The Emperor in Baldur’s Gate 3 stands out as one of the most intriguing villains in recent RPGs. Far from a traditional caricature of evil, the Emperor operates in a moral grey zone, driven by self-preservation and a hunger for power. Throughout the game, he manipulates allies, betrays trust, and strategically plots his survival—all while presenting moments of calculated cooperation that make him an ambiguous and complex character.
However, the Emperor’s arc in Baldur’s Gate 3 leaves room for improvement in future installments. Despite his intelligence and moral ambiguity, his story ultimately stagnates by the conclusion, lacking a satisfying narrative shift. This provides an opportunity for Baldur’s Gate 4 to craft a villain who not only outmatches the Emperor in terms of malevolence but also introduces a transformative moment of unexpected redemption.
Related
Predicting Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 8 Release Date
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 8 is coming some time in 2025, but with Larian having yet to confirm a date, it’s worth speculating about when it could debut.
Baldur’s Gate 4 Needs a Truly Ruthless Villain
To surpass the Emperor, the next Baldur’s Gate villain should embody a far greater level of cruelty and ruthlessness. While the Emperor manipulates and betrays allies when necessary, his primary motivations revolve around self-preservation rather than destruction for its own sake. A new antagonist could heighten the stakes by adopting a more sinister and far-reaching agenda.
A villain intent on destroying Faerun to enforce twisted ideals, rather than gain power, could heighten urgency and moral conflict. Unlike the Emperor, they could stay fully evil throughout the game, challenging the player at every step. A final act of redemption, such as sacrificing themselves to undo their destruction, could add complexity the Emperor lacked.
Baldur’s Gate 4 Can Build on Jergal’s Legacy
Hints within Baldur’s Gate 3 suggest that the game’s sequel will revolve around Jergal, the former God of Death who relinquished his powers to the Dead Three. If this is true, it opens the door for Baldur’s Gate 4 to explore deeper themes of regret, legacy, and redemption.
Jergal’s disdain for the Dead Three is well-documented, particularly in the condemnation of their reckless attempts at godhood. A villain connected to this divine narrative could allow the story to explore the long-term consequences of past actions. Perhaps the next antagonist is one of the remaining followers of the Three, intent on finishing their failed plan. This villain could contrast the Emperor by showing no hesitation in committing atrocities but still retaining an underlying humanity that surfaces in the final act.
Such an approach would provide a different narrative arc, giving the player a chance to grapple with themes of justice, morality, and the weight of their decisions. It would also ensure the villain’s actions remain tied to the larger lore of the Forgotten Realms, grounding their motivations in a history players may be eager to explore.
The Next Baldur’s Gate Antagonist Must Offer Different Endings
One area where Baldur’s Gate 4 could improve is in the resolution of its villain’s storyline. The Emperor’s endings in Baldur’s Gate 3 feel arguably polarizing. Players can either align themselves with his morally corrupt ambitions, effectively becoming a puppet of his control, or turn against him and face limited agency in determining his ultimate fate.
The next antagonist should avoid this pitfall by offering players a broader spectrum of choices. Imagine a villain whose actions are irredeemable throughout most of the game, only to surprise the player with a climactic decision to undo some of their devastation. For example, they could sacrifice their own life (similar to one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s romances) or power to prevent further destruction, creating a rare moment of vulnerability.
This would not only enrich the narrative but also challenge players to reevaluate their perception of the character. It could also be a decision that’s only given to players who were keen on picking up specific story beats or sought out specific activities.
Additionally, the game could provide more nuanced endings based on how players interact with the villain—did they show compassion, even when faced with unspeakable acts? Did they pursue vengeance, or attempt to negotiate peace?
A Villain to Define the Next Era of Faerun
To surpass the Emperor, the next major antagonist in Baldur’s Gate 4 should strike a delicate balance between unrelenting cruelty and fleeting humanity. A villain who drives the story forward with relentless intensity, while offering a moment of surprising redemption, could elevate the narrative to new heights. Either way, Baldur’s Gate 4 has the potential to deliver a story that shifts gears where its predecessor didn’t get the chance to.
