Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - General The case for hirelings instead of extra Tavs.

I like the idea of hirelings, but I'm not as impressed with Larian's apparent implementation. On the rare occasions I do use hirelings, as opposed to companions, in CRPGs it's because I want to put together a specific race and class combination that's not already represented. I also like to name them. This doesn't do that, it just gives us what are basically downgraded companions.

Now, to be fair, I think Larian will or has done an excellent job implementing what they have set out to implement. Unfortunately, it does not appear that what they have set out to implement is what I or a number of others want from hirelings.

Of course the hirelings need to be customizable! Offer a 13th choice for all of us who freaking fucking love to customize characters (and with the EPIC and extremely elaborate character creation menu that the full game will have at launch - how can anyone NOT love to create their own characters? How can Larian even think of not giving us the opportunity to go nuts with all the variety they offer us? )

I don't mind custom companions being completely silent and not offering up their opinions all the time, just as I don't mind that my main character is silent - because I AM THAT CHARACTER! It's thoughts are mine, I give soul and life to that character - just as I would with the custom companions. This is an R P G. Role Playing Game. We play the roles of our characters, be it one or more. That being said I don't mind having one or two of Larian's companions in my group to offer more depth and lore to my game, I would never go "full custom", but I like having the option to mix and match.

It's actually very simple; just do like they did in Pillars of Eternity 1 and 2 (and in so many other CRPG's). These are older games with far smaller budgets. To me it is just a quintessential part of any CRPG, and I can't even fathom that with a game of BG3's dimensions (everyone is shouting "GAME OF THE YEAR" even before it is out) we are even having this discussion.

It is weird how BG3 tries to do so many things, but can't feature such simple features like rolling the highest stat in the group and just making 4 TAVs. I am confused by it. Not even day and night cycle or at least some different weathers.

They did the same thing in Divinity. I don't see why anyone is surprised?

So, to be clear, is it confirmed that we can´t make a custom party at the begining of the game? I remermber reading recently that we were going to be able to do that.

It seems like the closest you can do without a lot of effort is to start as a two player game, but the game will consider both customs as Tavs (or one Tav and one Dark Urge).

Theres probably a mod out there to do it anyway isnt there?
I havent checked yet but it seems like a no brainer

I don't think there is a mod to address the custom party issue yet, at least from what I've seen.

I'm still just a bit shocked that you can't create a custom character, and have them be entered into the pool of hirelings. With how big this game is, and how "reactive" they're advertising it, making a custom party seems like such a no brainer to me.

I agree. I admit, I played Icewind Dale much more than I played Baldur's Gate simply because I could make a full party of characters. It is something they should really add.

They could even make a sort of online pool where everybody could upload their hirelings, and then you could hire other peoples hirelings if you wanted to, each with their own backstories, class, unique apperance etc. etc. I think a lot of people would love that. I mean if you look at the Steam Community Content for a game like Pillars of Eternity 2, a lot of the posts are basically that; hirelings/adventurers that you can load into your own game. Personally I would rather make my own, but it's a great "community" thing to do that will appeal to a broader audience. Might also be a great way to start your game if you have no idea how to make a cool main character.