GamesRPGBaldur’s GateBaldur’s Gate 3Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 7 doesn’t change one bard’s grisly fate, but I’m glad she’s deadWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesRPGBaldur’s GateBaldur’s Gate 3Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 7 doesn’t change one bard’s grisly fate, but I’m glad she’s deadWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Larian)
Is it grim? Beyond measure, as very few characters inBaldur’s Gate 3die as brutally. Is it undeserved? For sure – Alfira is a sweetheart. But, am I glad that she’s still dead, following Larian’s confirmation thatPatch 7 hasn’t made her a full-time party member? You better believe it.
Don’t fear the reaper
(Image credit: Larian Studios)
Bad to the bone(Image credit: Larian Studios)Resisting the Dark Urge in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the most fulfilling RPG experience
Bad to the bone
(Image credit: Larian Studios)Resisting the Dark Urge in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the most fulfilling RPG experience
(Image credit: Larian Studios)
Resisting the Dark Urge in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the most fulfilling RPG experience
Sure, I feel bad for Alfira. She’s disarmingly friendly, and unlike many of Act One’s characters, has no ulterior motives (besides crushing on Lakrissa). In my first-ever playthrough – not as the Dark Urge – I watched her go from mourning pupil in the Emerald Grove, to reaching the city of Baldur’s Gate with ambitious plans to open a school for bards.
But, as Alfira would undoubtedly back up if she was still here, art is suffering. The Dark Urge is not a playthrough for perfect happy endings, unless your fairy-tale finale involves swimming in red streets of minced Baldurians. During the first act, you’re notmeantto feel in control – and when the whole drive of Baldur’s Gate 3 is to adventure on your own terms, losing that independence hits like a sledgehammer. Unfortunately, Alfira is the sacrifice that’s needed to sell all of this – one final, bloody twist of the knife to ensure you won’t underestimate the stakes again.
Funnily enough, Alfira’s death is pretty much the last time in the Dark Urge’s story that you’re truly trapped into committing an atrocity. From there on out, you’re given a lot more options to push back on their innate bloodthirst, if you so choose. You can trace everything back to Alfira – it can be an unforgivable low that you never want to sink to again, or a jumping-off point for an evil playthrough to chase even nastier highs.
(Image credit: Larian Studios)
When your evil mind-controlling butler Sceleritas Fel attempts to have the Dark Urge kill their romantic interest in Act Two, there’s no doubt that the threat of a dead party member is serious. Having already woken up in Act One’s Alfira soup, you know the game isn’t playing around. At this point you know the consequences for giving in – it’s why you rally so hard to pass every dice roll, to pick the perfect dialogue choices. To begood.
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So yes, Alfira fans, I’m sorry that your favorite Bard is still dead. But I wouldn’t have it any other way, as without her murder, the Dark Urge’s story wouldn’t be half as impactful as it is. “There are no new companions,” wrote Larian in thegame’s latest patch notes. “There is only death.” Perhaps for one single, brutal night that’s true – but thanks to Alfira, it doesn’t have to be the case forever.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Dark Urge is the wickedest I’ve ever felt in a video game
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