Summary
- Some endings in Baldur's Gate 3 are bad, but there are also great endings that provide closure for both characters and the world.
- Making choices that lead to bittersweet endings can still feel like an accomplishment and give characters a future to look forward to.
- The best endings often involve freeing characters from difficult situations, allowing them to heal and create a better future for themselves.
Baldur's Gate 3 is a wonderfully complex game, with a plethora of different choices to make throughout. It's no wonder then that there are lots of different endings to account for all the decisions made along the way. Some are for individual characters as their story comes to a close, while others represent the end of the overall journey to save Faerûn.
[Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Baldur's Gate 3.]
With so many moving parts in the game, it's no surprise that some endings for Baldur's Gate 3 are bad ones. However, it's not doom and gloom as there are some great endings as well, where both the characters and the world get closure. With so much attention to detail for each character, getting these endings can really feel like a sense of accomplishment for those who have tried to do their best for their companions.
10 Karlach Returns To Avernus With Friends
Karlach’s time on the Sword Coast is limited, and even after helping Dammon upgrade her infernal engine, she cannot remain on the Material Plane. Karlach is faced with the awful choice of either bursting into flames on the docks after defeating the Netherbrain or returning to Avernus. She states several times that she would rather die than return, but one of the best endings in BG3 for Karlach sees her going back to the first level of the Nine Hells, but not alone.
There is an option for both the player character and Wyll to accompany Karlach back to Avernus. This is the best option for her, as not only does it buy her valuable time to find a solution to the engine in her chest, but she won’t have to face Zariel alone. All of Karlach’s endings are bittersweet, but of them all, this feels like she has a future to look forward to.
9 Free Orpheus To Overthrow Vlaakith
During Act 3 of BG3, the party is offered a deal by Raphael to free Prince Orpheus from the Astral Prism and ally with him in place of the Emperor. In terms of gameplay, there is little difference, however if Orpheus is freed then it opens up a new path for the githyanki people. Orpheus is the true heir of Mother Gith and seeks to free his people from Vlaakith, meaning that freeing Orpheus can lead to a better future for the githyanki.
8 Don't Let Astarion Ascend
Astarion is one of the most complex characters in a game packed full of nuanced individuals. His personal quest in BG3 culminates in a confrontation with his former master, Cazador, who seeks to ascend, killing Astarion and his fellow vampire spawn in the process. Initially, Astarion wants to usurp the ritual and ascend instead, however this isn’t the best choice for him.
Ignoring any gameplay benefits that might be gained from an ascended Astarion, allowing him to complete the ritual is the worst thing for him personally. He will become darker and crueler and only continue the cycle of evil that began with Cazador. Stopping Astarion allows him to heal and get to a much healthier place mentally, letting him create a new life for himself after Cazador is gone.
7 Free Wyll From His Pact
The party’s resident warlock, Wyll, gets his powers from his cambion patron, Mizora, and although he uses those powers for good, Wyll knows that he has sacrificed his soul for this. However, there is a way to free Wyll from Mizora’s control and have him released from the pact. This will lead to an ending where after the final battle of BG3, Wyll feels his powers fading but is happy, knowing he can lead his life now without being on Mizora’s leash.
6 Become The Absolute
When facing the Netherbrain there is a moment to betray either the Emperor or Orpheus and claim the power of the Absolute. Doing so will doom everyone in Baldur’s Gate and eventually the world as the main character takes the throne to rule. There is even an option to convince the Emperor to join in this domination of the Netherbrain and for them to rule alongside Tav. This is obviously the most evil option, but is the best ending for a fantastically evil Baldur's Gate 3 playthrough.
5 Let Lae'zel Choose Her Own Destiny
If Lae’zel defies Vlaakith and learns the truth about her people’s leader, then she faces an uncertain future. It is expected that Lae’zel will return to the githyanki and follow her "destiny" to free them, be this alone or with Orpheus’ help. However, those with a high enough approval with Lae’zel can convince her to stay in Faerûn and choose her own path. This is the best outcome for Lae’zel, who has learned through her time with the party what it means to be truly free and not have anyone else dictate her life for her.
4 Gale Gives The Crown To Mystra
At the end of Baldur's Gate 3, Gale faces temptation, and he will express an interest in finding the pieces of the Crown of Karsus and remaking it. With a high enough approval he can be persuaded to give the crown to Mystra, which is not only the best choice for Gale but also the world. Giving the crown to Mystra will remove the Crown as a temptation for mortals, and also cure Gale of the orb still in his chest.
3 Shadowheart Turns Her Back On Shar
There is a crucial moment in Shadowheart’s journey where she can begin to turn her back on her goddess, Shar. This comes at the end of Act 2 in BG3 when the party meets the Nightsong and Shadowheart can refuse to kill her. This sets Shadowheart on a path for her best ending, which sees her discover what really happened to her parents and eventually freeing herself from Shar’s grasp. Similar to Karlach and Astarion, this ending can seem bittersweet as it means the death of her parents; however, it means that going forward, Shadowheart’s mind and soul will be her own.
2 Destroy The Netherbrain
The best ending for the overall plot of Baldur’s Gate 3 is ordering the Netherbrain to destroy itself at the end of the final battle. This is known as the heroic ending, which sees the Netherbrain’s plot stopped in its tracks as all illithids attacking Baldur’s Gate are defeated. This ending is also required for many of the other happier endings to take place, and will result in the party being named the Saviors of Baldur’s Gate.
1 Rejecting Bhaal As The Dark Urge
When playing as the Dark Urge origin, it is possible to resist as much as possible and ultimately reject Bhaal after killing Orin. The Lord of Murder understandably does not take kindly to being refused and will kill the Dark Urge on the spot. However, Withers will partially reveal his true identity and will step in and resurrect them, letting them forge a new life with their soul intact. This ending is one of the best in Baldur's Gate 3 as it feels very satisfying when playing as a heroic Dark Urge to have those actions rewarded.