The universally-acclaimedBaldur’s Gate 3is famous for its vast assortment of richly-developed characters. Everyone, from the core cast to the most insignificant NPC, feels like a real person with their own history and personality. There are layers to each interaction that change based on the player’s responses, just like real-life conversations.
Of course, just because characters feelbelievabledoesn’t mean they’relikable. There are all sorts of rude, selfish, cowardly folk out there, andBaldur’s Gate 3made sure to represent them all with hair-pulling, teeth-grinding, chair-throwing accuracy. They’re not “villains” in the classic sense, but they sure are the best at being the worst.
10Aradin
Open Your Mind, Not The Gate
Aradin is the perfect example of whatnotto do when leading an adventuring party. Upon first meeting him, half his crew is already dead thanks to his failed attempts at stealing the Nightsong. And while his prickly attitude is somewhat out of grief, it doesn’t excuse his insufferable bigotry towards the Tieflings and their Infernal heritage.
Nothing is ever his fault, and he has neither the skills nor the courage to back up his relentless arrogance. Is it any wonder why Larian gives players the option ofpunching him in the face?
9Baelen Bonecloak
A Wolf in Sheep’s Polymorph
Some players might be confused about the inclusion of this helpless old codger. Well, old Baelen wasn’t always his wife’s senile mushroom picker. Heusedto be her worst nightmare. If Baelen dies, Derryth tells a sorry tale of her decades-long torment at her husband’s hands (punctuated by the particularly gruesome scar across her face). She was relieved when his mind finally failed him and would be horrified if playersfed him the Noblestock that returned him to normal.
Just goes to show, that some people may deserve death by Bibblebang spores. Besides, accidents happen in the Underdark every day.
8Arfur Gregorio
A Toyseller Eager to Sell His Soul
For someone who made millions selling toys, this merchant couldn’t care less about the lives of children. While admittedly strong-armed into it, Arfur willinglyplanted dozens of bombs inside cute stuffed animals, knowing full well they’d end up in the hands of refugee children. Threats on his life aside, it’s hard to feel sorry for him, considering what would have happened had players not discovered the tampered stuffies in time.
Even when confronted, it’s clear that Arfur is more afraid of getting caught than of the potential blood on his hands. It takes a special kind of selfishness to justify blowing up dozens of families to save themselves.
7Valeria
An Ace Detective, She Is Not
Lots of people are eager to get off work. Counting down the minutes until 5, when they can finally go home or grab a drink with some buddies. But maybe, just maybe, one shouldn’t besoeager for quitting time that they completely botch amurder investigation. Especially one that could make or break how wartorn refugees are welcomed into Baldur’s Gate (if, indeed, they’re welcomed at all).
It takes way too much convincing to get Valeria to consider any other suspect than Brilgor. After all, it’s so much easier to shove the blame on the dead refugee who can’t defend himself. And she’s a busy elephant with a lot of drinking to do.
6Mystra
A Toxic Girlfriend On A Cosmic Scale
As much as Gale literally worships his ex, his relationship with Mystra comes with a lot ofuncomfortable implications. The imbalance of power (not to mention age) between them gave many players “the ick.” Not to mention how quick Mystra was to send Gale off to his death as penitence for one single mistake.
No matter how Gale’s questline goes, it’s clear that any love they may have once shared was largely one-sided on his part. Gale’s real value to his goddess was a temporary amusement at best, and a nuclear inconvenience at worst.
5Araj Oblodra
No Means No
Fans of Astarion far and wide know exactly why this blood merchant is the absolute worst. Araj doesn’t even attempt to hide how much she objectifies Astarion, barely even looking at the poor vamp while directing all her questions toward the player. And when she tries to get him to bite her, it’s plain as day that he’s nothing more than a fantasy to her (which only grows more sickening the more players learn about the poor guy’s backstory).
Araj’s entitlement is only matched by her derangement, as shown by her obsessiveresearch into the sanguineous arts. Everyone is a means to an end for her, and it’s clear that “no” is not a word she’s accustomed to hearing.
4Kagha
This First Druid Has Got to Go
If Aradin was the appetizer to anti-Tiefling-ism inBaldur’s Gate 3, then Kagha is the main course, plus two sides and dessert. Her holding young Arabella at snake-point instantly earned her a spot on many players' hit lists. What’s worse, her xenophobic sentiments make her virtually incapable of seeing any faults in her actions.
Players didn’t even need to learn about herinvolvement with shadow druidsto hate her with a burning passion. For many, that’s just the back-stabbing icing on an already venomous cake.
3Lorroakan
The Folly of Hubris
In Act 1, Rolan couldn’t be more excited about his upcoming apprenticeship with Lorroakan, the somewhat notorious owner ofSorcerous Sundriesin Baldur’s Gate. But when players finally arrive at the magic shop in Act 3, one look at the bruises on poor Rolan’s face is enough to tell them that something is horribly amiss.
Further investigations reveal that Lorroakan is not only a horrible boss to the extreme, but he’s also the onetrying to orchestrate the Nightsong’s recapture. He’s nothing but an arrogant blowhard who will use anyone to cement his power and survival. His humiliating defeat at Dame Aylin’s hands is nothing short of karmic justice.
2Angry Mar’hyah
The Worst Owner of the World’s Best Boy
Two minutes was all Mar’hyah needed to make everyBaldur’s Gate 3player seethe with rage. The dogs of Sword Coast Couriers fear her above all else, not the least of which is Scratch, the party’s beloved pup companion. Seeing him cower under her raised fist boiled enough blood to feed a vampire for weeks.
It’s telling that every single companion approves of the player telling Mar’hyah to get lost. Some things everyone can agree on, like scaring the pants off of known animal abusers.
1Wulbren Bongle
The Poster Boy of “Rude and Ungrateful”
Poor Barcus. He went through so much trouble, putting himself through all manner of danger he was ill-equipped for, all to rescue his beloved friend. And yet, his determination and loyalty are met with nothing but cold dismissal when he and Wulbren are finally reunited.
Wulbren’s later attempts at domestic terrorism are just the sour aftertaste to pair with this heartbreaking betrayal of friendship. Gamers everywhere let out a collective cry of “Are you kidding me?!” in the face of Wulbren’s sheer audacity. No other big-name baddie inBaldur’s Gate 3can compare to the unrelenting tidal wave of hatred that players have for this one Ironhand gnome, bar none.
