Dark Marik's personality is the manifestation of Marik Ishtar's own hatred and trauma. Dark Marik lacks any form of empathy toward others. He's an extremely deceitful and treacherous sadist, to the point that it even extends to his dueling strategy, implementing torture-themed cards that his dark powers can manifest into reality to make his opponents suffer for his own amusement. He is also a masochist, reveling in the pain he experiences himself during his duels.