Baldur's Gate 3: Epic Character Endings Unveiled - You Won't Believe #1!

Due to the extensive branching narrative in Larian's RPG, Baldur's Gate 3, a majority of the playable characters can be burdened with bleak endings. As players spend considerable game time traveling and familiarizing themselves with these characters, the tragic conclusions can be exceptionally harsh.

Unquestionably, certain players will actively pursue these endings, aiming to inflict maximum misery upon their characters. This is the allure of the game. Whether it be death, betrayal, or a profoundly wretched existence that lies ahead, these conclusions are bound to evoke pain.

WARNING! Spoilers ahead.

10 Dark Urge Accepts Bhaal's Gift

This ending is undeniably the most wretched outcome for the Dark Urge protagonist who has relentlessly struggled against their inclination for violence. By succumbing to Bhaal's offering, the Dark Urge becomes an extraordinarily potent entity, but from that point on, their sole purpose is to serve Bhaal, thus bringing about disastrous consequences for the Sword Coast.

9 Wyll's Pact Remains

In addition, Bhaal has ordered them to seize control and become the ultimate authority that players have been opposing throughout the entire game. Although they currently retain the ability to defy Bhaal's desires, their independence is forfeited following this ultimate courageous deed.

Wyll, the warlock companion character, has numerous chances to sever his pact with Mizora, the devil. Sadly, Mizora is determined to exert complete control over him and will resort to blackmailing him using the life of his own father, Duke Ravenguard.

8 Killed By Orin

If Wyll were to uphold his pact with Mizora, it would not be the most unfavorable outcome for his character, but it certainly wouldn't be a joyful one. Mizora's motives are clearly tainted, and Wyll will be compelled to comply with her every desire, potentially forfeiting his sole opportunity to break free from the agreement.

A few of the companion characters, namely Lae'zel, Gale, or Halsin, could potentially face this fate. In act three, the formidable shapeshifting assassin, Orin the Red, has the ability to abduct one of these characters, keeping them captive until players confront her. At this pivotal moment, if players fail to persuade her, she has the capacity to ruthlessly eliminate the defenseless companion.

7 Gale's Folly

For a death as supernatural as this, there is no possibility of resurrection. The brutal and definitive demise of these potentially cherished characters, coupled with their inability to defend themselves, is an exceedingly dreadful fate to befall them. This effectively paints Orin as an incredibly terrifying character, providing players with ample reason to desire her demise in return.

Although not overtly disastrous, the conclusion of this outcome can be disheartening as Gale descends into a downward spiral and experiences a regression in his character. Gale, the wizard companion, was constantly hindered by his arrogance, which ultimately led to his initial mistake of harboring the Netherese ball inside his chest and his strained connection with the goddess of magic, Mystra.

6 Astarion's Fate

Despite initially appearing remorseful and friendly, Gale ultimately succumbs to his own hubris and becomes obsessed with obtaining the Crown of Karsus. In his relentless pursuit of power, he follows in the footsteps of the renowned wizard Karsus, repeating the same destructive mistakes.

In contrast to Gale, Astarion experiences a reverse transformation. Initially introduced as a snarky and self-centered vampire rogue, he has the potential to undergo a profound character development. This includes his ability to ultimately slay his former master and free his fellow vampire spawn. However, regrettably, this altruistic path often leads to a tragic outcome for Astarion.

5 Karlach's Death

Astarion's return to reality without the illithid tadpole's peculiar protection brings back his vulnerability as a vampire. The brief taste of liberation quickly fades as he is forced to withdraw into the darkness once again. This unfortunate turn of events serves as a stark reminder that acts of kindness often yield undesired consequences.

It's truly heartbreaking that Karlach, a character brimming with an enchanting zest for life, finds herself entangled in the tragic fate of her heart, which is an infernal machine bound to consume her existence. Unless she returns to Avernus, the dreaded hellscape, her very being will be consumed by the flames of this wretched contraption.

Throughout Karlach's personal journey, players bear witness to her grappling with the inevitability of her own mortality and impending demise, culminating in a profoundly poignant scene at the conclusion of the game. This heart-wrenching moment is made even more gut-wrenching by the fact that players have the option to forsake her, leaving her to confront her fate in solitude.

4 Surrendering Shadowheart

Not only is Karlach's tragic death devastating, but also the act of betraying Shadowheart in the House of Grief is equally abhorrent. Within her own journey, the devoted cleric companion, Shadowheart, unravels the web of deceit that surrounds her faith in the malevolent goddess, Shar.

During act three, players are presented with a crucial decision. They have the option to prioritize their own safety and gain Lady Shar's approval by betraying Shadowheart and handing her over to the very religious sect that caused her immense suffering as a child. This heartbreaking betrayal deeply wounds Shadowheart, who already finds it difficult to trust others. The consequences of this action are truly devastating for the cherished cleric.

3 Gale's Sacrifice

Gale has multiple opportunities, specifically at the conclusion of acts two and three, to willingly activate the Netherese orb embedded in his chest and annihilate the elder brain. Although this conclusion may initially appear heroic and emotionally powerful, it turns out to be quite the opposite.

2 Becoming The Absolute

As a result, even though the brain is destroyed, the illithid tadpole infection immediately leads to the transformation of individuals, thereby releasing a formidable mindflayer army upon the Sword Coast. Adding to the devastating impact, this infection also results in the death of the entire party, completely wiping them out in the explosion.

This is the ultimate ending choice for players who desire to attain the utmost level of evilness. As a consequence, it has an extremely detrimental effect on the other characters and the entire world. By amalgamating facets from all the other sorrowful endings, players must engage in the treacherous act of betraying and killing an ally in order to seize control of the Absolute for their own sinister purposes.

1 Wyll Becomes A Lemure

It implies that all individuals infected by the illithid tadpoles, which includes the majority of companions, will become personal slaves to the character. Furthermore, most of Faerun is destined for a similarly dreadful outcome, or death if they oppose it. This ending is undeniably wicked and does not benefit anyone involved, with the exception of the malevolent player character.

This particular character ending is undeniably the most unfavorable among all others. Its unfavorable nature stems from both its early occurrence and its underwhelming impact. Should players turn against Wyll's devil patron, Mizora, and succeed in killing her, this action violates the terms of Wyll's pact. Consequently, he faces immediate and severe consequences as he is forcefully dragged into the depths of Avernus, vanishing without a trace.

He has been transformed into a lemure, the most wretched and sorrowful of devils, and condemned to eternal suffering in the depths of hell. This sudden and horrifying fate is particularly devastating considering his inherent kindness. This conclusion is truly poignant when experienced alongside Karlach, who mourns for Wyll with a heart-wrenching sorrow. However, this does not diminish the profound misery that encompasses his newfound existence.

Baldur's Gate 3

Released August 3, 2023Developer(s) Larian StudiosGenre(s) RPGPlatform(s) PC, Stadia, macOS, PS5Publisher(s) Larian Studios