The Grave Consequences of Dammon’s Demise in Baldur’s Gate 3

What happens if Dammon dies in BG3? The short answer is: significant setbacks, especially for players invested in Karlach’s questline and romance. Dammon is the only blacksmith capable of stabilizing Karlach’s Infernal Engine and providing her with crucial upgrades. His death essentially locks you out of fully resolving her personal quest, potentially preventing you from achieving the “best” or even a satisfying ending for her. It also heavily impacts her romance arc. Think of it as losing your mechanic before you can fix your beloved, sputtering car.

Why Dammon’s Survival Matters

Dammon isn’t just another NPC blacksmith; he’s a pivotal character in Karlach’s story. He’s the expert you need to find in order to fix Karlach’s malfunctioning heart. The consequences of his death are far-reaching:

• Quest Lockout: The primary effect is being locked out of the quest to stabilize Karlach’s Infernal Engine. He’s the key to advancing this quest, offering essential repairs and upgrades.
• Romance Impact: If you’re pursuing a romance with Karlach, Dammon’s death can severely hinder, and possibly completely derail, your chances of a fulfilling relationship. The upgrades he provides are integral to overcoming the physical barriers that plague your relationship.
• Lost Upgrades: Dammon provides powerful and useful upgrades to weapons and armor as you progress through the game. These upgrades can significantly enhance your combat abilities and offer strategic advantages during battles.
• Moral Implications: Beyond gameplay mechanics, Dammon’s death can impact your sense of immersion and moral compass. Knowing that your actions (or inactions) led to his demise can significantly affect how you experience the game.
• Altered Storyline: The absence of Dammon alters Karlach’s dialogue and storyline, removing key interactions and potentially leading to a less satisfying conclusion to her arc.

How Dammon Can Die & How to Prevent It

There are several scenarios where Dammon can meet an untimely end, and understanding these situations is crucial for keeping him alive:

1. Emerald Grove Conflict: Siding with the goblins and attacking the Emerald Grove will almost certainly lead to Dammon’s death. He’s a Tiefling refugee residing within the Grove, making him a direct target.
2. Accidental Crossfire: Even without directly attacking the Grove, initiating a conflict between the Tieflings and Druids can have unintended consequences. If Dammon is caught in the crossfire, he’s vulnerable.
3. Shadow Curse in Act 2: Dammon is located in the Last Light Inn during Act 2. If you fail to protect the Inn from the Shadow Curse, it can lead to his death.
4. Bugs: Though less common now, there have been reports of bugs causing Dammon’s death prematurely, especially in early versions of the game. Keeping your game updated can help mitigate this.
5. Direct Assault: While unlikely for most players, it’s technically possible to directly attack and kill Dammon. This, of course, has the most immediate and severe consequences.

Prevention Strategies:

• Protect the Emerald Grove: The easiest way to keep Dammon alive in Act 1 is to defend the Emerald Grove from the goblin attack.
• Safeguard Last Light Inn: In Act 2, prioritize the safety of Last Light Inn. Keeping the protective barrier active and assisting in defending against attacks is crucial.
• Avoid Conflict: Exercise caution when navigating conflicts, especially those involving the Tieflings. Try to resolve situations peacefully to prevent accidental deaths.
• Stay Updated: Regularly update your game to benefit from bug fixes and improvements that may address issues related to NPC survival.
• Manual Saves: Frequently create manual saves so that if you inadvertently trigger an event leading to Dammon’s death, you can reload and make different choices.

Beyond Karlach: The Ripple Effects

While Dammon’s death primarily impacts Karlach’s questline, it can have broader ramifications:

• Missed Story Content: As a Tiefling refugee, Dammon is part of a larger narrative involving displacement and survival. His absence diminishes this aspect of the game.
• Lost Trader: While not his primary function, Dammon does offer a selection of goods. Losing him means losing access to those items.
• Impact on Tiefling Morale: His death can negatively affect the morale of the remaining Tiefling refugees, potentially altering their interactions with the player.

Is There Any Redemption?

