Based on all the positives I'd heard about this game I picked it up for my PS5. I'm still near the beginning, where me and my merry adventurers are currently trying to figure out how to get out of the Goblin fort we're in. I have taken out everyone inside because the druid asked me too(well that wasn't his specific ask it just kinda happened).
Unfortunately, I didn't kill anyone on the way in.....I *think*, because, I'm a Drow they pretty much let me walk right in. That leaves a lot of dudes to fight my way back through including going out a door that leaves me starting combat with the whole group in range of an ogre(?) and so, so many goblins. I've only made one attempt so far with a group that was not, rested or ready for that sort of melee. I reloaded, camped and spent some time looking for an alternate way out but no such luck, so tonight we fight!
I am enjoying the hell out of this game. I am a twitch/action gamer by and large and often have difficulty with games like this holding my interest but I am fully engaged here. I even borrowed a friend's 5th edition player's handbook so I could better understand what I'm doing.
I am looking forward to many more runs through this game.
While I'm ploughing through Starfield to get back to Baldur's Gate 3, I decided to take a break and try the following in ChatGPT:
Create a short story about a bunch of characters from the end of Baldur's Gate 2 sitting in a tavern reminiscing about their adventures. The people involved are Brandon, the Bhaalspawn who rejected godhood and is a good person, Jaheira, Minsc, Aerie, Viconia, and Imoen. Brandon and Viconia became romantically involved, and Viconia has turned from evil to good.
Here's what I got:
The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the worn wooden table in the corner of the bustling tavern. A motley group of adventurers sat huddled around, tankards in hand, sharing tales of battles won and scars earned. Brandon, the once Bhaalspawn who had rejected the lure of godhood, sat at the head of the table, a quiet smile playing on his lips.
Jaheira, the seasoned druid, raised her tankard, "To old friends and new beginnings!"
The others echoed the sentiment, clinking their mugs together. Minsc, the lovable ranger with his giant hamster companion, Boo, grinned from ear to ear, "Minsc and Boo are always ready for a good story!"
Aerie, the winged elf, chimed in, "Remember the time we faced that dragon? I thought we were done for!"
Viconia, once a drow priestess of Lolth, now sat beside Brandon, a faint warmth in her violet eyes. She smirked, "Ah yes, the dragon. I never thought I'd see the day when I fought alongside surface dwellers."
Imoen, Brandon's childhood friend, leaned back in her chair, "Good times, for sure. But remember when we had to rescue Brandon from the clutches of that twisted mage? That was a close one."
Brandon chuckled, "Yeah, I never would have made it without all of you. And Viconia," he glanced at her, "especially you."
Viconia met his gaze with a soft smile, her once stern demeanor softened by the passage of time and shared experiences. "Love changes many things, even for a drow."
The tavern door swung open, and a bard struck up a lively tune in the corner. The group continued to share stories, laughter, and a few tears as they reminisced about their journey. The scars on their bodies were badges of honor, and the memories forged in the fires of adversity bound them together.
As the night wore on, the camaraderie in the air was palpable. In that dimly lit corner of the tavern, surrounded by the warmth of friendship, they found solace in each other's company, grateful for the bonds that transcended the challenges of their past.
...eh, not bad for a developing AI program.
LOL, siiiiiiiiiigh.
I am so not a "SPOILERZ" person, generally, but I'd done so well to NOT engage with pretty much any BG3 content until I started the game two weeks ago, so I went in almost totally blind.
(And to be clear, I believe not getting spoiled is primarily my responsibility, but anyway.)
So as the various algorithms notice I'm looking at BG3 content, I start getting served more BG3 material on Instagram. Some great artists, so I follow a few.
Aaaaand I log on today and one of them has just COMPLETELY spoiled Karlach's storyline for me. Not a hint of a spoiler warning, nothing.
Like, it'll be okay, but to do it with one of the game's most popular Companions with literally ZERO warning just such a f*ckin' dick move.
So Karlach's gonna die. Really wish I'd found that out myself, I'm actually quite a fan of bittersweet "You Can't Always Get What You Want" endings.
LOL, siiiiiiiiiigh.
Spoiler:I am so not a "SPOILERZ" person, generally, but I'd done so well to NOT engage with pretty much any BG3 content until I started the game two weeks ago, so I went in almost totally blind.
(And to be clear, I believe not getting spoiled is primarily my responsibility, but anyway.)
So as the various algorithms notice I'm looking at BG3 content, I start getting served more BG3 material on Instagram. Some great artists, so I follow a few.
Aaaaand I log on today and one of them has just COMPLETELY spoiled Karlach's storyline for me. Not a hint of a spoiler warning, nothing.
Like, it'll be okay, but to do it with one of the game's most popular Companions with literally ZERO warning just such a f*ckin' dick move.
So Karlach's gonna die. Really wish I'd found that out myself, I'm actually quite a fan of bittersweet "You Can't Always Get What You Want" endings.
