Understanding the Pocket Sand Meme in Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is packed with nods to various pop culture icons, delighting fans with clever Easter eggs throughout the game. Whether it’s a tip-of-the-hat to Drizzt Do’Urden or a nod to a famously disgruntled cabbage merchant, these references add depth and humor. Recently, the game’s final patch has introduced a new gag that’s quickly become a fan favorite, thanks to a fun animated short from Larian Studios. This latest addition, inspired by the “Pocket Sand” meme, amusingly connects one of the Swashbuckler Rogue’s abilities to the popular animated series, King of the Hill.

The “Pocket Sand” meme hails from King of the Hill, a beloved sitcom that aired from 1997 to 2009. Dale Gribble, one of the show’s eccentric characters, is known for his survivalist tendencies, often preparing for any and all mishaps. In a classic scene from the 2001 episode “Soldier of Misfortune,” Dale hilariously tosses sand into a man’s face, shouting “Pocket sand!” before making his escape. This moment quickly became iconic, sparking countless memes and videos, as well as humorous guides on using “pocket sand” as a practical self-defense tactic.

In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Swashbuckler—a Rogue subclass introduced in Patch 8—features an ability humorously reminiscent of Dale’s tactic. At Level 4, Swashbucklers gain access to “Dirty Tricks,” a series of exclusive actions. Among these is Sand Toss, described in-game as an action to “Toss a handful of sand at your enemy and possibly Blind them.” This ability struck a chord with fans, who affectionately dubbed it “Pocket Sand.” The community quickly embraced the meme, spawning fan art and even tempted some players to embark on a Dale Gribble-themed playthrough as a Swashbuckler.

Acknowledging the fun, Larian Studios incorporated the meme into their short film “The Final Patch,” celebrating Swashbuckler skills with a comedic twist. In a memorable scene, Astarion, transformed into a Swashbuckler, dramatically uses “Pocket Sand” against a dragon. Sadly, it doesn’t pan out as hoped, and Astarion, along with his comrades, meets a swift defeat, only to be rescued by Swen Vincke himself.

Larian is no stranger to embracing community humor. Past animated shorts have featured nods like Gale eating a boot—a wink to his magical item consumption—and a playful reference to the “Let Me Solo Her” meme from Elden Ring. Although the major updates for Baldur’s Gate 3 might be wrapping up, it seems “Pocket Sand,” like other beloved memes, will remain a beloved part of the game’s legacy.