As I sit here, two years after its Game of the Year triumph, reflecting on my own chaotic journey through Faerûn, I have to tip my hat to the absolute chaos we, the Baldur's Gate 3 community, have unleashed. It's 2026, and the game isn't just alive; it's thriving with a fervor that would make even the most stoic Mind Flayer crack a smile (if they had lips). Larian Studios may have moved on to their next grand adventure, but the legacy they left behind is a playground of statistics so bizarre, you'd think they were generated by a wild magic surge. Let me walk you through the glorious, ridiculous achievements that prove we're not just players; we're a collective of unhinged adventurers.

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The Hall of Fame for the Truly Unhinged

First, let's talk about the feats that separate the casual tadpole-enjoyers from the absolute legends. According to Larian's own data dump, our community has been up to some truly spectacular nonsense.

  • The Tactician Triumph: A staggering 1.1 million of us have braved the game on its hardest difficulty, Tactician Mode. That's over a million souls who decided a regular brain parasite wasn't enough; they needed one that hit harder.

  • The Stealthy Politician: Less than 4% of players managed the diplomatic (or rather, anti-diplomatic) coup of defeating Gortash in Wyrm's Rock without triggering a single trap. I imagine this involved a lot of careful stepping, suspicious glances at every rug, and possibly just pushing him out a window.

  • The Starving Artist: In a game about saving the world, only 1.82% of Bards managed to earn a paltry 100 gold from playing music. It seems even in a fantasy realm, the struggle of the performing artist is real! My lute-playing Tav barely made enough for a healing potion.

  • The Jack of All Trades, Master of... Chaos: Multiclassing is common, but a mind-boggling 2.30% of players achieved the ultimate identity crisis. They multiclassed a single character through every single class in one playthrough without asking Withers for help. That's one profoundly confused individual, probably trying to cast a fireball while sneak attacking and preaching to a squirrel simultaneously.

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Honour Mode: Where Legends Are Forged and Save Files Are Deleted

Now, let's enter the realm of true masochism: Honour Mode. This mode removes the safety net of save-scumming and ends your run permanently if your whole party bites the dust. The fact that nearly half a million players have completed it is already insane. But wait, it gets better.

The Stat That Broke My Brain: Just over 4,600 absolute maniacs beat Honour Mode using only a Level 1 character. Let that sink in. They navigated the entire Netherbrain saga, every deadly encounter, every dialogue check that could turn violent, with the durability of a wet paper bag. This isn't gaming; this is a form of transcendental meditation I am not spiritually prepared for.

Our Fickle Friends and Digital Tinkering

Larian also shed light on our fickle relationships with our companions. It turns out Wyll, Gale, and Shadowheart are the most respecced companions. It seems we just can't decide if we want Gale to be a pyromaniac or a cryomancer, or if Shadowheart should specialize in healing or... less holy pursuits. We love them, but we love customizing their entire being more.

And since mod support launched, the creativity has exploded. Over 8,500 mods have been uploaded, with downloads in the hundreds of millions. From practical fixes to turning every enemy into a Thomas the Tank Engine model, the community has truly made the game its own. It's a beautiful, chaotic tapestry of player-driven content.

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Looking to the Horizon (Without a Sequel in Sight)

Yes, there was a wave of disappointment when Larian confirmed they wouldn't be making Baldur's Gate 4. But even Astarion's voice actor, Neil Newbon, supported the decision, calling it "absolutely the right call" for the team to move on to new horizons. And you know what? In 2026, I get it. What they left us with isn't just a game; it's an ecosystem. With continued stability patches (like the surprise one in mid-2025 that squashed a bunch of pesky bugs) and this endlessly inventive community, my journey in Faerûn feels far from over.

The question of Baldur's Gate 4's future is up in the air, possibly for another studio to tackle. But for now, the data doesn't lie. Millions of us are still here, discovering new secrets, attempting ludicrous challenge runs, and sharing stories. We're the ones keeping the lanterns lit in the Elfsong Tavern. We're still out here, trying to pet every single Scratch and Owlbear, failing spectacularly at stealth, and yes, still trying to get that darned bard to earn a decent tip. The adventure continues, one wildly improbable achievement at a time. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a Level 1 Honour Mode run. Wish me luck—I'm going to need a miracle, or at least a very large barrel to hide in. 😉