Siding with Minthara: Who Do You Lose in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Choosing to align yourself with Minthara in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a decision fraught with consequence. The primary and most significant impact of siding with her is that you will almost certainly lose access to several beloved companions: Wyll, Karlach, and Halsin. Furthermore, you will face the disapproval of Gale and, potentially, even Shadowheart. This decision dramatically alters the trajectory of your game, steering you down a path that is often considered the “evil” route.
The Consequences of Embracing the Goblin Camp
When you opt to assist Minthara, it necessitates taking actions that are morally reprehensible from a good-aligned perspective, most notably the destruction of the Emerald Grove. This act sets in motion a chain of events that directly leads to the departure of Wyll and Karlach. Their strong moral compasses simply cannot reconcile with the slaughter of innocent tieflings and druids.
Wyll’s Departure
Wyll, the Blade of Frontiers, is driven by a sense of justice and a commitment to protecting the innocent. His pact with Mizora comes at a cost, but he strives to use his powers for good. Participating in the raid on the Emerald Grove is anathema to his principles. He will confront you about your actions, and unless you can somehow convince him otherwise (a very difficult task), he will leave your party permanently.
Karlach’s Rage and Exile
Karlach, with her fiery infernal engine and equally fiery personality, embodies compassion and righteousness. She escaped from Avernus and Zariel’s clutches, yearning for a life free from tyranny and cruelty. Being complicit in the destruction of the Grove and the massacre of its inhabitants is something she cannot stand for. She will likely attack you on sight, sealing her departure – permanently.
Halsin’s Disapproval and Unavailability
Halsin, the Archdruid of the Emerald Grove, is dedicated to protecting the natural world and its inhabitants. The slaughter of the druids and tieflings under his protection is an unforgivable act in his eyes. As such, he will completely refuse to join you on your journey. Any potential alliance with him is irrevocably severed. You sacrifice recruiting him in the future.
Gale’s Moral Objection
Gale, the wizard with a Netherese Orb ticking inside him, may not immediately leave your party, but he will express his strong disapproval of your actions. He values knowledge and power, but not at the expense of innocent lives. Convincing him to stay after such a morally reprehensible act can be difficult, and his continued presence may be strained.
Shadowheart’s Wavering Allegiance
Shadowheart, the cleric of Shar, is perhaps the most complex case. Depending on her approval and your relationship with her, she might remain in your party. However, she will express her discomfort and disapproval. Her values are not inherently good, but she is not necessarily evil either. Her loyalty is tied to Shar and her own personal goals, but committing atrocities without purpose can strain even her ambiguous morality. Siding with Minthara also might lock you out of romancing Shadowheart later in the game.
Finding Alternative Paths: Can You Have It All?
While the traditional path dictates losing certain companions when siding with Minthara, players have discovered creative, often unintended, methods to circumvent these consequences. These “cheese” strategies rely on exploiting game mechanics and bugs.
Knocking out Minthara: It is possible to knock out Minthara instead of killing her during the Grove defense. If you can pull this off, she might appear later in Act 2 where she can be recruited into your party, and without having sacrificed the Tieflings.
Stealing the Idol: Another method involves stealing the Idol of Silvanus, sparking a conflict between the Tieflings and Druids. When Minthara arrives, the defenders are either already dead or heavily weakened.
It is important to note that these methods are often patched out by developers, and even when they work, they might lead to unexpected consequences or bugs later in the game.
Why Choose Minthara? The Appeal of the Evil Path
Despite the loss of key companions, there are reasons why players might choose to side with Minthara:
- Roleplaying an Evil Character: For those who enjoy playing morally ambiguous or outright evil characters, siding with Minthara offers a compelling narrative path.
- Unique Dialogue and Story: Minthara offers unique dialogue options and story arcs that are not available on the “good” playthrough.
- Minthara’s Romance: For players interested in romancing Minthara, siding with her is a prerequisite.
Weighing the Costs and Benefits
Ultimately, the decision to side with Minthara is a personal one. It involves weighing the benefits of her unique storyline and potential romance against the loss of beloved companions and the moral implications of your actions. Be prepared to embrace the consequences of your choices, as they will significantly shape your Baldur’s Gate 3 experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does siding with Minthara automatically remove Wyll and Karlach?
Yes, siding with Minthara, which typically involves attacking the Emerald Grove, almost certainly results in Wyll and Karlach leaving your party. They fundamentally disagree with your actions and cannot condone the massacre.
2. Can I get Minthara without being evil?
Potentially, yes. There are methods to recruit Minthara without necessarily killing the Tieflings, such as knocking her unconscious or manipulating events in a way that leads to the Grove’s destruction without your direct participation. However, these methods are often considered exploits and may be patched.
3. Can I romance Minthara without raiding the Grove?
It depends on the method you use to recruit her. Traditionally, raiding the Grove is required. But, using the method of knocking her unconscious, you can recruit her in act 2 and start the romance without raiding the grove.
4. Does sleeping with Minthara affect my other companions?
Yes, romancing Minthara often requires siding with her, leading to the departure of Wyll, Karlach, and potentially impacting your relationship with other companions like Gale and Shadowheart.
5. Can I have both Minthara and Karlach in my party?
Normally, no. However, exploiting game mechanics to recruit Minthara without attacking the Grove might allow you to keep both, but this is not guaranteed and can be buggy.
6. Is Minthara worth recruiting?
This is subjective. Minthara offers a unique storyline and romance option. However, recruiting her comes at the cost of losing other companions and taking morally reprehensible actions. It depends on your playstyle and what you value in the game.
7. What happens if I tell Minthara about the artifact?
Telling Minthara about the artifact will make her suspicious, requiring you to prove your devotion to her. She may try to kill you in your sleep, depending on how you proceed.
8. Can I recruit Minthara and Halsin in the same playthrough?
Ordinarily, no. Halsin will only join you if you defend the Emerald Grove, while Minthara typically requires its destruction for her recruitment. There may be some convoluted way using the knockout method that does not lock Halsin out of your recruitment, but that is not guaranteed.
9. What are the cons of recruiting Minthara?
The cons include losing Wyll, Karlach, and potentially Halsin, facing disapproval from Gale and possibly Shadowheart, and committing morally questionable acts.
10. Has Minthara’s romance been fixed in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Minthara’s romance has been notoriously buggy, but many patches have aimed to address these issues. There may still be glitches that prevent its smooth progression.
11. Can you revive Minthara after killing her?
No, if you kill Minthara before recruiting her, she cannot be revived. She becomes permanently hostile.
12. What happens if I tell Minthara where the Grove is?
Telling Minthara the location of the Emerald Grove leads to her attacking it with her goblin forces. You will then have to defend the Grove with your goblin allies, or die with the Grove.
13. Can I romance Minthara as the Dark Urge?
Yes, you can romance Minthara as the Dark Urge. However, be prepared for unique interactions and potential consequences related to your character’s dark impulses, including the option to kill her after the romantic encounter.
14. Who does Minthara admire the most?
According to information within the game, Minthara admires the legendary Drow hero, Drizzt Do’Urden.
15. Can I avoid losing companions by using specific dialogue choices?
While dialogue choices can influence companion approval, it is highly unlikely that you can convince Wyll and Karlach to stay if you actively participate in the destruction of the Emerald Grove. Their moral convictions are too strong. Furthermore, using the Games Learning Society or visiting GamesLearningSociety.org can offer additional resources on character choices and moral dilemmas in gaming.