Baldur’s Gate 3, Speedrun Achieves Sub-5 Minute Finish,Using ‘Shadowboxing’ Trick. Skips Act 2 by Manipulating Shadowheart.

Watching a speedrun can be a mesmerizing experience, much like witnessing Mario’s backward butt jumps until he mysteriously clips into stairs and soars away. You don’t need to understand the mechanics; it’s simply a beautiful spectacle. The world of speedrunning has found a similar enchantment in Mae’s rapid 4:15 Baldur’s Gate 3, thanks to an intriguing new trick uncovered by the community.

(Credit: Larian Studios)

In this run, Mae selects Gale as the player character, a choice driven by specific reasons. What sets this run apart is Mae’s decision to avoid all combat and eschew leveling up. Instead, they rely on level 1 spells like Enhance Leap and Feather Fall to perform gravity-defying leaps, bypassing encounters with ease. The journey begins in Act 1, where Mae completely ignores companions and quests, making a beeline for the Mountain Pass.

Here’s where things take an unexpected turn. Runners have discovered a peculiar trick known as “Shadowboxing.” By eliminating Shadowheart and stowing her lifeless body in a suitable container (like one of those crates from the camp), they somehow disrupt the game, catapulting themselves into Act 2’s final confrontation.

(Credit: Larian Studios)

Mae doesn’t stop there. After defeating the Sharran Cleric and looting her belongings, they loot Shadowheart’s portrait, creating a rather macabre and comical inventory scene. After igniting the box and giving it a good shake, they find themselves in the Act 2 final boss area.

The twist? They don’t face Ketheric Thorm with Gale’s modest level 1 abilities. Instead, they employ unconventional strategies.

(Credit: Larian Studios)

Typically, CRPG speedruns might not be the most engaging to watch, but Baldur’s Gate 3’s intricate systems and immersive qualities make it an absolute delight. With ingenious tactics like “Shadowboxing” and other yet-to-be-discovered methods, this game’s speedrunning community is sure to continue delivering astonishing runs that captivate audiences.