I will sort of unspoil this for you a bit though by all means ignore if you'd rather avoid anything at all:
There's not only one ending to her plot actually. There are Choices to be made there
I mean, I'm already spoiled on the important part, so no worries. I'm mostly just annoyed and blowing off steam.
I knew they'd patched some stuff for her story already, but I had ZERO clue that there even was a choice, prior to this morning.
So that's my gripe. It's a colossal spoiler for one of the game's most popular characters, and dude posts it without even a hint of a warning.
I don't think anyone here has a problem with you blowing off steam here, Prederick.
I think there are couple of things at work here, though:
One is generational. I don't think that the younger social media users are as concerned with spoilers as us GwJ greybeards. Most of us grew up in an era when simultaneous releases of media simply didn't happen, and when news from elsewhere travelled only slowly (if indeed it travelled at all).
As a result, 'Everything, Everywhere, All At Once' social media can still deliver unwelcome surprises. As you say, in part the onus falls on us to steer clear of sources of potential disappointment.
The second factor, I think, is time. I am more susceptible to being 'spoiled' because I simply don't have the time to consume media at the same rate as other people. (Like you, I'm astonished to learn that other GwJers are on their 3rd playthrough, when - for me - just completing BG3 is becoming a lifetime's work!) I'm sure that, for many gamers, two months is long past the statute of limitations on spoilers.
Third, and finally... just you wait. I suspect that you'll be seeking out spoilers yourself after a few more sessions, just so that you make the 'right' choices your playthrough or shortcut some pretty monstrous combat encounters. 
I'm thinking of:
First
Yurgir and his posse in the Temple of Shar.
And then
Viconia and her frankly absurd number of assistants in the House of Grief.
So what I did:
Spoiler:I ran a party of my PC (a fighter), Shadowhart (healing) La’zel (fighters are op), and Gale (for damage and aoe). Because the big bad casts invisible and would get me in a cycle of hitting and disappearing (and I had no good counter) I dumped every powerful arrow into him with the three non mages and all the best spells with Gale. By the time he was no longer surprised he was dead.
Well, there is always the option to:
Let Volo poke out your eye with a sewing needle to get permanent see invisible
Well, there is always the option to:
Spoiler:Let Volo poke out your eye with a sewing needle to get permanent see invisible
I dont think I have laughed, or cringed, harder at a videogame than during that scene. So excellent.
Clumber wrote:Well, there is always the option to:
Spoiler:Let Volo poke out your eye with a sewing needle to get permanent see invisible
I dont think I have laughed, or cringed, harder at a videogame than during that scene. So excellent.
I enjoyed the unexpected benefit that came from my truly stupid decision.
Fredrik_S wrote:Clumber wrote:Well, there is always the option to:
Spoiler:Let Volo poke out your eye with a sewing needle to get permanent see invisible
I dont think I have laughed, or cringed, harder at a videogame than during that scene. So excellent.
I enjoyed the unexpected benefit that came from my truly stupid decision.
I think you mean excellent decision. 
Double post schoolboy error. Read the one below!
I enjoyed the unexpected benefit that came from my truly stupid decision.
One of the smartest decisions in the game, if you can get past the bit with the ice pick.
Are you able to revisit places you've been? I'm still in the opening area but I've run across a couple of things that I am either smart enough to deal with or am just not a high enough level. Basically, how much back-tracking can I do?
Are you able to revisit places you've been? I'm still in the opening area but I've run across a couple of things that I am either smart enough to deal with or am just not a high enough level. Basically, how much back-tracking can I do?
You can go back to anywhere, including fast travel, until you start Act 3.
Baldurs Gate 3 pretty much cleaned up at the Golden joystick awards yesterday evening. If there was an award for something, the game won it pretty much:
Best Storytelling
Best Visual Design
Best Game Community
PC Game of the Year
Ultimate Game of the Year
Larian won Best Studio too.
He's a little fanboy about it - understandably and most definitely deservedly - but WolfheartRPG has a good summary here:
Agent 86 wrote:Are you able to revisit places you've been? I'm still in the opening area but I've run across a couple of things that I am either smart enough to deal with or am just not a high enough level. Basically, how much back-tracking can I do?
You can go back to anywhere, including fast travel, until you start Act 3.
I believe you close access to Acts
1 and 2 once you press ahead at a certain point in Act 2? It's pretty obvious as the game gives you a popup window warning you are about to proceed with no way back in the storyline.
But yes, aside from that critical story turning point, you can go back and forth.
I cannot put my finger on why, specifically, but my goodness do Beholders and all their kin give me the heebie-jeebies.
My son's barbarian has been Leeeeroy Jenkins-ing through the game, which has worked well until Thisobald Thorm in Act 2. He refused to drink with him, starting a fight, then was surprised to find that Thisobald is immune to slashing, bludgeoning and any other damage type that he can put out.
