Baldur’s Gate 3 is a massive game packed with many different choices that influence how the adventure unfolds. However, some of those choices are more than a little on the evil side. In fact, there are quite a few points in the game where some seriously morally objectionable decisions are available, leading some down the path to the dark side without even having to play as the Dark Urge origin.
[Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Baldur’s Gate 3.]
There is so much to do in Baldur’s Gate 3 that it can be a little overwhelming. From essential quests to complete before moving to the next Act, to tons of side quests that can literally be stumbled upon, there is no way every option can be seen in a single playthrough. Of course, like any good RPG, there are many points throughout Baldur’s Gate 3 where being the bad guy is an option, leading to some really questionable decisions.
10 Kill Karlach
Part of Wyll’s early questline involves being sent to hunt a terrible devil, and he will enlist the party’s help in completing this task. The devil in question turns out to be the tiefling Karlach, a potential companion, who has escaped from Avernus after being sold to Zariel. Here, the choice is presented to either make Wyll see reason and recruit Karlach or to let him fulfil his mission and kill her.
Killing Karlach is especially cruel as she has been forced to fight in the Blood War in the Nine Hells for years and has only just managed to return to the Material Plane. However, it is entirely possible to kill Karlach as soon as she is met, letting the native Baldurian die without ever seeing her home again.
9 Let Arabella Die
One of the earliest morally questionable decisions that can be made in Baldur’s Gate 3 is in Act 1’s Druid Grove. Here, a young tiefling girl called Arabella has been captured by the circle’s new leader, Kagha, after stealing their holy idol. While most will try to talk some sense into Kagha to let her release Arabella without harm, there is a dark option available.
There is an option to say nothing, guaranteeing that Arabella will try to run, leading to her death at the hands (or fangs) of Kagha’s snake. This isn’t a good option in terms of game mechanics, as Arabella can provide buffs in the final battle if she is saved in Acts 1 and 2. But for those looking to roleplay a darker character, letting the child die is a must.
8 Give Shadowheart To Shar
Shadowheart’s personal quest deals with her relationship with the goddess Shar and offers two options for those of the morally gray persuasion. In Act 2, when seeking out the Nightsong, there is the option to let Shadowheart prove her devotion to Shar by killing the aasimar. This will end any romance for Shadowheart and turn her fully into a faithful servant of Shar. However, for those who let her discover the truth behind Shar and Selûne, there is another chance to be heartless by handing Shadowheart over to Viconia in Act 3, removing her from the party permanently, likely doomed to have her memories wiped all over again.
7 Encourage Orin To Kill Hostage
As part of the main questline in Act Three, the chosen of Bhaal Orin will kidnap a member of the party from camp. Who it is can change, but options include Halsin, Lae’zel, and little orphan Yenna. After finding the Temple of Bhaal, where Orin has her hostage tucked away, the more evil inclined can then actively encourage Orin to kill the unconscious character she has taken. Which, Orin being Orin, will happily oblige before fighting the party.
6 Betray The Druid Grove
Close to the end of Act 1, there is a choice to take out the three leaders in the Goblin Camp who are leading the Absolute’s forces or to lead them to the Druid Grove. Obviously, the most morally wrong choice here is to side with the goblins and the Absolute and help wipe out the Grove. Choosing this will mean the deaths of not only the druids and tieflings but Wyll and Karlach will also leave the party, and Halsin will not join the group in Act 2.
5 Sleep With Mizora
There are a few characters that are available for romance in Baldur’s Gate 3. Some of the romance options in Baldur’s Gate 3 are better than others, and some are little more than a fling. Mizora is one such option, and in Act Three, there is the possibility to share an evening of passion with her. However, as she is an evil cambion, there is obviously a catch, which is the torture of hundreds of souls in the Hells to fuel the night’s fun.
4 Let Astarion Ascend
Astarion is one of the most complex characters in Baldur’s Gate 3, and his personal quest culminates in confronting his former master Cazador. Cazador plans to sacrifice Astarion, along with seven thousand other vampire spawn, to ascend, and after beating him in battle, Astarion faces a choice. Here, he can be influenced into breaking the cycle of death and simply kill Cazador, or he can fully turn to the dark side and ascend to Cazador’s place. Allowing Astarion to ascend is considered the bad ending, as everyone’s favorite rogue will embrace his new powers, becoming an evil vampire lord.
3 Give Raphael The Crown
Raphael is a powerful cambion that is met early in Baldur’s Gate 3, teasing the party that he can help remove the mind flayer tadpoles currently wriggling in their heads. His angle isn’t clear at first, but when he is encountered again in Act 3, he offers a deal. He will give the party Orphic Hammer to free Orpheus in exchange for the Crown of Karsus. If the deal is signed and honored, then Raphael becomes the Archdevil Supreme with a special cutscene at the end of the game after the credits, making it clear that he is in full control of the Hells, and he doesn’t plan to stop there.
2 Kill Minsc
Returning characters from previous Baldur’s Gate games, Minsc and Jaheira are the last two companions to be recruited. When finding Minsc, it is clear he is not himself, and he will have to be knocked out using non-lethal attacks in order to recruit him. However, it is possible to kill Minsc even after knocking him out through dialogue choices. For an extra level of evil, having Jaheira in the party will mean that she will insist on being the one to end her long-time friend’s life, and she will deal the final blow. This course of action does mean that Jaheira will permanently leave the party afterward, so gameplay wise it isn’t a smart one. However, for those who want to live in the darkest timeline, then killing Minsc is a valid choice
1 Have Wyll Sell His Soul But Don’t Save His Father
Wyll’s personal quest involves his contract with the devil Mizora, and as part of that quest, there is the possibility to either free him from his contract or have him renew it. That choice comes after Gortash’s coronation in Act Three, where Mizora appears to offer Wyll two options. He can either be free of his contract and let his father die or sign a new one with her to learn where his father is being held. The most evil course of action here is to let Wyll sign his soul away to Mizora and then let Duke Ravengard die in the Iron Throne prison anyway. This is, without a doubt, the cruelest and most morally deplorable thing anyone can do during a playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3 by condemning Wyll to an eternity of horror for nothing.
