The recently released Baldur’s Gate 3 Speedrunning
The recently released Baldur’s Gate 3, already has an impressive speedrunning history. Gamers have been discovering game-breaking methods in a bid to reduce the in-game timer and initiate the run on the game's credits.
In addition, some don't even need to resort to game-breaking methods. A popular category now officially likely to be recognized as 'sex%' to determine who accomplishes the fastest smash. This category has become so well-known that certain methods needed to be patched out of the game by Larian Studios.
Groundbreaking Method by Mae
In a recent event, a renowned Baldur’s Gate 3 player nicknamed Mae came up with a groundbreaking method to wrap up the game, clocking in at four minutes and 15 seconds.
The technique to achieving this involves the relatively simple starting point of choosing Gale as the player character and taking Enhance Leap and Feather Fall as first level spells. This enables Mae to avoid any combat encounters from the first act and rush towards the Mountain Pass.
At this stage, Shadowheart, a character who automatically joins the party, is brought in due to storyline developments. Utilizing the notorious 'Shadowboxing' method, Mae is able to leap into Act 2.
The Shadowboxing Method
Shadowboxing involves a strange strategy where murdering Shadowheart effectively causes Baldur's Gate 3 to break down and skip Act 2 altogether. By placing Shadowheart's corpse into a box and setting it on fire, Mae is transported to the climax of Act 2.
From here, Mae chooses the ending where Gale triggers his chest nuke in the hideout of the Cult of the Absolute, transforming everyone of importance into a Mindflayer. This marks the end of the game, resulting in a sub five-minute run, a remarkable achievement that's hard to beat.
Mae's Contribution and Achievement
Mae has been a major contributor to the Baldur’s Gate 3 speedrunning community and has clocked multiple records in the any% and sex% categories. This latest win places her a whopping 11 seconds ahead of the next quickest run and she seems to consistently reclaim her leading position whenever it's eclipsed by other players.
Is it Impossible to Beat a Sub-Five-Minute Run?
So, while it might seem impossible to beat a sub-five-minute run in Baldur’s Gate 3, there are plenty of guides that can help players make the most out of the game. The following is a comprehensive list of the best builds for each gameplay factor: Sorcerer, Bard, Rogue, Fighter, Ranger, Barbarian, and several others.