Suddenly he has a newfound respect for a certain 18 CHA Sorlock in his party who has been criminally overlooked.
Clumber wrote:Well, there is always the option to:
Spoiler:Let Volo poke out your eye with a sewing needle to get permanent see invisible
I dont think I have laughed, or cringed, harder at a videogame than during that scene. So excellent.
I did. He didn't get close enough to my PC.
We have entered Act II!
Has anyone managed to Save Isobel from the initial attack at the Last Light Inn? I gave it a shot twice last night, but both times they just focused on her and KO'd her within 2 turns, ending the fight with her being kidnapped.
We have entered Act II!
Spoiler:Has anyone managed to Save Isobel from the initial attack at the Last Light Inn? I gave it a shot twice last night, but both times they just focused on her and KO'd her within 2 turns, ending the fight with her being kidnapped.
It can be done (took me two tries), and I'd argue with redoing until you get it because the results of losing are so bad.
I feel like there is a degree of randomness. First time, when I lost, I thought I was just protecting her from the "leader" guy, so I focused on him, took him out quick, and then she got bonked by one of the winged minions. Second time, I kept most focus on the attack leader, but I moved to control the door to the room as well, which seemed to do the job. But also, a lot of the winged minions focused on patrons rather than going straight for Isobel that second time. Don't know if that was dumb luck or what, but it made it much easier to keep her on her feet.
We have entered Act II!
Spoiler:Has anyone managed to Save Isobel from the initial attack at the Last Light Inn? I gave it a shot twice last night, but both times they just focused on her and KO'd her within 2 turns, ending the fight with her being kidnapped.
Yeah, it's very possible -- but, it might be a lot easier if you gain a level or two.
If you feel like you're under leveled or just need more time to arrange a team capable of taking out the closest dangers quickly, you can just wait longer before you introduce yourself to Isobel. The story makes it seem like a thing you need to (or at least should) do immediately after arriving at the inn, but you can do a lot more in the area before talking to her if you want to. (You may need to find other methods of staving off the effects of the shadowlands, but you probably will need to do that anyway.)
I did. Essentially make Lae'Zel (or my PC... I can't remember) her bodygard.
I found having Karlach and Lae'zel in this fight was super helpful. A well-positioned Shadowheart who can keep a spirit guardians up and heal Isobel is also handy.
I found having Karlach and Lae'zel in this fight was super helpful. A well-positioned Shadowheart who can keep a spirit guardians up and heal Isobel is also handy.
Yes, it seems my Sorceror/Karlach/Wyll/Gale party composition for this fight wasn't quite working out as well as I wanted it to. 
Okay, started Act II over.
Absolutely DYING at Shadowheart thinking Shar is protecting her from the shadows when she's got Lathander's goddamn mace hanging off her back.
Like, I'm sure, in-game, there's another reason, but it's very funny to me.
Yes, that was one of the fights I was thinking of, where a spoiler or two would help you make the right choice.
I had the same experience as everyone else initially. After 3 attempts, I assumed that this was a fight that I was meant to lose for story reasons, so I just moved on and immediately ended up fighting half the people in the 'pub' and losing access to a load of useful NPCs and interesting quests.
After save-crawling my way through the final battle in that location, I googled and realized that I should replay the
Isobel encounter.
FWIW, I thought the decision to put something so pivotal slap-bang in the middle of the game was an interesting and brave one.
Okay, started Act II over.
Spoiler:Absolutely DYING at Shadowheart thinking Shar is protecting her from the shadows when she's got Lathander's goddamn mace hanging off her back.
Like, I'm sure, in-game, there's another reason, but it's very funny to me.
I am beginning to think all the gods in Faerun are assholes like here.
Did the Isobel fight again last night with my sorcerer Tav/Karlach/Lae'zel/Shadowheart, and breezed it.
Shadowheart's Spirit Guardians spell (or, "The Lawnmower" as my buddy calls it), plus an Enfeeblement on Malcolm gave me the edge.
It was still pretty close, as Isobel got dropped to 4 HP at one point, but then half my party bounced healing potions off of her skull (this is genuinely my favorite mechanic in the game, never fails to make me laugh) and she healed herself.
Basically, it feels like if you can keep her alive for 3 turns and eliminate Malcolm quickly, the rest of the Harpers eventually get involved and there are just WAY MORE of them than there are enemies.
I took a very brief walk into the rest of the Shadow-cursed lands and encountered that secret ambush full of those... vine things, I dunno, but there's like a billion of them and they all have 70 HP and there's one big one with like 150 HP and I went "Nope, time for bed."
My current primary concern is whether or not I f*cked up Karlach's romance. I'm FAIRLY sure I didn't, I mean everyone I've talked to about this game says it's more work to not bang most of your companions, but despite kissing her at the Tiefling party, I saw some stuff today that has me mildly concerned about whether having already slept with Lae'zel has closed off her romance to me.
RE: The last part of the spoiler, it has not.
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