Baldur's Gate 3 Inspires Epic Stranger Things Season 5 Finale

For years, Dungeons & Dragons has been woven into the fabric of Stranger Things, but the show's final season took things in a new direction. In the last episode, the group faces off against Vecna and the Mind Flayer in a showdown that ends with Joyce Byers decapitating Vecna—a moment Winona Ryder nailed in just two takes. If you want a full rundown of the finale, check out our detailed explanation of how everything played out.

What sets this battle apart is its inspiration. According to Matt Duffer, one of the show's creators, the team drew from the acclaimed RPG Baldur's Gate 3 while crafting the climactic fight.

"We were thinking about D&D, and I was playing Baldur's Gate 3 at the time, and we felt it was very important that the only way for them to defeat it was for the entire party to work together,"

Duffer shared in an interview.

RPG Roots and a Creator's Reaction

Larian Studios, the developer behind Baldur's Gate 3, was quick to notice the homage. Swen Vincke, the studio's head, responded to the news by sharing an article about the connection and simply commented,

"That's pretty cool."

The influence makes sense, given the major role Mind Flayers play in both the RPG and the series. In Baldur's Gate 3, the final confrontation is a massive battle against a powerful Illithid, requiring every ally to join forces. This mirrors the teamwork and high stakes seen in Stranger Things' last stand.

Full Circle for the Party

After the dust settles, the group gathers in Mike Wheeler's basement for one last game of D&D, echoing the very first scene of the series. The moment is both nostalgic and bittersweet, especially as the fate of Eleven hangs in the balance. As the credits roll, fans are treated to a callback: Will Byers's memorable dice roll lands on a seven, bringing the story full circle.