Should You Give Gale Magic Items in Baldur’s Gate 3? A Comprehensive Guide

Absolutely! Giving Gale magic items in Baldur’s Gate 3 is crucial for his well-being, your party’s success, and experiencing the full breadth of his compelling storyline. Neglecting his needs has significant negative consequences, potentially leading to his departure, reduced combat effectiveness, and even a premature, devastating ending for your entire party. Let’s dive into why supporting Gale is vital, and how to do it effectively.

Why Gale Needs Magic Items

Gale, the charming human Wizard you encounter early in your adventure, harbors a secret: a Netherese Orb implanted in his chest. This Orb is a ticking time bomb, constantly consuming magic and threatening to explode with catastrophic force. To manage this destructive power, Gale requires you to feed it magical items.

Think of it as keeping a very hungry, very dangerous pet happy. If you don’t provide sustenance (magic items), the consequences are dire:

• Negative Stat Penalties: Each time you refuse Gale, he suffers a temporary penalty to his Constitution rolls, making him more vulnerable in combat. This debuff stacks, weakening him progressively.
• Party Liability: A weakened Gale is less effective in battle. Wizards are powerful damage dealers and crowd controllers, but they are also fragile. A Gale with lowered Constitution becomes a liability, increasing the risk of party wipes.
• Theft and Resentment: Repeatedly denying Gale his magical sustenance will lead to resentment. He may begin stealing magic items from your party to satiate the Orb, creating friction and distrust.
• Departure: The most drastic consequence is Gale leaving your party entirely. Faced with the unbearable hunger of the Orb and your refusal to help, he may seek alternative solutions elsewhere, leaving you without a powerful wizard and potential story ramifications.
• The Doomsday Scenario: If Gale’s condition deteriorates too much, particularly if he feels desperate, he might resort to extreme measures to resolve the issue, and he could explode. This outcome is far from ideal, as it can end the game early and eliminate a companion with a rich background and skills.

Choosing the Right Items to Give Gale

Not all magic items are created equal in Gale’s eyes. While he’ll accept almost anything, certain items are more valuable and can “buy you more time” before he requires another offering.

• Rarity Matters: Generally, rarer items (Uncommon, Rare, Very Rare, Legendary) provide more sustenance to the Orb than common ones. Prioritize giving him items you don’t need or are less strategically useful.
• Item Properties: Look for items with powerful magical enchantments or effects. These tend to satiate the Orb more effectively.
• Duplicates: If you have multiple copies of the same magic item, giving one to Gale is an obvious choice.
• Consider the Robe of Summer: The Robe of Summer, Komira’s Locket, and Ring of Color Spray are some options to consider.

The key is to be strategic. Don’t blindly throw away powerful gear your party needs. Carefully evaluate your inventory and identify items that are expendable or replaceable.

Beyond the Items: Gale’s Story and Endings

Providing Gale with magic items isn’t just about avoiding negative consequences; it’s about unlocking his full potential and experiencing his compelling story.

• Progressing His Quest: Fulfilling Gale’s needs allows you to progress his personal questline. This involves learning more about the Netherese Orb, his past relationship with the goddess Mystra, and his ultimate destiny.
• Romance Potential: Maintaining a positive relationship with Gale, including satisfying his hunger, is crucial for romancing him. His romance arc is deeply intertwined with his personal struggles, and your support can significantly impact its outcome.
• Multiple Endings: Gale has several possible endings, ranging from achieving godhood to finding redemption with Mystra. Your choices throughout the game, including whether or not you support him, determine which ending he receives.
• Avoiding the “Bad” Ending: One potential ending involves Gale sacrificing himself to destroy the Absolute. While seemingly heroic, this ending cuts off a significant portion of the game. By supporting Gale and making the right choices, you can avoid this premature conclusion.
• The “Evil” God Ending: If Gale chooses to pursue the power of the crown, it can be seen as the “evil” choice, according to some of the characters.

What Happens if You Don’t Give Gale Items?

Repeatedly denying Gale magical artifacts comes with a number of consequences. As covered earlier in the article, Gale will suffer temporary penalties to his Constitution rolls, possibly steal items, depart the party, or explode.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if Gale explodes?

If Gale’s Netherese Orb reaches critical instability, it can explode, leading to an early game over. This results in the death of your party, the destruction of the Absolute, and a premature ending.

2. Can Gale leave the party permanently?

Yes, if you consistently refuse to provide Gale with magic items and his approval of you drops low enough, he will eventually leave the party permanently.

3. What are the best magic items to give Gale?

Generally, rarer magic items with powerful enchantments are the most effective. Consider giving him duplicates or items your party doesn’t need. Some options to consider are the Robe of Summer, Komira’s Locket, and Ring of Color Spray.

4. Can I romance Gale even if he needs magic items?

Absolutely! In fact, supporting Gale and meeting his needs is crucial for building a strong relationship and unlocking his romance path.

5. Is it possible to cure Gale’s condition?

While a complete cure for the Netherese Orb isn’t readily available, there are ways to manage it and potentially find a more permanent solution as you progress through the game.

6. Should I let Gale sacrifice himself at the end?

While it seems like a heroic gesture, allowing Gale to sacrifice himself ends the game prematurely. Persuade him to find another way to defeat the Absolute and continue his journey.

7. Can Gale become a god?

Yes, Gale has the potential to ascend to godhood, but this path is often portrayed as an “evil” choice, as it involves wielding immense power that may be too much for a mortal to handle responsibly.

8. What is the best subclass for Gale?

The Evocation subclass is considered a very strong choice for Gale, as it enhances his area-based damage capabilities and makes him an even more potent wizard.

9. Does Gale get back with Mystra?

Yes, after the final battle, one of Gale’s possible endings involves him reuniting with Mystra, the goddess he was once in love with.

10. Can I make Gale evil?

Yes, your choices throughout the game can influence Gale’s alignment and actions. You can encourage him to pursue power and make morally questionable decisions, leading him down a darker path.

11. What happens if I let Astarion bite me?

Allowing Astarion to bite you can improve your relationship with him and deepen your bond, but it carries a small risk of death and has minor physical effects.

12. Should I let Gale use the Orb?

Letting Gale use the Orb in Act III makes more sense. Doing so allows for a more complete ending, and cuts off less content, while serving as a legitimate end to Gale’s character arc.

13. How do I get the good ending in Gale?

To get a “good” ending for Gale, encourage him to surrender the Crown to Mystra as an Illithid. Mystra may offer to restore his humanity if he goes to Elysium, which leads to a “good ending.”

14. What magic artifact does Gale want?

Gale benefits from most magic items, but some of the best to give him are Robe of Summer, Komira’s Locket, and Ring of Color Spray.

15. Is Gale a good guy or a bad guy?

Gale has both positive and negative characteristics, so he isn’t strictly a “good” or “bad” guy.

Final Thoughts

Supporting Gale in Baldur’s Gate 3 is more than just a gameplay mechanic; it’s an integral part of experiencing a richer, more rewarding narrative. By understanding his needs, making informed decisions about the items you give him, and guiding him on his personal journey, you can unlock his full potential, strengthen your party, and achieve a truly satisfying ending. Embrace the challenge, and you’ll find Gale to be a valuable and unforgettable companion. Remember to keep checking in with your companions regularly!

To deepen your understanding of the intersection between gaming and learning, explore the resources available at the GamesLearningSociety.org website. The Games Learning Society explores how video games can be used as learning tools.