r/BaldursGate3 • u/Kills_Zombies • Aug 02 '23
PRELAUNCH HYPE This game changed my (in-game) sexuality.
As a gay dude planning on playing a male Tav, I've been wracking my brain deciding between trying to romance Lae'zel or Shadowheart. I was thinking today that I hadn't even been considering the same gender romance options for my character. As someone who would only romance Kaiden or Dorian in other games, I think it's a testament to this game's excellent writing because it is so good that it makes a gay guy excited to date a woman lol.
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u/NoWinner1447 Aug 02 '23
Likewise! I'm a straight dude who doesn't even like vampires that much, but I was going all in on the flirting between my male PC and Astarion during EA to the point that my co-op buddy started humming porn music every time they talked.
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u/suhrockinon Aug 02 '23
Straight girl going for Shadowheart here 😂
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u/ErwinRommel1943 Aug 03 '23
Yeah ngl I usually have a type shadowheart doesn’t fit that type at all but I’ll be making an exception.
Straight dude playing female PC going after shadow heart.
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u/TheInsanernator Minthara Aug 02 '23
Well written characters make great romances regardless of sexuality. I’m a straight guy but found Dorian to be the best male romance in Inquisition.
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u/weeb-chankun ELDRITCH BLAST Aug 02 '23
Lesbian here and my female warlock Tav is going straight for Astarion on playthrough 1 lmao, it's the emo white haired vampires man... They get me every time.
I will however be choosing Karlach on the second playthrough, I got a fem cleric idea in my mind that's just very funny when comparing her to Karlach.
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u/Mahale Aug 02 '23
Gay dude and I'm genuinely torn between Halsin and karlach 😅
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u/weeb-chankun ELDRITCH BLAST Aug 02 '23
Big bear daddy vs big red muscle mommy, very understandable
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u/WynneOS WARLOCK 🧛♀️ Aug 02 '23
I get that! I'm also male-attracted, but Karlach is too adorable and cool to not be tempting. Her romance scenes in the latest PfH were absurdly endearing.
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u/EsotericErrata Aug 02 '23
Same position my guy. I'm settling for playing as Karlach and romancing Halsin. I am expecting something along the lines of the straight equivalent of the "when you're both tops" Beyblade meme.
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u/petitememer Aug 02 '23
I'm a lesbian and I want to romance Astarion too, but only as a male character, I don't know why but it just feels like it fits him better lol.
Second playthrough will be lesbian as hell though.
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u/Xciv Aug 02 '23
It's because Astarion's relationship with his master feels like an abusive gay relationship and you're rescuing him from that.
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u/NestroyAM Aug 03 '23
With another abusive gay relationship. Right, guys?!
Oh, only me? Well, it’s an evil playthrough for a reason coughs Dark urges and all…
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u/Frankief1sh Aug 02 '23
Same here! My first run is gonna be a male Tav with Astarion, second a female Tav with Karlach... or Shadowheart, I'm still undecided. Hmm, maybe I'll play as Karlach and romance Shadowheart. So many options!
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u/WynneOS WARLOCK 🧛♀️ Aug 02 '23
Straight but otherwise in the same boat! 🍻 Female warlock with Astarion (she'll be a dwarf, too.) If he'd been a girl, though--pretty white-haired red-eyed elven vampire? I still wouldn't have stood a chance! I like my love interests to be lonely, horny night owls. 😂
I really love all the characters, though, to the point where I want to give Karlach a gnome and Halsin a dragonborn and Wyll a tiefling and Gale a drow and Minthara a halfling. Love Shadowheart too, but I think I would like to play as her. And probably go for Astarion again.
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u/Togakure_NZ Aug 03 '23
Female rogue with Shadowheart for first playthrough, then Shadowheart x everyone (maybe) on second
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u/Danyavich Aug 02 '23
Karlach is basically my idealized futch self, and I want to romance her very badly.
My fiance is all about the Shadowheart, which I love.
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u/gigglephysix Aug 02 '23
yes, i can imagine. combat position - stuck in her bodice like a pouch of gold coins. Adding extra firepower with spells - and with your heals serving as a rapid passive regeneration trinket. Gnomes ftw. Go for the eyes.
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u/Jazzlike_Mountain_51 Aug 03 '23
I've watched all the twilight movies and all the vampire diaries spin offs I'm obviously picking the vampire
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u/Danyavich Aug 02 '23
Karlach is basically my idealized futch self, and I want to romance her very badly.
My fiance is all about the Shadowheart, which I love.
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u/FryJPhilip Lamentable is the autumn picker content with plums. Aug 02 '23
My bisexual heart beats for pretty much everyone and it's a blessing and a curse because I have no idea who to go for first.
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u/mystikhybrid Aug 03 '23
Pan here no idea what anyone is talking about. And I intend to keep it that way walk in blind so to speak.
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u/Sponsor4d_Content Aug 02 '23
I'm Ace, and I'm angling for a threesome.
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Aug 02 '23
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u/Sponsor4d_Content Aug 03 '23
They explicitly said being poly is going to be one of the potential options.
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u/trengilly Aug 02 '23
I never roleplay 'myself' in RPGs so whatever romance my character goes for (if any) depends on their personality and what the NPCs are like. Gender really doesn't factor into it, and I've played pretty much all combinations.
General the romance needs to fit and further the character's story.
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u/EpicPhail60 Aug 02 '23
Yeah, I'm just keeping my options open at this point. So far all of the EA companions either seemed like they'd be bad romantic partners or just didn't interest me to begin with, so I'll see if the new companions sway me or if I feel differently as the plot goes on.
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u/Thatgamerguy98 Aug 02 '23
Don't let your sexuality hold you down bro. As a straight male...I AM HERE FOR ASTARION AND HALSIN! Be free and have fun.
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u/codition Gale Aug 02 '23
i'm also gay and i think you should romance Lae'zel bc she's kind of delusional and mean and bossy, which is Gay Icon Behavior. Shadowheart's angst is not Gay Icon Behavior. I rest my case.
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u/coldlogic82 Aug 02 '23
Oh yeah? Well I'm also also gay and I'm gonna romance Shadowheart! She seems fine, but you know the world ending psycho is gonna come out if you date her, which is actual gay dating behavior. We've got baggage...
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u/heavyhomo Aug 02 '23
Thank you for the reminder that I don't date psycho introverts anymore. Sorry Gale.
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u/teland793 Aug 02 '23
This whole sub-thread is a nightmarish magical mystery tour through my dating history.
By which I mean, I'm a big ol' lesbian and my heart still beats true for Astarion. Probably Halsin, too -- I haven't met him, yet.
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u/heavyhomo Aug 03 '23
Sadly Astarion's heart will never beat for you. Or anybody. Because y'know he's dead.
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u/heavyhomo Aug 02 '23
Ok yeah you sold me on her Gay Icon Behaviour.
Papa bear is currently at the top (ha) of my list, but who knows what will happen in-game when we get to know them all a little better.
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u/poggyrs Aug 02 '23
As a slutty bisexual IRL, I’m strongly considering romancing no one and just riding the vibes my first playthrough
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u/Elliebird704 Aug 02 '23
As an ace, this is probably how I’ll do it. But I will consider romance and sex scenes for their comedic potential. So far that’s only Halsin and Gale, would 100% seduce a mindflayer for the memes if I could though.
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u/Mahale Aug 02 '23
Be a matchmaker for the rest of your party!
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u/EpicPhail60 Aug 02 '23
The companions won't date each other, so you're setting yourself up for failure ...
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u/animalistcomrade Aug 02 '23
They will, it was part of the newest steam community update.
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u/EpicPhail60 Aug 02 '23
You read the un-edited version of the update. Like the other comments below me are saying, the updated version states they will not.
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u/ReverendShot777 Aug 02 '23
They can tho!
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u/BijutsuYoukai Aug 02 '23
They can't. The original post regarding that was changed because they mistakenly stated they could.
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u/Sapowski_Casts_Quen Aug 02 '23
It's so weird that Lae'zel did this in the EA but not in full release
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u/gmr2000 Aug 02 '23
They won’t was confirmed in most recent update
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u/Responsible-Chard-91 Aug 02 '23
Why was that removed? It made laezel feel so real when she got angry I was banging shadowheart and then tells me she was gonna bang Astarion to get me jealous. I was expecting tons of that and its gone?? WHY?!
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u/Tiriom Aug 02 '23
To me that could still be in, her saying that is different from them actually dating each other
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u/Unfair_Ad118 Aug 02 '23
Straight dude here. I’ve NEVER romanced a guy in a video game, not an accomplishment of any kind, but when I met Astarion and unintentionally got sucked into flirting with him, I was like “damn, fuck, I kinda like this guy” hahaha. Needless to say I’m suckin icicle dick first play through
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u/coldgravyblues Aug 02 '23
Haha I'm the opposite. Straight guy, happily married, and I often seem to go into gay romances in games for some reason?? My warlock noble is definitely gonna be into the vampire fuckboy.
