There are a few memorable dungeons to explore inBaldur’s Gate 3, and one of the most notable (and divisive) is the Gauntlet of Shar, found in Act Two. As players progress through the Gauntlet, they must face a series of trials, including the challenging Self-Same Trial, where the party battles mirror versions of themselves. This classic RPG trope has been used in many games, butBaldur’s Gate 3puts a new twist on it, forcing players to fight their counterparts strategically. Each mirror copy is a reflection of the player’s party, making it a true test of how well players know their own builds.
The challenge in the Gauntlet of Shar also comeswith a clever mechanic—players are penalized if they damage a mirror copy that isn’t their own. This adds complexity and forces tactical planning. If one mirror version falls, its counterpart is free to help the rest of the team, pushing players to act quickly while managing the pressure of mirrored abilities that might outsmart them. It’s an encounter that challenges players' tactical skills while showing off Larian Studios’ intelligent AI design.
Why Baldur’s Gate 3’s Mirror Fight Stands Out
TheBaldur’s Gate 3Self-Same Trial highlights the depth and complexity of character builds. Players face not just enemies but themselves, which tests how well they can handle the full range of their characters' abilities. In many cases, the mirror versions of party membersuse strategies the Baldur’s Gate 3 playermay have overlooked, providing an added layer of surprise and difficulty. For example, players reported that their mirror counterparts often utilized sneak attacks, spell stacking, or clever item usage that hadn’t occurred to them in their original gameplay.
This sense of challenge is heightened by the dungeon’s context, where players must already be wary of resource management and combat strategy. Facing a clone that mimics their abilities turns the fight into a mirror match in the truest sense.
What Baldur’s Gate 4 Should Do Next
IfBaldur’s Gate 4includes another mirror battle, it will need to raise the stakes. While the Self-Same Trial was effective, it worked within the confines of the Gauntlet of Shar, a series of challenges that took place one after another. For a future encounter inBaldur’s Gate 4, a mirror battle could stand on its own, outside of a multi-trial gauntlet, giving players more space to focus on the mechanics without being distracted by additional objectives.
One area where the next game could improve is by refining how these copies reflect a player’s choices, especially in multiclass builds. Some players noted that their mirrors had access to different abilities than they did, suggesting room for improvement in accurately mirroring the full complexity of characters. Additionally, perhaps a bit controversial, butBaldur’s Gate 4could remove the ability to cheese the battle by penalizing players who remove gear to get an advantage.
Another potential enhancement is the emotional impact of facing a mirror version at a pivotal moment in the narrative. InBaldur’s Gate 3, the fight is tied to the broader context of the Gauntlet, and acts as part ofShadowhearts’ overall narrative, but in future games, this could happen at a personal turning point for the characters, making the encounter feel more significant beyond just gameplay mechanics.
Raising the Bar for the Mirror Battle
Baldur’s Gate 4has a high bar to clearif it includes a mirror battle. The Self-Same Trial inBaldur’s Gate 3was an incredibly well-executed encounter that combined tactical depth with intelligent design. The challenge for future games is to not just replicate the success of the previous fight but to push it further. With the right approach,Baldur’s Gate 4could cement the mirror battle as one of the definitive moments in the pending RPG experience.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
