Baldur's Gate 3's gameplay just got a lot more intense with the new Honour Mode difficulty setting. It's even more challenging than the already tough Tactician level!
This mode promises tougher enemies, smarter AI, and just one save file allowed. So, make sure you're ready to face the challenge!
Any misstep or failure means facing dire consequences or starting from scratch, making it a difficult test for even the most seasoned players.
However, successfully navigating this mode rewards players with an achievement and coveted golden dice, adding an extra layer of enticement to the challenge.
Rare Achievement Unlocked
Not many players have been able to conquer Honour Mode, which is quite evident from the numbers. Just a small 0.1 percent have achieved this challenging mode and get the Foehammer trophy, which is a big deal.
This achievement holds true on different platforms, such as Steam and PlayStation, and it takes a lot of skill and determination to attain. If you want to get a complete 100 percent in Baldur's Gate 3 on Steam, you must overcome this most difficult challenge.
On PlayStation, a mere 127 players have emerged victorious in Honour Mode, while on Xbox, only 16 have managed to do so within a short span of 11 days.
In comparison, completion rates on the slightly less challenging Tactician mode stand at 2.5 percent on Steam and 0.8 percent on PlayStation, highlighting the immense difficulty disparity between the two modes.
Speedrunning Strategies and Sudden Endings
Interestingly, speedrunner Chronos remarkably skimmed through Honour Mode in less than an hour, showcasing an unconventional approach. However, a careful and deliberate strategy seems more prudent for most players.
Rushing through this mode might lead to comically sudden endings, such as neglecting important quest lines or making wrong choices, resulting in irreversible consequences like immediate death or unwinnable situations.
These instances are watchful tales, highlighting the careful planning and attention to detail required to survive in Honour Mode.
Challenges and the Ultimate Achievement
Attempting to exploit shortcuts or choosing an early conclusion, like blowing up the Absolute with Gale in Act 2, doesn’t guarantee success.
While these strategies might offer an ending, they strip away the recognition of achievement and send players back to square one. Thus, overcoming Honour Mode without compromise remains the ultimate feat in Baldur's Gate 3 gameplay, demonstrating skill and perseverance.
Permanent Death and the Ultimate Test
The concept of permanent death in a role-playing game raises exciting questions about the human psyche's willingness to endure such challenges.
Choosing to risk losing progress and investment in a story-driven experience might seem unnatural, yet the attraction lies in the ultimate test it presents to players. In games like Baldur's Gate 3, permanent death mode brings a unique thrill and a heightened sense of achievement.
Refinement in Difficulty
Implementing permadeath in Baldur's Gate 3 finds its roots in the precedent set by Larian's Divinity: Original Sin series.
While initially intimidating, those games' refined turn-based combat system provides a fair and calculated environment where player decisions are paramount. Failure becomes a learning curve, making success taste even sweeter.
However, in the latest version of Honour Mode, Baldur's Gate 3 developers have upped the stake, intensifying the challenge and keeping players on their toes.