Baldur's Gate 3: Best Origin Characters For 1st Playthroughs (2024)

Players who want to experience the story of Baldur’s Gate 3 without interrupting the world of Faerun with their custom character can rely on one of the game’s Origin Characters to get the job done. Similar to Divinity Original 2, which was also created by Baldur's Gate 3 devs at Larian Studios, Origin Characters are playable characters that function as companions but also work as main player characters. Possessing their own personality and narrative, Origin Characters significantly impact the overall outcome of Baldur’s Gate 3.

However, with seven Origin Characters available, players may have difficulty choosing who to play as the character in their first playthrough. After all, this main character becomes the star of the Baldur’s Gate 3 story, but which character represents the best parts of the game for the best first impressions?

Updated on August 29, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With the Dark Urge getting an even grislier ending in the upcoming patch, fans of the game might be curious to learn just who among the available Companions are must-tries as their player character. In this regard, it may help to identify just what crucial points in Act 1 should players be wary of per available Origin in order to ensure a smoother playthrough in subsequent parts of the game. These include making the important decision of whether or not to meet a particular character, having an interesting substitute when players use a specific Origin, or getting a more personal story out of a particular Companion.

7 Gale

A Wizard Prodigy With A Bit Of A Thirst

D&D players know that Wizards have a reputation for making things go boom, particularly with a devastating Fireball. Origin Gale makes for a decent introduction to the Class. As the resident Wizard among the available Origins, he immediately gives players access to some of the game’s most versatile Spells.

While players have the option of tinkering with Gale’s eventual Class and build, having a status effect in place whenever he gets hungry for Magic Items can make him a bit of a drag. Since some magic items are both useful and hard to come by, it can be difficult for new players to sacrifice valuable trinkets to satiate Gale’s hunger, especially when going unfed can pose a Disadvantage to his various Actions.

Recommended 1st Class: Evocation Wizard

Gale's default class as a Wizard works best, especially given his backstory involving the arcane. The Wizard remains one of the most versatile classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 given their access to a large roster of spells.

As far as subclassing goes, turning Gale into an Evocation Wizard is the most practical choice. This gives him access to massive firepower across his character progression. Given the difficulty of some encounters in BG3, having access to damaging spells at the onset can let players eliminate threats with relative ease

• Best Cantrips: Fire Bolt, True Strike
• Best 1st-Level Spells: Magic Missile, Chromatic Orb, Thunderwave, Sleep
• Best 2nd-Level Spells: Flaming Sphere, Scorching Ray, Shatter

Best Skills To Prioritize For Gale

Gale’s riveting backstory involving a failed love and the gripping potential of mass deaths make him someone easy to sympathize with. And with his scholarly training, Gale is easily the go-to guy for all things magic. Ensuring this in-game requires that he has access to the following Skills:

• Astarion: For Gale, the vampire Astarion walking in broad daylight is a perfect specimen for research. Not to mention, Gale’s quips generate more light-hearted moments when met with Astarion’s sarcastic comments. In combat, using Astarion as a traditional Rogue provides a much-needed deadly edge in melee given Gale’s hard focus in long-ranged spellcasting.
• Lae’zel: Given Gale’s history with the otherworldly, meeting an explorer from the Astral Realm like Lae’zel can pique his scientific curiosity. Lae’zel’s innate sarcasm and razor-sharp straightforwardness can work with Gale’s quirky statements, with the bonus of the Githyanki being a solid base Fighter who is dependable on the frontlines.
• Shadowheart: Being a Cleric with a divine dilemma over her Mysterious Artifact, the Half-Elf may understand Gale’s plight with his Netherese Orb. Players who maintain Shadowheart’s base Cleric Class also complete this traditional roleplaying party with a healer, filling all bases for various encounters.

6 Astarion

A Vampire Spawn With A Vengeful Mission

Aside from being the resident seduction mascot of Baldur’s Gate 3, the charming Astarion spices up gameplay with his nature as a vampire. The Mindflayer parasite somehow allows him to survive in daylight, providing a layer of intrigue separate from his vampiric origins. He gives players a look into the depth of character development present in the Larian Studios title.

His default Class, Rogue, grants Astarion access to an expanded skillset that gives players opportunities to overcome RPG hiccups such as traps, locked objects, and even Stealth. This also encourages experimentation with gameplay elements such as Sneak Attacks, incentivizing more creative ways to play. While Astarion can complicate relationships with his preference for violent solutions, this also provides unique interactions with other characters.

