Baldur's Gate 3 achieved critical acclaim last year for its phenomenal story and cast of characters. The game from Larian Studios also seamlessly adapts the rules and mechanics of Dungeons & Dragons' fifth edition, one of the most popular tabletop games in the world, into a video game format. But not every mechanic in a TTRPG is suitable for a video game.

Some Dungeons & Dragons rules function due to the ability to improvise and the creative freedom available to the DM, the person running the game. Making a video game, the team at Larian had to be more thorough in planning out what options players would have to interact with the world. Each potential choice had to be accounted for beforehand. One particular mechanic the team adapted to Baldur's Gate 3, that of awarding players Inspiration, demonstrates this concept well. It showcases how the game emulates the open-ended feeling of the tabletop game while simultaneously clarifying a vague rule from DnD.

How Inspiration Works In Dungeons & Dragons

Rewarded At The DM's Discretion

The term Inspiration can be confusing in Dungeons & Dragons due to the fact that there are two distinct resources which share the name. Bardic Inspiration is an ability that certain characters possess and can be used to help other players. Inspiration, meanwhile, is a reward that the DM can give to players which can be used to improve one's dice rolls. It is awarded to players who do something particularly cool at the table, act in a way that perfectly embodies their character, or otherwise impress the group with their creativity.

The mechanic is ambiguous within the rules as written and leaves a lot of freedom to the DM on how to actually use it. Thus, Inspiration can work differently at different tables, and even work inconsistently at the same table. DnD is designed to provide such freedom, but inconsistency in rulings can be an issue for players who prefer more structure. This rule wouldn't translate well to a video game setting, which requires more clarity in its mechanics.

Players can spend their earned Inspiration points to gain advantage on an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check.

Baldur's Gate 3 Makes Inspiration More Consistent Than In D&D

Awarded For Consistent Roleplaying

While many rules in Baldur's Gate 3 match those in DnD word for word, the system for gaining Inspiration is changed entirely. Instead of being handed out at the DM's discretion, BG3 has set choices that will give the player Inspiration when triggered. These triggers are determined by the chosen background of the player and their companions. For instance, a character with a Soldier background might gain Inspiration when they instruct an NPC on how to fight well. Meanwhile, a character with a Criminal background might gain Inspiration for stealing an important item.

Once gained, Inspiration works much as it does in DnD, letting players re-roll a failed dice roll and potentially turn it into a success. With this change, Baldur's Gate 3 encourages players to act consistently and rewards them for playing in character. It is an inspired design choice that maintains the goal of the mechanic while making it work for a video game format. Although Baldur's Gate 3's method of gaining Inspiration may not work perfectly in a Dungeons & Dragons game, using player backgrounds to determine when to award Inspiration could create a more consistent and clear way of giving it out.