What happens if I side with the duergar in Baldur's Gate 3?
Siding with the duergar in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant story choice that can have far-reaching consequences for your playthrough. The duergar are a race of gray dwarves known for their ruthless and cunning nature, often engaging in slavery and subterfuge. Aligning with them can lead to unique outcomes, but it also comes with moral dilemmas and potential conflicts with other factions or companions. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of what happens if you choose to side with the duergar, how to achieve this, and what to consider.
To side with the duergar, you will encounter them in the Underdark, a vast underground region filled with dangerous creatures and factions. One of the key moments where you can choose to align with them is during the quest involving the myconid colony and the duergar slavers. The myconids are peaceful mushroom-like creatures who are being threatened by the duergar. If you decide to side with the duergar, you will need to betray the myconids, which can lead to combat with them and their allies.
The mechanics of siding with the duergar involve dialogue choices and combat decisions. When you first meet the duergar, they will likely be hostile unless you can convince them of your intentions. You can use persuasion, deception, or intimidation checks to gain their trust. For example, if you encounter the duergar slavers near the myconid colony, you can choose to negotiate with them instead of fighting. Successfully passing a persuasion check will allow you to discuss terms, and you can offer to help them in exchange for their support.
Once you have established a tentative alliance with the duergar, you may be asked to complete tasks for them, such as eliminating threats or retrieving valuable items. These tasks often involve combat or exploration, so itÔÇÖs important to have a well-balanced party capable of handling tough enemies. For example, you might be tasked with clearing out a group of hostile creatures or retrieving a stolen artifact. Completing these tasks will strengthen your relationship with the duergar and open up new opportunities for collaboration.
One important tip when siding with the duergar is to carefully manage your relationships with other factions and companions. Some companions, such as Wyll or Karlach, may disapprove of your decision to align with the duergar due to their moral objections. This can lead to tension within your party and potentially even cause companions to leave if their disapproval reaches a critical level. To mitigate this, consider having a party composition that includes characters who are more pragmatic or neutral, such as Astarion or LaeÔÇÖzel, as they may be more accepting of your choices.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the consequences of your actions. Siding with the duergar can lock you out of certain quests or alliances with other factions, such as the myconids or the deep gnomes. This can limit your options later in the game, so itÔÇÖs important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks before committing to this path. Additionally, the duergar are not known for their loyalty, so be prepared for the possibility that they may betray you if it serves their interests.
Advanced techniques for optimizing your alliance with the duergar include leveraging their resources and knowledge of the Underdark. The duergar have access to powerful weapons, armor, and magical items that can give you an edge in combat. They also have extensive knowledge of the UnderdarkÔÇÖs geography and dangers, which can help you navigate the area more effectively. By building a strong relationship with them, you can gain access to these benefits and use them to your advantage.
From a D&D rules perspective, the duergar are a playable race in the tabletop version of Dungeons & Dragons, and their abilities reflect their subterranean lifestyle and innate magical powers. In BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3, their mechanics are adapted to fit the gameÔÇÖs narrative and combat systems. For example, duergar NPCs may use abilities like Enlarge/Reduce or Invisibility, which are derived from their racial traits in the tabletop game. Understanding these abilities can help you anticipate their tactics and use them effectively in combat.
In specific scenarios, siding with the duergar can lead to unique outcomes. For instance, if you align with them during the quest involving Nere, a drow trapped in a cave-in, you can choose to help the duergar eliminate him and take control of the situation. This can lead to a different resolution of the quest and open up new story branches. However, it also means that you will have to deal with the consequences of your actions, such as the potential loss of Nere as an ally or the hostility of other factions.
In conclusion, siding with the duergar in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that can significantly impact your playthrough. It requires careful consideration of the consequences, effective management of party dynamics, and strategic use of the duergarÔÇÖs resources and abilities. By understanding the mechanics involved and making informed decisions, you can navigate this path successfully and experience a unique aspect of the gameÔÇÖs rich narrative.
To side with the duergar, you will encounter them in the Underdark, a vast underground region filled with dangerous creatures and factions. One of the key moments where you can choose to align with them is during the quest involving the myconid colony and the duergar slavers. The myconids are peaceful mushroom-like creatures who are being threatened by the duergar. If you decide to side with the duergar, you will need to betray the myconids, which can lead to combat with them and their allies.
The mechanics of siding with the duergar involve dialogue choices and combat decisions. When you first meet the duergar, they will likely be hostile unless you can convince them of your intentions. You can use persuasion, deception, or intimidation checks to gain their trust. For example, if you encounter the duergar slavers near the myconid colony, you can choose to negotiate with them instead of fighting. Successfully passing a persuasion check will allow you to discuss terms, and you can offer to help them in exchange for their support.
Once you have established a tentative alliance with the duergar, you may be asked to complete tasks for them, such as eliminating threats or retrieving valuable items. These tasks often involve combat or exploration, so itÔÇÖs important to have a well-balanced party capable of handling tough enemies. For example, you might be tasked with clearing out a group of hostile creatures or retrieving a stolen artifact. Completing these tasks will strengthen your relationship with the duergar and open up new opportunities for collaboration.
One important tip when siding with the duergar is to carefully manage your relationships with other factions and companions. Some companions, such as Wyll or Karlach, may disapprove of your decision to align with the duergar due to their moral objections. This can lead to tension within your party and potentially even cause companions to leave if their disapproval reaches a critical level. To mitigate this, consider having a party composition that includes characters who are more pragmatic or neutral, such as Astarion or LaeÔÇÖzel, as they may be more accepting of your choices.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the consequences of your actions. Siding with the duergar can lock you out of certain quests or alliances with other factions, such as the myconids or the deep gnomes. This can limit your options later in the game, so itÔÇÖs important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks before committing to this path. Additionally, the duergar are not known for their loyalty, so be prepared for the possibility that they may betray you if it serves their interests.
Advanced techniques for optimizing your alliance with the duergar include leveraging their resources and knowledge of the Underdark. The duergar have access to powerful weapons, armor, and magical items that can give you an edge in combat. They also have extensive knowledge of the UnderdarkÔÇÖs geography and dangers, which can help you navigate the area more effectively. By building a strong relationship with them, you can gain access to these benefits and use them to your advantage.
From a D&D rules perspective, the duergar are a playable race in the tabletop version of Dungeons & Dragons, and their abilities reflect their subterranean lifestyle and innate magical powers. In BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3, their mechanics are adapted to fit the gameÔÇÖs narrative and combat systems. For example, duergar NPCs may use abilities like Enlarge/Reduce or Invisibility, which are derived from their racial traits in the tabletop game. Understanding these abilities can help you anticipate their tactics and use them effectively in combat.
In specific scenarios, siding with the duergar can lead to unique outcomes. For instance, if you align with them during the quest involving Nere, a drow trapped in a cave-in, you can choose to help the duergar eliminate him and take control of the situation. This can lead to a different resolution of the quest and open up new story branches. However, it also means that you will have to deal with the consequences of your actions, such as the potential loss of Nere as an ally or the hostility of other factions.
In conclusion, siding with the duergar in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex and morally ambiguous choice that can significantly impact your playthrough. It requires careful consideration of the consequences, effective management of party dynamics, and strategic use of the duergarÔÇÖs resources and abilities. By understanding the mechanics involved and making informed decisions, you can navigate this path successfully and experience a unique aspect of the gameÔÇÖs rich narrative.