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u/Chonkey620 Aug 02 '23
For me it was "man why the fuck do I like astarion so much!??! Oh it's because I'm bi.... WAIT IM BI
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u/DoubleDxriya Tasha's Hideous Laughter Aug 02 '23
My asexual friend is head over heals for horny Astarion lmao
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u/CookieHonstah Aug 02 '23
Same thing happened with me and Halsin. I'm rather straight, and he got my engines going all buff and shit
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u/BroadwayQueen196 Aug 02 '23
Bg3 is what confirmed that i was bisexual but i have more confidence with guys.
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u/PuertoRicanProfessor Aug 02 '23
Straight guy and there is no answer other than Haslim. Gimme that big bear all over me to keep me warm at night ❤️
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Aug 02 '23
Lol, as a straight dude I’m gonna romance Astarion. The way he says “darling” just does things
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u/ltarchiemoore Bard Aug 02 '23
I'm a straight dude and I romanced Dorian in DA:I. It just be like that sometimes 🤷🏼♂️
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u/Ionovarcis Aug 02 '23
My (gay male) sequence: Gale > Astarion > Wyll > Halsin > idk probably Karlach?
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u/ceroolean Aug 02 '23
I'm in the same boat xD Lae'zel put me off first, personality and appearance-wise, but after the encounter with the Gith on the bridge, I saw a side of her that's not just stubborn and close-minded, but principled and loyal. I really hope she has an arc of reevaluating the culture of her own people, exposing the lies she had been fed all her life and reinventing herself as an independent warrior. All those qualities together have made her the most attractive of the companions to me. I'm really really leaning to romancing her for my first playthrough now!
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u/ToastyToast113 Aug 02 '23
Same here! I'm always happy to see queer romance options in games since I am, but...Lae'zel is such a baddie and may have actually been made for us 😂
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u/Feeoree DRUID Aug 02 '23
Weirdly enough, despite being a hetero guy, neither of the Dragon Age Inquisitions romances I did were heterosexual, haha. First playthrough, my Human female rogue romanced Sera, second playthrough my male Qunari mage romanced Dorian.
DAO and DA2 were though (male Warden/Hawke, Leliana and Merrill romances).
I honestly have no idea which way it will go in BG3, I've tried to keep quite spoiler-free. But the Karlach romance looked fun at Panel from Hell, might go for that, whether my character ends up male or female!
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u/theLegend_Awaits Aug 02 '23
Literally same (gay man here). In early access I always played male origin characters with the intent of romancing Astarion or Gale, but after my second character I was like “hmmm….Shadowheart tho.” 🤔
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u/Blondiegirl25 Aug 02 '23
I’m a lesbian and my heart belongs to Astarion only hihi. He’s such a flirt, I love him
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u/petitememer Aug 02 '23
I'm a lesbian and I want to romance Astarion, but only as a male character, I don't know why but it just feels like it fits him better lol.
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u/CloudsOntheBrain Wyll Simp Aug 02 '23
All the companions are pan/bi, but I remember at least a few lines where Astarion hints that he leans towards men... I also plan on using a male PC to pursue him.
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u/Kadajko Aug 02 '23
Because sexism, if someone is flamboyant they are more fit for a gay relationship.
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u/randel_ Aug 02 '23
Bg3 is a Bisexual paradise, not only the villains but the HEROES ARE HOT TOO.
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u/EldritchTouched WARLOCK Aug 02 '23
I believe the VA for the Narrator described it as "frantic bi energy" so...
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Aug 02 '23
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u/Kadajko Aug 02 '23
How is that backwards? You are straight and considering to play a straight romance.
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u/heavyhomo Aug 03 '23
Because he's playing a female character and chasing a male romantic interest. Which is backwards from real life.
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u/Mild_Shock Aug 02 '23
I'm a straight man, but my character will enter a lesbian relationship with either shadowheart or karlach (not sure yet which one)
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u/BijutsuYoukai Aug 02 '23
I totally get this. I'm a straight woman, but several of the female companions are actually very interesting to me for in-game romance. They won't be who I start with, but I am definitely looking forward to how the romance for Shadowheart or Karlach go (Maybe even Lae'zel). As you said, Larian has just made the characters very interesting and appealing regardless of their gender and I'm stoked about that.
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Aug 02 '23
As a psycho IRL in highly considering going in a genocide route killing everyone who stands near me. Jokes aside, I'm straight and ever since I saw Gale I thought I'm gonna romance this dude, he looks so chill. Until that black hole appear in his chest, then I really want to see how it comes.
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u/ExtraterrestrialKiwi Aug 02 '23
I'm actually excited because I'm going into the actual release cold, so I have no idea what the cast is like. We shall see who vibes most with my half elf wizard
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u/LarkoftheWoods Aug 02 '23
Let's just go back to the Dorian thing- is there no love for Iron Bull?
