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 the leaders who are causing trouble for the tieflings and druids at the Emerald Grove. Choosing to side with the goblins means you will be working against the tieflings and druids, which can lead to major shifts in how your companions view you and their willingness to stay with you.
The mechanics involved in this decision revolve around the approval system. Each companion has their own set of values, beliefs, and moral compass, and they will react differently to your choices. For example, characters like Wyll and Karlach, who have strong ties to the tieflings and a sense of justice, will likely disapprove of siding with the goblins. On the other hand, characters like Astarion, who is more morally ambiguous and self-serving, might not care as much or could even approve of the chaos and power dynamics involved in siding with the goblins.
To side with the goblins, you need to engage with the goblin leadersÔÇöPriestess Gut, Dror Ragzlin, and MintharaÔÇöand agree to help them attack the Emerald Grove. This involves completing certain tasks for them, such as infiltrating the grove or sabotaging the tieflings' defenses. Once you have gained their trust, you will be asked to lead the assault on the grove. This is a point of no return, as the attack will result in the deaths of many tieflings and druids, and it will lock you into a path that aligns with the goblins and the Absolute.
The consequences for companion relationships are significant. Wyll, for instance, is deeply connected to the tieflings and will likely leave your party if you side with the goblins. His personal quest and backstory are tied to protecting the innocent, and he will not tolerate actions that harm them. Similarly, Karlach, who is also tied to the tieflings, will disapprove and may leave as well. Gale, while more neutral, may still disapprove of such a violent and destructive choice, especially if it goes against his sense of morality.
On the other hand, Astarion might find the chaos amusing and could approve of your decision, especially if it leads to more power or opportunities for him. Shadowheart, who is more pragmatic and focused on her own goals, might not care as much about the moral implications, but she could still disapprove if she feels the decision is too reckless or puts her own objectives at risk.
One important tip is to consider the long-term implications of this choice. Siding with the goblins can lock you out of certain companion quests and storylines, particularly those tied to the tieflings and druids. For example, if Wyll leaves your party, you will miss out on his personal quest and any potential romance with him. Similarly, Karlach's story and any associated rewards or character development will be lost if she leaves.
A common mistake is not considering the approval ratings of your companions before making this choice. If you are trying to maintain a good relationship with certain characters, it is crucial to understand how they will react. You can check their approval levels in the character sheet, and if you notice that a companion is already on the edge of leaving, siding with the goblins might push them over the edge.
Advanced techniques involve manipulating the approval system to minimize the negative impact of this choice. For example, you can try to balance out the disapproval by making other choices that your companions approve of. This might involve completing certain quests or making dialogue choices that align with their values. Additionally, you can use the "Speak with Dead" spell or other abilities to gather information that might help you justify your actions to your companions, though this is not always effective.
In terms of D&D rules, the approval system in Baldur's Gate 3 is a simplified version of the relationship mechanics found in tabletop D&D. In the tabletop game, the Dungeon Master (DM) would track how NPCs and party members feel about each other based on their actions and decisions. Baldur's Gate 3 automates this process, but the underlying principles are the same. Your choices have consequences, and those consequences affect how your companions view you.
A specific example of this is when you first meet Minthara, the drow leader of the goblins. If you choose to side with her and help her attack the grove, you will immediately see the reactions of your companions. Wyll might confront you, expressing his disapproval and potentially leaving the party. Karlach might do the same, while Astarion might smirk and make a sarcastic comment about the bloodshed. These reactions are immediate and can set the tone for the rest of your playthrough.
In conclusion, siding with the goblins in Baldur's Gate 3 is a major decision that can drastically alter your relationships with your companions. Understanding the approval system, considering the long-term consequences, and balancing out negative reactions with positive ones are key strategies for managing this choice. Be mindful of the moral implications and how they align with your companions' values, and remember that this decision can lock you out of certain storylines and quests. By carefully navigating these dynamics, you can make the most of your playthrough, even if it means making difficult choices.
The mechanics involved in this decision revolve around the approval system. Each companion has their own set of values, beliefs, and moral compass, and they will react differently to your choices. For example, characters like Wyll and Karlach, who have strong ties to the tieflings and a sense of justice, will likely disapprove of siding with the goblins. On the other hand, characters like Astarion, who is more morally ambiguous and self-serving, might not care as much or could even approve of the chaos and power dynamics involved in siding with the goblins.
To side with the goblins, you need to engage with the goblin leadersÔÇöPriestess Gut, Dror Ragzlin, and MintharaÔÇöand agree to help them attack the Emerald Grove. This involves completing certain tasks for them, such as infiltrating the grove or sabotaging the tieflings' defenses. Once you have gained their trust, you will be asked to lead the assault on the grove. This is a point of no return, as the attack will result in the deaths of many tieflings and druids, and it will lock you into a path that aligns with the goblins and the Absolute.
The consequences for companion relationships are significant. Wyll, for instance, is deeply connected to the tieflings and will likely leave your party if you side with the goblins. His personal quest and backstory are tied to protecting the innocent, and he will not tolerate actions that harm them. Similarly, Karlach, who is also tied to the tieflings, will disapprove and may leave as well. Gale, while more neutral, may still disapprove of such a violent and destructive choice, especially if it goes against his sense of morality.
On the other hand, Astarion might find the chaos amusing and could approve of your decision, especially if it leads to more power or opportunities for him. Shadowheart, who is more pragmatic and focused on her own goals, might not care as much about the moral implications, but she could still disapprove if she feels the decision is too reckless or puts her own objectives at risk.
One important tip is to consider the long-term implications of this choice. Siding with the goblins can lock you out of certain companion quests and storylines, particularly those tied to the tieflings and druids. For example, if Wyll leaves your party, you will miss out on his personal quest and any potential romance with him. Similarly, Karlach's story and any associated rewards or character development will be lost if she leaves.
A common mistake is not considering the approval ratings of your companions before making this choice. If you are trying to maintain a good relationship with certain characters, it is crucial to understand how they will react. You can check their approval levels in the character sheet, and if you notice that a companion is already on the edge of leaving, siding with the goblins might push them over the edge.
Advanced techniques involve manipulating the approval system to minimize the negative impact of this choice. For example, you can try to balance out the disapproval by making other choices that your companions approve of. This might involve completing certain quests or making dialogue choices that align with their values. Additionally, you can use the "Speak with Dead" spell or other abilities to gather information that might help you justify your actions to your companions, though this is not always effective.
In terms of D&D rules, the approval system in Baldur's Gate 3 is a simplified version of the relationship mechanics found in tabletop D&D. In the tabletop game, the Dungeon Master (DM) would track how NPCs and party members feel about each other based on their actions and decisions. Baldur's Gate 3 automates this process, but the underlying principles are the same. Your choices have consequences, and those consequences affect how your companions view you.
A specific example of this is when you first meet Minthara, the drow leader of the goblins. If you choose to side with her and help her attack the grove, you will immediately see the reactions of your companions. Wyll might confront you, expressing his disapproval and potentially leaving the party. Karlach might do the same, while Astarion might smirk and make a sarcastic comment about the bloodshed. These reactions are immediate and can set the tone for the rest of your playthrough.
In conclusion, siding with the goblins in Baldur's Gate 3 is a major decision that can drastically alter your relationships with your companions. Understanding the approval system, considering the long-term consequences, and balancing out negative reactions with positive ones are key strategies for managing this choice. Be mindful of the moral implications and how they align with your companions' values, and remember that this decision can lock you out of certain storylines and quests. By carefully navigating these dynamics, you can make the most of your playthrough, even if it means making difficult choices.