What happens if I side with Raphael in Baldur's Gate 3?

Siding with Raphael in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant story choice that can have far-reaching consequences for your playthrough. Raphael is a cunning and manipulative devil who offers you a deal to help you remove the mind flayer parasite from your brain. However, his assistance comes at a price, and aligning with him can lead to a darker path in the game. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of what happens if you choose to side with Raphael, how to achieve this, and what to consider before making this decision.

To side with Raphael, you must first encounter him in Act 1. He appears in the Druid Grove or later in the Goblin Camp, offering you a deal to remove the parasite. You can also meet him in the Shadow-Cursed Lands in Act 2, where he offers a more direct path to his assistance. To fully align with Raphael, you need to accept his deal and follow through with his requests. This involves completing his questline, which includes retrieving the Orphic Hammer from the House of Hope in Act 3. The Orphic Hammer is a powerful artifact that can free Orpheus, a key figure in the gameÔÇÖs lore, from his imprisonment. Raphael wants you to use the hammer to free Orpheus, but he has his own ulterior motives.

The mechanics of siding with Raphael involve navigating dialogue choices and making decisions that align with his goals. When you first meet him, you must express interest in his deal and avoid antagonizing him. This means choosing dialogue options that show you are willing to work with him, even if you are skeptical. As you progress through the game, Raphael will continue to appear and offer guidance, but you must remain committed to his cause. In Act 3, you will need to infiltrate the House of Hope, a dangerous and heavily guarded location, to retrieve the Orphic Hammer. This involves combat, stealth, and puzzle-solving, so be prepared for a challenging encounter.

One important tip is to ensure your party is well-prepared for the House of Hope. This area is filled with powerful enemies, including devils and traps, so having a balanced party with strong combat abilities is crucial. Consider bringing characters with high Dexterity for stealth and lockpicking, as well as spellcasters with area-of-effect spells to handle groups of enemies. Additionally, make sure to stock up on healing potions and scrolls before entering the House of Hope, as the battles can be intense.

A common mistake to avoid is breaking your deal with Raphael or betraying him after accepting his assistance. If you do this, he will become hostile, and you will lose the benefits of his deal. This can make the game more difficult, as you will no longer have his support or the Orphic Hammer. To avoid this, stay committed to his questline and fulfill your end of the bargain. Another mistake is underestimating the difficulty of the House of Hope. This area is designed to be a late-game challenge, so make sure your party is at a high level and well-equipped before attempting it.

Advanced techniques for siding with Raphael include using his assistance to gain an edge in other parts of the game. For example, the Orphic Hammer can be used to free Orpheus, which can significantly alter the gameÔÇÖs ending. However, this also means you will be aligning with RaphaelÔÇÖs goals, which may not align with your characterÔÇÖs morals. Consider the role-playing implications of this choice and how it fits with your characterÔÇÖs backstory and motivations. Additionally, you can use RaphaelÔÇÖs knowledge and resources to gain information about other quests and characters, giving you an advantage in the gameÔÇÖs story.

In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, RaphaelÔÇÖs deal is a classic example of a devilÔÇÖs pact. In Dungeons & Dragons lore, devils often offer deals that seem beneficial at first but come with hidden costs. Accepting RaphaelÔÇÖs deal is akin to making a pact with a devil, which can have long-term consequences for your character. This aligns with the D&D 5E rules on devils and their manipulative nature. The Orphic Hammer itself is a powerful artifact, and its use can have significant narrative and mechanical effects on the game.

Specific examples of siding with Raphael include the final confrontation with the Elder Brain in Act 3. If you have the Orphic Hammer, you can choose to free Orpheus and use his power to defeat the Elder Brain. However, this also means you are fulfilling RaphaelÔÇÖs plan, which may not be in the best interest of the world. Another example is the interactions with your companions. Some companions, like Wyll and Karlach, may disapprove of siding with Raphael, as they have personal reasons to distrust devils. This can affect your relationships with them and lead to different outcomes in their personal quests.

In conclusion, siding with Raphael in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that can significantly impact the gameÔÇÖs story and ending. To achieve this, you must carefully navigate dialogue choices, complete his questline, and retrieve the Orphic Hammer from the House of Hope. Be prepared for challenging combat and consider the role-playing implications of aligning with a devil. By following these steps and tips, you can successfully side with Raphael and explore this darker path in the game.