Summary
- Players can encounter a wide variety of NPCs in Baldur's Gate 3, some with intriguing stories and others with filler roles.
- Resisting the urge to kill NPCs can be beneficial, as many characters are vital to the game's progression and future outcomes.
- Key characters like Mizora, Yurgir, Karlach, Kagha, and more should be kept alive to unlock quests, allies, and knowledge in the game.
The world of Baldur's Gate 3 is filled with a wide variety of NPCs to fill out various parts of the setting and story. Interacting with them leads to interesting stories and side quests, while others act as vendors, for exposition, or as other types of "extras."
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While it may be tempting to murder almost everyone the player sees, depending on the type of game they're playing, the Dark Urge isn't for everyone. There are countless characters that players should try to keep alive in Baldur's Gate 3, especially when trying to be the hero, but circumstances can change whether or not the protagonist is a Tav or a Durge.
Updated February 18th, 2025, by Kristy Ambrose: More than a year after the game's launch and several updates to Baldur's Gate 3 has added an assortment of new evil endings for players to achieve, along with the new subclasses included in Patch 8. Players might be left asking themselves, should I kill Bernard or any of the other NPCs in the game? This article highlights some of the characters that players should consider keeping alive, either because of their unique storylines or quests that yield worthwhile awards.
WARNING! Spoilers about characters and quests in Baldur's Gate 3 ahead.
18 Mizora
First Met In Act One After Recruiting Wyll
- A Half-Fiend that gives Wyll all his Warlock powers, players can kill Mizora when she is trapped in a Mindflayer pod in Act Two.
Many players are incredibly familiar with Mizora, as players will likely meet her soon in their adventure in act one of Baldur's Gate 3, when they recruit Wyll, as she follows him around as his Patron, who gives him all of his Warlock powers. She is essentially using Wyll for her own bidding and many players may wish to break that contract between them as soon as possible.
While players may get this chance to break the contract in act two by killing Mizora, it is a terrible idea if players hope to keep Wyll, as killing her will see him sent straight to the Hells. Players will have to play it safe and just deal with this obnoxious half-fiend if they want to keep their companions alive.
17 Yurgir The Orthon
Inside The Gauntlet Of Shar In Act Two
- An Orthon tasked with killing all the Sharrans, players can kill Yurgir in Act 2 in the Gauntlet of Shar, and again during the final act in the House of Hope.
At first glance, Yurgir appears like a horrifying creature, but before players decide to put him down in the hopes of helping Astarion, they should first pay attention to his story. Yurgir has been tricked by Raphael, who has trapped him in the Gauntlet of Shar. To free him, he must kill all the remaining Sharrans, but one of them has been turned into many rats.
While it may be easier to just kill Yurgir, by helping him with this task, players can call upon the aid of Yurgir during the final act's battle, as well as another quest during act three where the player is able to defeat Raphael.
16 Karlach
Meet Karlach During The First Act
- Karlach is a Tiefling with an infernal engine for a heart that is slowly trying to explode, players can kill Karlach in the first act as part of Wyll's quest.
Karlach is one of many companions the player can recruit during their adventure in Baldur's Gate 3; however, some players may still not know this because they were given the objective of killing her by both Wyll and the Paladin of Tyr, Anders.
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Killing her has its perks, which is why a lot of players opt for taking her head. It rewards players with a sword from Anders and helps Wyll with his Patron along with getting him some exceptional gear. However, proceed with caution, as players will be missing out on a whole quest line by putting an end to this lovable Tiefling.
15 Kagha
Inside The Emerald Grove In Act One
- Players can either kill her the first time they meet or fight her later if they don't persuade her to stand down when Shadow Druids are discovered.
As the first arguably evil character players are likely to encounter in the first act of Baldur's Gate 3, players may think it's easy to answer if they should kill Kagha. However, uncovering the truth behind her actions is the first scenario out of many where players can make someone see the error of their ways without causing any bloodshed.
Overall, Kagha just wants the best for the Druids and has found herself falling for the manipulation of those who are causing her to kick out the refugees. Players can cause Kagha to turn against those who will see her kill the player and leave the repercussions of her actions up to Halsin when he finally returns.
