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Can You Save Gale in Baldur’s Gate 3? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, you absolutely can save Gale in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3), and there are multiple ways his story can unfold, ranging from tragic sacrifice to godhood. Saving Gale involves navigating his unique condition, dealing with his insatiable hunger for magical artifacts, and making crucial choices throughout the game that affect his ultimate fate. This article will serve as a comprehensive guide to not only keeping Gale alive, but also guiding him towards a fulfilling and positive ending.

Gale’s Condition and How to Manage It

Gale suffers from a Netherese Orb implanted in his chest, a ticking time bomb of immense magical power. This orb threatens to explode and destroy everything around him if not managed correctly. Understanding and addressing this condition is the key to saving Gale.

Feeding the Orb: Consuming Magical Artifacts

Periodically, Gale will require the absorption of magical items to stabilize the Orb. The game will notify you when this occurs. To fulfill this need:

Go to your campsite and speak with Gale.
Choose the dialogue option to “give Gale a magic artifact.”
Select a magic item from your inventory to donate.

Important Considerations:

Choose wisely: Don’t give Gale items that are essential to your character build. Early in the game, look for easily replaceable magical trinkets or items with less impactful enchantments.
Don’t ignore the need: Failing to feed Gale the required magical items will initially result in Constitution penalties and eventually lead to him stealing items or even leaving your party.
Limited uses: Basic magic items such as potions or scrolls cannot be used to satisfy his hunger.

Alternatives to Sacrificing Gale

A major turning point arrives when Gale proposes sacrificing himself to destroy the Absolute. While this option ends the game’s primary conflict, it comes at the cost of his life. It’s crucial to convince him to find another way. Choose dialogue options that emphasize the value of his life and the potential for finding a different solution. Persuading him to seek alternatives keeps him alive and opens up more fulfilling story arcs.

Reviving Gale After Death

Even if Gale dies in combat or due to the Orb’s instability, there’s a chance to revive him.

Using the Scroll of True Resurrection

Immediately following Gale’s death, a ghostly apparition of him will appear and explain that he prepared for this eventuality. He stashed a Scroll of True Resurrection on his person.

Steps to Revive Gale:

Loot Gale’s Pouch: Retrieve the pouch from his inventory.
Unlock the Pouch:
- Unthread the purple seam counterclockwise.
- Pick up the letter inside.
- Pick up the flute and position your fingers on the flute, ready to play individual notes.
- Play the following notes: D, E, A, D.
Use the Scroll of True Resurrection: With the scroll in your inventory, interact with Gale’s corpse and use the scroll to bring him back to life.

This process is crucial for continuing Gale’s questline and accessing the character development opportunities he offers.

Gale’s Endings: Godhood or Redemption

Gale’s story culminates in several potential endings, ranging from becoming a god to finding redemption through Mystra. Your choices throughout the game significantly impact which ending he achieves.

Avoiding Godhood

Gale has the potential to attempt to become a god by taking control of the Crown of Karsus. However, this path often leads to a negative outcome, including Mystra’s anger and Gale’s death. To avoid this, consistently dissuade him from seeking ultimate power through dialogue options.

The Good Ending: Redemption Through Mystra

The “good ending” for Gale involves him surrendering the Crown and seeking redemption through Mystra. She may offer to restore his humanity, requiring him to leave the mortal world and go to Elysium as her Chosen. Accepting this offer leads to a fulfilling conclusion where he finds peace and purpose. Even if he refuses to become her Chosen, he will still receive the gratitude and favor of the goddess, so this is also a good ending.

Impact of Your Choices

Throughout your journey, your dialogue choices and actions directly influence Gale’s decisions and ultimately determine his fate. Encourage him to embrace humility, to resist the allure of godhood, and to seek alternative solutions to the threat of the Netherese Orb. By guiding him down this path, you not only save his life but also help him achieve a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Whether it involves strategic item management, persuading Gale to avoid rash decisions, or reviving him with the Scroll of True Resurrection, your actions shape Gale’s journey and the narrative of Baldur’s Gate 3. Therefore, choose wisely and consider the long-term consequences of your decisions. The fate of Gale is in your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Saving Gale in BG3

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about saving Gale in Baldur’s Gate 3, providing even more in-depth answers and tips.

What happens if I ignore Gale at the beginning of the game? If you choose to ignore Gale when you first encounter him, he will slip back into the portal, and you’ll miss the opportunity to recruit him initially. You lose access to his unique character arc and party benefits.
Can Gale die permanently? Yes, if Gale dies and you don’t have a means to revive him, such as the Scroll of True Resurrection or another resurrection spell, his death can become permanent. However, as long as you are proactive, you should be able to bring him back.
How often does Gale need to consume magic items? The frequency with which Gale needs to consume magic items varies throughout the game, but it’s generally a few times per act. Pay attention to your quest journal for notifications.
What types of magic items can Gale consume? Gale can consume most magical items, including weapons, armor, rings, and amulets. However, he cannot consume basic potions or scrolls.
Is it worth letting Astarion drink my blood to get the Happy buff? Allowing Astarion to drink your blood grants him a +1 bonus to all his checks (the Happy buff). There’s a slight risk of death, but if you don’t mind the risk, the benefits can be valuable, especially in combat.
What happens if I don’t give Gale magic items? If you repeatedly deny Gale’s requests for magic items, he’ll suffer Constitution penalties. In the long term, he may become upset, start stealing items, or even leave your party permanently.
Is it better to let Gale sacrifice himself to destroy the Absolute? No. While it does provide a quick resolution to the main conflict, it comes at the cost of Gale’s life and the other characters’ lives. There are alternative solutions that allow Gale to survive. Persuade him to find another way.
Can I romance Gale? Yes, Gale is one of the companions you can romance in Baldur’s Gate 3. This involves making specific dialogue choices and building a strong relationship with him throughout the game.
What are the consequences of letting Gale become a god? If Gale attempts to become a god, it will likely invoke Mystra’s anger, leading to his death. It is generally not a favorable outcome.
What is the best ending for Gale? The best ending for Gale involves him surrendering the Crown to Mystra and accepting her offer to become her Chosen in Elysium. This path leads to redemption and fulfillment.
How does the Dark Urge origin affect Gale? The Dark Urge origin can present unique challenges when interacting with Gale, particularly regarding the urge to harm or kill companions. However, it’s possible to resist these urges and still maintain a positive relationship with Gale. That’s right! Keeping hand is a way to get around having to actively murder someone in Act 3 when you’re more “in control” of your rage.
How old is Gale? Based on in-game clues and character interactions, Gale is likely over 30 years old.
Can you turn into a vampire if Astarion bites you? No, being bitten by Astarion does not turn you into a vampire. It carries a small risk of death, but there are no long-term effects.
Where can I find more information about character interactions and choices in Baldur’s Gate 3? You can find more information on online forums, wikis, and strategy guides dedicated to Baldur’s Gate 3. You may also find insightful perspectives and research at the Games Learning Society, which explores games and learning at GamesLearningSociety.org.
What happens if I don’t recruit Astarion? If you don’t recruit Astarion, he will remain near the Nautiloid wreck indefinitely until you either recruit him or progress past Act 2.
By following this comprehensive guide and addressing the key aspects of Gale’s condition and storyline, you can ensure that Gale not only survives but thrives in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Can you save Gale bg3?