Highlights
- Baldur’s Gate 3 stays true to D&D 5e mechanics, but its romance options may not fit well with traditional TTRPG gameplay.
- The game’s memorable characters and romance mechanics offer deep, immersive experiences not suited for typical TTRPG sessions.
- Third-party resources like the TTRPG Safety Toolkit can help DMs navigate romance in games to ensure player comfort and consent. Still, the sudden romances that make BG3 so exciting will likely remain off limits for D&D.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is pretty faithful to its TTRPG base of D&D 5e, but it sets its mechanics apart with key rulings over spellcasting, short rests, rationing, and more. While most of these differences can be homebrewed into the original game, there’s one beloved aspect of Baldur’s Gate 3 that’s far less compatible.
One of the most memorable parts of Baldur’s Gate 3 is its complex and interesting cast of characters. Not only have the game’s NPCs and companions become staples of online culture, they’ve undoubtedly inspired many DMs and players. The title’s mix of serious subject matter and deep characterization with some sillier antics and larger-than-life setpieces help make its cast particularly appealing to TTRPG players.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Romance Tier List
The romances in Baldur’s Gate 3 are as diverse as the companions, with well-written and beautiful arcs to experience in Larian’s CRPG.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Fantastic Romance Options Are Poorly Suited to D&D And Other TTRPGs
Another reason the game’s characters are so memorable is the romance system found in Baldur’s Gate 3. The title’s romance mechanics are incredibly thorough, with hours of content and 14 romance options. Its range of fun and inclusive choices allows players to get to know their companions and indulge in their fantasies. However, this type of system is one that not only lacks compatibility with Baldur’s Gate 3‘s TTRPG roots, it’s something often frowned upon. It’s not like romance or sexual content doesn’t exist in the space, but it’s a subject that’s more likely to kick off a horror story than others.
Romance Is Really Awkward In TTRPGs
Romance and sexual content may sound like an appealing fantasy to indulge in, but the concept quickly turns sour in a real-life roleplaying setting. An NPC in a videogame isn’t likely to make someone nervous about their performance, but even typical roleplaying can be a struggle for some when in front of their friends. If someone finds that embarrassing, then they’re likely to yearn for death when playing up an intense level of intimacy. Not only that, but there’s nothing in D&D 5e to really prep a dungeon master or player for a sudden advance.
A sudden sexual/romantic advance, in fact, is precisely the thing that’s made romance an infamous subject in TTRPGs. The line between performance and an honest expression of feeling can be gray, and this grayness can lead to some trying to use the medium to make an unwanted advance. Even well-intentioned, wholly theatrical flirtation can end up hurting someone who would be uncomfortable with such an insertion. If romance is to be a factor, those running games like D&D should use a ‘session zero’ so everybody involved knows what they’re getting into.
Romance In Live-Play Shows Like Critical Role Also May Not Work At Most Tables
Live-play shows like Critical Role have been doing what Baldur’s Gate 3 is doing now since 2015—bringing masses of people into TTRPGs. While this is great for the hobby, newcomers should know that live-play shows, which have often featured romance between players, aren’t totally accurate to what can be expected at the table. That’s not to say that those shows aren’t ‘real’ D&D, but that they are high-budget affairs with professional actors—actors who are well-versed in safety tools and the boundaries of their fellows. Jumping into a romance arc in any D&D game takes planning and consent.
Third-Party Content Can Be A Big Help For Those Who Want To Try Regardless
WOTC’s official 5e books may not give much advice on handling romance or sexual content, but third party material for D&D and other systems just might be the help DMs and players need (so long as everyone is game). The TTRPG Safety Toolkit and the MCDM Tabletop Safety Toolkit are good guides for keeping everyone comfortable, and the two-player system Star Crossed could be a good alternative to romance in D&D—not least because having only two players will avoid stalling the game for a wider group.
Dungeons and Dragons
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
- Franchise
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Original Release Date
- 1974-00-00
- Designer
- E. Gary Gygax , Dave Arneson