Recommended 1st Class: Thief Rogue

The Rogue fits Astarion's personality and his nature as a vampire. The Rogue is perhaps the one Class (aside from the Bard) that has access to the most Skill Proficiencies, making Astarion a jack of all trades. This makes the Rogue a worthwhile first Class, as there’s no need to shuffle between multiple party members when dealing with the environment.

For his subclass, despite the versatility of the Arcane Trickster, the Thief Rogue is the most straightforward choice. Sneak Attacks and Cunning Actions allow Astarion to become a more proactive member in combat without having to worry about which abilities to use.

• Best Features: Longsword Proficiency
• Best Feats: Two-Weapon Fighting
• Best Actions: Sneak Attack (Melee/Ranged)
• Best Bonus Actions: Cunning Action (Dash, Disengage, Hide)

Best Skills To Prioritize For Astarion

Despite having access to some of the best quips and comebacks in the game, Astarion’s initial build as a Rogue means he’s not as adept at conversations as players may want him to be - at least, in a mechanical sense. Should players have a chance to respec or tweak his character, the most ideal Skills to improve are:

• Lae’zel: The Gityhanki Lae’zel has a ruthlessness that matches Astarion’s penchant for the sad*stic, making her presence work for mildly evil (or at least, questionable) decisions. Maintaining Lae’zel as a Fighter works with Astarion’s Rogue, allowing the former to stay on the frontlines while Astarion takes care of single threats.
• Shadowheart: Among the game’s starting Companions, Shadowheart remains one of the more morally gray characters that fit any grouping. Shadowhart’s own crisis of spirit suits Astarion’s journey of rediscovery, and pushing through with her starting Cleric assignment can give the party a much-needed healer.
• Wyll: While Wyll is technically a more honorable Companion than the others, his Warlock Patron is exactly the kind of vicious that matches Astarion’s personality. Class-wise, maintaining Wyll as a Warlock positions him as a DPS/Support unit that can juggle roles in the front and the rear of the party. Romantically speaking, Wyll may help Astarion become a much kinder soul, or perhaps Astarion can encourage Wyll to open up to his desires.

5 Wyll

A Living Legend With A Deadly Promise

Despite his initial appearance as a swashbuckler, Wyll makes a surprising debut as a Warlock in Baldur's Gate 3. Being a person who taps into power provided by a Patron, selecting Wyll as one’s main Origin already implies interactions with an unseen force, making it interesting to see their perspective towards the Mindflayer invasion. Moreover, Wyll actively chasing fellow Origin Karlach prior to the story also sets up unique interactions between them.

Wyll's classification as a Warlock gives him fewer spells compared to Wizards and Sorcerers, but he can also defend himself with weapons. A limited spell list can make it easier for fans to understand without sacrificing creative options. His inclination towards Charisma can make him quite the ideal first character, covering the dialogue needs in the game.

Recommended 1st Class: Fiend Warlock

Wyll’s interesting backstory makes it ideal for the swordsman to pursue the Warlock for an initial playthrough. The Warlock establishes a decent middle ground between the hyper-versatile Wizard and the straightforward Fighter.

As a Fiend Warlock, eventual Feats can help Wyll avoid death (Dark One’s Blessing). He can also get a pseudo-Bardic Inspiration once per Short Rest (Dark One’s Own Luck) on top of more powerful weapon attacks (Pact of the Blade).

• Best Features: Pact of the Blade, Dark One’s Blessing, Dark One’s Own Luck
• Best Cantrips: Eldritch Blast, True Strike
• Best 1st-Level Spells: Hellish Rebuke, Hex, Arms of Hadar, Armor of Agathys
• Best 2nd-Level Spells: Scorching Ray, Shatter, Mirror Image, Misty Step

Best Skills To Prioritize For Wyll

Wyll’s naturally high CHA Mod means he’s built perfectly to become the team’s Face. As a player character, this makes Wyll ideal for most conversations. However, players may want to ensure that Wyll can have access to both equal dialogue and battlefield opportunities with the following skills:

• Karlach: Wyll and Karlach initially starting as enemies make for a great personal arc, especially when her presence shakes Wyll’s morals. Both of them have the earliest stakes in Act 1, with Karlach’s starting Barbarian Class becoming a decent frontline to Wyll’s own versatile Warlock. As traditional “good guys,” Karlach and Wyll will likely share the same sentiments in many decisions in the game.
• Gale: Gale's personal magic-centric story makes him an ideal starting Companion for Wyll playthroughs, especially when Gale’s quips change the pace from Wyll’s more serious story. Using Gale as a Wizard also gives his party a much-needed long-ranged powerhouse, whether through Gale’s damaging spells or utility options.
• Astarion: Ever the daring Vampire Spawn, Astarion’s natural charms can make him an attractive polar opposite to Wyll’s natural goodness. Astarion’s penchant for the morally gray can test Wyll’s patience and character, with the vampire’s own story benefiting from Wyll’s perspective. Moreover, using Astarion as a Rogue can give Wyll’s party a hard-hitting melee specialist.

4 Karlach

The Fury Of Avernus In Need Of A Heart

Karlach the Tiefling makes an ideal Baldur’s Gate 3 companion due to her stakes in both the story and the world of Faerun at large. Act 1 of the campaign already puts Karlach at a crossroads, as she’s forced to mediate a conflict between her kind and Druids; meanwhile, fellow Origin Wyll is out for her blood. The reveal (and active mention) of Tieflings being discriminated against in the Forgotten Realms also makes for an interesting character development opportunity between Karlach and the people she talks to.

Players who choose her and opt for her ideal Class, the Barbarian, also get access to quite a decent tank. Unlike the straightforward Fighter, the Barbarian can teach first-time players how to balance gameplay elements such as Rage and Unarmored Defense, maximizing damage output without being overwhelmed by spellcasting rules.

Recommended 1st Class: Berserker Barbarian

Karlach's sheer “chill ferocity” makes her a lovable Companion, and her “can-do” attitude makes her fit the Barbarian Class. However, whereas the game suggests she take the Wild Heart Subclass, a first playthrough could benefit better from the Berserker Barbarian.

Compared to the former’s situational perks, the Berserker Barbarian improves Karlach's Rage (Frenzy) by giving her access to more damaging attacks (Frenzied Strike) and enhanced throws (Enraged Throw). For players who want a straightforward attacker-tank without the complex options tied to the Warrior and Monk, Karlach as a Barbarian is a must-try.

• Best Features: Unarmored Defense, Reckless Attack
• Best Feats: Great Weapon Master, Tavern Brawler
• Best Actions: Frenzy, Frenzied Strike
• Best Bonus Actions: Enraged Throw

Best Skills To Prioritize For Karlach

Despite Karlach’s quest for vengeance, her naturally kind and protective nature makes her among the perfect tanks in the game. With this in mind, building her STR as well as specific Skills can make her an ideal protector on the battlefield.

• Wyll: Unlike other Companions in the game, Wyll and Karlach have strong ties to the opening part of Act 1, with their differences making for an interesting story arc. Moreover, Wyll’s relationship with his Warlock Patron from the Nine Hells could illicit some useful insights from Karlach, who has a history with Avernus. In a party, using Wyll as his Warlock start can provide Karlach with a charismatic Face and utility spells.
• Shadowheart: When Karlach converses with Shadowheart, the Tiefling makes quite an impression on the Cleric of Shar. Unlike other Companions, Shadowheart’s tough exterior and soft interior can become the perfect comrades for Karlach’s struggle for deeper connections. As a Cleric, Shadowheart can guarantee the survival of Karlach’s party with heals and buffs.
• Gale: The Wizard of Waterdeep provides a unique flavor to Karlach’s party with quips and quirky statements that could earn a chuckle from Wyll or a sarcastic retort from Shadowheart. While Gale’s story can merit some initial difficulty in ensuring he doesn’t die of magical hunger, his presence as a Wizard could give the team much-needed magical firepower.

3 Shadowheart

A Loyal Warrior With A Questionable Past

Players who want a more “local” flavor to their first BG3 experience may want to choose Shadowheart as their first Origin character. She’s one of the first characters players will encounter in the game, and her amnesiac nature can help her become the reader-insert that can immerse players in both Faerun culture and Shadowheart’s eventual significance to the plot.

Shadowheart’s preferred Class, the Cleric, can transform her into one of the most reliable characters in a combat setting. Having immediate access to healing spells on top of being bulky can give players the flexibility to choose other companions and customize them as they see fit, providing leeway for early-party tinkering.

Recommended 1st Class: Life Cleric

Since the main set of Origins lacks a natural healer, designating Shadowheart as a Cleric ensures that the team possesses at least some way to survive tough encounters.

While Shar’s domain of darkness ties Shadowheart to the story as a Trickery Cleric, a first playthrough could use her as a Life Cleric to support the rest of the team. The Life Cleric focuses heavily on securing the team’s survivability, possessing a wide array of buffing and healing spells that ensure the party can take care of the fiercest threats.

