Icewind Dale Expansion for Baldur's Gate 3: Unlock Crossworld Excitement!
Baldur's Gate 3 fans anticipate an exciting possibility of DLC set in Icewind Dale, as it holds great potential for enticing crossovers While unconfirmed, this icy region could serve as a captivating stage for new adventures in the game
Highlights
Baldur's Gate 3 has received positive reviews and could potentially have extensive DLC, though no solid plans have been revealed by developer Larian Studios.
A potential setting for DLC could be Icewind Dale, a region in the Forgotten Realms, due to its potential for crossover with previous games and books. One of the most probable crossovers in an Icewind Dale DLC would include the character Drizzt Do'Urden, who has a well-established history with the series and often revisits the region. It is also reasonable to expect the reappearance of other antagonists.
Earlier this year, Baldur's Gate 3 received widespread acclaim from both gamers and critics upon its official release. Despite some minor issues, it quickly gained recognition as one of the best-reviewed games of the year and a strong contender for multiple Game of the Year awards. Naturally, this has left many fans wondering if the game will receive any substantial DLC.
Following the game's launch, developer Larian Studios has issued several updates, including a significant second patch that introduced a new epilogue for the beloved character Karlach, with more updates in the pipeline. However, the developer has yet to disclose any concrete plans for DLC. Should they decide to expand the game, an enticing possibility could be the inclusion of a new area, specifically the Icewind Dale region, which holds great potential for crossover content.
What is Icewind Dale?
Icewind Dale, located in the subcontinent of Faerûn, is a region within the Dungeons and Dragons Forgotten Realms universe. Known for its harsh arctic environment, it is the northernmost explored and settled area on the subcontinent. The region is primarily inhabited by orcs and barbarian tribes, although there is some civilization in the form of Ten Towns. Ten Towns is a loose confederation of villages consisting of individuals from various races who often seek solace from their past. This setting has been widely utilized in Forgotten Realms-based stories.
Aside from being the backdrop for Dungeons and Dragons campaigns set in Icewind Dale, this territory has also been featured in numerous video games and books. Notably, developer Black Isle Studio created Icewind Dale and its sequel, Icewind Dale 2, following their work on Fallout 2. Furthermore, Icewind Dale is the residence of one of the most renowned characters in the Forgotten Realms, Drizzt Do'Urden. If Larian Studios were to incorporate Icewind Dale into any future Baldur's Gate 3 downloadable content, the potential for a crossover would be immense.
How Icewind Dale Could Set the Stage For Baldur's Gate 3 Crossovers
If the protagonists of Baldur's Gate 3 were to venture into Icewind Dale, the most obvious crossovers would involve the Black Isle Studios games or the presence of Drizzt Do'Urden. However, a major obstacle to these crossovers is the significant time gap of over a hundred years, which would inevitably result in substantial changes to the region. Furthermore, most unresolved plot points from the Icewind Dale games have already been addressed in other forms of media. Nevertheless, in the realm of Dungeons and Dragons, a century is not an extensive period for many races, and adversaries have a tendency to resurface despite their demise. Thus, it would not be unreasonable for an old enemy from those games to reemerge.
In terms of likelihood, a crossover involving Drizzt Do'Urden appears more feasible. The Drow character has previously appeared as an NPC in Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn, and throughout his journeys, he has amassed both allies and foes. Despite his extensive travels, he often finds himself returning to Icewind Dale for various reasons. Consequently, it wouldn't be far-fetched to speculate that the character might make a cameo appearance in an Icewind Dale DLC. However, whether a full-fledged storyline would revolve around the dark elf would largely depend on the plans that Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro have in mind for him.
The future plans for Larian Studios regarding the game and possible DLC are unknown at the moment. Fans have their own suggestions for where the hypothetical DLC could be set, including the Drow city of Menzoberranzan, which could be a potential location for Baldur's Gate 3. If the developers decide to send the protagonists to Icewind Dale, there could be significant opportunities for crossover. Baldur's Gate 3 is currently accessible on PC and PS5, with an upcoming version for Xbox Series X|S.