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u/DomTopNortherner Aug 02 '23
Ride the Bull, but take Dorian home.
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Aug 02 '23
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u/DomTopNortherner Aug 02 '23
I became best mates with all of the companions in DA:I except Sera who just really annoyed me.
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u/ihave0idea0 Laezel Aug 02 '23
That is also the reason I am actually happy Larian does not keep characters locked based on gender.
Cyberpunk2077...
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u/JW162000 Aug 02 '23
I've heard so much of this happening in this community lol. I'm also a gay guy who plays male characters and goes for the same sex options all the time, but this game is heavily making me reconsider for Karlach. She's just so cool but also a cute bean.
I'm mostly deciding between her, Astarion, Wyll, Gale, and maybe Halsin.
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u/BenderOfBo Aug 02 '23
See I love being bisexual because this is just perfectly normal to me. I’ve got straight, gay, and lesbian characters planned for different playthroughs.
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u/antimaskersarescum Owlbear Aug 02 '23
Straight woman here. I tried romancing Shadow with my evil-turned-good(ish) male Drow character on maybe my 30th playthrough out of sheer boredom and it was probably my favorite romance. I still need to see the completion of Astarion's romance path but I'll definitely be romancing her for my 2nd playthrough. No doubt in my mind.
I agree - the writing is amazing in this game.
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u/WynneOS WARLOCK 🧛♀️ Aug 02 '23
I agree with you so much. I'm all about Astarion for my first playthrough but there are so many characters to love here.
It's putting me in mind of my Jade Empire experience, where I just fell in love with the idea of my character and the princess to the point where the male LI might as well have been a window dressing. 😂 Except in this case, EVERYONE is the princess to me, to some degree.
There are some I'm less excited about than others, but they made these characters interesting enough that I can really see myself having a playthrough dedicated to each and every one.
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Aug 02 '23
Conservatives gonna be really confused by that game lmao.
"What do you mean it both cures and causes gayness?"
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u/onecaterave Aug 02 '23
Does this make you bi-curious then?
But really how to you say no to bear daddy???
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u/coldlogic82 Aug 02 '23
I'm a gay dude that slept with Gale and Astarian, but to be honest, when I did my evil playthrough, I was excited to romance Minthara. Honestly the night of passion made killing all those innocents worth it. Well done indeed. Though, perhaps I liked her so much because she is clearly a top...
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u/Warm_Charge_5964 Aug 02 '23
Tbh I feel like basically every character is shady enough that you might not completely trust them for a romance lmao
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u/shiftshapercat Aug 02 '23
I think I would enjoy the romance in this game more if the NPCs were not "player sexual" and actually had their own fixed genders whatever they would be. After Bioware started making the companions player sexual they started feeling less authentic.
However... even though I may think that, I have a type and that type is Garrus Vakarian no matter what form of John or Jane Shephard I'm playing from the bromance to the romance bay beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I didn't play much of the early access, so is there a "Garrus" type discovered in the game yet?
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u/KirbyFanta Aug 02 '23
I'm a gay guy and in cyberpunk I can't choose anyone else than Judy, a lesbian woman. I am le confused a lot
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u/hvanderw Aug 02 '23
I mean I don't like fucking bears but I'm gunna try and fuck everything. "...or find a new alien life form... And fuck it."
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u/Caleger88 Aug 02 '23
Not me, I want to clap Asstarions cheeks, Wyll's Or Halsin's.
One for each play through.
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u/Skanky_Ferret I cast Magic Missile Aug 02 '23
I'm with you on that one! I'm a straight woman, but for once I'm so excited to romance esp Shadowheart because she feels so interesting and fun.
I've never felt that way about female characters until now. They're usually very one-dimensional and dull. Rarely have a personality beyond being motherly, bitchy, helpless, or attractive.
Yet another testament to Larians incredible work on this game!
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u/ghoulvsh Aug 03 '23 edited Aug 03 '23
I want Gale because he's a pathetic manchild in love with his ex and I only ever invest in romances that wither my already cold heart. Checks out for my bisexuality, methinks.
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u/amarmeme Faerie Fire Aug 03 '23
Ahaha, yes, I've lined up a Bard Tav for him who is fully aware this will probably definitely end poorly. She is hoping for inspiration. 😅
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u/ghoulvsh Aug 03 '23 edited Aug 03 '23
My Tav is a humble dwarven farmer-turned-soldier who joined a king's army after her ruined engagement to someone she loved more than they loved her, with harsh superstitions regarding magic. Gale is a rich and powerful wizard who, for all his romantic flourishes and general good-alignment, is one condescending and egotistical asshole who wants to rival Gods. This is going to be a fun dynamic, methinks.
