All Baldur’s Gate 3 Origin characters explained: Dark Urge, Astarion, Shadowheart & more

❘ Updated: 2023-12-22T16:20:41

Baldur's Gate 3 Dark Urge Origin character

Larian Studios

Origin characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 add an interesting dynamic to the game, each with unique advantages. Learn who these heroes are and what they bring to the table for players.

While the Dungeons and Dragons-inspired game provides extensive options for character creation, including class and race selection, using a premade Origin character can be appealing for some.

Thankfully, Origin characters serve that exact purpose, and they provide unique benefits to your Baldur’s Gate 3 experience if you decide to use them such as additional quests and lore.

So, here’s everything you need to know about Origin characters in the game.

What are Origin characters in Baldur’s Gate 3?

You can play as the vampiric Astarion if you want.

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Origin characters are essentially pre-designed builds you can choose when you’re in character creation. Instead of making one from scratch, you simply step into the shoes of these Origin characters and begin, using their stats, backstories, quests, motivations, and more.

What makes Origin characters so wonderful is that you get exclusive quests, and are able to learn more about that character’s backstory, making it a perfect way to understand those companions a little better.

On top of this, if your Origin character is recruited as a companion, their previous experiences will influence their opinion of your exploits and your relationship with said companions.

All Baldur’s Gate 3 Origin characters

Currently, there are seven Origin characters. If not selected, all can become Companions with the exception of the Dark Urge.

We’ve listed all the companions and their classes below:

Astarion: a High-Elf Rogue with the Charlatan background. He’s good at deception, sleight of hand, stealth, acrobatics, perception, performance, and persuasion.
Lae’zel: a Githyanki Fighter with the Soldier background. She is good at atheltics, acrobatics, survival, and intimidation. Lae’zel can handle light, medium and heavy armor without trouble.
Gale: a Human Wizard with the Sage background. He’s good at Arcana history, investigation, insight, and persuasion.
Shadowheart: a High-Elf Cleric with the Acolyte background and Trickery subclass. She’s good at history, insight, medicine and religion.
Wyll: a Human Warlock with the Folk Hero background and the Fiend subclass. He’s good at animal handling, arcana, intimidation, persuasion and survival.
Karlach: a Zariel Tiefling Barbarian with the Outlander background. She’s good at athletics, intimidation, perception and survival.
The Dark Urge: this is the player’s choice. Can be whatever race, subrace, class or subclass you want, and even their look is customizable. However, the background will always be Haunted One, which makes them good at intimidation and medicine.

So there you have it! Those are all the Origin characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 as well as what they are all about. While choosing your next character, take a look at some of our other handy Baldur’s Gate 3 guides and content: