Baldur’s Gate 3: The Dark Urge [Our Expert’s Take]

The Dark Urge is the initial choice available for character creation in Baldurs Gate 3 & has special qualities that may alter your gameplay.

In Baldurs Gate 3, there is a unique Origin character called The Dark Urge. In essence, they are personalities with different narratives to tell. You might choose a unique character, a kind of empty canvas. You may also play a campaign as one of the special companions. The Dark Urge is one of the initial choices available when creating a character in Baldurs Gate 3, and it has certain special qualities that may alter your gameplay.

Key Takeaways
  • You can choose from Seven origin characters in Baldur’s Gate 3: Gale, Wyll, Karlach, Lae’zel, the Dark Urge, Shadowheart, and Astarion.
  • The Dark Urge is an Origin character having an adjustable look who cannot be acquired as a companion.
  • According to the story, his background, A Haunted One, in gruesome murders is related to their heritage.
  • The Dark Urge Origin is a better choice for those who have completed the main campaign of Baldur’s Gate 3.
  • You can romance your companions as a Dark Urge origin, but it depends on your approval rating with that companion.
  • The Deathstalker Mantle and Slayer are two rewards that you can get as Dark Urge.

The Dark Urge In Baldur’s Gate 3

The background of the Dark Urge cannot be altered when creating a character in Baldur’s Gate 3. According to the story, the character’s background in gruesome murders is related to their heritage. The Dark Urge, however, is still unconscious of these previous deeds and continuously desires cruelty and bloodshed.

A Haunted One: You can’t kill a cruel event, person, or thing, but it haunts your thoughts and flickers in your peripheral vision. You take it with you on your journey, or maybe it takes you.

Dark Urge First Walkthrough

Sceleritas Fel, one of the devoted servants will lead you through the tutorial area, which gives a rundown of the situation to the player.

  1. Throughout the whole game, Dark Urge’s mind is plagued with sinister ideas.
  2. This origin may also affect your relationship with the parasitic tadpole.
  3. Avoid the Dark Urge origin in the first playthrough to prevent significant plot change.

Dream About Dark Urge Intentions

Begin the Dark Urge questline by taking a Long Rest at your camp after experiencing nightmares about murder and a strong desire for blood upon waking up on Ravaged Beach. Continue with the main campaign until the next goal requires another night at camp.

Invite Alfira, A Tiefling, To Your Party

Alfira, a Tiefling, will attend your camp and inquire about joining your party. Accept it, and then take a long nap. Later, you’ll wake up with her body torn apart and her blood all over you. You will be allowed to conceal the corpse, clean up the blood, or confess your guilt to your companions.

Sceleritas Fel Encounter

In Baldurs Gate 3: The Dark Urge
In Baldur’s Gate 3: Sceleritas Fel [Credit: eXputer]
Sceleritas Fel will show up in your camp again in a coincidental circumstance. He will identify himself as your butler before complimenting you for murdering Alfira.

He can answer your questions about why you’re suddenly acting horribly, but he cannot provide any information on your background. You’ll be rewarded with The Deathstalker Mantle cape after the conclusion of the cutscene.

Isobel And Last Light Inn

Isobel in Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3: Isobel

In Act 2 of Baldurs Gate 3, Sceleritas Fel tasks you with a crucial decision: Isobel the Cleric. She guards The Last Light Inn, the Harpers’ center. You can kill her to proceed or spare her.

Killing Isobel unleashes a curse that can lead to the death and corruption of NPCs, impacting your journey:

  1. The sleeping soldier’s death may hinder your recruitment of Halsin.
  2. Dammon the Blacksmith can’t fix Karlach’s Infernal Engine.
  3. If Jaheira learns of Isobel’s death, she’ll attack, making recruitment impossible.

A similar outcome occurs if Shadowheart kills Isobel after encountering the Nightsong, cursing the inn and leading to Jaheira’s demise.

Regarding Your Lover

In the Baldurs Gate 3 Dark Urge origin, your romantic partner (e.g., Shadowheart or Karlach) is at risk. Dark Urge can make you harm them during sleep, but you can prevent it:

  1. Temporary Control: Succeed on the initial saving throw and wake-up bound. Pass three more saving throws with your partner’s help (Wisdom 18) for benefits.
  2. Losing Control: Fail the initial saving throw (Wisdom 14), resulting in your partner’s death. Your companions discover this, leading to combat or a Deception 30 check attempt.