14 Astarion
Meet Him On The Cliffside Early In Act One
- Players can kill Astarion once he has attempted to bite them during a long rest in the first act with a stake.
Karlach isn't the only companion that players have the chance to kill during their adventures in Baldur's Gate 3. Although many may have already realized that Astarion is a vampire, others may find out for the first time when the white-haired elf attempts to drink their blood.
At this point, players are given three options: allow him to drink, tell him no, or lunge to put a stake through his heart. While anger and confusion may push some players to end the bloodsucker's life, it's far more fulfilling to keep the elf alive to help him get his revenge on the man who turned him so many years ago.
13 Omeluum
In the Myconid Colony With His Friend Blurg
- A Mindflayer with a mind of his own as a member of the Society of Brilliance, players have the chance to kill Omeluum in the Underdark.
Players can't be blamed for jumping at Omeluum's throat the second they appear in the first act. At this point in the story, gamers haven't been encouraged to think highly of Mind Flayers since the game opens with players being kidnapped by them. Thankfully, Omeluum is unlike the rest and genuinely tries to help the player get rid of their tadpole.
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Leaving Omeluum alive can also get players a ring as well as various other items the creature has in stock. Therefore, players should ignore Lae'zel's encouragement to attack this surprisingly pleasant Mindflayer.
12 Gortash
Meet Gortash At The End Of Act 2
- The Chosen of Bane who is attempting to take over Baldur's Gate, players can kill Gortash once they meet him in the third act inside Wyrm's Rock Fortress.
Gortash is one of three NPCs who hope to take over Baldur's Gate with the aid of the Elder Brain. After defeating Ketheric Thorm in Act Two, players may be eager to kill Gortash the second they meet him. However, they should hold their horses and consider the easiest path.
Gortash would suggest working together instead of killing him for his stone. By bringing him the stone from Orin, players can avoid a difficult battle and meet Gortash again at the end of the game. Players should only truly consider this on an evil run, as this means they won't be able to save the Gondiann Gnomes.
11 Mayrina
Inside The Hag's Lair In Act One
- The player doesn't directly kill Mayrina unless they don't free her from the cage in Act One, but they can choose to allow the Hag to keep her.
Mayrina is a human woman that players are likely to hear about early into their adventure through the first act of Baldur's Gate 3. They are first likely to meet her brothers, who are interrogating an old woman, calling her a hag and saying she has kidnapped Mayrina.
Later in this adventure, the act will uncover that these accusations were true, as Mayrina had promised her unborn child to the Hag in the hope of bringing back her dead husband. The player can choose to help Mayrina to free her from the Hag. While she may not thank the player at first, they can find her once again during the final act where she is trying to help others deal with their own Hag problems.
10 Bernard
At The Top Of The Arcane Tower
- Players will be forced to attack Bernard if they don't have the right code phrase.
While the Underdark is filled with all sorts of terrors, players need not worry that everything in there is deadly. Some characters the player is likely to meet will at first give them the benefit of the doubt to prove themselves worthy allies. One such example is Bernard, the magical construct found inside the Arcane Tower.
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Bernard may not have any quests, but he's still an interesting robot to meet. By answering his questions correctly, players will be able to save themselves from this construct's wrath. Although he has a very impressive weapon, some players may prefer the hug more than the loot they could've gotten from him.
9 Scratch
Guarding The Body Of His Former Master In The Wilderness Of Act One
- A loyal friend with handy skills and happy words of encouragement.
Finding this friendly white German Shepherd alone in the Wilderness near the Owlbear Nest cave is heartbreaking anyway. He's stubbornly guarding his master's dead body, and the player has to pass either an Intimidation or Persuasion check to talk him down. Characters that have skills like Nature or Animal Handling might have an extra bonus.
There's little chance that players will kill Scratch once he's in the camp, but if the player angers him by looting Gomwick before speaking to him he'll get angry, and killing him is a poor idea. It's not just because of the Disapproval of almost every Companion or losing a crucial combat ability, it's also the loss of a possible side quest involving the courier company in Baldur's Gate.