Baldur’s Gate 3 Ending Suggests Official Length of the Story

Baldur’s Gate 3 remains a game that consistently surprises players with its vast array of decisions and paths, even years after its initial release. Gamers continue to uncover new aspects and interactions, keeping the experience fresh and engaging. One recent discovery could finally shine a light on the actual time span of Baldur’s Gate 3’s storyline within the game. While the actual length is determined by individual players’ decisions and ends, there’s always been curiosity about the canonical duration.

Some may argue that knowing the canonical length isn’t crucial to enjoying the game, and they might have a point. However, such trivia can add depth to certain scenes or pivotal moments. Understanding the timeline can allow players to approach their next playthrough with a different perspective, perhaps relishing quests slowly without the urge to rush or revisit older saves. Ultimately, it’s a harmless, intriguing piece of trivia that enhances community discussions about the game.

A new development has brought this intriguing fact to light, thanks to a player’s discovery of one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s possible endings. It all started when Reddit user u/TheImageworks shared an interesting voice line spoken by Withers. If players finish their run with the character Karlach passing on the docks, Withers says, “In but a dozen tendays, an entire life was lived. More than mortal years. Mortal centuries were hers.”

This revelation suggests the game spans “a dozen tendays,” which, when calculated, equates to about 120 days. Therefore, the time taken by the group of companions to save Faerun is canonically four months. If we divide this duration evenly across the game’s three Acts, each would take roughly forty days.

Although four months may seem extensive, considering the myriad challenges players overcome, this duration feels apt. Moreover, during this period, characters evolve from Level 1 to 12, which is impressive. Players keen on keeping things canonical might want to reconsider how often they use long rests in their playthroughs.

Naturally, players find that some quests consume more time in the game than others. Those centered around finding and searching can stretch over more sessions due to their complexity. Estimating how long various quests take within the 120-day timeframe provides a fun thought experiment.

One humorous comment on Reddit shared that 38 days were spent “checking basements for clown pelvises,” a nod to Act 3’s Dribbles the Clown quest. While this quest is known for its length, Act 2’s Trials of Shar is equally infamous for its difficulty. While some may enjoy the challenging puzzles, others find this core plot quest taxing, especially after multiple playthroughs.

In addition, travel time significantly contributes to the game’s canonical length. Loading screens and detours, like moving through the Shadow Cursed Lands as a diversion, extend the journey from Emerald Grove to Baldur’s Gate. Including other stops such as the Creche, Underdark, and Grymforge means the four-month period feels fitting, reflecting the vastness and adventure that Baldur’s Gate 3 offers.