Baldur’s Gate 3 ‘Versus Mode’ Mod Offers a Game Master Experience

Baldur’s Gate 3: Missing the Game Master Mode

Baldur’s Gate 3 has made a significant mark in the gaming community, surpassing its predecessor, Divinity: Original Sin 2, in nearly every aspect. However, one crucial feature fans sorely miss is the absence of a Game Master mode. In Divinity: Original Sin 2, this mode enabled Game Masters—akin to Dungeon Masters in traditional tabletop RPGs—to craft unique adventures and quests, immersing players in a captivating pen-and-paper experience.

Considering that Baldur’s Gate 3 is developed under the Dungeons & Dragons license, many anticipated the inclusion of a similar feature. Yet, Larian Studios’ CEO and Game Director, Swen Vincke, revealed that implementing such a mode would require extensive resources and time. Given the vast scope of Baldur’s Gate 3—larger even than Divinity: Original Sin 2—this feature was ultimately left out.

Introducing Versus Mode

Despite this setback, there is a silver lining. Approximately a year ago, Larian released modding tools, empowering the community to enhance their gameplay experiences. Recently, a modder known as 786r786 introduced a ‘Versus Mode, ’ available on both Nexus Mods and mod.io. While this mod is not as comprehensive as the Game Master mode seen in Divinity: Original Sin 2, it does offer an engaging alternative.

In Versus Mode, the session host can take charge of controlling the monsters. When it’s an enemy’s turn, control of that enemy shifts to the host player, enabling a direct confrontation between players and creatures. To utilize this feature, players simply need to click on the blue enemy portraits at the start of their turn:

When an enemy's turn starts, the game gives control to the host player allowing players to fight against each other by controlling enemies. Make sure to click the blue enemy portraits at the start of their turn to actually control them.

Future Prospects for Game Master Features

While the Versus Mode is a commendable effort, many hope for its expansion to evolve into something that mirrors the Game Master experience found in Divinity: Original Sin 2. With the modding community’s creativity and Larian’s commitment to its fan base, there is potential for exciting developments in the future.

As the landscape of Baldur’s Gate 3 continues to grow, players remain eager for new features that enhance their gameplay and storytelling experiences, reaffirming the rich legacy of tabletop role-playing games.

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