These events sum up Baldurs Gate 3: Dark Urge.

Should You Play The Dark Urge In Baldur’s Gate 3?

  • BG3 offers a Dark Urge origin option for character customization.
  • Recommended for experienced players after completing the main campaign.
  • Dark Urge characters awaken with no memory and a desire to harm others.
  • It is not advisable for the first playthrough due to challenging and unclear gameplay.
  • Players must deal with consequences and character reactions.
  • Choose whether to embrace the violent urge or uncover the truth.
  • Offers a unique storytelling experience as the only customizable Origin Character.
  • Suitable for those who want control over their character’s moral choices.
  • It can be both entertaining and frustrating to play.

How To Romance With The Dark Urge In BG3

Many people are drawn to the romance in Baldurs Gate 3, and it seems that you may still romance your companions as a Dark Urge origin, despite how tough it has been to get one of their affections by raising your approval rating with them.

You may still choose flirtatious chat choices with your party members and build your Baldur’s Gate 3 guardian during character creation. It seems that courting your buddies is still in the cards until the bloodlust sets in.

Dark Urge Dialog And Quests Outcomes

  • Cutting Off Gale’s Hand: Daydreaming about cutting off Gale’s arm makes it come true, and he can’t join your party.
  • Not Cutting Off Gale’s Hand: Rescuing Gale by not chopping off his hand allows you to invite him to your party.
  • Plucking Nettie’s Bird’s Wings: Killing Nettie’s bird is the result of ripping off its wings.
  • Leaving Nettie’s Bird Alone: Refraining from removing the bird’s wings avoids harm but has no significant consequences.
  • Snapping Minthara’s Neck: Killing Minthara in her sleep when allying with goblins in the Emerald Grove means she can’t be your companion.
  • Sparing Minthara’s Life: Choosing not to kill Minthara allows you both to plan to take over the grove.

Rewards

Slayer in Baldur's Gate 3
Slayer [Credit: eXputer]
You will get many benefits since you are a Dark Urge.

  • The Deathstalker Mantle: This cloak, acquired in Act 1, grants invisibility for two rounds after defeating an enemy, potentially linked to the number of foes defeated during the Druid Grove raid.
  • Slayer: Achieved after finishing the Isobel/Last Light Inn quest, this accolade lets you transform into a mutant beast with multiple claw strikes.

My Thoughts And Personal Experience With The Dark Urge

Although I have more than 80 hours in BG3, I have only played with the Dark Urge once. I personally don’t like the evil playthrough at all, and the Dark Urge just makes it that much more potent.

ibrahim bg3 save slot
My Baldur’s Gate 3 save slot (Image by eXputer)

Additionally, I don’t want to play in a world where Shadowheart will start to dislike me. Not only does the Dark Urge eliminate a good companion score with most members, but you also may have to kill off very endearing characters in Baldur’s Gate 3, like Isobel at the Last Light Inn.

This is all about The Dark Urge in Baldurs Gate 3. Baldur’s Gate 3 ultimately comes down to how you want to roleplay. The Dark Urge provides one of the most distinctive ways to experience the story. The role you wish to portray will determine if it’s appropriate for you.

Let’s wrap up the guide! While you’re here, why not check out the All Romance Options guide, which details everything about romancing any companion in BG3? Besides that, Baldur’s Gate 3: BEST Skills guide will tell you all you need to know about the top 15 best skills in-game.

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alls that i wanted was to have a list of all the people to kill and ones that automatically kill...

Would have preferred consequences of hiding alfira\'s body or not

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Huzaifa is eXputer's Review Editor, who’s all about RPG games. He’s got several years of experience critically judging games and writing his unbiased thoughts on them. You can also find his content published on sites like Twinfinite & GearNuke. Huzaifa has been gaming for 23+ years, during which he managed to amass 400+ hours on Elden Ring! You can follow his gaming activity on his Xbox and Steam Profiles.

Experience: 5+ years || Previously Worked At GearNuke & Twinfinite || Mainly Covers RPG Guides & Latest Games Reviews || Education: Bachelors in Hospitality.

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