What are the consequences of siding with the goblins in Baldur's Gate 3 for companion relationships?
Siding with the goblins in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant story choice that can have profound consequences for your relationships with your companions. This decision is made during the early stages of the game, particularly in Act 1, when you encounter the goblin camp and are given the option to either help them or oppose them. Choosing to side with the goblins will directly impact how your companions perceive you, as many of them have strong moral alignments and personal beliefs that conflict with the goblins' chaotic and often evil nature.
The mechanics involved in this decision revolve around the approval system, which tracks how your companions feel about your actions and dialogue choices. Each companion has a hidden approval rating that increases or decreases based on your decisions. Siding with the goblins will generally lead to a decrease in approval from companions who value justice, order, or the greater good, such as Wyll, Karlach, and Shadowheart. On the other hand, companions like Astarion, who lean towards chaos and self-interest, may not disapprove as strongly or might even approve of your choice.
To side with the goblins, you will need to engage with the leaders of the goblin camp: Priestess Gut, Dror Ragzlin, and Minthara. You can choose to help them by completing tasks they assign, such as infiltrating the Druid Grove or eliminating key figures within it. This path often involves deception, combat, and morally questionable decisions. For example, you might need to lie to the Tieflings and Druids in the Grove to gain their trust before betraying them. Alternatively, you could openly attack the Grove alongside the goblins, which will lead to immediate and severe consequences for your relationships with certain companions.
One important tip is to consider the long-term implications of your choice. Siding with the goblins will lock you out of certain quests and storylines, particularly those involving the Tieflings and Druids. This means you will miss out on potential rewards, allies, and narrative developments that could have benefited your party. Additionally, some companions may leave your party permanently if their approval drops too low or if they strongly disagree with your actions. For instance, Wyll, who is deeply committed to protecting the innocent, is likely to abandon you if you side with the goblins.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the impact of your decisions on companion relationships. Even if a companion does not immediately leave your party, their disapproval can lead to negative consequences later in the game. For example, Shadowheart may become less cooperative in her personal quest, or Gale might refuse to share important information with you. It is crucial to weigh the benefits of siding with the goblins against the potential loss of trust and support from your companions.
Advanced techniques for managing companion relationships while siding with the goblins include using dialogue options that align with their individual values. For example, you can try to justify your actions to Wyll by framing them as a necessary evil or appealing to Astarion's self-interest by emphasizing the potential rewards. Additionally, you can use the "Speak with Dead" spell or other abilities to gather information that might help you manipulate the situation in your favor. However, these strategies require careful planning and a deep understanding of each companion's personality and motivations.
From a D&D rules perspective, siding with the goblins aligns more closely with chaotic or evil alignments, which can create tension with companions who follow lawful or good alignments. This reflects the traditional D&D alignment system, where characters' actions and decisions are influenced by their moral and ethical beliefs. In Baldur's Gate 3, this system is adapted into the approval mechanics, which serve as a way to simulate the complex dynamics of party relationships.
Specific examples of the consequences of siding with the goblins include the potential loss of Wyll as a companion, as he is unlikely to tolerate such a betrayal. Similarly, Karlach, who has a strong sense of justice, may also leave your party. On the other hand, Astarion might appreciate the chaos and power dynamics involved in siding with the goblins, leading to an increase in his approval. Shadowheart's reaction may be more nuanced, as her personal quest and background make her more open to morally ambiguous choices, but she may still disapprove if the decision leads to unnecessary suffering.
In conclusion, siding with the goblins in Baldur's Gate 3 is a high-stakes decision that can significantly alter your relationships with your companions. It is essential to consider the approval mechanics, the long-term consequences of your actions, and the individual values of each companion. By carefully navigating these dynamics, you can minimize the negative impact on your party while pursuing your chosen path. However, be prepared for the possibility of losing allies and facing new challenges as a result of your decision.
The mechanics involved in this decision revolve around the approval system, which tracks how your companions feel about your actions and dialogue choices. Each companion has a hidden approval rating that increases or decreases based on your decisions. Siding with the goblins will generally lead to a decrease in approval from companions who value justice, order, or the greater good, such as Wyll, Karlach, and Shadowheart. On the other hand, companions like Astarion, who lean towards chaos and self-interest, may not disapprove as strongly or might even approve of your choice.
To side with the goblins, you will need to engage with the leaders of the goblin camp: Priestess Gut, Dror Ragzlin, and Minthara. You can choose to help them by completing tasks they assign, such as infiltrating the Druid Grove or eliminating key figures within it. This path often involves deception, combat, and morally questionable decisions. For example, you might need to lie to the Tieflings and Druids in the Grove to gain their trust before betraying them. Alternatively, you could openly attack the Grove alongside the goblins, which will lead to immediate and severe consequences for your relationships with certain companions.
One important tip is to consider the long-term implications of your choice. Siding with the goblins will lock you out of certain quests and storylines, particularly those involving the Tieflings and Druids. This means you will miss out on potential rewards, allies, and narrative developments that could have benefited your party. Additionally, some companions may leave your party permanently if their approval drops too low or if they strongly disagree with your actions. For instance, Wyll, who is deeply committed to protecting the innocent, is likely to abandon you if you side with the goblins.
A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the impact of your decisions on companion relationships. Even if a companion does not immediately leave your party, their disapproval can lead to negative consequences later in the game. For example, Shadowheart may become less cooperative in her personal quest, or Gale might refuse to share important information with you. It is crucial to weigh the benefits of siding with the goblins against the potential loss of trust and support from your companions.
Advanced techniques for managing companion relationships while siding with the goblins include using dialogue options that align with their individual values. For example, you can try to justify your actions to Wyll by framing them as a necessary evil or appealing to Astarion's self-interest by emphasizing the potential rewards. Additionally, you can use the "Speak with Dead" spell or other abilities to gather information that might help you manipulate the situation in your favor. However, these strategies require careful planning and a deep understanding of each companion's personality and motivations.
From a D&D rules perspective, siding with the goblins aligns more closely with chaotic or evil alignments, which can create tension with companions who follow lawful or good alignments. This reflects the traditional D&D alignment system, where characters' actions and decisions are influenced by their moral and ethical beliefs. In Baldur's Gate 3, this system is adapted into the approval mechanics, which serve as a way to simulate the complex dynamics of party relationships.
Specific examples of the consequences of siding with the goblins include the potential loss of Wyll as a companion, as he is unlikely to tolerate such a betrayal. Similarly, Karlach, who has a strong sense of justice, may also leave your party. On the other hand, Astarion might appreciate the chaos and power dynamics involved in siding with the goblins, leading to an increase in his approval. Shadowheart's reaction may be more nuanced, as her personal quest and background make her more open to morally ambiguous choices, but she may still disapprove if the decision leads to unnecessary suffering.
In conclusion, siding with the goblins in Baldur's Gate 3 is a high-stakes decision that can significantly alter your relationships with your companions. It is essential to consider the approval mechanics, the long-term consequences of your actions, and the individual values of each companion. By carefully navigating these dynamics, you can minimize the negative impact on your party while pursuing your chosen path. However, be prepared for the possibility of losing allies and facing new challenges as a result of your decision.