Exploit Mechanics and the Dark Urge
Baldur’s Gate 3 has recently introduced Patch 7, which has elevated the beloved Tiefling bard, Alfira, to a temporary companion status. However, this new role comes with a twist that feels reminiscent of a "cursed monkey’s paw" scenario. A clever user on the Baldur’s Gate 3 subreddit, known as Cenalexis_01, has discovered a way to make Alfira a permanent member of the party, albeit through a rather convoluted exploit that showcases the game’s open-ended mechanics in a delightfully chaotic manner.
For those familiar with the Dark Urge origin story, one of the most impactful moments involves the forced murder of Alfira. During Act 1, she unexpectedly visits your camp during a long rest, and the Dark Urge is compelled to kill her—though players can manipulate events to have a stand-in character, Quil Grootslang, take her place instead. Patch 7 allowed Alfira to join the party temporarily, igniting speculation that she might be a surprise new companion. However, this was merely a cruel twist intended to deepen the narrative’s emotional stakes.
Cenalexis_01’s method for retaining Alfira as a companion requires a significant investment of time and effort. First, players must complete the goblin versus grove quest in favor of the grove and navigate to the Shadowlands (specifically the Grymforge) without taking a long rest. While this task is manageable depending on one’s character build, it can complicate companion quests considerably.
Once players reach this point, they must ensure Alfira arrives at the camp before progressing into Act 2. The next step involves eliminating the Dark Urge and storing their body in a character’s inventory. Cenalexis_01 accomplished this feat in co-op multiplayer, but it remains feasible in solo play as well. Afterward, players can finally take a long rest, as the Dark Urge’s incapacitation will prevent any further harm to Alfira.
With the initial hurdle cleared, Alfira will be present in the party come morning. However, further actions are necessary to avoid leaving the Dark Urge in a state of limbo. Players must trigger Alfira’s Act 2 quest by bringing her to Last Light and engaging her in conversation as if everything were proceeding normally. Completing this quest involves rescuing the tieflings from Moonrise Tower, all while avoiding long rests unless the Dark Urge is safely tucked away in the shadow realm.
After collecting Alfira’s quest reward, players must then eliminate her and store her in the inventory, mirroring the earlier process with the Dark Urge. Finally, a long rest can be taken, which will activate a version of the murder scene featuring Quil Grootslang. Following this sequence, Alfira can be revived at Withers, akin to a standard companion, a feat not typically possible when her death is scripted into the narrative.
While the process may seem laborious, the question arises: is it worth the effort? The answer is a resounding no. Although Alfira will remain a combat-ready companion, she will essentially function as a zombie, devoid of any further dialogue or story content, similar to Withers’ hirelings. Moreover, the avoidance of long rests could disrupt companion quests and romantic arcs. Yet, the sheer audacity of bypassing the game’s built-in limitations to achieve a technically feasible outcome—albeit one that lacks enjoyment—captures the essence of what makes video gaming an exhilarating experience.
