How do I convince Gale to stay with the party in Baldur's Gate 3?

Convincing Gale to stay with the party in Baldur's Gate 3 is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your gameplay experience. Gale is a powerful wizard with a compelling personal storyline, and keeping him in your party requires careful attention to dialogue choices, story progression, and understanding his character motivations. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to ensure Gale remains with your party.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand GaleÔÇÖs backstory and motivations. Gale is a wizard who has a magical artifact embedded in his chest, which requires him to consume magical items to survive. This condition is central to his character arc, and your interactions with him will often revolve around this issue. To keep Gale in your party, you need to build a strong relationship with him by supporting his needs and making choices that align with his values.

The mechanics of keeping Gale in your party involve maintaining a positive relationship with him through dialogue and actions. This is measured by an invisible approval system, where GaleÔÇÖs approval of you increases or decreases based on your choices. High approval makes him more likely to stay, while low approval can lead to him leaving or even turning against you. To build approval, engage in conversations with Gale regularly, choose dialogue options that show empathy and understanding, and support his quest to find magical items to consume.

Step-by-step, hereÔÇÖs how to ensure Gale stays with your party. First, when you meet Gale early in the game, be sure to recruit him into your party. This happens during the prologue or shortly after, depending on your choices. Once heÔÇÖs in your party, prioritize his personal quest, which involves finding magical items for him to consume. These items are rare and valuable, so be prepared to make sacrifices. When Gale asks for a magical item, give it to him without hesitation. This shows that you value his well-being and are willing to support him.

Next, engage in conversations with Gale whenever possible. Choose dialogue options that reflect kindness, curiosity, and a willingness to help. For example, when discussing his condition, express concern and offer to help him find a solution. Avoid being dismissive or critical, as this can lower his approval. Additionally, make choices in the main story that align with GaleÔÇÖs values, such as seeking peaceful resolutions and valuing knowledge and magic.

Important tips and considerations include being mindful of the timing of GaleÔÇÖs requests for magical items. If you delay too long in providing him with what he needs, his condition may worsen, leading to negative consequences. Always keep an eye out for magical items during your travels and prioritize giving them to Gale. Additionally, be aware of the broader story choices that can impact GaleÔÇÖs approval. For example, siding with factions or characters that oppose magic or knowledge may lower his approval.

Common mistakes to avoid include ignoring GaleÔÇÖs requests for magical items or making choices that conflict with his values. For instance, if you consistently choose violent or selfish options in the main story, Gale may disapprove and eventually leave the party. Another mistake is neglecting to engage with GaleÔÇÖs personal quest, which can lead to his condition deteriorating and him becoming a liability.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing your party composition and combat tactics to support Gale. As a wizard, Gale is powerful but fragile, so ensure you have a balanced party that can protect him in combat. Consider having a tanky character like LaeÔÇÖzel or Karlach to draw enemy attention away from Gale. Additionally, use GaleÔÇÖs spells strategically to control the battlefield and deal massive damage. For example, his Fireball spell can turn the tide of a difficult encounter.

Related D&D rules and mechanics include the concept of character alignment and the importance of role-playing. In D&D, characters have alignments that reflect their moral and ethical outlook, and GaleÔÇÖs alignment leans towards good and neutral. Making choices that align with these values will increase his approval. Additionally, the approval system in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 is based on the D&D mechanic of influence, where your actions and words affect your relationships with NPCs.

Specific examples and scenarios include moments where GaleÔÇÖs approval can significantly increase or decrease. For instance, during the encounter with the goblins at the Druid Grove, choosing to defend the grove and protect the tieflings will increase GaleÔÇÖs approval. Conversely, siding with the goblins or making cruel choices will lower his approval. Another example is during GaleÔÇÖs personal quest, where giving him a magical item like the Necromancy of Thay will greatly increase his approval and strengthen your bond.

In conclusion, keeping Gale in your party requires a combination of empathy, strategic decision-making, and attention to his needs. By supporting his quest, engaging in positive dialogue, and making choices that align with his values, you can ensure that Gale remains a loyal and powerful ally throughout your journey in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3.