BG3 mods (now available on all platforms) have already taken the impossibly expansive game and made it even bigger. Initial claims by Larian held that mods wouldn't story content, and would largely be relegated to things like new classes, character features, and cosmetic options. However, modders have apparently found a way, as new story mods have been cropping up on Nexus and the official mod manager in recent days.
One of these mods is "Features from DnD Spelljammer," ed to Nexus Mods by features from Dungeons & Dragons' Spelljammer setting. However, it does so not just by plopping new items, backgrounds, and enemies into the game; it also includes a whole new quest for players to take on in Act 3. The quest involves purchasing the title deed to a Space Galleon from Popper at the Circus of the Last Days. It next transports Tav and their party to the Astral Sea, of which they'll be able to explore a small slice before returning to the main quest.
The Spelljammer mod is also available on PC and consoles through the in-game mod manager.
It's ittedly a very brief quest, but it's also massive in its scope and implications for BG3 lore. Besides that, it's indicative of a bigger trend within the modding scene, and could point to some game-changing developments for future BG3 mods.
Everything In The Spelljammer Mod For Baldur's Gate 3
Character Features, Spells, Enemies, & More
The Spelljammer mod begins at character creation, when players are able to select one of two new backgrounds: Astral Drifter, which grants permanent Advantage on Wisdom saving throws, and Wildspacer, which grants the character an extra hit point for each level they gain. It also adds new spells, like air bubble and Spelljamming Helm attunement, both of which are learnable by artificers, and are fully integrated with KiderionLykon's mod to add that class to the game.
"An Iconic, Engaging Mess Of Brilliant Ideas": Baldur's Gate 3 Review
Baldur's Gate 3 is imposing in stature and its best moments are truly memorable, but some early issues with scale suggest an uneven experience.
Throughout the game, players can obtain new items, like a Scroll of Summon Giant Space Hamster, a gythka polearm, and various pieces of Talarith armor. There's also a special set of custom Spelljammer-themed dice, which come in light blue and glow gently like the stars of the Astral Sea.
Later on, during the Spelljammer-themed quest, players will gain access to their Space Galleon and a small new map. Within it, they'll fight against a handful of new Astral Plane-themed enemies, like Space Hamsters, Eye Mongers, and githyanki pirates. But perhaps most interestingly, the Space Galleon is upgradable throughout and even after the quest, and can later be summoned to the party's aid in main-game battles. Players can put in work orders to add ballistae and cannons to their ships, then call down aerial strikes on the city of Baldur's Gate.
Screen Rant's Take: A Good Omen For BG3 Mods
The Future's Looking Bright
In a word, the Spelljammer mod is incredible, and demonstrates near-infinite potential for future Baldur's Gate 3 mods. Apparently, story content is now on the table, and while this particular mod is pretty short and sweet, that likely won't always be the case. Others are already working on similarly (if not more) expansive mods, like Lotrich3 on Reddit, who's developing an extra section of the Underdark for players to explore between Acts 2 and 3.
It's only been a few months since modding tools became publicly available. Given time, players could design entirely new campaigns for Baldur's Gate 3, in massive, total conversion mods that feature new characters, new settings, new conflicts, et cetera. Think big, like what Enderal did for Skyrim: players could bring entire custom DnD campaigns to Baldur's Gate 3 before long.
Sources: Nexus Mods (1, 2), Lotrich3/Reddit
Baldur's Gate 3
-
- Top Critic Avg: 96/100 Critics Rec: 98%
- 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.
Developed and published by Larian Studios, Baldur's Gate 3 is an role-playing game set to release in August of 2023. Players will create a character to embark on a large-scale journey and can do so solo or cooperatively with a friend. Combat is a turn-based style this time around.
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
- Platform(s)
- PC, macOS
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
- Metascore
- 96
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Local Co-Op
- 1-2 Players
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Your comment has not been saved