Baldur’s Gate 3 has emerged as a standout release of the decade, impressively adapting the Dungeons and Dragons’ Forgotten Realms universe. From its initial wilderness to the iconic city itself, Baldur’s Gate 3 has created a captivating fantasy world that will leave a lasting impact and fuel players’ imaginations about what could come next from Larian Studios.
The base game of Baldur’s Gate 3 is already vast, featuring three acts that can easily consume over 100 hours for completionists. The Lower City of Baldur’s Gate stands out as a dense and impressive area, beloved by fans despite some performance issues due to its ambitious nature. As discussions of future DLC expansions circulate in the community, the possibility of exploring Waterdeep, a city within Faerun, has piqued the interest of players, following the precedent set by Baldur’s Gate itself.
Faerun’s City of Waterdeep
Waterdeep, originally home to BG3 companion Gale, is known as the City of Splendors. It is a larger and more prosperous city located north of Baldur’s Gate along the Sword Coast. With a population of up to two million, compared to Baldur’s Gate’s over one hundred thousand, Waterdeep epitomizes urban life in Faerun. As a major center of commerce and culture, it’s fitting that someone like Gale hails from a place of such sophistication.
Waterdeep features prominently in Dungeons and Dragons lore, with connections to various concepts referenced in Baldur’s Gate 3. Key events, such as the Time of Troubles when gods became mortal, unfolded in the city. Deities like Mystra, featured in BG3, rose to godhood during this tumultuous period. Waterdeep is home to factions like Xanathar’s thieves’ guild and the elite Force Grey, making it one of D&D’s best urban locations, despite its infrequent appearances in video games.
Waterdeep is the Perfect Expansion for Baldur’s Gate 3
Speculation about future Baldur’s Gate 3 expansions, fueled by rumors of cut Upper City content, has fans excited. However, Waterdeep offers even more potential. With its diverse districts and hidden secrets beneath the surface, Waterdeep can provide everything the Lower City did, but on a grander scale. While the city’s sheer size and complexity present challenges for developers, breaking it down into smaller sections could offer a more in-depth experience than the entirety of Baldur’s Gate.
The prospect of seeing Waterdeep brought to life with the same attention to detail as the Lower City is a dream for Dungeons and Dragons enthusiasts. While the development of Baldur’s Gate 3 took over five years, Larian Studios is well-equipped to handle the challenge. Despite the complexities involved, a BG3 DLC expansion set in Waterdeep would likely be a heartfelt tribute to fans of Gale and Faerun’s rich lore.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is currently available on PC and PS5, with an Xbox Series X/S version in development.
