Baldur's Gate 3's now lets you change your name thanks to Hotfix #9

It's sometimes surprising just how much creativity can accomplish in , but it's also possible for a unique strategy to be just a little bit too effective. Some classic tricks can be a little silly, like tossing a bundle of rope onto a poison vent to block it completely, but justify their inclusion by adding to the fun of strategizing and exploring mechanics. However, one major plot point can be completely derailed by employing an unusual technique that has the unexpected capability to pull the wool over the eyes of an actual deity.

Players may eventually stumble upon Akabi’s Wheel at the Circus of the Last Days in when they start exploring the initial area of Act 3. The carnival-like event in Rivington is a large show with several attractions, including the Zethino love test in , which can increase the player’s romance reputation with their desired companion character. Within the special area, which needs to be accessed through the main gate after some careful inspection or by lockpicking a side gate, players may encounter a djinni called Akabi, who is supervising a special wheel that can be spun for prizes.

Artifact, the news aggregation platform developed by Instagram's co-founders, has been getting more and more features lately powered by artificial intelligence (AI). On September 13, a new feature called Links was announced that allows users to post links and view a more personalized feed based on their interests. At the Code Conference, the platform also rolled out the feature that lets users create posts, with the aim of making Artifact a place for much more than just reading the latest headlines. Now, its cofounders have announced that Artifact is introducing the ability to share recommended places.

There are many purported cures for the tadpole parasites that plague the party in , and one of those is the bard Volo's experimental surgery. Players are liable to first meet Volo in the Emerald Grove, where he's interviewing a druid in Wild Shape about the recent goblin-tiefling conflicts. He twists their words to craft an exaggerated account of their recent battle, before disappearing from the grove. As it turns out, Volo's been kidnapped by goblins and forced to perform odes to their leader Dror Ragzlin. The party needs to rescue him if they want to see more of the blustering bard.

is full of difficult challenges, not the least of which are its wide variety of puzzles. Whether they're related to opening doors, completing quests, or just getting a little extra loot, punishing trials often stand between the party and whatever it is they want. While these are most often combat challenges, in battles against bloodthirsty goblins or well-equipped Flaming Fists, sometimes these obstacles challenge brain instead of brawn.

Thrumbo, an oddly-named zombie, can be either friend or foe to the party. In order to meet him, they'll first have to get through Wyrm's Rock Fortress and into the Lower City of Baldur's Gate. Once inside, they may spy the majesty of Philgrave's Mansion. Knock on the door (or sneak through the hole in the back), and Mystic Carrion will offer a cold greeting. He's an undead mummy, and he operates a fine little shop with some great gear for spellcasters. But more importantly, he needs the party to find his lost thrall. In return, he promises a magic item.

As part of a late-game quest in , players can decide either to join the murderous Church of Bhaal or to defy it. This takes place during their introduction to Sarevok, one of the Church's leaders and a recurring antagonist from earlier titles. The party first meets him at the conclusion of the "" quest line. In it, players collaborate with the hollyphant Investigator Valeria, helping to solve a series of mysterious killings around the outskirts of Baldur's Gate. They eventually discover a list of targets, and Valeria urges them to enter Wyrm Rock Fortress and the city proper to continue their inquiry.

By Jay Peters, a news editor who writes about technology, video games, and virtual worlds. He’s submitted several accepted emoji proposals to the Unicode Consortium.

A funny story about me: I did not know that “Tav” was the default name for the player character in Baldur’s Gate 3. I thought, like in other role-playing games I’ve played, it was a randomly generated name. “Tav,” I thought when I saw it, “not bad for a random name generator.” Then I found out lots of other people have Tavs, and learned the truth: I wasn’t impressed by a random selection; I had settled for vanilla. Mortifying, honestly.

Baldur’s Gate 3 patch notes have arrived for BG3 hotfix 9, and this latest update to Larian Studios’ chart-topping Dungeons and Dragons RPG includes some very welcome additions. You’ll now be able to change names at the Magic Mirror, if you decide your Tav’s chosen one no longer feels right, and you can even create custom looks for your hirelings to create the party of your dreams.

Baldur's Gate 3 hotfix nine is officially here, and it'll let you create an army of messed up Hirelings.

Thisobald Thorm has a memorable presence in Act 2 of , but deciding on the best way to deal with him isn't always easy. The Shadow-Cursed Lands of Act 2 are full of looming darkness and threatening encounters, but a few semi-abandoned locations play host to possibly more peaceful encounters. One of these is the Waning Moon, an old brewery currently occupied by a monstrous barkeep and a variety of ghouls. This barkeep is a strange, Frankenstein-like creature who can seem intimidating, but it's possible to initiate a conversation with Thisobald Thorm without pulling out a blade.