How to Recruit Minthara on a Good Playthrough in Baldur’s Gate 3

The question on many a virtuous adventurer’s mind: How do you recruit Minthara on a good playthrough in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3)? The answer, surprisingly, lies in navigating a specific, somewhat obscure path in Act One, specifically by knocking her unconscious during the raid on the Emerald Grove instead of killing her, then progressing through Act Two. This allows her to appear later in the game, even with a predominantly “good” alignment, letting you recruit her at Moonrise Towers in Act Two. It’s a delicate dance, demanding precision to avoid permanently locking her out of your party.

The Knockout Strategy: Your Ticket to Minthara

This method relies on a specific mechanic within Baldur’s Gate 3: the ability to temporarily knock out NPCs. This is different from killing them, which removes them from the game entirely. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Initiate the Raid: Progress the story to the point where Minthara, the Drow Paladin, plans to raid the Emerald Grove.
2. Aggro Minthara and her forces inside the Shattered Sanctum before initiating the Raid. This is crucial because the game can be buggy when trying to non-lethally attack her otherwise. Make sure you’ve completed the quest “Find a way into the Owlbear Cave.”
3. Non-Lethal Attacks: Before attacking Minthara, activate “Non-Lethal Attacks” in your Passive actions. This ensures your melee attacks will only knock her unconscious (indicated by a “Temporarily Hostile” status).
4. Knock Her Out: Carefully reduce Minthara’s health to zero using only melee attacks with Non-Lethal Attacks toggled on. Ensure that she receives the “Temporarily Hostile” status upon being knocked out.
5. Complete the Quest: Proceed with defending the Emerald Grove without killing Minthara. Let the Goblins finish their raid without her.
6. Progress to Act Two: Continue the main story, saving the tieflings and advancing to Act Two.

Finding Minthara in Act Two

If the knockout was successful, Minthara should appear in Moonrise Towers in Act Two. She will typically be found being judged by Ketheric Thorm.

1. Locate Minthara: Find her being processed in the Tower.
2. Choose Wisely: Your dialogue choices will be critical. Generally, you will need to side with her or stand idly by to ensure her survival. Defending her is essential.
3. Recruit Her: If she survives this encounter, you should be able to recruit her to your party.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

This method isn’t foolproof, and several issues can prevent Minthara’s recruitment. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Accidental Death: Using any kind of spell or skill that deals direct damage can easily kill Minthara, even if you intend to knock her out. Stick to melee attacks with Non-Lethal Attacks enabled.
• AoE Damage: Area-of-effect spells can inadvertently damage and kill her. Be incredibly careful with spells like Fireball.
• Failing to Defend the Grove: If you side with Minthara and actively help the goblins destroy the Emerald Grove, this may have unintended consequences on her availability later. The game tracks your actions!
• Ignoring Her in Act Two: Failing to find and interact with Minthara in Moonrise Towers will cause you to miss your chance to recruit her.
• Long Rest Issues: If your game is particularly buggy, avoid long resting between knocking her out and completing the Emerald Grove quest. This has been known to reset her status.

Recruiting Minthara on a good playthrough is a rewarding, albeit complex, endeavor. Following these steps carefully will allow you to add this intriguing character to your team without sacrificing your moral compass.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions designed to provide additional valuable information:

1. What happens if I kill Minthara outright?

If you kill Minthara, she is permanently removed from the game and cannot be recruited. The “knockout” method is essential for a “good” aligned recruitment.

2. Does my character’s class or race affect Minthara’s recruitment?

No. Your character’s class and race do not affect the recruitment process, as long as you follow the knockout strategy. However, certain dialogue options related to race or class might provide interesting role-playing opportunities.

3. Can I still romance Minthara if I recruit her this way?

Yes, you can still romance Minthara even if you recruit her through the knockout method. Her romance path will become available after she joins your party in Act Two.

4. What if Minthara isn’t at Moonrise Towers in Act Two?

If Minthara isn’t present at Moonrise Towers, it is likely that either: * You failed to properly knock her out in Act One. Double-check that she received the “Temporarily Hostile” status. * A bug has occurred. Try reloading an earlier save. * You made different choices in Act One that lead to her not being present there. * Ensure that you progressed to the correct point in Act Two.

5. Does recruiting Minthara negatively impact my relationship with other companions?

Yes, recruiting Minthara, even through this method, can negatively impact your relationship with certain companions, particularly Wyll and Karlach. They strongly disapprove of her actions and presence. Prepare for potential disapproval and possible party departure.

6. Can I recruit Halsin if I recruit Minthara?

Generally no. Halsin’s questline and recruitment usually conflict with siding with the goblins, even if you non-lethally subdue Minthara. You’re forced to chose between saving the grove and working with the goblins (even if just to knock out Minthara). There may be possible exploits, but the are subject to being patched.

7. Is it possible to recruit Minthara and still save the Tieflings?

This is a tricky and often debated point. While you can technically defend the Emerald Grove after knocking Minthara out, the fate of the tieflings is heavily dependent on the broader choices you make. If you prioritize saving the Tieflings over siding with the Goblins in Act One, it might affect her availability.

8. Does my reputation with the Goblins affect her recruitment?

Your reputation with the Goblins is not directly relevant after knocking Minthara out. The important thing is that she is alive (unconscious) and that you progress the story to Act Two.

9. What level should I be when attempting to knock Minthara out?

It’s recommended to be at least level 4 or 5 before attempting to knock Minthara out. She is a powerful enemy, and you’ll need sufficient skills and abilities to survive the encounter.

10. Can I use hirelings to help me knock Minthara out?

Yes, you can use hirelings to assist you in knocking Minthara out. Just make sure they also have “Non-Lethal Attacks” enabled.

11. What if I accidentally kill another Goblin while trying to knock Minthara out?

Accidentally killing other Goblins shouldn’t prevent Minthara’s recruitment, as long as Minthara is knocked out with the “Temporarily Hostile” status.

12. Does difficulty setting affect the ability to knock Minthara out and recruit her?

The difficulty setting does not directly affect the ability to knock Minthara out or recruit her. However, higher difficulty levels will make the fight significantly harder.

13. Are there any console commands or mods that make recruiting Minthara easier?

Yes, there are console commands and mods that can simplify the recruitment process, but using these may disable achievements or otherwise alter the intended gameplay experience.

14. What are the benefits of recruiting Minthara?

Minthara provides a strong Paladin character with unique skills and abilities. She also offers a different perspective on the game’s story and access to unique dialogue and quest lines. Additionally, recruiting her can fulfill completionist goals, allowing you to experience more of the game’s content. She is, notably, the only Paladin companion.

15. Is this the only way to recruit Minthara?

Larian Studios is frequently releasing patches that change recruitment requirements. While the knockout method is the most reliable and consistent to recruit Minthara on a “good” aligned playthrough, changes may occur in future updates. Always check the latest patch notes and community discussions for up-to-date information.