Today Larian Studios sent in a press release detailing Baldur’s Gate 3’s character creation including races and classes.
We get to see plenty of example of custom characters with lovely visuals enhanced by 3D scans of actors and models.
In early access there will be 150 heads to choose from across 16 races and subraces.
You can check them out below.
The press release includes a comment from Lead Character Artist Alena Dubrovina, who described the process of creating the faces.
“When the cinematic dialogues were introduced for BG3, we realized that we need to make a huge quality leap for the character art. We wanted to make characters look their best and put the bar very high. We had to be innovative to make such a large range of heads at the quality that we wanted.”
“We decided to use scanned faces in our production to create characters as realistic as possible. We scanned 40 people of different ages and ethnicity. While scouting for models we focused on features that would fit one of the fantasy races, we looked for faces that either had something unique about them or were very versatile to fit different characters.”
“Eventually, we transformed that into approximately 150 unique heads of various races that you can see in-game now, and that number will keep growing. Some of the scanned heads kept their features, but others became a starting point for creating new faces. We also used scanned data as a learning resource because there is no better sculptor than nature.”
Here are the races available on day one of early access.
- Human: The most common face to see in Faerûn, humans are known for their tenacity, creativity, and endless capacity for growth. They live fully in the present – making them well suited to the adventuring life – but also plan for the future, striving to leave a lasting legacy.
- Githyanki: Githyanki are peerless warriors from the Astral Plane, known for their legendary silver blades and red dragon mounts. They seek the total destruction of mind flayers, whose ancient empire enslaved the githyanki for millennia.
- High Elf: Heirs of the mystical Feywild, high elves value magic in all its forms, and even those who do not study spellcraft can manipulate the Weave.
- Wood Elf: Wood elves spend their reclusive lives in Faerûn’s forests. Decades of training in archery and camouflage are enhanced by an otherworldly swiftness.
- Seldarine Drow: Drow are the result of an ancient schism between the elven deities Corellon Larethian and Lolth. The latters’ treachery drove the drow into the Underdark, where they splintered into warring factions. Seldarine drow can be found seeking allies from all over Faerûn, aiming to settle their conflict with Lolth – and each other – by any means necessary.
- Lolth-Sworn Drow: Raised by Lolth’s cult in the city of Menzoberranzan, these drow extol the virtues of their corrupt and merciless goddess. Lolth marks her followers with bright red eyes so the Underdark will learn to fear drow on sight.
- High Half-Elf: A touch of the Feywild remains in half-elves with this bloodline, and even those untrained in magic possess a hint of wild power.
- Wood Half-Elf: Like their wood elf parent, these half-elves have a quickened stride and eye for stealth. Yet many break away from isolation in Faerûn’s forests to explore the rest of the Realms.
- Drow Half-Elf: Most half-drow result from liaisons between Seldarine drow and surfacers. While half-drow inherit a few magical gifts, they aren’t usually raised in the Underdark.
- Gold Dwarf:Gold dwarves are known for their confidence and keen intuition. The culture of their Deep Kingdom values family, ritual, and fine craftsmanship.
- Shield Dwarf: Shield dwarves survived a long fall from grace, surrendering many of their ancient kingdoms in wars with goblins and orcs. These losses have lead to a cynical mindset, yet shield dwarves will endure anything to restore their ancestral homelands.
- Lightfoot Halfling: Lightfoot halflings are stealthy but social, travelling all over Faeûn to make names for themselves.
- Strongheart Halfling: Legends say dwarven blood gave stronghearts their hardiness. Resistant to poison and wellsprings of endurance, these halflings easily hold their own.
- Asmodeus Tiefling: Bound to Nessus, the deepest layer of the Hells, these tieflings inherit the ability to wield fire and darkness from the archdevil Asmodeus’ infernal bloodline.
- Mephistopheles Tiefling: Descended from the archdevil Mephistopheles, these tieflings are gifted with a particular affinity for arcane magic.
- Zariel Tiefling: Tieflings from Zariel’s bloodline are empowered with martial strength, and can channel searing flame to punish their enemies.
We also learn more about customization:
“Within the Appearance tab, you’ll customise the finer details of your character. You can choose from different voice options, alter facial features, hairstyles, colours, and beards. Hair and Eye colour will have multiple “canon” options, but these options can also be ignored and you can just pick whatever you want from all colours available. Finally you can add the finishing touches with a variety of Tattoo and Makeup options. You’ll notice that many subraces have different appearances to each other, which add another layer of variety to the roleplay in your party. “
What abouy classes? Here’s the lowdown of what we can expect in early access.
“In EA you’ll have 6 Classes to choose from – Cleric, Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, Warlock, and Wizard – each with at least two subclasses to choose from. If you’re unfamiliar with D&D, some classes unlock their subclass early at Level 1 – like the Cleric – while others gain their subclass choice by Level 3.
If you choose a class with access to magic, you’ll be able to select from a number of Cantrips – simple arcane skills you can use to dazzle and destroy your opponents again and again – and Spells – more powerful abilities that you’ll have limited uses of between rests.
Just like your background and race, your class will also give you options in the world with roleplay. NPC’s might recognize the skillset you live your life by, and in turn, you’ll gain options in dialogue and unique opportunities your other companions will not have.
Classes evolve as you level up and each class presents plenty of opportunities for customization. Once you hit level 4 for instance, you’ll get to select from a wide range of feats. Feats represent talents or an area of expertise that give characters special capabilities. They embody training, experience, and abilities beyond what your base class provides.”
We also learn a few additional miscellaneous details. The Stadia version of early access will include a beta version of controller support, which will then also come to PC. Of course, mouse & keyboard are supported to begin with.
If you want to completely avoid romance, you can. You don’t even need to be friends with anyone.
The game will have “some form of crafting” but it will be limited.
Equipped items will change the appearance of your character and will also appear in cutscenes, excluding rings and amulets.
If you want to see more about Baldur’s Gate 3 you can check out the original announcement trailer, a clip introducing the project, a video celebrating the announcement, the first extensive gameplay, plenty of screenshots, and even more gameplay.
You should also read our extensive preview and interview about the game.
Baldur’s Gate 3 will ultimately release for PC and Stadia when it’s ready. At the moment, Larian Studio isn’t talking about additional platforms.
Early access starts on October 6.
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