In Baldur’s Gate 3, Wyll is a compelling companion with a storyline deeply rooted in moral choices, infernal contracts, and legacy. Players who bond with him throughout the game will eventually face one of the most important decisions in his character arc whether Wyll should become the Duke of Ravengard or fully embrace his identity as the Blade of Avernus. This dilemma is more than a title; it determines the fate of Wyll’s soul, the destiny of Baldur’s Gate, and how he fits into the larger narrative of Faerûn’s battle against demonic and infernal forces.
Wyll’s Backstory and Origins
The Warlock with a Hero’s Heart
Wyll is introduced as a noble-born warlock who made a pact with the devil Mizora in exchange for power. Known as the ‘Blade of Frontiers,’ he fights evil across the Sword Coast. Despite his infernal contract, Wyll carries himself with honor, always striving to protect the innocent and uphold his values. However, his demonic pact haunts him, raising questions about whether true heroism can survive when it’s entangled with hellish deals.
His father, Duke Ulder Ravengard, is a significant political figure the leader of Baldur’s Gate. Their relationship is strained due to Wyll’s secretive actions and infernal alignment, creating a personal conflict that runs parallel to his struggle between becoming a noble duke or staying the sword of Avernus.
The Choice: Duke of Ravengard or Blade of Avernus
Understanding the Fork in the Road
As the story progresses in Baldur’s Gate 3, players are presented with a dramatic turning point. After events involving the hells and Mizora escalate, Wyll is given two choices. One path restores his family legacy becoming the Duke of Ravengard and reclaiming his place in Baldur’s Gate society. The other path fully embraces his infernal identity as the Blade of Avernus, an eternal warrior of the Nine Hells.
This choice is not just cosmetic. It deeply affects Wyll’s dialogue, character development, relationship with other party members, and the ending sequences. Each decision holds philosophical weight, especially in a game built on player agency and consequence.
Choosing Duke of Ravengard
Return to Nobility and Redemption
When players choose the path of nobility, Wyll accepts his responsibilities as the son of Duke Ulder Ravengard. He takes up the mantle of leadership, attempting to bring justice and order back to Baldur’s Gate. This decision signifies Wyll’s rejection of infernal power and an attempt to rebuild his reputation with honor.
Key elements of this path:
- Ends the pactwith Mizora, distancing Wyll from the Nine Hells
- Focuses on politics, duty, and leadership
- May create a strained relationship with Mizora, resulting in different consequences depending on her final fate
- Shows growth and redemptionas Wyll steps into a civilian role of power
Choosing this path highlights Wyll’s human side his desire to make amends, to be more than a tool of destruction, and to serve the people in a more traditional and less violent way.
Choosing Blade of Avernus
The Infernal Champion Unleashed
Alternatively, Wyll can embrace his identity as the Blade of Avernus. This decision accepts the consequences of his deal with Mizora and commits him to a lifetime of infernal warfare. He becomes a powerful warrior of hell, fighting for causes that blur the line between good and evil.
Core aspects of this path include:
- Strengthens his bond with Mizora, ensuring he retains infernal power
- Fulfills the terms of his original pact
- Focuses on combat prowessand warlock-themed narratives
- Locks Wyll into a destiny in Avernus, potentially separating him from the material plane
This version of Wyll sacrifices peace and family for power and war. It appeals to players who view strength and resolve as superior to diplomacy and legacy, giving Wyll a darker but potent ending.
Gameplay Implications
How the Choice Affects the Game
Although both options result in Wyll remaining a powerful warlock, there are notable differences in his dialogue, narrative tone, and epilogue scenes. These choices can affect how NPCs treat him, what allies comment about his path, and how the ending cinematics unfold depending on which role he assumes.
In terms of combat:
- Both versions of Wyll maintain his Warlock class and Eldritch Blast capabilities
- The Blade of Avernus route keeps him more in line with combat-oriented builds
- The Duke route may shift focus to charisma-based interactions and story depth
This narrative fork is less about power scaling and more about character roleplay and thematic depth. Regardless of your choice, Wyll remains effective in battle, but his motivations and future are shaped by your decision.
Philosophical Themes Behind the Choice
Power vs Redemption
The decision between becoming a duke or remaining the Blade of Avernus plays into several larger philosophical ideas. Wyll’s character represents the tug-of-war between duty and freedom, redemption and power, legacy and identity. Players must ask themselves whether true strength lies in authority and peace or in embracing what makes you different even if it’s dark.
This choice mirrors real-world struggles with identity, purpose, and the cost of ambition. Do we reject power for the sake of family, or do we use that power to carve out a new future, even if it means walking alone?
Reactions from Companions
Party Dynamics and Approval
Your party members may react differently depending on the path Wyll takes. Characters like Karlach, Shadowheart, or Gale may approve or disapprove based on their moral alignment and beliefs about infernal magic.
Choosing the Duke path may earn approval from those who value peace and redemption, while choosing the Blade of Avernus may resonate with companions who understand sacrifice and power.
It’s important to remember that Baldur’s Gate 3 is rich with companion dynamics, and every decision ripples across the party. The path you choose for Wyll isn’t just about him it’s about the group’s cohesion and how the story weaves together in the end.
Which Option Is Better?
No Right or Wrong Only Roleplay
There’s no definitive better choice between becoming the Duke of Ravengard or the Blade of Avernus. The best path depends on how you interpret Wyll’s journey. If you see him as a man seeking redemption and purpose in the material world, restoring his family name as a noble duke is fitting. If you believe he was born to wield infernal power and shape fate through fire and steel, then the Blade of Avernus suits him best.
Ultimately, this decision shapes your story. It influences your ending and helps you define who Wyll is to your version of the world. The richness of Baldur’s Gate 3 lies in these gray areas, where personal choice matters more than raw stats or mechanics.
Wyll’s narrative in Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the most emotionally complex and thematically rich in the game. The decision between becoming the Duke of Ravengard or embracing his role as the Blade of Avernus highlights the core of his internal conflict. It is a choice between legacy and power, redemption and fate. Whether you choose nobility or damnation, Wyll’s story remains compelling and deeply personal, reminding players that in a world of magic, gods, and demons, the most important battles are often those we fight within ourselves.