Unfortunately, there’s no straightforward way to resurrect Dammon if he dies. Unlike companions, regular resurrection methods don’t work on him. Your best bet is to reload a previous save and ensure his survival. While Withers can revive companions for 200 gold, he can’t bring back everyone!

Final Verdict

Dammon’s death in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a significant blow, particularly for those pursuing Karlach’s questline and romance. Preventing his demise should be a priority for players invested in these aspects of the game. The quest lockouts, the impact on the romance, and the lost upgrades all contribute to a less fulfilling gaming experience. So, tread carefully, make wise decisions, and protect Dammon at all costs. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game about choices and their far-reaching consequences, and Dammon’s fate is a prime example of this. Consider learning more about the impact of gaming on society at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you romance Karlach if Dammon dies?

Yes, you can technically initiate a romance with Karlach even if Dammon dies. However, you won’t be able to progress beyond a certain point. His upgrades are crucial for overcoming the physical limitations caused by her Infernal Engine, ultimately hindering your ability to have a fulfilling romantic relationship. The key moments to cool her down simply cannot happen without Dammon.

2. Why is Dammon dead in Act 2 BG3?

Dammon can die in Act 2 due to several factors: the Shadow Curse overtaking Last Light Inn, being caught in the crossfire during conflicts, or, in rare cases, due to bugs in the game. Protecting Last Light Inn is paramount.

3. Can you still fix Karlach if Dammon dies?

No. Dammon is the only character in the game who can fix Karlach’s Infernal Engine. His death permanently locks you out of this questline.

4. What happens if my character dies in Baldur’s Gate 3?

If your character dies, you can revive them using a Scroll of Revivify, the Revivify spell, or by paying Withers 200 Gold. Withers will be waiting back at camp to perform the revival.

5. Is there really no way to save Karlach in BG3?

Yes, there is a way to save Karlach, or at least give her a future beyond the final battle. However, this requires keeping Dammon alive and progressing through her questline.

6. Can I save Karlach without Dammon?

Unfortunately, no. Dammon is essential for stabilizing Karlach’s Infernal Engine and opening up the possibility of saving her. If you want to avoid one of the saddest companion endings in the game, protect Dammon at all costs.

7. Can you remove the parasite in Baldur’s Gate 3?

There’s no definitive way to remove the Illithid Tadpole parasites in Baldur’s Gate 3, though the game offers several options to manage or control it, each with its own consequences.

8. Who is the bad guy in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Baldur’s Gate 3 features multiple antagonists, but Gortash is a prominent villain. He’s a Chosen of Bane and responsible for the death and destruction that occurs across Baldur’s Gate.

9. Can you be evil in BG3?

Yes! Baldur’s Gate 3 allows for evil playthroughs, where you can make morally questionable choices and align yourself with villainous factions.

10. What is the best ending for Karlach in BG3?

The “best” ending for Karlach is subjective. However, many consider going to Avernus alongside her and Wyll as the most hopeful, although bittersweet, option. This option allows her to continue fighting, giving her agency rather than letting her passively die.

11. What happens if Wyll kills Karlach?

If Wyll kills Karlach, he receives the Infernal Robe from Mizora. This is a powerful reward, but it comes at the cost of losing Karlach as a companion and derailing her questline.

12. Can you go to Avernus with Karlach in BG3?

Yes, you can go to Avernus with Karlach. This ending sees the player character, Karlach, and possibly Wyll venturing into the fiery depths of hell.

13. How to stop Karlach from dying in BG3?

Preventing Karlach from dying requires completing her personal questline, which necessitates keeping Dammon alive. This unlocks the options that give her a chance at survival.

14. What happens if Astarion kills you in BG3?

If you allow Astarion to kill you for his Vampire Bite, you will wake up with the Bloodless debuff, causing a -1 penalty to all checks until your next long rest. You can be revived, but will still suffer the penalty until you rest.

15. Should you free Orpheus in BG3?

The decision to free Orpheus is a complex one. Freeing Orpheus will cause someone to become a Mind Flayer, either you, Orpheus, or the Emperor. Depending on whether you decide to side with the Emperor or not may cause Lae’zel to turn against you, and also forces Karlach to return to Avernus so her Infernal Engine doesn’t cause any more problems.