The Darkish Urge is likely one of the most mysterious character creation choices in Baldur’s Gate 3, promising a darkish and haunted backstory to your character. However Larian Studios performs it fairly coy with what precisely the Darkish Urge storyline is once you’re first constructing out your character.
Creating your excellent Baldur’s Gate 3 character isn’t straightforward, what with all of the courses you possibly can select from, nevertheless it’s price spending the time to teach your self as a lot as doable earlier than making an enormous choice that can affect your sport time for 100 hours or extra.
On this Baldur’s Gate 3 information, we’ll clarify what the Darkish Urge is, what the ramifications are for enjoying because the Darkish Urge. And, whereas taking part in because the Darkish Urge in Baldur’s Gate 3 is extra of a story alternative than a mechanical one, we’ll supply some strategies for the most effective construct and sophistication that work for the character.
What’s the Darkish Urge origin character in BG3?
![The Dark Urge Sorcerer stands in the character creation screen](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Nes9W51R7Xz1Dv30wp7TZlR_POo=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25177566/Baldur_s_Gate_3_Screenshot_2023.12.19___15.50.02.17.png)
Picture: Larian Studios by way of Polygon
Whenever you’re first beginning your sport in Baldur’s Gate 3, and creating your character, you’ll get to decide on between a absolutely customized character or certainly one of a number of origin characters — characters with a pre-determined backstory, which normally include a locked race and sophistication combo.
Most origin characters are primarily based on occasion members you’ll meet on the planet of Baldur’s Gate 3 — like Karlach, Astarion, or Wyll — permitting you to play the sport as these characters as an alternative of alongside them. The Darkish Urge, nevertheless, doesn’t have an NPC equal in some other playthroughs. The Darkish Urge will solely seem on the planet of Baldur’s Gate 3 should you’re actively taking part in as them.
It is because the Darkish Urge comes with a novel, and uniquely darkish, backstory that actively adjustments some occasions within the marketing campaign.
The elevator pitch is that, for some purpose, you will have darkish ideas swirling in your thoughts continuously, backed up by the narration. For instance: Whenever you meet a celebration member for the primary time, the narrator would possibly say that you simply think about their contemporary, lovely corpse on the bottom. Or, should you look at a physique, the narrator will pipe in to let you know how a lot you’re actually digging all of this destruction, demise, and disappointment.
All of this Darkish Urge stuff ties into some main elements of the act 3 narrative. We gained’t spoil any of that right here, as that’s an enormous purpose why you’d need to attempt your hand at a Darkish Urge playthrough. However, suffice it to say, should you don’t need your origin to be tied into evil itself, the Darkish Urge most likely isn’t the origin character for you.
Is the Darkish Urge just for evil playthroughs in BG3?
![The quest log showing the personal quest for The Urge in Baldur’s Gate 3](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gJlX2_ByhB7rdZqJJ7_lZ_mQwC8=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25177594/Baldur_s_Gate_3_Screenshot_2023.12.19___16.22.50.86.png)
Picture: Larian Studios by way of Polygon
Regardless of the evil origin of the Darkish Urge, you definitely don’t must roleplay the character that approach. In truth, you possibly can play a lot of The Darkish Urge as a sort of redemption story, pushing in opposition to who you’re speculated to be and forging a brand new future. Baldur’s Gate 3 is superb at flexing to fulfill your inner roleplay, and that continues to be true for The Darkish Urge.
Nevertheless, if you wish to play a purely good character, you need to steer clear of The Darkish Urge. Being good in a Darkish Urge playthrough means combating again in opposition to narrative temptations and actively attempting to keep away from doing the evil issues that your inner monologue is tempting you to do.
If these sorts of interjections of chaos and bloodshed sound attention-grabbing to you, the Darkish Urge’s story does go to some very attention-grabbing locations. If these aren’t the sorts of curveballs you’re involved in, the Darkish Urge gained’t be a very good match.
Ought to the Darkish Urge be your first character in BG3?
![The Dark Urge gets a mysterious description from the narrator in Baldur’s Gate 3](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dXTx9Z4eqYu9YNS5_k0wg-A3xQo=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25177590/Baldur_s_Gate_3_Screenshot_2023.12.19___16.24.41.31.png)
Picture: Larian Studios by way of Polygon
If you happen to’re simply beginning Baldur’s Gate 3 for the primary time, I might advise to not play the Darkish Urge as your first character.
There are a few causes for this, nevertheless it’s primarily as a result of the Darkish Urge’s story is arguably extra attention-grabbing should you’ve already seen the best way Baldur’s Gate 3’s story performs out on a traditional playthrough.
Another excuse I’d suggest staying away from The Darkish Urge is that it adjustments the narration to make it extra of a psychological horror sport than a standard fantasy one. If that’s the sort of vibe you’re on the lookout for, you might most likely have a good time beginning with the Darkish Urge. However I see the Darkish Urge as extra of a technique to remix the sport just a bit bit on a second playthrough than as a baseline expertise.
Finest class and construct for the Darkish Urge in BG3
![The Dark Urge opts to be a Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/U2cwpIK1l2LkyILx-wbtTNdDXZA=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25177593/Baldur_s_Gate_3_Screenshot_2023.12.20___15.30.26.82.png)
Picture: Larian Studios by way of Polygon
Not like the opposite origin characters in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’re free to pick the Darkish Urge’s race and sophistication. Neither are locked to their default. That mentioned, the Darkish Urge defaults to Sorcerer and a White Dragonborn with crimson accents, and I counsel sticking with one thing related in your playthrough.
You don’t want to play a Sorcerer because the Darkish Urge, however on the very least, I’d suggest sticking with a Charisma-based class like Sorcerer, Paladin, Bard, or Warlock. As a result of these courses are all Charisma casters, your harm skills are instantly tied to the stat that additionally makes you good at speaking to different characters.
Normally, Charisma casters are known as the “face” of a celebration, that means they deal with all of the persuasion and intimidation checks. When taking part in the Darkish Urge, you’ll need to be the face of your occasion, as you need to be the particular person both intimidating others or persuading them that you simply’re not truly that dangerous of an individual and that you simply’re attempting to be higher.
There’s nothing concerning the Darkish Urge character sort that calls for you play as a sure class — there’s no distinction between a traditional Warlock and a Darkish Urge Warlock — and you may positively discover success as a Darkish Urge that’s a Rogue, Cleric, or some other class. Nevertheless, with it being such a roleplay heavy origin character, you’ll have a neater time in case your Charisma checks have some added bonuses.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for the most effective character builds that thematically pair nicely with Darkish Urge, listed below are some that exhibit trickery, violence, and chaos — or justice and redemption:
- Wild Magic Sorcerer
- The Nice Previous One Warlock
- Oath of Devotion or Oathbreaker Paladin (break your oath to get the latter)
- School of Lore Bard
- Trickery or Gentle Area Cleric
- Murderer Rogue
As for why you must keep on with the White Dragonborn with crimson accents: It seems to be actually cool and creepy. If that look doesn’t converse to you, you’re greater than welcome to swap to a creepy Elf or a mean-looking Dwarf. Or, hey, possibly you need to make your Darkish Urge a bubbly, friendly-looking Tiefling. Your race is The Darkish Urge choice that issues least, so do no matter you are feeling impressed to do. (And, if I’m being completely sincere, whereas Dragonborn do look actually cool, their racial bonuses are fairly subpar in comparison with different races, so that you gained’t be lacking a lot should you swap.)