Summary
Earlier this year,Baldur’s Gate 3was officially released to widespread acclaim from gamers and critics alike. While it wasn’t without its issues, it’s quickly become one of the best-reviewed games of the year and a surefire contender for several Game of the Year awards. This has made many fans wonder ifBaldur’s Gate 3will have any extensive DLC.
Since the game was launched, developer Larian Studios has released several updates for the game. This included amassive second patch forBaldur’s Gate 3that added a new epilogue for fan-favorite character Karlach, with more updates on the way. Unfortunately, the developer has not revealed any solid DLC plans for the game. If the developer were to add a major expansion to the project, a new area set in the Icewind Dale region would have a lot of crossover potential.
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What is Icewind Dale?
Icewind Dale is aDungeons and DragonsForgotten Realms region in the subcontinent of Faerûn. It is described as a harsh arctic environment and the northernmost region on the subcontinent that has been explored and settled. The area is mostly inhabited by orcs and barbarian tribes, but has some civilization in the form of Ten Towns. Ten Towns is a loose confederation of villages in the region that is made up of members of various races who are often looking to escape their past. It’s also a setting that has been used extensively in Forgotten Relems-based stories.
In addition toIcewind Dale-basedDungeons and Dragonscampaigns, the territory has been used as the setting for several video games and books. After its work onFallout 2, developer Black Isle Studio went on to makeIcewind DaleandIcewind Dale 2, which took place in the region. The setting is also where one of Forgotten Realms' most famous characters, Drizzt Do’Urden, frequently calls home. If Larian Studios wants to make anyBaldur’s Gate 3DLC in this area, the crossover potential would be enormous.
How Icewind Dale Could Set the Stage For Baldur’s Gate 3 Crossovers
Should the protagonists ofBaldur’s Gate 3make their way to Icewind Dale, the most obvious crossovers would be with the Black Isle Studios games or something that involves Drizzt Do’Urden. However, the issue with having the games crossover would be that well over a hundred years would have passed, which likely would result in extreme changes in the region. In addition, most of the plot points that were left hanging in theIcewind Dalegames were resolved in other media. On the other hand, a century isn’t that long for many of the races inDungeons and Dragons, and antagonists have a way of not staying dead. It wouldn’t be unreasonable for some old enemy within those games to resurface.
The more likely crossover would involveDrizzt Do’Urden. The Drow was already featured as an NPC inBaldur’s GateandBaldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn, and the character has made many allies and enemies over the years. Despite his extensive travels, he frequently finds himself returning to Icewind Dale for various reasons. Because of this, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that the character could make an appearance in an Icewind Dale DLC if only for a brief cameo. Whether a full story would revolve around the dark elf would likely depend on whatever Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro have in store for him.
Currently, it’s impossible to say what Larian Studios has in store for the game or if any DLC is on its docket. Many fans have their own ideas as to where this hypothetical DLC should take place, with even the Drow city ofMenzoberranzan being argued as a possibleBaldur’s Gate 3setting. If the developers were to send the protagonists to Icewind Dale, there would be a lot of crossover potential.
Baldur’s Gate 3is available for PC and PS5. A version for Xbox Series X|S is currently in development.
