If you start with Baldur’s Gate 3, the game offers you numerous options for a custom character. You can also play a pre-made hero. One of them is the Dark Urge. This hero sounds tempting, but as a beginner, you should probably avoid playing him.
Which hero is that?
- The Dark Urge is one of the “Origins” in Baldur’s Gate 3. This means: the character has its own story that you can explore in the game.
- The special thing about the Dark Urge is that you can customize the character completely: Class, Race, and appearance are up to you.
- What the game doesn’t necessarily tell you: the Dark Urge is a mad murderer and occasionally this trait comes through without you being able to defend against it.
This article contains spoilers! Proceed at your own risk. If you are brave enough, just try the Dark Urge, but you have been warned.
Why you should avoid the Dark Urge: The Dark Urge forces you more or less onto a dark path. This means your character will inevitably become evil, sometimes in a way you cannot escape.
In most cases, the classic “evil” acts are not what players strive for. These things include:
- Chopping off Gale’s hand while he is calling for help
- Squashing the cute squirrel in the Emerald Grove at the tree
- Letting Benryn burn alive in Waukeens Rest when he is calling for help
For such actions, you receive “Inspiration” as the Dark Urge. Inspiration is a mechanic in Baldur’s Gate 3 (and D&D) that allows you to reroll a failed roll. Such rerolls are often useful.
In the editorial team, we have already had cases where the character performed the action without being asked, but also cases where the player could choose against it. We don’t know for sure what the triggers are. Presumably, you sometimes just have to be evil to suppress the urge at other points.
Wondering which class suits you? You can find the best classes in our Tier List, and in the video, you will find tips for all 12:
Playing Baldur’s Gate 3 as the Dark Urge – Does it work?
Playing an evil murderer in Baldur’s Gate 3 is not necessarily the wrong path. The game allows you plenty of creative solutions and freedoms. One of these freedoms is indeed the dark path of the serial killer.
However, you must live with the consequences. Many, perhaps even most NPCs, do not agree with such actions. Some of the companions in the game will even leave you if you are evil too often in their presence, including:
- Wyll
- Karlach
- Halsin
And of course, guards and NPCs in villages are not particularly favorable towards you if you simply slaughter people. Others, however, do not see it so strictly or even endorse evil deeds. Among the characters who would still accompany you are:
- Shadowheart
- Lae’zel
- Astarion
Also, the paladin Minthara, whom you can recruit later, is initially evil and does not mind treachery as long as it aligns with her views.
But beware! Even these companions can become “too evil” for you at some point. If you become the absolutely psychopathic butcher who indiscriminately slaughters everything and everyone, even the “evil” companions will eventually leave you. MyMMO editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski has already discussed this with Larian head Swen Vincke:
