Why Are Some People Concerned About Anti-Tiefling Racism In 'Baldur's Gate 3'? The Controversy Explained

The release of the new Dungeons and Dragons game, Baldur's Gate 3, has led to many new gamers being introduced to a D&D universe deep with history and lore. Baldur's Gate allows players to customize their players to every minute degree, from the color of their skin to their private parts, on top of giving players the chance to choose their in-game species.

But some new players being introduced to the D&D universe for the first have come to realize that in-game racism toward some species might be more than they were prepared to deal with. Here's a refresher on the half-demon "Tiefling" race that suffers some pretty brutal "speciesm" in the game, and how some people reacted to learning that playing as a Tiefling is tougher than one might think.

What Are 'Tieflings' In Dungeons & Dragons Lore?

Tieflings are a species of half-demon, half-human creatures that are typically considered to be ontologically evil in the universe of Baldur's Gate 3. Tieflings emerged from a pact made between humans and Asmodeus, "overlord of the Nine Hells," in exchange for enhanced power, and they reflect this lineage in their chaotic tendencies.

Like many D&D halfbreeds, Tieflings have no culture or nation to call their own, and they typically survive as superfluous outsiders in society. Some Tieflings choose to embrace their demonic side while others repress it, but they seem to face universal prejudice at the hands of most other races.

What Are Some Discussions People Had About Tieflings In 'Baldur's Gate'?

An X user posted about their experience playing Baldur's Gate 3 soon after the game's release, commenting on how their decision to play as a Tiefling hit on some uncomfortable, too-close-to-home feelings. The speciesm shown by various characters toward Tiefling is not unlike the kind of racism one may experience as a minority in the real world, and seeing it play out the way it did felt jarring for the X user.

The X user went on to praise the game and clarified that the topic of racism was not mishandled by the creators of the game. More so, the player was trying to discuss how accurate the in-game racism felt to their own experiences. However, the creator still received criticism and pushback from other D&D fans who thought that it was silly to play as a Tiefling and be surprised at being discriminated against.

Another player showed one possible response you can have as a pro-Tiefling hero in the game — taking the chance to deck the racist.

For the full history of 'Baldur's Gate 3,' be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.