What happens if I let Lae'zel kill the tieflings in Baldur's Gate 3?

In Baldur's Gate 3, Lae'zel is a Githyanki warrior with a strong sense of loyalty to her people and a no-nonsense attitude. Early in the game, you encounter a group of tieflings who have captured Lae'zel in a cage. This situation presents a moral dilemma: you can choose to side with the tieflings or with Lae'zel. If you decide to let Lae'zel kill the tieflings, it will have significant consequences for your game, particularly in terms of companion relationships, story progression, and future interactions with the tieflings.

To let Lae'zel kill the tieflings, you need to follow a specific sequence of events. First, you must encounter the tieflings who have captured Lae'zel. This happens near the crash site of the Nautiloid ship, where the game begins. The tieflings are arguing about what to do with Lae'zel, and you have the option to intervene. If you choose to side with Lae'zel, you can either persuade the tieflings to release her or attack them directly. If you successfully persuade the tieflings, they will let Lae'zel go, but she may still choose to attack them. Alternatively, if you attack the tieflings, Lae'zel will join the fight and help you kill them.

Once the tieflings are dead, Lae'zel will express her approval of your actions. This will increase her approval rating of you, which is important if you want to build a strong relationship with her. However, killing the tieflings will have negative consequences for your relationship with other companions, particularly those who have a more compassionate or morally upright outlook, such as Wyll or Shadowheart. These companions may disapprove of your decision, which could make it harder to gain their trust and loyalty in the future.

There are several important tips and considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether to let Lae'zel kill the tieflings. First, consider the long-term impact on your party dynamics. If you plan to have Lae'zel as a permanent member of your party, her approval is important, but you also need to balance this with the approval of other companions. Second, think about the story implications. The tieflings play a significant role in the game's narrative, and killing them early on will close off certain quests and storylines. For example, you will miss out on the opportunity to help the tieflings at the Druid Grove, which is a major early-game quest.

Common mistakes to avoid include making hasty decisions without considering the consequences. It's easy to get caught up in the moment and side with Lae'zel, especially if you're playing a character who values strength and loyalty. However, it's important to think about how your actions will affect the rest of the game. Another mistake is failing to consider the approval ratings of other companions. If you want to maintain a balanced party, you need to be mindful of how your decisions impact everyone, not just Lae'zel.

Advanced techniques and optimizations involve carefully managing your party's approval ratings and making strategic decisions that align with your overall goals. For example, if you want to maximize Lae'zel's approval while minimizing the negative impact on other companions, you can try to find a middle ground. Instead of outright killing the tieflings, you could persuade them to release Lae'zel and then avoid further conflict. This way, you gain Lae'zel's approval without alienating other companions.

In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the situation with Lae'zel and the tieflings is a good example of how alignment and morality work in the game. Lae'zel's actions are consistent with her Lawful Evil alignment, as she values strength and loyalty above all else. On the other hand, the tieflings are generally more Neutral or Good-aligned, and killing them would be considered an Evil act. This alignment system affects how characters react to your decisions and can influence the overall tone of your playthrough.

Specific examples and scenarios include the immediate aftermath of the fight. If you let Lae'zel kill the tieflings, you will find their bodies at the crash site, and other characters may comment on your actions. For example, if you later encounter Zevlor, the leader of the tieflings at the Druid Grove, he will be hostile towards you if he learns of your involvement in the deaths of his people. This can make it harder to complete certain quests and gain the trust of other NPCs.

In conclusion, letting Lae'zel kill the tieflings in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant decision that will have lasting consequences for your game. It will increase Lae'zel's approval but may damage your relationships with other companions and close off certain storylines. To achieve this outcome, you need to side with Lae'zel during the encounter with the tieflings, either by persuading them to release her or by attacking them directly. Be mindful of the long-term impact on your party dynamics and the game's narrative, and consider the approval ratings of all your companions before making a final decision.