Summary

  • Drizzt Do'Urden, a prominent character in the Forgotten Realms, is absent in Baldur's Gate 3, but the game includes humorous references to him that fans can enjoy.
  • Characters in the game, such as Astarion and Minthara, express their opinions on Drizzt, with Astarion making a funny remark about his name.
  • In addition to character references, there are other hidden nods to Drizzt throughout Baldur's Gate 3, including book mentions and an item's description, indicating that he is still part of the game's world.

As the latest entry in the Forgotten Realms setting of Dungeons and Dragons, Baldur's Gate 3 is naturally filled to the brim with references to previous characters and stories. Characters from the first two games appear, the arch-wizard Elminster stops by to visit, and Volothamp Geddarm is a consistent humorous presence. Rather, one key Forgotten Realms figure is missing: Drizzt Do'Urden, the infamous drow created by R.A. Salvatore. Drizzt's absence in Baldur's Gate 3 may have been due to rights issues, but developer Larian Studios managed to hide some humorous references that Drizzt fans can enjoy.

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Astarion Apparently Isn't A Fan

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One consistent source of humor in Baldur's Gate 3 is the offbeat but funny lines characters speak when players select them on the party screen. Gale quotes Shakespeare, Minsc references Critical Role, and Halsin makes a rather groan-worthy "poking a bear" pun. A hidden Drizzt reference can sometimes be encountered when clicking on vampire rogue Astarion—he will refer to the famous drow as "Drizzt Don't'urden" before immediately admonishing himself that it wasn't funny. This is especially humorous, as voice actor Neil Newbon is an avid Drizzt fan and portrayed Astarion as such during the cast's High Rollers Dungeons and Dragons stream.

"More like Drizzt Don't'Urden. No...no, that's not funny." - Astarion

Minthara Also Isn't Impressed

Baldur's Gate 3, Minthara

As a drow herself, Nightwarden Minthara Baenre is understandably familiar with Drizzt. This battle-happy paladin, who can only be recruited if players turn against the druids of the Emerald Grove, is not a fan of male drow in general, and Drizzt is no exception. Players can learn Minthara's true thoughts on him if they romance her and choose her as their partner for a "love test" at the Circus of the Last Days. Choosing Drizzt as "the person Minthara admires the most" will earn disapproval and the following blunt assessment:

"Please. I'd rather spend my nights with a drider than with that do-gooder and his pussycat." - Minthara

Sorn Orlith "Gets Asked That A Lot"

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In Act 3 of Baldur's Gate 3, players may purchase the services of drow twins Sorn and Nym Orlith at Sharess's Caress. Sorn, who serves the establishment's more "adventurous" clients, is apparently frequently asked to roleplay as Drizzt. Should players ask this of him, he reluctantly complies, giving a rather mocking performance that, rather than anything actually seductive, focuses on the humorous names of Drizzt's twin scimitars—Twinkle and Icingdeath. Amusingly, Sorn is more willing to engage in subpar, boring intimacy with the player than he is to bring out his Drizzt impression.

There Are Other Small Drizzt References Hidden Around

Baldur's Gate 3 Underdark Sussur Tree in the distance

While none are as humorous as the three previously mentioned, there are a handful of other references to Salvatore's iconic drow ranger hidden around Baldur's Gate 3. These include:

  • A book in the Underdark references Drizzt's mother, Matron Malice Do'Urden.
  • Another book mentions an uprising of drow slaves, led by Drizzt.
  • The item Swordmaster Gloves, sold by Dammon at the Last Light Inn, references Drizzt's two-sword fighting style in its description.
  • Banker Rakath Glitterbeard lists Drizzt as one of the heroes whose legend is "overblown," comparing him to possible party member Minsc.

It is slightly disappointing that Drizzt did not make an in-person appearance in Baldur's Gate 3, especially as he had cameo appearances in the two previous Baldur's Gate games. However, Larian Studios does its best to let keen-eyed players know that Drizzt is still around and active in the world of Faerun and that not everyone is necessarily impressed by the legendary hero of Menzoberranzan. There is still a possibility that Drizzt could appear in DLC for Baldur's Gate 3, especially as the characters encountered him during the High Rollers stream, and both Shadowheart and Astarion seemed eager to meet with him again in the future.

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9 /10

Baldur's Gate 3
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RPG
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
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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.
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Franchise
Baldur's Gate
Number of Players
1-4
Split Screen Orientation
Vertical Only
Genre(s)
RPG
How Long To Beat
100+ Hours
Metascore
96