Baldur’s Gate 4 Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Dig Deep Into the D&D Multiverse

Baldur’s Gate 3 saw massive success upon its release for the game’s broad scope and world building, not just within the video game franchise, but by incorporating new elements from Dungeons & Dragons. Though a new game seems unlikely, a hypothetical follow-up to Baldur’s Gate 3 should do the same as its predecessor and dive deeper into the world of Dungeons & Dragons.

With a vast history lasting fifty years, Dungeons & Dragons has expanded its canon universe and many lands. A key expansion to the lore of the hit roleplaying game introduces a boundless wheel-shaped multiverse that Baldur’s Gate should be unafraid to explore.

Dungeons & Dragons’ Many Planes of Existence

Dungeons & Dragons’ 5th edition refers to its multiverse as the planes of existence. Most stories and campaigns take place on the Material Plane, including Baldur’s Gate, though it is sometimes referred to as the Physical or Prime Material Plane. The Material Plane is the core of the planes of existence, with all other planes being defined by their relationship to the Material Plane.

The Feywild and Shadowfell are two parallel dimensions to the Material Plane and are therefore often referred to as Mirror Planes. Since they exist on the same level as the Material Plane, their appearances are seemingly similar, though they present a more mystical or twisted version of the plane most heroes are familiar with.

Surrounding these three dimensions are the Ethereal and Astral Planes. These featureless realms are called Transitive Planes as they primarily act as liminal spaces during travel. For example, a player that casts etherealness or astral projection can enter these planes to explore these dimensions or travel beyond.

Enveloping these Transitive Planes are the Inner Planes, sometimes referred to as the four Elemental Planes, as each dimension is tied to either earth, wind, fire, or air. Even beyond these realities are the Outer Planes, which house deities. The Outer Planes are inherently abstract and time has no meaning across the dimensions. This is similar to the Astral Plane or Sea, which separates the Inner and Outer Planes and acts as a graveyard for gods. Additionally, the Outer Planes are divided into the Upper and Lower Planes based on alignment. Creatures with good natures reside in the Upper Planes, while creatures with more evil alignments reside in the Lower Planes.

Baldur’s Gate is Unafraid to Explore the Planes of Existence

Several of these dimensions have been explored or discussed over the course of Baldur’s Gate. Namely, Githyanki are warriors of the Astral Plane. As one of the main companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, Lae’zel acted as a key tie to the dimension. The game’s plot also forces players to explore the Astral Plane several times in Act 2 and Act 3, with combat even breaking out in some instances. This sets a precedent for planar exploration in Baldur’s Gate installments moving forward. Similarly to the Astral Plane, Shadowfell has a key plot connection to Baldur’s Gate 3. Players enter the dark region as they try to either kill or save the Nightsong.

Other planes included in the franchise are the Elemental Plane of Air (Baldur’s Gate II: Shadow of Amn) and the Nine Hells (both Baldur’s Gate 2 and 3),with Avernus specifically having relevance in the franchise’s latest installment. The Elemental Plane of Air is manifested in Irenicus’ Dungeon in Baldur’s Gate 2, meaning players don’t literally travel to the Elemental Planes in the game. However, the Hells hold a much more concrete relationship to the franchise in Baldur’s Gate 3 with players engaging in combat with Raphael in his House of Hope in Act 3. The House of Hope is located in Avernus, which is also Karlach’s home.

The easiest option for the next Baldur’s Gate venture would be to keep focusing on the Hells and aspects of the Prime Material Plane. Expanding the lore of the Hells would beef up Karlach, Wyll, and Mizora’s storylines and could feature references to the Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus module. Including Shadowfell would obviously tie into Shadowheart’s storyline. Even the Feywild feels like an easy way out, as hags, like Auntie Ethel, are a dominant species there. Instead, the next Baldur’s Gate installment should focus on the mysterious Outer Planes.

How Baldur’s Gate Could Explore the Planes of Existence Even Further

There are seventeen Outer Planes in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition. Some of these realms, like the aforementioned Nine Hells, Limbo, Elysium, and Pandemonium, have fairly discernible methods of being included in Baldur’s Gate 4. If this next installment really wants to stand out, it needs to dive deeper.

Mechanus

The Clockwork Nirvana of Mechanus falls under a lawful neutral alignment. This is baked into the very fabric of the realm, as everything is equal in the realm, such as amounts of light and dark, heat and cold, etc. Mechanus’ environment also lives up to its name as the realm is made up of country-sized circular interlocking gears. Modrons, and Maruts are native to the mechanical realm.

These creatures could act as great enemies for combat. Baldur’s Gate 3 set a precedent for mechanical creatures as combatants during Act 3 with the Steel Watch. While Modrons and Maruts obviously wouldn’t feature the same exact mechanics, a twist on the Steel Watch could call back to preexisting game play while still requiring some puzzle solving. Mechanus could also act as an excuse for the artificer class to be officially introduced into the franchise.

Carceri

Carceri, also known as Tarterus, is another plane that could be explored. The plane resides between chaotic and neutral evil and is situated in between the Lower Planes of Hades and the Abyss. Because of its location, Carceri acts as a plane of contention between demons and devils.

This makes Carceri the perfect alternative to returning to the Nine Hells. Like the Hells, Carceri is a multifaceted Plane, with six layers instead of the Hells’ nine regions. Game play would likely be kept to the first layer of Carceri, Othrys, as the layer is accessible via the Astral Plane. With Baldur’s Gate 3 already establishing planar travel through the Astral Plane, including Othrys specifically feels realistic. The layer also has portals to the Abyss, Hades, and the Concordant Opposition, which opens doors to even more Outer Planes to explore.

Despite another Baldur’s Gate installment seeming unlikely, the franchise has plenty of source material to explore if it ever returns. Until that fateful day, players should explore beyond the Material Plane as much as possible in Baldur’s Gate 3.