What are the consequences of siding with the druids in Baldur's Gate 3 for companion relationships?

Siding with the druids in Baldur's Gate 3, particularly during the conflict between the druids and the tieflings in Act 1, has significant consequences for your companion relationships. This decision impacts how your companions perceive your character, their approval or disapproval of your actions, and the overall dynamics within your party. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of what happens when you side with the druids and how it affects your companions.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics involved. In Baldur's Gate 3, each companion has an approval rating that reflects how they feel about your character. This rating is influenced by your dialogue choices, actions, and decisions throughout the game. When you side with the druids, you are essentially choosing to support their efforts to seal off the grove and expel the tiefling refugees. This decision will lead to the tieflings being forced to leave, which can have dire consequences for them, as they are vulnerable to attacks from goblins and other threats.

Step-by-step, siding with the druids involves several key moments. Early in Act 1, you will encounter Kagha, the druid leader, who is determined to complete the Rite of Thorns to seal the grove. If you support her and the druids, you will need to either convince the tieflings to leave peacefully or assist the druids in expelling them by force. This decision will trigger a series of events, including potential combat with the tieflings if they resist. After the tieflings are gone, the grove will be sealed, and the druids will remain isolated.

Now, letÔÇÖs talk about how this decision affects your companions. Each companion has their own personality and moral compass, so their reactions will vary. For example, Wyll, who is a heroic and compassionate character, will strongly disapprove of siding with the druids, as he is sympathetic to the tieflingsÔÇÖ plight. Similarly, Karlach, another companion who values justice and helping the vulnerable, will also disapprove. On the other hand, Astarion, who is more self-serving and pragmatic, may not care as much about the tieflings and could be indifferent or even approve of your decision if it benefits him in some way. Shadowheart, who is secretive and pragmatic, might also be less concerned with the tieflingsÔÇÖ fate, depending on your interactions with her.

Important tips and considerations include understanding the long-term consequences of your decision. Siding with the druids means you will lose access to certain quests and rewards tied to the tieflings, such as Dammon the blacksmith, who can provide valuable upgrades and items. Additionally, the tieflingsÔÇÖ survival is tied to later story events in Acts 2 and 3, so their expulsion could have ripple effects on the overall narrative.

Common mistakes to avoid include not considering the approval ratings of your companions before making this decision. If you are trying to build a romantic relationship with Wyll or Karlach, siding with the druids could significantly hinder your progress. ItÔÇÖs also important to avoid rushing into this decision without exploring all possible outcomes. For example, you might find alternative solutions, such as exposing KaghaÔÇÖs corruption or finding a way to broker peace between the druids and tieflings.

Advanced techniques or optimizations involve leveraging your characterÔÇÖs skills and abilities to influence the outcome. If you have high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion or Deception, you might be able to convince Kagha to reconsider her actions or persuade the tieflings to leave without violence. This can help mitigate some of the negative consequences of siding with the druids. Additionally, if you have a strong relationship with certain companions, you might be able to sway their opinions through dialogue, reducing the impact of their disapproval.

Related D&D rules and mechanics include the use of skill checks and dialogue options to influence NPCs and companions. In Baldur's Gate 3, your characterÔÇÖs abilities and proficiencies play a crucial role in determining the success of these interactions. For example, a high Charisma score and proficiency in Persuasion can make it easier to convince characters to see things your way, while a low score might lead to failure and unintended consequences.

Specific examples and scenarios include the moment when you confront Kagha in the druid grove. If you choose to support her and the druids, you might need to pass a Persuasion check to convince the tieflings to leave peacefully. Failing this check could result in combat, which might further alienate certain companions. Alternatively, if you have already built a strong relationship with Wyll or Karlach, you might be able to use dialogue options to explain your reasoning and potentially reduce their disapproval.

In conclusion, siding with the druids in Baldur's Gate 3 has significant consequences for your companion relationships. Understanding the mechanics, considering the approval ratings of your companions, and exploring alternative solutions can help you navigate this decision and its impact on your party. By leveraging your characterÔÇÖs skills and abilities, you can optimize the outcome and maintain positive relationships with your companions, even if it means making difficult choices.