• Best Features: Turn Undead, Preserve Life
• Best Cantrips: Guidance, Resistance
• Best 1st-Level Spells: Guiding Bolt, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Shield of Faith, Bless, Bane
• Best 2nd-Level Spells: Aid, Lesser Restoration, Prayer of Healing, Silence

Best Skills To Prioritize For Shadowheart

While Shadowheart begins the game with no idea about her real past, her training as a Cleric of Shar gives her unprecedented knowledge of both religion and the occult. She can capitalize on this backstory with the following Skills:

• Lae’zel: Among the initial party members players will meet in Baldur's Gate 3, Lae’zel has the most animosity with Shadowheart due to their differences in opinion. With Lae’zel always having a razor-sharp retort to Shadowheart’s sly statements, their banter is enough to merit her a spot in Shadowheart’s team. Moreover, using Lae’zel as a Fighter gives Shadowheart’s party a dependable tank in the frontlines.
• Karlach: The Fury of Avernus establishes a rapport early with Shadowheart, especially when Karlach’s unbridled authenticity attracts people around her. While thematically not matching Shadowheart’s natural edginess, Karlach’s bubbly optimism can transform Shadowheart’s party into a worthwhile team to bring to the end of the game. As a Barbarian, Karlach can bring a heavy-hitter in melee, countering Lae’zel’s more strategic melee prowess.
• Astarion: Regarding thematic fits to Shadowheart’s character, Astarion is a surefire fit with his charming aura and a natural inclination towards darker decisions. Among the cast, Astarion understands Shadowheart’s “calmness” in darkness, with his potential as a Rogue providing the team with a deadly damage powerhouse with his Sneak Attack. Should Astarion become an Arcane Trickster, he also obtains spellcasting utility for the team.

2 The Dark Urge

An Amnesiac Warrior With A Murderous Urge

Larian Studios gives BG3 players the option to create a Custom Origin character, much like in Divinity: Original Sin 2. However, BG3 takes things up a notch with The Dark Urge. This Custom Origin template has a completely different story compared to the traditional "foreigner in a foreign land" take on the typical custom option.np

While remaining customizable, the Dark Urge has plenty of unique dialogue options and a much darker story route, which can be perfect for players who want a little chaos in their playthrough. Although decisions for the Dark Urge fall on the grittier side of the RPG spectrum, their approach to story events is different enough that they're worthy of a wild first playthrough or a radical second round for the overall game.

Recommended 1st Class: Dragonborn Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer

Compared to the traditional “protagonist-coded” Custom Origin, the Dark Urge’s murderous impulses set them up for a darker story that even the former’s “evil-aligned” choices can’t surpass. With their lack of a standard appearance, players may instead want to consider sticking with the original Dragonborn option. Perhaps choose a color that works best with their preferred element, as per Dragon Ancestor in the Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer.

This subclass option allows players to explore BG3's potentially game-breaking mechanics, especially with the Class’ Metamagic on top of safety nets such as a higher base AC and extra HP (Draconic Resilience), as well as extra spells, damage, and resiliency tied to their favored element (Elemental Affinity).

• Best Features: Metamagic
• Best Cantrips: True Strike, Minor Illusion, (Draconic Bloodline-tied Spells)
• Best 1st-Level Spells: Magic Missile, Chromatic Orb, (Draconic Bloodline-tied Spells)
• Best 2nd-Level Spells: Invisibility, Misty Step, (Draconic Bloodline-tied Spells)

Best Skills To Prioritize For The Dark Urge

The mysterious Dark Urge provides a gateway for evil playthroughs - which, unfortunately for players, means they will likely be the target of a lot of NPCs they meet. To ensure the Dark Urge’s protection throughout the run, it’s best to give this Origin Character the following Skills:

• Shadowheart: The Cleric of Shar remains one of the more morally gray characters in the game, making her one of the few Companions to tolerate the Dark Urge’s murderous desires. However, Shadowheart doesn’t give players an easy time when it comes to their urges, making her a worthwhile moral center with her darkness. As a Cleric, Shadowheart can provide the Dark Urge’s party with much-needed survivability through healing and buffs.
• Astarion: Being a vampire, it’s not difficult for Astarion to see the Dark Urge’s murderous desires as something acceptable. Astarion’s innate charm and willingness to dive deep into a person’s inner darkness can make him one of the few Companions worthy of diving into the deep end with the Dark Urge. Astarion as a Rogue gives the Dark Urge’s party an edge regarding melee DPS, especially when Sneak Attacks are involved.
• Lae’zel: On top of Lae’zel and Shadowheart having their conflicts to fix, the straightforward pragmatism of Lae’zel can make her an ideal Companion for the Dark Urge. Whereas players are having a crisis of conscience with the Dark Urge’s past, Lae’zel’s rather wild nature can be refreshing to see, especially in crucial moments. Having her by the Dark Urge’s side will enlist a tank in the party, especially if Lae’zel stays as a Fighter.

