What happens if I side with the Goblins instead of the Tieflings in Baldur's Gate 3?
Siding with the Goblins instead of the Tieflings in Baldur's Gate 3 is a major story decision that significantly impacts the game's narrative, your relationships with companions, and the world around you. This choice occurs during Act 1, specifically in the Druid Grove area, where you are presented with the opportunity to either help the Tieflings defend themselves against the Goblins or align with the Goblins to attack the Grove. Here is a detailed breakdown of how to achieve this, the mechanics involved, and the consequences of your decision.
To side with the Goblins, you must first interact with the Goblin leaders in the Goblin Camp, located to the west of the Druid Grove. The Goblin Camp is a hostile area, but you can gain entry by either fighting your way in or using dialogue to deceive the Goblins into thinking you are on their side. Once inside, you will encounter three key Goblin leaders: Priestess Gut, Dror Ragzlin, and Minthara. Each of these characters plays a role in the Goblin hierarchy, and you will need to gain their trust to proceed. Minthara, in particular, is the leader who will give you the quest to attack the Druid Grove.
To align with the Goblins, you must speak with Minthara and express your willingness to help her destroy the Druid Grove. This will initiate a quest where you are tasked with infiltrating the Grove and opening the gates for the Goblin forces. You can achieve this by either convincing the Tieflings and Druids to let you in or by sneaking in and sabotaging their defenses. Once inside, you will need to make your way to the Grove's inner sanctum and open the gates, allowing the Goblins to launch their attack. This will result in a large-scale battle where you will fight alongside the Goblins against the Tieflings and Druids.
One important consideration when siding with the Goblins is the impact on your companions. Several of your party members, such as Wyll and Karlach, have strong moral convictions and will disapprove of your decision to side with the Goblins. In some cases, they may even leave your party permanently if you proceed with this choice. Additionally, siding with the Goblins will lock you out of certain quests and storylines related to the Tieflings and Druids, as these factions will be destroyed or driven out of the area.
Combat tactics are crucial during the attack on the Druid Grove. The Goblins will provide some support, but you will still need to manage your party effectively to ensure victory. Focus on taking out high-priority targets, such as the Druids who can cast powerful spells, and use area-of-effect abilities to deal with groups of enemies. Positioning is also key, as the Grove's defenders will try to bottleneck you in certain areas. Use your environment to your advantage, such as by setting up ambushes or using choke points to limit the enemy's movement.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the strength of the Druid Grove's defenders. The Druids, in particular, can be very dangerous if left unchecked, as they have access to powerful spells like Entangle and Call Lightning. Make sure to prioritize taking them out early in the battle to reduce the overall threat. Additionally, be mindful of your party's resources, such as spell slots and healing potions, as the battle can be long and grueling.
Advanced techniques for this scenario include using stealth and deception to your advantage. For example, you can use the Disguise Self spell or similar abilities to infiltrate the Grove without raising suspicion. This can allow you to position your party in strategic locations before the battle begins, giving you a significant advantage. You can also use dialogue options to manipulate the Tieflings and Druids into making mistakes, such as by convincing them to lower their defenses or turn on each other.
From a D&D rules perspective, this scenario involves a mix of combat, stealth, and social interaction. The game's mechanics are based on the D&D 5th Edition ruleset, so understanding how these systems work can help you make better decisions. For example, knowing how to use skills like Persuasion, Deception, and Stealth can be crucial for navigating the Goblin Camp and the Druid Grove. Additionally, understanding the combat mechanics, such as action economy and spellcasting, will help you manage your party effectively during the battle.
In terms of specific examples, one scenario you might encounter is trying to convince the Tieflings to let you into the Grove. This can be done by using Persuasion or Deception checks to convince them that you are there to help. Alternatively, you can use stealth to sneak past their defenses and open the gates from the inside. Another example is dealing with the Druids during the battle. You might use spells like Silence to prevent them from casting, or focus your attacks on their spellcasters to disrupt their abilities.
