For Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary, Larian Studios has released a fascinating set of statistics that shed light on player preferences and choices. These numbers provide a deep dive into the epic achievements, unique playstyles, and whimsical moments that have defined the community's journey through the Forgotten Realms.

Baldur's Gate 3 Anniversary Stats

Romance in the Forgotten Realms

As Baldur's Gate 3 celebrates its anniversary, Larian Studios shared intriguing statistics on their Twitter (X) that offer a glimpse into the community's romantic choices. Romance has been a significant aspect of the game, with over 75 million companion kisses exchanged. Shadowheart captured the most hearts with 27 million kisses, followed by Astarion at 15 million, and Minthara with 169,937. During Act 1's Celebration night, 32.5% of players chose to spend the night with Shadowheart, 13.5% with Karlach, and 15.6% opted to sleep alone. By Act 3, Shadowheart's allure grew stronger, with 48.8% of players experiencing her final romance scene, while 17.6% enjoyed a romantic dinner with Karlach, and 12.9% held hands with Lae'zel.

For those seeking more adventurous encounters, 658,000 players enjoyed intimate moments with Halsin, with 70% preferring his human form and 30% choosing his bear form. Additionally, 1.1 million players engaged with the Emperor, with 63% opting for the Dream Guardian form and 37% exploring the unique experience of mind flayer tentacles.

Fun and Fanciful Feats

Beyond the epic battles and dramatic choices, players have embraced the game's playful side. A remarkable 1.9 million players transformed into cheese wheels, showcasing the game's humorous mechanics. Friendly dinosaurs were visited by 3.5 million players, and 2 million freed Us from the Colony, demonstrating a love for quirky side quests. The Dark Urge, with its sinister tendencies, saw 3,777 players find a way to spare Alfira, indirectly boosting the game's lute rock scene.

Animal companions have also played a significant role in players' experiences. Scratch, the loyal dog, was petted over 120 million times, reflecting his perfect fetch record. The Owlbear Cub, another beloved companion, received over 41 million pets. Intriguingly, 141,600 players attempted to pet His Majesty, the cat, which coincidentally matches the number of players who conquered Honour Mode, adding a whimsical twist to the stats.

Character Class and Race Preferences

Despite the appeal of the game's pre-made characters, an impressive 93% of players opted to create their own custom avatars, highlighting the desire for personalization in Baldur's Gate 3. Among pre-made characters, Astarion, the vampire rogue, was the most popular with 1.21 million players, closely followed by the wizard Gale at 1.20 million and the cleric Shadowheart at 0.86 million. Interestingly, 15% of custom avatars were inspired by the Dark Urge, showing a fascination with mysterious backstories.

In terms of class selection, Paladins led with nearly 10 million players, drawn to their holy warrior role. Sorcerers, with their arcane might, attracted over 7.5 million players, matching the popularity of the straightforward Fighter class. Other classes like Barbarian, Rogue, Warlock, Monk, and Druid had solid followings but didn't reach the 7.5 million mark. Rangers and Clerics rounded out the list, with Rangers chosen by 5 million players and Clerics by fewer than 5 million.

Racial preferences were diverse, with Elves leading at over 12.5 million selections. Half-Elves and Humans tied for second place, each with 12.5 million players. Tieflings, known for their infernal heritage, drew over 10 million players. Drow and Dragonborn followed, each exceeding 7.5 million. Less common but still significant were Half-Orcs, Githyanki, and Dwarves, each chosen by over 2.5 million players. Gnomes and Halflings, while fewer in number, still made an impact with less than 2.5 million each.

Specific class-race combinations were also favored. Dwarves predominantly chose the Paladin class, with 20% embracing this role, while Dragonborn were most likely to be Sorcerers, aligning with their innate magical abilities. Halflings leaned towards Bard and Rogue, reflecting their cultural traits. Gnomes and Tieflings showed unique preferences, with Gnomes favoring Bards and Druids, and Tieflings balancing between Paladin, Barbarian, and Warlock.

Epic Achievements and Surprising Outcomes

Baldur's Gate 3 has been a stage for heroic and dramatic moments. A remarkable 141,660 players conquered the challenging Honour Mode, showcasing their skill and perseverance. In contrast, 1,223,305 playthroughs ended in defeat, underlining the game's difficulty. Of those defeated, 76% chose to delete their saved games, while 24% persisted in custom mode, demonstrating resilience.

In terms of endings, players made tough choices. A staggering 1.8 million betrayed the Emperor, reflecting a willingness to navigate morally complex decisions. Meanwhile, 329,000 players convinced Orpheus to live as a mind flayer, highlighting the allure of unique narrative paths. A significant 3.3 million players opted to kill the Netherbrain, with 200,000 of these involving Gale's self-sacrifice. A rare and poignant choice saw 34 players as Avatar Lae'zel choose self-sacrifice after being rejected by Vlaakith.

Baldur's Gate 3's anniversary stats paint a vivid picture of the game's community. From serious accomplishments to whimsical moments, these numbers showcase the diverse ways players have engaged with the game. Whether conquering epic challenges, exploring quirky side quests, or forging romantic connections, the journey in the Forgotten Realms has been anything but ordinary.