If you’re wondering whether to pick a custom character or origin character in Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian CEO Swen Vincke has some advice you might not have expected. Like Divinity Original Sin 2, Baldur’s Gate 3 lets you choose a character, class, and skills of your own or pick from one of several origin characters, characters who play an important role in the story and have pre-defined stats and skills.
If you’re like me, you might think these origin stories are an ideal way to avoid choice paralysis and making the wrong build right from the start. During a recent interview with Dropped Frames, Vincke said “not so fast” (thanks, PC Gamer).
“I would always pick a custom, and discover my companions,” Vincke said. “I think the origins come into play when you replay it. That said, there’s nothing wrong with picking an origin. It’s just… they work better if you’ve played the game already once because then you see it through their eyes. What was Shadowheart thinking the first time she saw you? And now you know when you’re in their head.”
It’s a sound point to make about how Larian hopes people experience the story and will probably make for a balanced, well-rounded narrative – something I definitely didn’t get my first time through Original Sin 2 when I saw things only through Lohse’s perspective. Still, if you only have time for one playthrough of the meaty RPG, your best choice is probably whichever character appeals to you the most.
Baldur’s Gate 3 launches for PC on Aug. 3, 2023, and for PS5 on Sep. 6, 2023 – the same day Starfield launches.
Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF
