How do I recruit Minthara without losing Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3?

Recruiting Minthara without losing Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3 is a complex task that requires careful planning and execution. This is because Minthara is a drow paladin who serves the Absolute, and aligning with her typically involves making choices that conflict with the moral compass of other companions, particularly Karlach, who is a tiefling with a strong sense of justice. However, with the right approach, it is possible to recruit Minthara while keeping Karlach in your party. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand the mechanics involved. Minthara is a potential companion who can be recruited during Act 1, but doing so usually requires siding with the goblins and attacking the Druid Grove. This action will cause Karlach to leave your party, as she is deeply opposed to such a decision. To avoid this, you need to find a way to recruit Minthara without directly attacking the Druid Grove. This involves exploiting certain game mechanics and making specific choices that allow you to bypass the usual consequences.

The key to this strategy lies in the way the game handles companion approval and story progression. By carefully managing your interactions and choices, you can manipulate the gameÔÇÖs systems to achieve the desired outcome. HereÔÇÖs a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

First, you need to progress through the game until you reach the point where you encounter Minthara in the Goblin Camp. At this stage, you should avoid making any decisions that would cause Karlach to leave. This means you should not openly side with the goblins or attack the Druid Grove. Instead, you should engage in dialogue with Minthara and express interest in her cause without committing to any actions that would alienate Karlach.

Next, you need to find a way to recruit Minthara without triggering the events that would cause Karlach to leave. One way to do this is by using non-lethal attacks during the confrontation with Minthara. If you knock her out instead of killing her, the game will treat her as if she were dead, but she will later reappear in Act 2, where you can recruit her. This method allows you to bypass the need to attack the Druid Grove, thus keeping Karlach in your party.

ItÔÇÖs important to note that this strategy requires precise timing and careful execution. You need to ensure that Minthara is knocked out during the fight, but not killed. This can be tricky, as the gameÔÇÖs combat mechanics can sometimes lead to unintended outcomes. To increase your chances of success, you should use characters with high dexterity and proficiency in non-lethal attacks. Additionally, you should avoid using area-of-effect spells or abilities that could accidentally kill Minthara.

Another important consideration is the approval system. Throughout the game, your companions will react to your choices and actions, and their approval or disapproval will affect their loyalty and willingness to stay in your party. To keep Karlach happy, you should avoid making choices that align too closely with the goblins or the Absolute. Instead, focus on actions that demonstrate your commitment to justice and protecting the innocent. This will help maintain KarlachÔÇÖs approval and ensure she remains in your party.

In terms of advanced techniques, you can also use the gameÔÇÖs dialogue options to manipulate the story in your favor. For example, you can use persuasion or deception checks to convince Minthara that you are on her side without actually committing to any actions that would harm the Druid Grove. This requires a high charisma score and proficiency in persuasion or deception, so you should consider building your character accordingly.

Finally, itÔÇÖs worth noting that this strategy is not without risks. The gameÔÇÖs systems are complex, and there is always a chance that something could go wrong. For example, if you accidentally kill Minthara during the fight, you will lose the opportunity to recruit her. Similarly, if you make too many choices that align with the goblins, Karlach may still leave your party despite your best efforts. Therefore, itÔÇÖs important to save your game frequently and be prepared to reload if necessary.

In conclusion, recruiting Minthara without losing Karlach in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 is a challenging but achievable goal. By carefully managing your choices, using non-lethal attacks, and maintaining KarlachÔÇÖs approval, you can successfully recruit both companions and enjoy the unique benefits they bring to your party. Just remember to proceed with caution and be prepared for the unexpected.