It’s been officially 2 years since Baldur’s Gate 3 launched on PC, and it’s been quite the ride ever since. During this time, the game has captivated millions with its expansive storytelling, rich character development, and innovative gameplay mechanics. Fans of the franchise and newcomers alike have immersed themselves in every corner of the map and are making their mark on the narrative with new playthroughs. While players might have expected a good game, they could never have predicted that Larian Studios' Baldur’s Gate 3 would forever redefine the RPG genre.
Larian Studios recently revealed Baldur’s Gate 3’s rarest achievements as a way to commemorate the game’s second anniversary. From rare romance endings to the small percentage of players who have defeated opponents while drunk, these accomplishments are far from ordinary. Some may even be reserved exclusively for the most ambitious of achievement hunters. Yet, there is one that stands out from the rest due to how multifacetedly difficult it is to achieve: beating Honour Mode. In fact, only 4,647 Baldur’s Gate 3 players have completed this absolutely excruciating challenge.
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A Rare Achievement in Baldur’s Gate 3, Even Rarer Under These Circumstances
Beating Honour Mode in Baldur’s Gate 3 is not for the faint of heart. From run-ending overestimations to party-wiping bugs, there is no limit to how Honour Mode can test the patience and logic of even the most seasoned player. What becomes even more mind-boggling is that for some players, Honour Mode is mere child’s play unless made harder.
For exactly 4,647 people, Baldur’s Gate 3’ s Honour Mode needed an extra edge. Therefore, these players opted to complete the trials of Honour Mode while remaining at Level 1.
Making Baldur’s Gate 3 Harder Than It Already Was
Last year, Larian revealed how many players had completed Honour Mode. At the time, 1.3 million players had attempted the run, with only 10% of them seeing the end of their campaigns successfully. Since these figures were published near Baldur’s Gate 3’s first anniversary, the number of players attempting the Mode has likely increased dramatically—some emboldened by the figure, others simply curious about how hard it can be when compared to the already challenging Balanced Mode.
The number of successful runs may not have increased at the same rate, however. Although updated metrics have not been released at the time of this article’s publication, an increased number of players attempting the challenge realistically suggests that the percentage of successful runs earning players the highly sought-after golden die skin in BG3 has dropped significantly. But adding an extra self-imposed modifier to an already difficult task isn’t something an average player would attempt casually. These circumstances explain why the Level 1 Honour Mode achievement was so rare.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Rarest Honour Mode Achievement May Be Following in the Footsteps of Other RPGs and Soulslikes
The world of Faerun is dark and treacherous for any seasoned adventurer. And for a player that is only at Level 1, it is absolutely deadly with one misstep threatening the path forward. The early hours of Baldur’s Gate 3 are notorious for their cut-throat encounters that threaten non-tank characters. So during those precarious hours, a player wanting to improve their chances at survival may seek to level up as soon as possible. But for a certain sect of players, remaining at Level 1 was the true test of skill.
Trying a run at Level 1 might seem risky, even with top party compositions for Honour Mode, but it's understandable when one considers other games. It is actually supported by a longstanding gaming tradition. Increasing the difficulty of an Iron Man run has always been part of fandom culture. And now, one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s rarest Iron Man conditions has become the definitive bragging point for the most dedicated fans.
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Following in the Footsteps of Other RPGs
One of Baldur's Gate 3's rarest achievements can be seen as more than just a solitary milestone; it is part of a broader gaming tradition that celebrates extreme challenge and skill. This accomplishment aligns with various Iron Man trends in other popular RPGs, such as the level 1 runs in Elden Ring. Elden Ring is not the only game to note, as these conditions have become a staple of the Soulslike genre. Other challenges may include no-hit, no-dodging, and other incredibly constricting playstyle requirements.
Truly, any game to reach a certain status among its fandom can have a challenge emerge as the one to beat. Even Super Smash Bros Ultimate has an Iron Man mode by winning successive rounds of online matches with every character in a row. Now, it’s simply Baldur’s Gate 3’s turn to step up to the plate.
These fandom tests push players to their limits, emphasizing mastery, strategic thinking, and perseverance. They serve not only as tests of individual skill but also as a way to foster a vibrant community of players who share and celebrate their accomplishments in these grueling trials. So, Baldur’s Gate 3 players who have beaten Honour Mode should know that the latest challenge has emerged. And this time, it’s more grueling than the last.
Baldur's Gate 3
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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
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- RPG
