Baldur's Gate 3: Epic Character Endings Revealed - Which One Will Claim the Top Spot?
Baldur's Gate 3's immersive narrative offers an array of captivating character endings, each with its own unique appeal From defying dark urges to fighting for freedom, discover the most compelling paths to conclude your character's journey
Highlights
Baldur's Gate 3 offers multiple paths and endings that can greatly impact the player character and their companions, ranging from heroic to tragic.
The Dark Urge storyline offers players the opportunity to defy Bhaal's hold over them, leading to a distinctive interaction where the player is slain but subsequently resurrected with their free will intact.
Every companion character is bestowed with a captivating conclusion tailored to their individual narrative, like Lae'zel actively joining the battle for githyanki liberation or Karlach's poignant downfall owing to her infernal heart.
Baldur's Gate 3 offers a wide array of paths, each with consequences that shape the destinies of both the player character and their companions. The available endings range from acts of heroism to acts of evil, from bittersweet resolutions to tragically devastating outcomes. There are certain endings that are particularly captivating from a storytelling perspective, including some unexpected and distinctive ones. However, in order to attain these desired endings for both the player character and companions, specific actions must be taken. Given the multifaceted nature of Baldur's Gate 3's narrative, multiple playthroughs are recommended to fully experience and appreciate the various possible outcomes.
Spoiler Warning.
10 Dark Urge Rejects Bhaal
Although not considered the recommended choice for a first playthrough, the Dark Urge stands out as a captivating character embedded in an intriguing narrative. Being the chosen disciple of Bhaal, their insatiable thirst for bloodshed shapes their storyline. The climax of this tale unfolds in act three, where players confront Orin the Red, a comrade and fellow favored servant of Bhaal.
It is at this point that Bhaal will make his final attempt to seize the Dark Urge once and for all, while players have their last opportunity to resist its temptations. Should players defy the Lord of Murder at this critical moment, a unique interaction occurs where Bhaal mercilessly slays the player, only to have Withers resurrect them with their autonomy preserved. This enthralling conclusion to the Dark Urge serves as a gratifying counterpart to the heroism displayed throughout the game.
9 Become The Absolute
On the opposite side of the spectrum, reaching the pinnacle of power as the Absolute serves as a gratifying culmination to an immensely wicked journey. This denouement entails betraying the entire faction, seizing dominion over the elder brain, and reigning supreme as the Absolute, thereby autonomously accomplishing the aspirations of The Dead Three.
8 Raphael's Ending
Although this ending may have devastating consequences for the majority of Faerun's inhabitants, it aligns perfectly with an evil playthrough as the player character embraces their ultimate evil nature. The potentiality for this ending to be an ideal fit lies predominantly with an evil Dark Urge playthrough, but it is attainable by any character, including the origin characters.
Players who agree to Raphael's pact with the devil will be rewarded with a chilling and thrilling post-credits sequence. Raphael seeks the Crown of Karsus, which presently commands authority over The Elder Brain, and desires players to relinquish it to him. The true nature of his sinister intentions becomes evident in the post-credits scene.
7 Lae'zel's Life Is Her Own
Raphael's plans to wield the Crown, conquer Avernus, bring an end to The Blood War, and expand his dominion to other realms are articulated with conviction, almost as though he is directly addressing the players themselves. This post-credits scene serves as a menacing yet fitting conclusion to the player's journey alongside Raphael.
While not as captivating as one of her other favorable conclusions, this ending for the companion character, Lae'zel, provides a highly enjoyable resolution to her personal journey. Lae'zel grapples with her faith throughout the game's narrative, showing reverence towards her githyanki deity, Vlaakith, as a githyanki herself. However, as the story unfolds, she becomes aware of Vlaakith's deceit and betrayal towards her own people.
6 Karlach's Death
Once having lost her old faith, Lae'zel is drawn towards Orpheus, the githyanki prince who is determined to liberate her people from Vlaakith's oppressive rule. Those players who choose to ally with The Emperor and subsequently cause the demise of Orpheus, after Lae'zel has already turned her back on Vlaakith, will face numerous difficult persuasion challenges. However, if successfully passed, these checks can convince Lae'zel to permanently join the party. Observing her personal struggles with faith, witnessing Lae'zel embracing her own existence rather than serving others, can serve as a highly satisfying resolution for her.
