What are the consequences of letting Wyll become the Blade of Avernus in Baldur's Gate 3?

Letting Wyll become the Blade of Avernus in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant story choice that impacts his character arc, your relationship with him, and the overall narrative. Wyll is a warlock with a complex backstory tied to his pact with the fiend Mizora. His personal quest, "The Blade of Frontiers," explores his struggle with his identity, his pact, and his desire to protect the innocent. The decision to let him fully embrace his role as the Blade of Avernus has several consequences, both immediate and long-term.

To achieve this outcome, you must progress through Wyll's personal questline. Early in the game, Wyll will reveal his pact with Mizora and his desire to break free from it. As you progress, you will encounter Mizora, who will offer Wyll a choice: either renew his pact or face dire consequences. If you encourage Wyll to reject Mizora's offer and break his pact, he will lose his warlock powers temporarily. However, this sets him on the path to becoming the Blade of Avernus, a hero who fights for justice without relying on infernal powers.

The mechanics involved in this decision revolve around dialogue choices and approval. Wyll's approval of your character is crucial, as it determines how much he trusts your advice. To gain his approval, make choices that align with his values, such as protecting the innocent, standing up to tyranny, and showing compassion. Avoid actions that involve cruelty, deception, or selfishness, as these will lower his approval. During key moments in his questline, such as when Mizora offers to renew his pact, choose dialogue options that encourage him to reject her and embrace his independence.

Step-by-step, here is how to guide Wyll toward becoming the Blade of Avernus. First, recruit Wyll early in the game by meeting him at the Druid Grove. Engage in conversations with him to learn about his backstory and build rapport. As you progress through Act 1 and Act 2, make choices that align with his ideals to increase his approval. In Act 2, you will encounter Mizora in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. She will offer Wyll a choice: renew his pact or break it. Encourage him to break the pact, even though it means losing his warlock powers temporarily. This decision is pivotal, as it sets him on the path to becoming the Blade of Avernus.

Important tips and considerations include managing Wyll's approval carefully. If his approval is too low, he may not trust your advice and could choose to renew his pact with Mizora. Additionally, breaking the pact has immediate consequences, as Wyll will lose access to his warlock abilities. However, this is temporary, and he will regain his powers later in the story. Be prepared to support him during this transition by adjusting your party composition and combat strategies to compensate for his temporary loss of abilities.

Common mistakes to avoid include making choices that lower Wyll's approval or failing to engage with his personal questline. If you neglect his quest or make choices that conflict with his values, you may miss the opportunity to guide him toward becoming the Blade of Avernus. Additionally, avoid rushing through the story without taking the time to build relationships with your companions, as this can lead to missed opportunities for character development.

Advanced techniques and optimizations involve leveraging Wyll's new role as the Blade of Avernus in combat and story choices. Once he breaks his pact, he will regain his powers and gain new abilities that reflect his commitment to justice. Use these abilities strategically in combat to maximize his effectiveness. In terms of story, his transformation into the Blade of Avernus opens up new dialogue options and narrative paths, so explore these to deepen your relationship with him and uncover additional story content.

Related D&D rules and mechanics include the warlock class features and the concept of pacts with otherworldly beings. In D&D 5E, warlocks gain their powers through pacts with powerful entities, such as fiends, fey, or eldritch beings. Breaking such a pact would typically result in the loss of warlock abilities, but the DM (or, in this case, the game) may allow the character to regain their powers through other means, such as divine intervention or personal growth. Baldur's Gate 3 follows these rules closely, as Wyll's story reflects the consequences of breaking a pact and the potential for redemption and renewal.

Specific examples and scenarios include the moment when Mizora offers Wyll the choice to renew his pact. If you have built a strong relationship with Wyll and encouraged him to embrace his independence, he will trust your advice and choose to break the pact. This leads to a powerful scene where he declares his intention to become the Blade of Avernus, a hero who fights for justice on his own terms. Later in the game, you will see the impact of this decision as Wyll takes on new challenges and grows as a character.

In conclusion, letting Wyll become the Blade of Avernus is a rewarding choice that enhances his character arc and your relationship with him. By carefully managing his approval, making choices that align with his values, and supporting him through his struggles, you can guide him toward this transformative outcome. This decision not only impacts Wyll's story but also adds depth to your playthrough, offering new opportunities for character development and narrative exploration.