It’s quite common knowledge that a lot of content was cut fromBaldur’s Gate 3. Players still mourn the loss of wider Avernus, the Upper City, and a truly happy ending for Karlach.
Much of this content was never fully developed, and there’s little to no trace of it in the game’s files. However, there is one exception: a fully voiced and animated cutscene that, for reasons unknown, was never officially released. Had it remained in the game, it might have beenBG3’sstrangest - and most unforgettable - conversation.
Karlach Has A Hilarious Fully Voiced And Animated Unused Cutscene
Larian Almost Allowed Karlach To Break The Fourth Wall
As seen in full detail in a video uploaded byChubbloton YouTube,Karlach has a complete, unused cutscene that would be absolutely terrifying to witness for the first time.She asks Tav if she can use a “technique” on them that she learned from Zariel’s clerics to elicit the truth from others. If they accept, Karlach will eerily turn away from Tav to stare the player directly in the eyes.
“I can see it, you know. The grand design. It isn’t what we think. It’sus.” - Karlach
Karlach then interrogates the player with a series of questions, even asking for their real name - not the name of their avatar. After asking them how they’re feeling, she appears to begin to gain self-awareness. It turns out that looking into the player’s soul reveals some uncomfortable truths to her.
The conversation even has unique class dialogue - as a cleric, you’ll be able to discuss the gods with Karlach.
The scene descends into chaos asKarlach becomes gradually more aware of the fact that she’s in a videogame, further questioning the player about anypast campaigns they’ve completed. She concludes by asking if they’re having fun, and will be overjoyed if they say they are.
Strangely, Many Have Reported Witnessing The Impossible Cutscene
No One Has Actually Proved That You Can Trigger The Conversation In The Base Game
Something especially odd about this cutscene is that a fair number of players have reported triggering it in past playthroughs,but there’s no proof that it was ever naturally discoverable. This may have been due toglitches that hadn’t been fixedwhen the game first came out, but it’s certainly strange that nobody has been able to prove that they had it happen organically.
However,Karlach’s apparent fourth-wall-breaking abilities aren’t unique to just this cutscene. There are multiple smaller instances where she seems to have vague knowledge of things outside the game, or knows a suspicious amount about the progression system.
Her line, “it’s a bit too early in the game to be getting into tragic backstories,” after defeating the paladins of Tyr may have been intended to be a nod to her breaking the fourth wall later on.It’s possible that this sequence was initially intended to be some kind of survey,or just a small nod from Larian to say that they’re glad players are enjoying their game.
If You Want To Experience The Scene For Yourself, Modders Have Uncovered The Files
You Still Can’t Trigger It Naturally, But A Nexus Modder Has The Next Best Thing
If you’re disappointed that you weren’t among the apparent few lucky people who managed to see the cutscene in the early stages of release, there is a mod on Nexus uploaded by userSiaellthat allows you to witness it for yourself.
Despite this, you still can’t have it occur as it was probably intended, andyou’ll need to have Karlach drink a special potionthat will be added to the Emperor’s hideout or Zhentarim stash.
I can understand why something like this wasn’t included in the final game, since it has some unnerving implications about one ofBG3’s kindest companions, but if players were able to trigger it randomly, it would create some hilarious moments. Onefun dialogue sequencedoesn’t take away from any of the story inBaldur’s Gate 3, and keeping it in the game would’ve made fans love Karlach even more.
