Baldur's Gate 3 has taken the world by storm, quickly becoming one of the highest-reviewed games of the year. The CRPG adapts the world of Dungeons and Dragons 5E into an original story, where the player character and their companions have been infested with Mindflayer Tadpoles. Their journey to save themselves is also a journey to save the titular city and all of Faerun, with plenty of twists along the way. This popularity has ensured that its Collector's Edition has sold out quickly.
It remains to be seen when and if Larian Studios restocks its Collector's Editions, though fans shouldn't really count on it, nor should they turn to the ridiculously-priced and scalped versions of BG3's Collector's Edition that can be found online. That said, if someone has managed to snag one or can find one at retail value, it definitely gives fans the most bang for their buck. If someone is still waiting for their CE to ship, as Larian has acknowledged some issues (ours was also stopped at customs), it's more than worth the wait.
BG3 Collector's Editions - Content, Price, and More
- BG3 Game Code
- Game Certificate
- Digital Content
- Collector's Edition Box
- Mindflayer vs. Drow Battle Diorama (Height: 25cm)
- 160 Page Artbook
- 32 Stickers
- Origin Character Sheets
- Magic: The Gathering - Battle for Baldur's Gate Booster Packs
- Oversized Metal D20
- Tadpole Keyring
- Cloth Map
Price: Є259.99
Platforms: PC and PS5
It remains to be seen if the eventual Xbox Series X/S release of Baldur's Gate 3 opens up more Collector's Editions, but if so, fans will want to be quick. The game is still on track to be released by the end of the year, so fans will want to keep their ears to the ground for an official announcement and check Larian's website ASAP afterward.
What is the Difference Between Baldur's Gate 3's Collector's Edition and the Digital Deluxe Edition?
The primary difference is Baldur's Gate 3's CE is a physical collection of memorabilia, whereas the Digital Deluxe Edition only contains the game + in-game content. It includes the following, all of which are included in the CE's digital items too.
- Game Code
- Dice Skin
- Divinity Bard Song Pack
- Paintings from Rivellon
- Adventurer’s Pouch
- Digital Artbook
- Original Soundtrack
- Digital Character Sheets
- Mask of the Shapeshifter
-
Divinity: Original Sin 2 Items
- Cape of the Red Prince
- Lute of the Merryweather Bard
- Needle of the Outlaw Rogue
- Bicorne of the Sea Beast
Price: Є79.99
Platforms: PC and PS5
Certificate of Authenticity
Unboxing BG3's Collector's Edition
Sometimes, a Collector's Edition Box is largely nondescript. It might have some marks and indications of what it is, but at the end of the day, it is just a box. That's absolutely not the case here. The art focused on Mindflayers, as well as some companions from Baldur's Gate 3, is a huge highlight. This is, without a doubt, a box to display and not leave in a pile with others. It's often a refrain in the gaming industry that someone can, technically, get rid of their boxes, but this is absolutely not one of them.
It should be noted that the unboxing process means lifting the box surrounding a base, and the base itself would make for a great display if someone so chose. It's clear Larian set out to impress with its BG3 Collector's Edition, and the box sets the tone for everything fans find within.
Artwork From Baldur's Gate 3
The art book is filled with concept and development images of enemies, characters, and locations in Baldur's Gate 3, complete with interesting insights into its development. For example, the above image of Karlach looks completely different, but it also notes how she was once a Sorcerer and a Paladin.
Of course, BG3's Withers can change anyone's class if someone wants to make their Karlach one of those classes, but her barbaric strength goes a long way in her character identity. Getting there must've been quite the journey, with plenty more insights, interesting art, and so forth across the spectrum to be had in this book. It's not uncommon for an art book to provide these types of insights, but this art book is a thrilling read on top of everything else.
BG3 CE's Physical Origin Character Sheets
If the diorama is the crown jewel of BG3's CE, then these character sheets are its royal scepter. Even typical pre-generated character sheets are not as clean as these, and the artwork, comments, and insights into the character in each one are top-notch. With these, it would easily be possible to play these BG3 characters in a tabletop game. If anything, we just wish there was more. The character sheets show the various Origin Characters in Baldur's Gate 3 (minus the hybridized Dark Urge), but it would've been great to see Jaheira, Minsc, and others here too. Still, these are as precious as Astarion and must be protected and preserved at all costs.
BG3 CE's Extra Goodies
Alongside everything else, fans can get a cloth map of the game world, a collection of 32 stickers, a few MTG x BG3 Booster Packs, a large Metal D20, and a Mindflayer Tadpole keychain. It's unfortunate that the cloth map is so easily wrinkled, arriving with the marks shown above, but it is still enthralling. The map itself is a bit busy, sometimes making it hard to tell what's what, but fans will easily recognize some locations like the Nautiloid crash site, the Druid's Grove, and so forth.
The stickers range from serious logos from the game, including those of BG3's classes, to cute takes on The Emperor. Minthara's sticker is probably the funniest given her character, but whether used to decorate a computer tower or preserved for integrity, they are an excellent and simple addition to any collection.
The metal D20 also has some weight to it, though its size may make it impractical for some use. Our first roll with it was a 5 too, so we're not sure it's going to replace our normal dice for tabletop games, but it's a marvel nonetheless. The same can be said of the Mindflayer Tadpole keyring. It can be somewhat hard to tell what it is from a distance, but it adds weight to a keyring and is as marvelous as everything else included in this CE.
BG3 CE's Crowning Jewel - The Mind Flayer Diorama
While Spider-Man 2's Collector's Edition gives fans 19 inches of Venom, BG3's gives fans 25 cm of Mindflayer. Obviously, the Mindflayer is indeed the most dominant element of this diorama, as it appears to battle a Half-Drow in the Underdark. The detail in the Mindflayer is second to none, but some of it is noticeably lost in the other character, as well as some of the Underdark decorations. However, most of that is negated by the excellent quality of the Mindflayer.
The biggest concern with this diorama is the placement of the Mindflayer, as it comes in two pieces: the base and the Mindflayer. The Mindflayer is to be pressed into the base, which requires quite a bit of muscle, leading to some concern about damaging it. On top of that, while it fits in well and doesn't seem to pop off by itself easily even when held upside down, a bump of enough pressure or from the right angle easily knocks the Mindflayer off. It is meant to be put together, put up high, and displayed, so fans should be sure not to keep it too close to busy areas like the PC desk set-up or next to their PS5.
No matter what though, fans get plenty of value in this Collector's Edition - especially when considering that the price of the game is included. It's something that seems bound to appreciate in value given Baldur's Gate 3's critic reviews and general reception, but the sentimental value here already trumps anything that could ever become.
Baldur's Gate 3 is available now for PC and PS5, with Xbox Series X/S versions in development. The Best War Games was provided a BG3 Collector's Edition for the purposes of this breakdown.
Baldur's Gate 3
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Engine
- Divinity 4.0
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Full cross-platform play.
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.
THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCE
Choose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.
A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPIC
Forged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian's next-generation RPG engine.
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Metascore
- 96