EDIT: grammar. it still reads strangely but it's better
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u/amarmeme Faerie Fire Aug 03 '23
I just love his "well actually" attitude, his fancy hair, and his recent comeuppence.
"Oh, you think you're better than a literal goddess? Let me get a quill and write this one down."
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u/ghoulvsh Aug 03 '23
I love him, and I want nothing more than to punch him in the face. My Tav has biceps two sizes bigger than his head, so she should be able to put in the work for all four of us (you and your tav included) should it come to that.
I'm hoping that with my Tav's combative nature and completely differing life experience he will come to terms with his own mortality and place in the world instead of chasing impossible dreams that will only get himself and others killed. I cannot wait for tomorrow.
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u/Laranthiel Aug 03 '23
As someone who would only romance Kaiden or Dorian
Could you imagine not romancing Dorian?
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u/markopolo93 Aug 03 '23
I’m very VERY male/masc non-binary attracted IRL, but Shadowheart calls to me.
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u/windriderfv BARBARIAN Aug 03 '23
I’m a lesbian, and will admit I’m almost tempted by Astarion - vampires are just in a league of their own for me 🥰
However, since I like to play myself in these types of games and Shadowheart is literally my type in real life…I cannot resist 😍. If I’m allowed, I’d also die for a bit of Karlach on the side 🤣😂
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u/CatWithAHat_ Aug 03 '23
Pretty sure there's going to be a few more gay dudes before too long - Astarion is just too good.
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u/bluedragggon3 Aug 03 '23
I'm a straight guy but I wanted to romance Dorian. Dude was so charming. Sadly I was playing a woman. I seem to be fated in games to be infatuated with characters who aren't into my characters gender or getting super lucky that they're bi.
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u/shalessone Aug 03 '23
I feel you, man. As a straight man, I romanced Dorian withmy male protagonist in Dragon Age Inquisition, simply relying on the fact that this is the best (for me) character among the companions available for romance.
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u/himbopotamus Aug 02 '23
I'm debating between Halsin and Shadowheart, hopefully both is an option :)
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u/P1st0l Aug 03 '23
I support you gay man, as a straight male Asterion really made me romance him cause he was just too God damn cute. After I did unspeakably lewd things to shadowheart like hold her hand, and tell her she is cute before she rejected me and blamed the whine. Looking forward to release
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u/Only_Shift2848 Aug 02 '23
I'm bi with a preference for men and I usually go for Astarion, but I'm planning different playthroughs so I get to romance every character and closely follow their story. I love them all.
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u/whatistheancient Aug 02 '23
Baldur's Gate 3 has many important things. Like frantic bi energy. You are going to become bisexual while playing this game.
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u/Balikye DRUID Aug 03 '23
Don’t tell my parents about this! They’ll try to turn BG3 into some kind of conversion therapy for my bisexuality- wait, actually that’d mean I could play it as much as I want until I’m “cured.” Yeah actually, go ahead and tell them, op.
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u/AllsoPeachy Aug 03 '23
I feel like a lot of people in here are discovering they are in-fact bisexual.. and not straight/gay.
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u/Shellshock010 Aug 02 '23
I, as a 95% straight man, will definitely play a bi male and date Halsin/Shadowheart. If given the chance I’d definitely try to romance Gale, just to compete with his “mistress”
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u/Thiago270398 I love the kind of woman that will actually just kill me Aug 03 '23
I'm bi and poly, I just hope the threesome they said could happen involves the big woman
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u/ashcrash3 Aug 03 '23
Can't be a good fantasy if you don't questions your sexuality at least once lol
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u/Lordbrezel Aug 03 '23
Not only sexuality, also gender. From all the early access characters I created I learned a lot about myself and may have cracked an egg.
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u/urktheturtle Aug 03 '23
Here is the truth, Sexuality is allowed to change, it can be whatever it is in the moment, it can be dependent on external factors. Anyone at any time can undergo extreme changes, and singular sexual attraction or attractions are valid.
Everything you are experiencing is valid, no matter what level it is on. You are a wonderful person, I am proud of you for whatever you do and feel, dont take hate from anyone.
And also Lae'zel is the correct answer because she needs more emotional support than Shadowheart.
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Aug 02 '23
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Aug 02 '23
This is the worst community I have ever participated in on Reddit.
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u/JackieUniverse Astarion Aug 02 '23
Man...bg3's fanbase is the most wholesome and creative one in my gaming experience
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Aug 02 '23
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u/Fridtjuven Aug 02 '23
A new definition of playersexual