When gamers boot up Baldur’s Gate 3, both for the primary time or for the tenth, they’re met with quite a lot of other ways they will customise their character, Tav. Other than race, class, and all the small print of how Tav appears, gamers may select their character’s origin. One origin character bis notably essential to the primary plot: The Darkish Urge (or “Durge” because the character has been colloquially known as), a violent entity with an excellent bloodier backstory.
In keeping with a thread on X from Larian Studios, 15 % of gamers selected to play as The Darkish Urge, because it supplies a brand new, distinctive expertise with the story, the characters, and even a few of the romances accessible. With new narration, dialogue choices, and even cutscenes, these are probably the most compelling romance storylines for these taking part in The Darkish Urge.
Please observe: this text might comprise gentle spoilers for sure characters, their romances, and components of the storyline for The Darkish Urge.
8
Halsin
Darkish Urge Pathway: Redeemed Solely
- No Act 2 Camp Scene, however supportive nonetheless.
- An actual outlier when it comes to The Darkish Urge’s romance choices.
Halsin is without doubt one of the few romance choices who aren’t an origin character, and sadly for him, can be one of many few romance storylines that is not actually altered by Tav being a Darkish Urge character.
As enjoyable as his romance is, gamers do not get a lot when it comes to Durge-exclusive cutscenes or dialogue. Most Darkish Urge romances (particularly in redeemed playthroughs) have a outstanding scene at camp in Act Two. If gamers refuse to kill Isobel, their urges will name upon them to kill the individual they love most, and so they should be incapacitated earlier than they lose management. It is an necessary scene for a redeemed Durge, but it surely’s not possible to get it with Halsin, as gamers cannot pursue even a traditional romance with him till Act Three.
When attending to know him, any Darkish Urge dialogue choices truly earn his disapproval, so he isn’t probably the most best possibility for gamers until they’re taking part in a redeemed Durge (and in the event that they confess that they stay in mortal concern of krakens, regardless of having by no means seen one).
7
Gale
Darkish Urge Pathway: Redeemed Solely
- Slightly scared, however he is obtained the spirit.
- It’s extremely tough for Gale to type a reference to The Darkish Urge.
Gale’s romance, usually, is extremely delicate, candy, and, nicely — romantic. He tries to proceed this with The Darkish Urge, however he is much more on edge. He’ll attempt to cowl his fears with humour, however he is nonetheless deeply disturbed by Durge, particularly after the camp scene in Act Two.
One other barrier comes from the truth that, upon the participant discovering Gale, they’ve the urge to hack off his hand. This might forestall him from ever with the ability to be a part of the celebration. If the participant makes evil selections (corresponding to raiding the grove), Gale will go away the celebration (although he may very well be satisfied to stick with a excessive Charisma roll). Nevertheless, he does present immense help for a redeemed Durge that rejects evil influences, enriching the romance in that regard.
6
Wyll
Darkish Urge Pathway: Redeemed Solely
- A hero with a coronary heart, however The Darkish Urge has to have one too.
- Needs to convey out the perfect in Durge and assist overcome evil.
Wyll is a personality who stands agency in his morals and what he believes in, which is mirrored in his heroic actions in addition to his romance. He is one of many few companions who will outright flip hostile if the participant is evil sufficient, so Darkish Urge gamers need to be on a redeemed playthrough in the event that they want to romance Wyll. This contains his disapproval if coming clear about Alfira.
That mentioned, as soon as he is romanced, he is very candy and supportive, specializing in heroics and resilience whereas inspiring Durge to withstand. He desires to convey out the perfect in his accomplice, and can sweetly encourage The Darkish Urge all through all hardships in overcoming evil, together with in camp throughout Act Two. It is a very heartfelt expertise that may be rewarding for a villian-turned-hero narrative.
5
Karlach
Darkish Urge Pathway: Redeemed Solely
- Clawing out of The Hells collectively, actually and metaphorically.
- Karlach is optimistic, hilarious, and filled with help for The Darkish Urge.
Karlach, very equally to Wyll, requires a good-aligned character to be able to pursue a romance. Like Wyll, she is going to go away the celebration if The Darkish Urge invades the Emerald Grove (if the participant finds her after the invasion, she might be hostile) or is general too evil, so her romance is greatest for a redeemed Durge.
That mentioned, this solely enhances the already compelling narrative of her romance. Regardless of the literal Hells she needed to combat out of, she nonetheless chooses optimism and fights to stay, a robust inspiration for The Darkish Urge. She sees the great, and does every thing she will to get the participant to see that very same good, too. Her dialogue can be golden: Take note of her traces through the Act Two camp scene, they’re hilarious.
