Despite the immense success ofBaldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios has decided not to make a sequel to its most successful title ever. Still, Wizards of the Coast clearly want to capitalize on the amazing return of theBaldur’s Gateseries and a sequel looks like it is bound to happen at some point. A potentialBaldur’s Gate 4will have to come from a different studio with CRPG pedigree if Wizards wants to move forward with the IP, but the question of what system should be used is another that needs to be answered.
It’s no secret that Wizards of the Coast is trying to prepare and push its newD&D2024ruleset. This new version ofD&Dwill be unlike any other that has come before, including backwards compatibility with 5e, currently the most popular version of the TTRPG. With Wizards of the Coast pushing for this to be theD&Dedition that most people use from now on, it could also potentially be used for a futureBaldur’s Gate 4, if it is ever made.
Pros Of Baldur’s Gate 4 Using D&D2024 Rules
News Systems Like Bastions Could Be In BG4
Baldur’s Gatehas historically used the current edition ofD&Dat the point of its development, with the first two titles using the Second Edition and the third using the Fifth Edition. UsingD&D 2024would be in keeping with this if production starts during its tenure, although this will depend on the studio. It makes logical sense to push the most modernD&Dedition with the next bigDungeons and Dragonsgame and is in line with Wizards' objectives with the latest edition.
Obsidian has been mentioned by fans as aworthy alternative to Larian forBG4, due to its work with other, Infinity Engine-style CRPGs likePillars of EternityandTyranny.
There are some mechanics inBG3that weren’t in 5e but have found their way intoD&D 2024. An exampleis specific attacks that depend on the weapon being used, althoughBG3andD&D 2024’s approach to this is quite different. Still, it already shows that some of the ideas inD&D 2024will work in a video game format.
IfBG4comes relatively recently, at least compared to the gap betweenBG2andBG3, the backward compatibility and'5e but more' design mentality ofD&D 2024could make it the perfect version for a newBaldur’s Gategame. If the new studio taking overBaldur’s Gate 4is something like Obsidian Entertainment, which makes sense with their work with CRPGs, then some new mechanics inD&D 2024can be taken advantage of, such as thenew Bastion system.
Pillars of Eternity, an Obsidian Entertainment CRPG series, has used hubs in the past. And withD&Dnow having rules for a home base for players,this could be used as something new and different toBG3’s camp system, since Wizards can’t just do the same thing again with a newBGtitle.
Cons of Baldur’s Gate 4 Using D&D 2024
The Name Alone Could Prove To Be A Problem
D&D 2024isn’t the best name for the new version,especially considering that it was once known asOne D&D, which makes more logistical sense.BG3took six years to develop, and although it was delayed because of a worldwide pandemic and the war in Ukraine, this doesn’t mean that anotherBaldur’s Gategame won’t take at least another four years to make, at the very least. By the time it comes out, it could be close to 2030, and using a system calledD&D 2024could be confusing for players.
TheD&D 2024 Player’s Handbookwas releasedon August 23, 2025.
D&D 2024is meant to be 5e but more; however, Larian had issues with including some parts of the Fifth Edition. Themax level was capped at 12to avoid 7th level spells. IfD&D 2024’s mentality of being a more extreme and fun version of 5e is carried over, it could prove an issue forBG4’s development.
D&D 2024is backwards compatible anyway, and it has been proven that 5e already works for a CRPGwith all the success thatBaldur’s Gate 3and Larian Studios have brought, so it could be safer to stick with 5e.
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D&D 2024’s general popularity remains to be seen, given that the newPlayer’s Handbookhas only just come out.If 5e is still the more popular version ofD&Dby the time thatBaldur’s Gate 4’s production begins, then it might not make sense to useD&D 2024. Although not quite the same,BG2did come out a few months afterD&D3e’sPlayer’s Handbook,so it isn’t as though the games always use the current version ofD&Don release, even if they tend to during development.
D&D 2024 Is Too New To Give Proper Judgment
It Could Be As Loved As 5e Or As Hated As 4e
Two major factors that will likely determine the rulesBaldur’s Gate 4ultimately decides on. It will depend on the studio that is chosen, since it will likely be the main creative driver behind the project, and the general reception ofD&D 2024. In theory,it isn’t a vast departure from 5e, so this new version should be a safe bet, but because there aren’t as many changes as 4e to 5e, for instance, it could just be easier to stick with the tried and tested 5e if Wizards of the Coast want to go with the safe route.
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D&D 2024does have a lot of the rules fromTasha’s Cauldron of Everythingand adds them to its base rule set, butBG3chose not to include these rules for the most part. This is largely due to when production began forBG3, although the changes that it has compared to 5e’sPlayers Handbook, particularly with its character creation, show that if Larian thought something else was a good idea, they would include it. The new attacks for specific weapon types are another example of this.
Ultimately, it will depend on what direction Wizards of the Coast will want to go withBaldur’s Gate 4and who will take the reins from Larian. It could be a studio like Obsidian Entertainment or even Owlcat Games, and it could see a return to the more classic RTS style CRPG that the first twoBGgames used.IfD&D 2024becomes a massive success and the go-to version of the game moving forward, then using it forBG4is a no-brainer. If not, then it would put Wizards of the Coast in an awkward spot regarding the future of theBaldur’s Gateseries.
