What happens if I let Shadowheart kill Isobel in Baldur's Gate 3?

In Baldur's Gate 3, Shadowheart is a companion with a deep connection to the goddess Shar, and her personal questline revolves around her devotion to this deity. One of the key moments in her story involves a decision regarding Isobel, a cleric of Sel├╗ne, Shar's opposing deity. Allowing Shadowheart to kill Isobel is a significant choice that can have far-reaching consequences for both Shadowheart and your party. HereÔÇÖs a detailed explanation of the mechanics, strategies, and considerations involved in this decision.

To begin with, ShadowheartÔÇÖs questline is tied to her background as a Sharran. Shar and Sel├╗ne are opposing deities, and their followers are often in conflict. Isobel is a cleric of Sel├╗ne, and her presence in the game is tied to the Last Light Inn, a safe haven for many characters. If you allow Shadowheart to kill Isobel, it will have a profound impact on the story and your party dynamics.

The mechanics of this decision involve several steps. First, you need to progress ShadowheartÔÇÖs personal questline to the point where she is given the opportunity to confront Isobel. This typically occurs during Act 2, when you reach the Last Light Inn. Shadowheart will express her desire to kill Isobel, and you will have the option to either support her or dissuade her. If you choose to support her, you will need to ensure that Shadowheart is in your active party when you approach Isobel.

When you confront Isobel, Shadowheart will initiate a dialogue where she expresses her intent to kill her. At this point, you will have the option to either encourage her to proceed or try to stop her. If you choose to let Shadowheart kill Isobel, the game will transition into a combat scenario where Shadowheart will attack Isobel. ItÔÇÖs important to note that Isobel is not an easy target, and she will have allies who will come to her defense. You will need to be prepared for a challenging fight.

One important tip is to ensure that your party is well-prepared for this encounter. Isobel is a powerful cleric, and her allies can be formidable opponents. Make sure your party is well-equipped with healing potions, scrolls, and other consumables. Additionally, consider the composition of your party. Having a balanced mix of melee and ranged characters can help you manage the fight more effectively. ShadowheartÔÇÖs abilities as a cleric can be crucial in this fight, so make sure she is well-prepared with spells like Healing Word, Spiritual Weapon, and Guiding Bolt.

A common mistake to avoid is underestimating the difficulty of this fight. Isobel and her allies can deal significant damage, and if you are not prepared, you may find yourself overwhelmed. Another mistake is not considering the long-term consequences of this decision. Allowing Shadowheart to kill Isobel will have a major impact on the story and your relationships with other characters. For example, Jaheira, a key character in the game, may react negatively to this decision, and it could affect her willingness to join your party later on.

Advanced techniques for this encounter include using crowd control spells to manage IsobelÔÇÖs allies. Spells like Hold Person, Sleep, and Fear can be very effective in neutralizing threats and giving your party the upper hand. Additionally, using ShadowheartÔÇÖs Channel Divinity ability, Turn Undead, can be useful if IsobelÔÇÖs allies include undead creatures. Positioning is also important in this fight. Try to keep your party spread out to avoid being hit by area-of-effect spells, and use the environment to your advantage by taking cover behind obstacles.

From a D&D rules perspective, this encounter is a good example of how alignment and deity worship can influence character decisions and story outcomes. ShadowheartÔÇÖs devotion to Shar is a key aspect of her character, and allowing her to kill Isobel is a reflection of her alignment and beliefs. In D&D 5E, alignment can affect how characters interact with the world and each other, and this is reflected in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 through the choices you make and the consequences that follow.

In conclusion, allowing Shadowheart to kill Isobel is a significant decision that can have major consequences for your party and the story. It requires careful preparation and consideration of the potential outcomes. By understanding the mechanics, preparing your party, and using effective strategies, you can navigate this encounter successfully. However, itÔÇÖs important to weigh the long-term consequences of this decision and consider how it will affect your relationships with other characters and the overall story.