Picking your character at the beginning of the game is one of the most important parts of a CRPG. Your character will define your path, story, and how you are able to react to the world around you. Baldur's Gate 3 has different options for starting characters. You can either become your own hero or take on the role of an origin character.
Origin characters have a preset physical appearance, class, stats, and personality. While you will be able to control your dialogue, these characters have set intentions and skills. Whether you decide to play a pre-made character or start from scratch is up to you.
Picking An Origin Character
There are seven origin characters to choose from as you start a new game. They will come with their own class, but you can select their Subclass. As they level up within the game, you can choose certain spells and skills for them.
The origin characters are seven of the 12 classes available to you. These characters are your respective companions within the game.
- High-Elf Wizard
- Githyanki Fighter
- Human Warlock
- Half-Elf Cleric
- Human Wizard
- Asmodeus-Tiefling Barbarian
- The Dark Urge
When starting out as an origin character, you will get a special introduction at the beginning of the game that will showcase that character's backstory prior to shipwrecking.
If you are a custom character, you must learn about these companions' stories by getting them to trust you instead.
If you start out as an origin companion, you already know their story and can delve deeper than you would if you were an outsider.
You will not miss out on other characters by choosing an origin character. You will still be able to group up with the other companions.
(The Dark Urge is the exception)
Your race and class allow you to have unique dialogue options as you play the game. These dialogue options could greatly benefit your ability to progress with certain events.
For instance, as a Druid, you will have natural instincts for Nature and Animal Handling that you can use while speaking to creatures and other Druids in the game.
As a Paladin, you can have the skills for Intimidation and Intelligence, allowing you to convince guards to get out of your way or to get the truth out of somebody.
The Dark Urge Explained
All of the origin characters have their own physical appearance and class, except The Dark Urge.
The Dark Urge is a unique origin character and the only origin that lets you customize your character completely. You can choose your own race, class, and skills. What makes this origin unique is your dialogue options.
Similarly to the Ilithid powers you obtain from the Nautiloid worm inside your brain, The Dark Urge is something inside you that needs to do evil. This urge will come up as dialogue choices.
You will have no memory of your past and feel happy and excited around blood and death. If you give in to this urge, you could end up killing an important character.
This origin story is meant to be a twisted Baldur's Gate 3 experience. This Dark Urge will sometimes push you to kill without your consent.
Even if you choose this origin character, you do not have to give in to or agree with the evil deeds. Your choices are still your own to make, but you will be experiencing things in the game differently as you try to fight it.
Making A Custom Character
Making your own character from scratch, you get to handpick your skills and your story. The plus side is that you get to play around with the Character Creator screen and all of its 100 skin tones and mythical races.
If you decide to make your own custom character, you will still have access to all of the origin characters minus The Dark Urge.
Creating a custom character is a great way to balance out your team by selecting a race and class that no companions are.
Gaining the companion's trust and approval will allow you to delve into their personal story and side quests. It will just take longer to find out their story than if you were playing as them.
You can also control your companions by selecting their icons while they are in the party with you. You can walk around as them and talk to people as them. Because of this, you can have the best of both worlds by choosing a custom character.