What happens if I side with the goblins in Baldur's Gate 3?
Siding with the goblins in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant story choice that can drastically alter the course of the game. This decision is part of the main questline and involves aligning yourself with the goblin leaders, who are antagonistic forces in the early stages of the game. Choosing to side with the goblins will have far-reaching consequences, affecting your relationships with companions, the progression of the main story, and the overall state of the world. Here is a detailed breakdown of what happens and how to navigate this path.
To side with the goblins, you must first reach the Goblin Camp, which is located in the Shattered Sanctum. This area is accessible after you have explored the Emerald Grove and interacted with the tieflings and druids. The goblins are led by three key figures: Priestess Gut, Dror Ragzlin, and Minthara. Each of these leaders has their own agenda, and you will need to gain their trust to align with them.
The first step is to speak with Priestess Gut. She is the easiest to approach and will offer to help you with your tadpole problem. If you agree to her assistance, she will lead you to a private chamber and attempt to remove the tadpole. However, this is a trap, and she will try to incapacitate you. You can either go along with her plan and then fight back, or you can refuse her offer outright. If you manage to survive this encounter, you can then proceed to speak with Dror Ragzlin, the hobgoblin leader. He is more straightforward and will ask you to prove your loyalty by completing tasks, such as retrieving the artifact from the druids or eliminating the tieflings.
The most critical interaction is with Minthara, the drow paladin. She is the most influential of the goblin leaders and will offer you a chance to join her in attacking the Emerald Grove. To fully side with the goblins, you must agree to her plan and participate in the assault on the grove. This decision will lead to the destruction of the grove and the death of many key characters, including the tieflings and druids. It will also alienate certain companions, such as Wyll and Karlach, who have strong moral objections to such actions. However, it will strengthen your alliance with Minthara and the goblins, opening up new story paths and quests.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when choosing to side with the goblins. First, be aware that this decision will lock you out of certain quests and storylines, particularly those involving the tieflings and druids. You will also lose access to certain companions, as they may leave your party or become hostile. It is crucial to consider the long-term implications of this choice and how it aligns with your character's motivations and goals.
One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of the assault on the Emerald Grove. This is a challenging combat encounter that requires careful planning and strategy. Make sure your party is well-prepared with healing items, spells, and equipment. It is also advisable to save your game before committing to this path, as it is a point of no return and will have lasting consequences.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include leveraging your character's abilities and class mechanics to gain an advantage in combat. For example, if you are playing a rogue, you can use stealth to eliminate key targets before the battle begins. If you are a spellcaster, focus on area-of-effect spells to deal with groups of enemies. Additionally, consider the D&D 5E rules that govern combat and spellcasting, such as action economy and concentration, to maximize your effectiveness in battle.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, siding with the goblins aligns with the concept of making morally ambiguous or evil choices in a role-playing game. This path reflects the alignment system in D&D, where characters can be good, neutral, or evil based on their actions and decisions. By choosing to side with the goblins, you are embracing a more chaotic or evil alignment, which can influence how NPCs and companions perceive and interact with you.
Specific examples and scenarios include the aftermath of the assault on the Emerald Grove. After the battle, you will need to deal with the fallout, such as managing your relationships with Minthara and the remaining goblins. You may also encounter new challenges, such as dealing with the consequences of your actions and navigating the shifting power dynamics within the goblin camp. This path offers a unique and darker perspective on the story, providing a different experience for players who are willing to explore the morally complex choices available in Baldur's Gate 3.
To side with the goblins, you must first reach the Goblin Camp, which is located in the Shattered Sanctum. This area is accessible after you have explored the Emerald Grove and interacted with the tieflings and druids. The goblins are led by three key figures: Priestess Gut, Dror Ragzlin, and Minthara. Each of these leaders has their own agenda, and you will need to gain their trust to align with them.
The first step is to speak with Priestess Gut. She is the easiest to approach and will offer to help you with your tadpole problem. If you agree to her assistance, she will lead you to a private chamber and attempt to remove the tadpole. However, this is a trap, and she will try to incapacitate you. You can either go along with her plan and then fight back, or you can refuse her offer outright. If you manage to survive this encounter, you can then proceed to speak with Dror Ragzlin, the hobgoblin leader. He is more straightforward and will ask you to prove your loyalty by completing tasks, such as retrieving the artifact from the druids or eliminating the tieflings.
The most critical interaction is with Minthara, the drow paladin. She is the most influential of the goblin leaders and will offer you a chance to join her in attacking the Emerald Grove. To fully side with the goblins, you must agree to her plan and participate in the assault on the grove. This decision will lead to the destruction of the grove and the death of many key characters, including the tieflings and druids. It will also alienate certain companions, such as Wyll and Karlach, who have strong moral objections to such actions. However, it will strengthen your alliance with Minthara and the goblins, opening up new story paths and quests.
There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when choosing to side with the goblins. First, be aware that this decision will lock you out of certain quests and storylines, particularly those involving the tieflings and druids. You will also lose access to certain companions, as they may leave your party or become hostile. It is crucial to consider the long-term implications of this choice and how it aligns with your character's motivations and goals.
One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of the assault on the Emerald Grove. This is a challenging combat encounter that requires careful planning and strategy. Make sure your party is well-prepared with healing items, spells, and equipment. It is also advisable to save your game before committing to this path, as it is a point of no return and will have lasting consequences.
Advanced techniques for optimizing this path include leveraging your character's abilities and class mechanics to gain an advantage in combat. For example, if you are playing a rogue, you can use stealth to eliminate key targets before the battle begins. If you are a spellcaster, focus on area-of-effect spells to deal with groups of enemies. Additionally, consider the D&D 5E rules that govern combat and spellcasting, such as action economy and concentration, to maximize your effectiveness in battle.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, siding with the goblins aligns with the concept of making morally ambiguous or evil choices in a role-playing game. This path reflects the alignment system in D&D, where characters can be good, neutral, or evil based on their actions and decisions. By choosing to side with the goblins, you are embracing a more chaotic or evil alignment, which can influence how NPCs and companions perceive and interact with you.
Specific examples and scenarios include the aftermath of the assault on the Emerald Grove. After the battle, you will need to deal with the fallout, such as managing your relationships with Minthara and the remaining goblins. You may also encounter new challenges, such as dealing with the consequences of your actions and navigating the shifting power dynamics within the goblin camp. This path offers a unique and darker perspective on the story, providing a different experience for players who are willing to explore the morally complex choices available in Baldur's Gate 3.