1 Lae’zel

A Ferocious Fighter With Something To Prove

Newcomers who want to choose an Origin for their first playthrough should consider the Githyanki, Lae’zel. While the Githyanki are an uncommon race in the world of the Forgotten Realms, Lae'zel's “foreign” perspective makes for a perfect introduction for equally foreign players in the world of Faerun.

Transitioning into Lae’zel also makes sense for the game’s starting cinematic, where Githyanki are seen chasing the Mindflayers as they travel to the Astral Plane. Lae’zel and her kind were shown to have the strongest motivation to fight the established villains, making it easier for players to empathize with them. Not to mention, her ideal Class, the Fighter, is one of the most versatile Classes in Baldur's Gate 3, making her suitable as a leader-type figure.

Recommended 1st Class: Battle Master Fighter

As a part of the Githyanki pursuing the Mindflayers, Lae’zel is the ideal Fighter. She is a battle-hardened combatant capable of leading the team regardless of the conflict. Players who want a straightforward first playthrough should consider subclassing her into the Battle Master Fighter. This gives her access to a roster of maneuvers that have varying effects on the battlefield, on top of Action Surge, which allows her to do more in a single turn.

The Battle Master’s versatility can rival the likes of spellcasters such as Wizards, albeit more geared towards fighting enemies efficiently. The right combination of Fighting Style and Feats allows the Fighter to protect the team as a tank, while other party members like Astarion make quick work of enemy forces.

• Best Features: Fighting Style (Dueling, Protection, Great Weapon Fighting)
• Best Feats: Sentinel, Polearm Master
• Best Actions: Second Wind, Action Surge
• Best Maneuvers: Commander’s Strike, Distracting Strike, Evasive Footwork, Feinting Attack, Goading Attack, Sweeping Attack

Best Skills To Prioritize For Lae'zel

Lae’zel’s naturally aggressive but hyper-competent nature fits her persona as a Fighter, but hitting things shouldn’t always be her go-to option. Players who want to use Lae’zel can maximize her presence as a Githyanki stranded in Fae’run with the following Skills:

• Shadowheart: The Cleric of Shar being one of the few who could match Lae’zel’s razor-sharp retorts with snappy comebacks, Shadowheart spends much of the game just trying to coexist with the straightforward Lae’zel. This early dent in their relationship and their journey to cast their differences aside makes Shadowheart a worthwhile Companion for the Githyanki. Moreover, using Shadowheart as a Cleric allows her to maximize her potential to help the party survive while Lae’zel tanks enemies.
• Astarion: Players who aren’t too keen on Lae’zel’s straightforward and sometimes dry humor could use someone like Astarion to lighten things up. Not too shy about the prospect of killing as a solution, Astarion also fits Lae’zel’s patented brand of sheer pragmatism. However, Lae’zel could also use Astarion’s prowess as a Rogue in her party, making him a damage powerhouse while she handles absorbing damage on the frontlines.
• Gale: Another bane to Lae’zel’s focus on the objective is Gale’s funny quips, continuously testing her patience in hilarious ways. This isn’t to say that Gale is a slouch, however, as the Wizard of Waterdeep is also a prodigious talent. As a Wizard, Gale adds much-needed versatility to the team with his powerful long-ranged attack and utility spells.

7 Images

7 Images

Baldur's Gate 3

RPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:96/100 Critics Recommend:98%

Platform(s)

PC , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X

Released

August 3, 2023

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Franchise

Baldur's Gate

Publisher(s)

Larian Studios

Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer

Engine

Divinity 4.0

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

How Long To Beat

100+ Hours

Steam Deck Compatibility

yes

X|S Enhanced

yes

PS Plus Availability

N/A

Split Screen Orientation

Vertical Only

Number of Players

1-4

Local Co-Op Support

1-2 Players

Cross Save

yes

Cross-Platform Play

Baldur's Gate 3 doesn't support crossplay