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Warlock Won’t Have One of Baldur’s Gate 3’s Most Beloved D&D Mechanics
Invoke Studios has confirmed that Warlock, its upcoming Dungeons & Dragons video game, will not feature the romance mechanics that made Baldur's Gate 3 so popular. Studio head Dominic Guay told Polygon at Gamescom 2026 that protagonist Kaatri is too focused on her personal quest for romantic subplots, marking a deliberate departure from Larian Studios' approach to player-driven storytelling in its D&D adaptation.
Guay explained that although Warlock remains an open-world game, it follows a single, tightly written core story rather than Baldur's Gate 3's branching narrative. Kaatri will form a "found family" with companions such as the imp Skev, with these relationships deepening over time, but none will offer romance options. Guay said this narrower, more crafted structure allows for detailed cinematics and carefully paced story beats, and also means Warlock will be considerably shorter than a typical D&D campaign rather than spanning hundreds of hours.
In short
- Warlock will not include Baldur's Gate 3-style romance options
- Protagonist Kaatri's story is a single, focused narrative, not branching
- Game will be much shorter than a typical D&D campaign
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A focused story without romance can give Kaatri’s quest and her friendships more room to develop, while letting the studio shape a coherent, carefully paced narrative. A shorter game with detailed scenes may also feel more purposeful and approachable than a sprawling campaign.
The case against
Romance can be a meaningful form of player choice and a way to deepen bonds with companions, so omitting it may make those relationships feel less personal for some players. A tightly written, shorter story may also offer less narrative variety and replay value than a branching game that lets players shape relationships and outcomes.
Explained simply
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game in which players create characters, explore imagined worlds and make choices that shape an adventure. Its settings and rules have also inspired video games, including Baldur’s Gate 3, which lets players build relationships with companions and pursue romances.
Warlock is an upcoming game based on Dungeons & Dragons, made by Invoke Studios. Its central character, Kaatri, is joined by companions including an imp called Skev; their relationships are part of the story, but romance is not one of the options described.
The difference reflects two approaches to adapting role-playing games: one gives players many branching choices, while another follows a more tightly written story. That affects how players shape the plot and relationships, as well as the length and pacing of the game.