Can You Recruit Both Halsin and Minthara in Baldur’s Gate 3? The Definitive Answer

The question on every Baldur’s Gate 3 player’s mind: Can you have your cake and eat it too? Can you recruit both the noble druid Halsin and the ruthless drow Minthara into your party? The short answer, historically, has been a resounding no. However, recent patches and discoveries have opened up some…unique opportunities. Let’s dive deep into the current state of affairs.

For a long time, recruiting both Halsin and Minthara was considered impossible without heavy modding or exploiting glitches. The game’s narrative was explicitly designed to force a choice: side with the Tieflings and Druids, and recruit Halsin, or side with the Goblins and slaughter the grove, earning Minthara’s loyalty. These were mutually exclusive paths. Committing to one effectively locked you out of the other. Siding with the Tieflings meant facing Minthara as a boss, while siding with Minthara meant Halsin would become hostile.

However, a workaround has emerged: the “Knock Out” Minthara Recruitment method. This method, while requiring specific steps and potentially being subject to future patching, currently allows players to recruit both.

The “Knock Out” Method: A Step-by-Step Guide

This method hinges on temporarily incapacitating Minthara without killing her before she becomes a fully-fledged enemy. Here’s how it works:

1. Do NOT trigger the Raid on the Emerald Grove. This is crucial. The moment you actively participate in the raid, you’ve locked yourself out of the legitimate Halsin recruitment path.

2. Make Minthara Temporarily Hostile. You need to provoke her into attacking without triggering the full-scale war. One method is to steal something valuable in front of her, which will make her temporarily hostile.

3. Knock Minthara Out with Non-Lethal Attacks. Critically, you must ensure that all your attacks against Minthara have the “Non-Lethal Attacks” toggle enabled. This is found on the “Passives” tab on your hotbar. Every character involved in the fight MUST have this enabled before attacking her.

4. Complete Act 1. After knocking Minthara unconscious, proceed with the game, resolving the Emerald Grove situation in favor of the Tieflings and recruiting Halsin.

5. Progress to Act 2. After completing Act 1 and entering Act 2, head to Moonrise Towers.

6. Find Minthara in Moonrise Towers. Search the prison area of Moonrise Towers. If the “Knock Out” method worked correctly, Minthara should be present, albeit imprisoned.

7. Free Minthara. Help Minthara escape from her imprisonment.

8. Recruit Minthara. After freeing her, she should be available to join your party.

Important Considerations for the “Knock Out” Method:

• Patch Dependency: This method relies on specific game mechanics that Larian Studios may choose to alter in future patches. It’s not guaranteed to work indefinitely.
• Potential Bugs: While it works for many players, some have reported encountering bugs, such as Minthara not appearing in Moonrise Towers or being unable to interact with her. Save often and be prepared to reload if necessary.
• Moral Implications: This method involves manipulating the game’s systems to bypass intended narrative consequences. Consider whether this aligns with your preferred playstyle.
• Difficulty: Make sure the Non-Lethal attacks passive is on for all attacking characters.

Is It Worth It?

Whether or not you want to try this is up to you. Recruiting both characters offers unique tactical advantages. Halsin’s Druidic abilities and Minthara’s Paladin powers can complement each other well. However, it also presents narrative challenges. Halsin and Minthara have vastly different worldviews and personalities. Maintaining party cohesion can be difficult, and you may face disapproval from other companions based on your interactions with them. Proceed with caution!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the possibilities and limitations surrounding Halsin and Minthara recruitment:

Can I recruit both Halsin and Minthara if I side with the Goblins and raid the Emerald Grove?

No. Siding with the Goblins and participating in the raid on the Emerald Grove will lock you out of recruiting Halsin. He will become hostile and you will be unable to recruit him later in the game.

What happens if I kill Minthara before attempting the “Knock Out” method?

If you kill Minthara, you will obviously not be able to recruit her later in the game. The “Knock Out” method specifically requires her to be temporarily incapacitated, not permanently killed.

Is the “Knock Out” method guaranteed to work?

No, it is not guaranteed. It relies on specific game mechanics that could be patched out in future updates. Additionally, some players have reported encountering bugs that prevent it from working correctly. Save frequently and be prepared for potential issues.

Will recruiting both Halsin and Minthara break my game?

It is unlikely to completely break your game, but it can lead to unexpected narrative consequences and potential bugs. The game wasn’t originally designed for both characters to be in the party simultaneously.

What are the benefits of having both Halsin and Minthara in my party?

Having both characters offers diverse tactical options. Halsin provides Druidic spells and wildshape abilities, while Minthara offers Paladin combat prowess and potentially unique dialogue options related to the Absolute.

Are there any downsides to recruiting both Halsin and Minthara?

Yes. The most significant downside is the potential for narrative dissonance. Halsin and Minthara are diametrically opposed in terms of morality and worldview. This can lead to conflicts within your party and disapproval from other companions. You may also encounter bugs or unintended interactions.

Does recruiting both Halsin and Minthara affect my relationship with other companions?

Yes. Romancing certain characters might be impossible. Some companions, particularly those with strong moral compasses, like Karlach or Wyll, will severely disapprove of Minthara and may even leave your party if you actively support her. Astarion may approve of it, however.

If the “Knock Out” method doesn’t work, is there any other way to recruit both?

Currently, without using mods, there is no other reliable method to recruit both Halsin and Minthara if the “Knock Out” method fails.

What level should I be when attempting the “Knock Out” method?

You don’t need to be a specific level, but you should be strong enough to handle a fight with Minthara and her Goblin allies. Being around level 4 or 5 is generally recommended.

Does the difficulty setting affect the success of the “Knock Out” method?

No, the difficulty setting doesn’t directly affect the mechanics of the “Knock Out” method. However, a higher difficulty might make the fight against Minthara more challenging.

If I’m playing on Tactician mode, is the “Knock Out” method still possible?

Yes, the “Knock Out” method is still possible on Tactician mode, but it will be more challenging due to the increased enemy stats and improved AI.

What happens if Minthara is temporarily hostile and someone accidentally kills her?

If Minthara is accidentally killed, you will not be able to recruit her later. You must ensure she is only knocked unconscious.

Can I use the “Knock Out” method on other characters?

The “Knock Out” method is primarily used for Minthara because her recruitment is directly tied to specific narrative choices. While you can use non-lethal attacks on other characters, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee you can recruit them later if the game isn’t designed for it.

Will Larian Studios patch out the “Knock Out” method in the future?

It is possible. Larian Studios has a history of addressing exploits and unintended game mechanics. Whether they consider the “Knock Out” method an exploit and choose to remove it remains to be seen. Be aware that it can become unavailable after future updates.

Where can I learn more about game design and mechanics, like those used in Baldur’s Gate 3?

If you’re interested in the educational aspects of game design and the mechanics that make games engaging, explore the resources offered by the Games Learning Society. They offer valuable insights into the intersection of gaming and education. Visit their website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to discover more! This is a great resource for developers and educators alike to improve their game design skills.