What happens if I let the Goblins kill the Tieflings in Baldur's Gate 3?

In Baldur's Gate 3, the decision to let the Goblins kill the Tieflings is a significant story choice that has far-reaching consequences for the game's narrative, your relationships with companions, and the overall world state. This choice occurs during the early stages of the game, specifically in Act 1, when you encounter the Goblin Camp and the Druid Grove. The Tieflings are refugees seeking shelter in the Druid Grove, and the Goblins are part of the Absolute's forces, who are hunting them. Letting the Goblins kill the Tieflings is a morally complex decision that can lead to different outcomes depending on your actions and alliances.

To achieve this outcome, you must align yourself with the Goblins and their leaders, Minthara, Gut, and Dror Ragzlin. The first step is to reach the Goblin Camp, which is located to the west of the Druid Grove. You can either fight your way through or use dialogue options to gain their trust. Once inside the camp, you will need to speak with Minthara, who is one of the Goblin leaders. She will task you with finding the location of the Druid Grove and the Tieflings. You can choose to reveal the location of the Grove to her, which will set the stage for the Goblins to attack.

After revealing the Grove's location, Minthara will plan an assault on the Tieflings. You can choose to join her in this attack, which will lead to a large-scale battle at the Druid Grove. During this battle, you will fight alongside the Goblins against the Tieflings and the Druids. If you successfully defeat the defenders, the Goblins will kill the Tieflings, and the Grove will be overrun. This outcome will significantly alter the story, as the Tieflings are key characters in several quests and their survival is tied to multiple storylines.

There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when making this choice. First, aligning with the Goblins will make you enemies with several companions, particularly Wyll and Karlach, who have strong ties to the Tieflings. If you want to keep these companions in your party, you may need to carefully manage your relationships and dialogue choices. Additionally, this decision will lock you out of certain quests and rewards that are tied to the Tieflings, such as the quest to rescue Halsin, the Druid leader, who is a potential companion.

A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of the battle at the Druid Grove. The Tieflings and Druids are well-armed and will put up a strong fight. It is important to prepare your party with strong equipment, spells, and tactics to ensure victory. You may also want to consider recruiting additional allies from the Goblin Camp to bolster your forces.

Advanced techniques for this scenario include using stealth and deception to weaken the defenders before the battle begins. For example, you can sabotage the Grove's defenses or assassinate key defenders to make the fight easier. Additionally, you can use environmental hazards, such as explosive barrels, to deal significant damage to the enemy forces.

From a D&D rules perspective, this choice reflects the alignment system, where actions can shift your character's alignment towards evil. Letting the Goblins kill the Tieflings is an evil act, and it will affect how other characters perceive you. It also demonstrates the game's implementation of the D&D 5E rules, where player choices have meaningful consequences on the story and world.

Specific examples of the consequences of this choice include the loss of potential allies, such as Halsin, who can provide valuable support in later acts. Additionally, the Tieflings' survival is tied to several side quests, such as helping Zevlor and the refugees reach Baldur's Gate. By letting the Goblins kill the Tieflings, you will miss out on these quests and the rewards they offer.

In summary, letting the Goblins kill the Tieflings in Baldur's Gate 3 is a major story choice with significant consequences. It requires careful planning, strong combat tactics, and a willingness to embrace an evil alignment. By following the steps outlined above and considering the tips and strategies provided, you can successfully achieve this outcome and shape the narrative of your game.