Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3has a unique twist to the story for players who chooseThe Dark Urgefor their character’s Origin. This background takes players on a darker path than the base game’s Tav. While you don’t have to play the Urge as evil, there are violent and horrifying choices that come along with this murderous character.
While there is a default build for the character, a ‘Durge’ is completely customizable if you wish to make changes. The race you choose can embellish the grittier storyline. This article breaks down the best races for a Dark Urge playthrough.
Updated on Jul 15, 2025 by Britt Poteet:With more Evil Endings added to Baldur’s Gate 3, The Dark Urge storyline has been slightly updated, making it a great time to revisit the Durge origin. This updated list includes a few more entries and new information to help you best select the race for your Dark Urge playthrough.
11Human
Customizing your Dark Urge as a Human may limit the subclass choices, but the race acts as a jack-of-all-trades option. This race is the most common in Faerun, so Durge will easily blend into whatever environment they are in.
The Civil Malitia feature provides a Human Durge with a versatile range of weaponry to use on enemies or victims. As a human, you will also get an extra proficiency to choose from. While this isn’t the most creative option, you can craft the Human into your desired class and personality.
Why Choose Human?
10Wood Elf
If you want to play as a sneaky Dark Urge, Wood Elf is another great Stealth race. Training in both archery and camouflage,these elves excel in ranged combatand surprise attacks.
Playing Durge as a Wood Elf also provides the feature Mask of the Wild, giving your character proficiency in Stealth, and The Fleet of Food racial feature, which increases movement speed. With bonus speed and proficient perception, this Durge character takes down targets quickly and quietly.
Why Choose Wood Elf?
9Shield Dwarf
Playing the Dark Urge origin as a Dwarf may not be your first idea, but a small detail in the Dark Urge storyline makes this choice even more sinister: Durge enjoys eating Dwarf Meat. The concept of a Dwarf consuming another Dwarf adds a sick and twisted element to an already dark storyline.
Additionally, Shield Dwarves gain proficiency in lightand medium armor. This extra perk provides more armor options for the Durge character, especially if your class is more susceptible to damage.
Why Choose Shield Dwarf?
8Deep Gnome
If you plan to operate your Durge run as a stealth playthrough, a Deep Gnome is a great option. This subclass has a base dexterity bonus and an advantage on Stealth checks, so your sneaky moves and assassinations will be more successful. Your character can hide in the dark and make their move without enemies seeing them coming.
This race also typically lives in the Underdark for long periods, which could contribute to headcanon lore, as living in isolated darkness could contribute to the unhinged nature of the character.
Why Choose Deep Gnome?
7Half-Elf
Half-Elves traditionally feel as though they lack a place to belong. Torn between two worlds, finding a community to fit into can be difficult. As Durge struggles to figure out who they are in a battle of good and evil, this other conflict of belonging is a nice added backstory.
This race also benefits from Fey Ancestry, giving them an advantage against charms and sleep magic, and Civil Militia,granting access to a wide range of weapons. Half-Elves are versatile, so this race is a decent pick for Durge.
Why Choose Half-Elf?
6Githyanki
A Githyanki Durges possesses an even stronger taste for murder. The Dark Urge and The Gith have a serious thirst for violence, creating more threatening dialogue options. As other races view Gith as rude, your character’s ruthless behavior will fit right in.
However, the lore behind The Dark Urge may fit better races, as Githyanki are not native to Faerun, and Durge was raised as a Baldurian. This small snag in the backstory may cause some players to disregard this race for a Durge playthrough.
Why Choose Githyanki?
5Zariel Tiefling
Teiflings are one of the races met with the most disrespect in Baldur’s Gate 3. As a member of an oppressed group, this Durge is met with suspicion and hostility throughout the game. This additional plot can fuel your character’s intimidation and hostility. The Zariel Tiefling, in particular, are empowered with martial strength and can channel flame to punish their enemies, adding some flare to your backstory.
This race is also a great choice for resisting the Urge, as your character may want to prove that they aren’t as bad as others make them out to be. Either way, the extra dialogue options make this an intriguing choice for The Dark Urge.
Why Choose Zariel Tielfing?
4Half-Orc
Half-Orcs are powerhouse characters known for their strength, endurance, and brutality. The race already excels at Intimidation checks, so the Dark Urge fits the race in that regard. Half-Orcs are also great as melee fighters, making you a force to be reckoned with against your opponents if you prefer martial builds rather than ranged.
While the character looks intimidating, the role-playing for a Half-Orc Durge isn’t as exciting. The race-specific dialogue and voice acting don’t appeal to players as much as other Durge options.
Why Choose Half-Orc?
3Asmodeus Tiefling
As stated above, the teifling race is met with racism throughout the game, giving Durge another reason to be angry at those around them, fueling the violence. If you resist urge, It could be because you wish to be different from how others perceive tieflings.
The Asmodeus Tiefling inherited darkness and the ability to wield fire from the archdevil, Asmodeus. Their ability to use darkness to blind enemies is perfect for the atrocities the Dark Urge wishes to commit.
Why Choose Asmodeus Tielfing?
2Dragonborn
In Baldur’s Gate 3 canon, The Dark Urge is a white Dragonborn. While you can completely customize the character, that is the default race. Their serpentine appearance makes the character slightly more menacing when Durge gives in to their murderous impulses, and their facial expressions hold more weight.
Dragonborn are regarded as headstrong and proud, so for one to fall victim to the Urge provides a deeper narrative for the character. If you want to stay true to the canonical Durge, this is the race to choose.