Overall, siding with the Goblins is a morally complex decision that will have far-reaching consequences for your playthrough. It requires careful planning, effective combat tactics, and a willingness to make difficult choices. By understanding the mechanics involved and using the strategies outlined above, you can successfully align with the Goblins and shape the story of Baldur's Gate 3 in a unique and impactful way.
To side with the Goblins, you must first interact with the Goblin leaders in the Goblin Camp, located to the west of the Druid Grove. The Goblin Camp is a hostile area, but you can gain entry by either fighting your way in or using dialogue to deceive the Goblins into thinking you are on their side. Once inside, you will encounter three key Goblin leaders: Priestess Gut, Dror Ragzlin, and Minthara. Each of these characters plays a role in the Goblin hierarchy, and you will need to gain their trust to proceed. Minthara, in particular, is the leader who will give you the quest to attack the Druid Grove.
To align with the Goblins, you must speak with Minthara and express your willingness to help her destroy the Druid Grove. This will initiate a quest where you are tasked with infiltrating the Grove and opening the gates for the Goblin forces. You can achieve this by either convincing the Tieflings and Druids to let you in or by sneaking in and sabotaging their defenses. Once inside, you will need to make your way to the Grove's inner sanctum and open the gates, allowing the Goblins to launch their attack. This will result in a large-scale battle where you will fight alongside the Goblins against the Tieflings and Druids.
One important consideration when siding with the Goblins is the impact on your companions. Several of your party members, such as Wyll and Karlach, have strong moral convictions and will disapprove of your decision to side with the Goblins. In some cases, they may even leave your party permanently if you proceed with this choice. Additionally, siding with the Goblins will lock you out of certain quests and storylines related to the Tieflings and Druids, as these factions will be destroyed or driven out of the area.
Combat tactics are crucial during the attack on the Druid Grove. The Goblins will provide some support, but you will still need to manage your party effectively to ensure victory. Focus on taking out high-priority targets, such as the Druids who can cast powerful spells, and use area-of-effect abilities to deal with groups of enemies. Positioning is also key, as the Grove's defenders will try to bottleneck you in certain areas. Use your environment to your advantage, such as by setting up ambushes or using choke points to limit the enemy's movement.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the strength of the Druid Grove's defenders. The Druids, in particular, can be very dangerous if left unchecked, as they have access to powerful spells like Entangle and Call Lightning. Make sure to prioritize taking them out early in the battle to reduce the overall threat. Additionally, be mindful of your party's resources, such as spell slots and healing potions, as the battle can be long and grueling.
Advanced techniques for this scenario include using stealth and deception to your advantage. For example, you can use the Disguise Self spell or similar abilities to infiltrate the Grove without raising suspicion. This can allow you to position your party in strategic locations before the battle begins, giving you a significant advantage. You can also use dialogue options to manipulate the Tieflings and Druids into making mistakes, such as by convincing them to lower their defenses or turn on each other.
From a D&D rules perspective, this scenario involves a mix of combat, stealth, and social interaction. The game's mechanics are based on the D&D 5th Edition ruleset, so understanding how these systems work can help you make better decisions. For example, knowing how to use skills like Persuasion, Deception, and Stealth can be crucial for navigating the Goblin Camp and the Druid Grove. Additionally, understanding the combat mechanics, such as action economy and spellcasting, will help you manage your party effectively during the battle.
In terms of specific examples, one scenario you might encounter is trying to convince the Tieflings to let you into the Grove. This can be done by using Persuasion or Deception checks to convince them that you are there to help. Alternatively, you can use stealth to sneak past their defenses and open the gates from the inside. Another example is dealing with the Druids during the battle. You might use spells like Silence to prevent them from casting, or focus your attacks on their spellcasters to disrupt their abilities.
Overall, siding with the Goblins is a morally complex decision that will have far-reaching consequences for your playthrough. It requires careful planning, effective combat tactics, and a willingness to make difficult choices. By understanding the mechanics involved and using the strategies outlined above, you can successfully align with the Goblins and shape the story of Baldur's Gate 3 in a unique and impactful way.