Baldur’s Gate 3 and Its Level 12 Cap
Baldur’s Gate 3 is constrained to a level 12 cap due to its reliance on D&D 5E’s ruleset. However, the game's director, Swen Vincke, has hinted that the inclusion of levels 13-20 in the future is indeed feasible. The game's faithful adaptation of D&D 5E’s mechanics is crucial to its appeal. This design choice allows for unexpected actions, like defeating bosses through unexpected strategies, or the unintended killing of companions in the quest for love.
Adjusting D&D Rules
Despite their use, the D&D rules are not entirely stringent, and Baldur’s Gate 3 developers Larian Studios have been known to adjust them for the transition from tabletop to screen. The implementation of a level 12 cap, for example, was done to keep the game reasonably grounded.
Vincke's Take on Level Cap
During a video interview on the D&D YouTube channel, Vincke commented on the effect a cap would have on potential game expansions if they couldn't establish a new level cap. He responded by saying that integrating levels 13-20 of D&D into a video game wouldn’t be impossible.
The Significant Milestone
In the D&D 5E rules, level 12 is a significant milestone where the power scaling increases notably, primarily in terms of abilities and spells available to players. Larian Studios are aware of the development challenges this escalation can bring. However, Vincke commented on the possibility of a level 13-20 experience being accessible, claiming that such change would essentially necessitate creating a different game with new stakes, characters, environments, and adversaries. Nevertheless, he affirmed that achieving this was definitely possible.
Future Developments?
Interestingly, in the same interview, Vincke disclosed that his attention had already shifted to 'the next game' for Larian Studios. Could this signal a comprehensive D&D campaign looming on the horizon for the developer's future lineup?