Although not a joyful conclusion, this ending possesses an unparalleled level of rawness and emotion. Karlach, the loyal companion, bears an infernal engine in their chest, a cruel gift from the archdevil, Zariel. Beyond the borders of Avernus, this diabolical contraption simmers with danger, poised to burst into flames at any given instant.
5 Retreat To The Shadows With Astarion
After triumphing over the Absolute, Karlach's time arrives, as she can no longer endure the intense heat emanating from her engine. Standing by Karlach during her heart-wrenching final moments as she incinerates completely and forever is undeniably one of the most poignant conclusions, albeit an unbelievably tragic fate for a character as cheerful and carefree as Karlach.
Finding a happy ending for Astarion while also nurturing his moral compass can prove to be perplexing. Typically, Astarion's journeys culminate in him assuming the role of a vampire lord like Cazador or continuing as a vampire spawn, condemned to a perpetual existence in the realm of darkness once his illithid defense diminishes.
But should players form a romantic bond with Astarion, they will be offered the chance to accompany him back to the Underdark. Together, they will assume the role of overseers for the community of vampire spawn that had been liberated from Cazador's Palace. Although Astarion may forever be exempt from the touch of sunlight, he finds solace in the fact that his beloved is always by his side.
4 Domestic Life With Shadowheart
Trapped in a web of tragedy, Shadowheart is a companion character longing for solace. Embracing her as a romantic partner brings a much-needed ray of happiness into the forlorn cleric's life. To achieve this gratifying conclusion, players must embark on a journey of romance with Shadowheart while simultaneously rescuing her parents from the clutches of Shar.
3 Gale Returns The Crown To Mystra
Seeking solace from the horrifying ordeals she has both witnessed and caused, Shadowheart longs for a tranquil existence in Baldur's Gate, where she can peacefully reunite with her parents. As her significant other, she yearns for the player character's involvement in this harmonious destiny.
Should players not have forged a bond with Gale that surpasses his overly ambitious pursuit of arcane power, they may find themselves disappointed when confronted with his repeated errors from the past and his audacious bid to overthrow Mystra as the deity of magic. Nevertheless, if they have become his trusted partner or if players are controlling Gale as an origin character, Gale has the capability to make the morally right decision by relinquishing the Crown of Karsus and the ultimate control over the weave to Mystra, thereby concluding their previous relationship on a positive note.
Speaking about relationships, here is where Gale of Waterdeep can take things to the next level by proposing to the player character. It is a fitting conclusion for Gale of Waterdeep.
2 Facing Avernus With Karlach And Wyll
The conclusion serves as a perfect finale for both Karlach and Wyll, enabling the player character to embark on further adventures alongside them. As Karlach's engine nears its destruction, putting her at risk, players have the option to accompany her to Avernus and help restore stability. Alternatively, they can also opt to journey to Avernus with Wyll.
1 Lae'zel Fights For Githyanki Freedom
Rewriting:
Being under Zariel's control again is the last thing Karlach desires. However, to ensure her own survival and to continue embarking on adventures alongside the player character and Wyll in their shared journey through Avernus, it is the most favorable outcome. Witnessing the development of compassion between Wyll and Karlach, following their initial conflict at the beginning of the game, is also immensely gratifying.
Lae'zel's arc concludes in one of the most remarkable ways. By forsaking Vlaakith's oppressive rule, Lae'zel has the option to align herself with Orpheus's mission to emancipate her kin. This conclusion holds a profound significance, especially if Orpheus survives to stand alongside her.
Lae'zel's decision to forge her own path, rejecting both doctrines, adds depth to her character arc. Nonetheless, her participation in Orpheus's fight is an incredibly powerful cutscene. As she shares her aspirations of becoming Kith'rak, wielding a silver sword, and riding a red dragon mount, witnessing her soar into the sky on the back of a majestic red dragon, all while driven by the desire for liberation, is truly awe-inspiring.
Baldur's Gate 3
Platform(s) PC, Stadia, macOS, PS5Released August 3, 2023Developer(s) Larian StudiosGenre(s) RPG
