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Unveiling a Surprising Twist: Baldur's Gate 3 Villain Could Have Been an Ally

Discover how a major villain in Baldur's Gate 3 was initially designed to be a playable character, shedding light on other cut content by Larian Studios.
Unveiling a Surprising Twist: Baldur's Gate 3 Villain Could Have Been an Ally

Highlights

  • Ketheric Thorm, the menacing Baldur's Gate 3 villain, was intended to be a playable companion, offering players a different gameplay experience.
  • Larian Studios initially intended for players to recruit Thorm by passing a challenging Persuasion test in Act 2, but this idea was scrapped due to time constraints.
  • Thorm's exclusion from the list of companions in Baldur's Gate 3 was not an isolated case, as Larian Studios had to make several cuts, including locations and characters, to meet deadlines.

One of the major revelations from Larian Studios showcased that Ketheric Thorm, a key villain in Baldur's Gate 3, was envisioned as a playable ally at one point. This insight was shared as part of an introspective look at the sacrifices made to ensure the timely release of Baldur's Gate 3.

The narrative of Baldur's Gate 3's second act primarily revolves around confronting the Thorm family and unraveling their mysteries. Among them, Ketheric stands out as a fearsome immortal entity haunting the Shadow-Cursed Lands, posing a significant challenge for players to overcome before advancing to the game's final act.

Unexpected Turn: Ketheric Thorm's Alternate Fate in Baldur's Gate 3 Act 2

Contrary to the common expectation of his demise at the end of Act 2, Ketheric Thorm was originally designed to have a more flexible role in the game's storyline. According to Swen Vincke, CEO of Larian Studios, there were plans to offer players the option to recruit Thorm by successfully navigating a demanding Persuasion checkpoint aimed at 'sparing' him in Baldur's Gate 3.

Behind the Scenes: Baldur's Gate 3 Companion Cuts and More

Vincke reminisced about a pivotal moment where Thorm's character development could have led to recruitment under normal circumstances. However, due to development constraints, this feature had to be axed to ensure the game's punctual release. Thorm's exclusion from the companion list was just one instance of several cuts made by Larian Studios. Vincke disclosed that the studio had to forgo an entire roster of companions, with Thorm being his personal favorite. Additionally, numerous locations were also removed from the game due to their limited exploration value, such as Candlekeep, Vlaakith's palace, the Gith Astral Plane, and even Hell.

If players had the opportunity to enlist Ketheric Thorm, it would have undoubtedly altered the dynamics of the Act 2 boss battle in Baldur's Gate 3. His involvement could have potentially eased the challenging second phase of the encounter, a segment that many players found notably difficult. Opting for the Persuasion route remains the easier path, circumventing the Thorm showdown by convincing him to take a dramatic plunge, thus allowing players to conserve resources for the Apostle of Myrkul.

There seems to be little chance of Larian Studios revisiting the concept of integrating Ketheric Thorm as a playable character. Vincke affirmed during his GDC presentation that the studio is concluding its work on Baldur's Gate 3, with no plans for additional content or involvement in any potential sequels.

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