Players of Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) have recently discovered a method to create powerful child armies, a development that raises ethical questions amidst the excitement. Although the game was released over two years ago and its developer, Larian Studios, has stopped significant content updates, the community continues to explore and exploit its mechanics in creative ways. This new strategy, highlighted by Morgana Evelyn in a YouTube short titled “Child Labour is Unbeatable,” has garnered attention for its controversial premise.
The approach involves a specific combination of game mechanics, allowing players to recruit child characters as combatants. To execute this strategy, players must utilize a level 7 Companion character equipped with the Dominate Beast and Polymorph spells. Players select a child character, transform them into a sheep using Polymorph, and then use Dominate Beast to gain control. The next steps require the player to return to their camp, manage spell timing, and re-recruit the transformed character, resulting in a child follower who is essentially invulnerable in battle.
This unconventional tactic raises significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding the portrayal of children in video games. The German media laws, specifically the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle, play a crucial role in this context. These regulations mandate that digital content must be age-appropriate and prohibit exposure to material that could harm children’s development. Among the prohibited content is any depiction of “serious physical or mental suffering in a manner that violates human dignity.” This legal framework explains why the game developers designed children in BG3 to be unkillable, a decision that inadvertently makes them formidable in combat situations.
In 2024, Steam began enforcing rating requirements for its German store, which further fueled discussions around the portrayal of children in video games. The unique mechanics in BG3 allow child characters to bypass normal combat rules, giving them an advantage in battle. These child combatants can engage in unlimited attacks since they do not follow the game’s combat initiative order, making them a powerful asset for players who master this exploit.
While the ethical implications of using children as combatants in a game can be troubling, the tactical advantages offered by this method are undeniable. Players are captivated by the challenge of harnessing the game’s mechanics to create an effective and unconventional fighting force. As the gaming community continues to explore the boundaries of BG3, the debate surrounding the appropriateness of such strategies will likely persist.
