition.
Many participants in these discussions are hopeful for the inclusion of characters from less represented races. According to veteran game players, this sentiment has been expressed throughout the entire early access stage. While there's still no confirmation about a potential update to address these concerns, the conversation about companion diversity in Baldur's Gate 3 remains vibrant.