4
Minthara
Darkish Urge Pathway: Embraced Solely
- No Act 2 Camp Scene, however has a singular, evil ending.
- Minthara embraces villainy and the pursuit of absolute energy.
Not like the earlier romance choices, Minthara will solely romance the participant if they’re genuinely evil and proceed to make evil selections. Whereas she could be recruited with out slaughtering the Emerald Grove, it will not be doable to romance her, so she’s higher suited to a Durge that has embraced their urges. She, like Halsin, would not get a camp scene in Act Two both.
That mentioned, she is brazenly keen about The Darkish Urge, and she or he is enchanted by the Slayer Type that may be earned in embraced playthroughs, saying she heard tales rising up in The Underdark. She additionally has a singular ending, one the place she and The Darkish Urge each grow to be The Absolute, ruling collectively in a brand new age of tyranny. Her romance is enjoyable for a story that embraces villainy, the place the pursuit of happiness is one and the identical because the pursuit of energy.
3
Lae’zel
Darkish Urge Pathway: Redeemed Or Embraced
- Sympathetic to The Darkish Urge as one other brutal warrior.
- Lae’zel is versatile, assured, and appropriate with both pathway.
The narrative of Lae’zel’s romance is already compelling, pushed by her admiration for power, ferocity in battle, and direct intimidation, all of which The Darkish Urge demonstrates in abundance. She’s versatile in the truth that her romance is appropriate with a Durge that is both redeemed or embraced, relying on the participant’s decisions concerning Lae’zel’s dedication to Vlaakith or to Orpheus.
Ought to she pursue ascension, her romance is good for an embraced Durge. If she rejects Vlaakith, although, her romance is healthier suited to redeemed playthroughs. Each provide great tales, and her confidence through the Act Two camp scene is inspiring. She’s in a position to sympathise with a redeemed Durge extra, particularly on the account of their lives being managed by comparable evil entities in Vlaakith and Bhaal respectively.
2
Shadowheart
Darkish Urge Pathway: Redeemed Or Embraced
- A beautiful commentary on gentle and darkness.
- One of the versatile romance choices for The Darkish Urge.
Shadowheart gives some of the compelling romances in the whole recreation. With a powerful connection to the primary story and a number of routes that may be taken along with her and her romance, it is no marvel she is such a preferred accomplice choose. The romance is simply as compelling with The Darkish Urge, with their embraced/redeemed narrative splendidly paralleling Shadowheart’s darkness/gentle narrative.
For gamers romancing Shadowheart for the primary time with a redeemed Darkish Urge playthrough, play a cleric of Selûne for the additional deal with. Even when she embraces Shar, she has a transparent desire for defying Bhaal general, however she’s constantly sympathetic in dialogue in regards to the strain they each would really feel from their gods.
Additionally: through the camp scene throughout Act Two, attempt to chew her. Her response is hysterical.
1
Astarion
Darkish Urge Pathway: Redeemed Or Embraced
- Provides the perfect Act Two camp scene and a singular, evil ending.
- Probably the most compelling romance storylines for both Darkish Urge pathway, with narratives on the cycle of mistreatment, bodily autonomy, and being greater than what you have been made for.
Astarion’s romance was constructed for The Darkish Urge.
Whereas taking part in a traditional Tav, Astarion’s romance continues to be rewarding regardless of some problem; however whereas taking part in The Darkish Urge, the romance takes on solely totally different, way more compelling themes, relying on the routes taken by Durge and Astarion. He is in awe of the Slayer in embraced playthroughs and, like Minthara, has a singular ending to grow to be The Absolute with Durge. This does not even issue within the storyline modifications whether or not Astarion turns into the Vampire Ascendent.
Nevertheless, the higher story comes from redeemed playthroughs, with probably the most compelling camp scene throughout Act Two out of all of the companions. He is additionally probably the most sympathetic to The Darkish Urge in each method, understanding the horror of dropping autonomy of your individual physique. Redeemed playthroughs are much more enhanced in Act Three, particularly upon refusing Ascension and refusing Bhaal.
With Astarion free from Cazador and The Darkish Urge free from Bhaal, the narrative turns into a journey of therapeutic and escaping the cycle of abuse relatively than repeating it. It shifts into a lovely love story involving two very harm people with very darkish pasts, making an attempt to stay and transfer on regardless of the horrors they have been surrounded with. This makes Astarion the very best romance possibility for The Darkish Urge.
