How do I unlock Halsin's personal quest without losing other companions in Baldur's Gate 3?

To unlock Halsin's personal quest in Baldur's Gate 3 without losing other companions, you need to carefully navigate the story and companion dynamics. Halsin is a key character tied to the main plot, and his personal quest, "Lift the Shadow Curse," becomes available in Act 2. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this while maintaining your relationships with other companions.

First, you need to recruit Halsin. He is found in the Goblin Camp during Act 1. To rescue him, you must defeat the goblin leaders: Priestess Gut, Dror Ragzlin, and Minthara. You can choose to side with the tieflings and druids at the Emerald Grove or align with the goblins, but siding with the goblins will result in losing Wyll and Karlach as companions. Therefore, to keep all companions, you must side with the tieflings and druids. After defeating the goblin leaders, Halsin will return to the Emerald Grove and join your camp. However, he wonÔÇÖt be a full companion until Act 2.

In Act 2, HalsinÔÇÖs personal quest, "Lift the Shadow Curse," becomes available. This quest is tied to the main story and involves lifting the curse that plagues the Shadow-Cursed Lands. To start this quest, you need to progress through the main story until you reach the Last Light Inn. Here, youÔÇÖll meet Art Cullagh, a man in a coma who holds the key to lifting the curse. Halsin will recognize Art and explain that he needs to enter the Shadowfell to retrieve Thaniel, a spirit tied to the land. This is the core of HalsinÔÇÖs quest.

To proceed, you must wake Art Cullagh. This requires finding a specific lute, which is located in the House of Healing in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Once you retrieve the lute and wake Art, Halsin will ask for your help to enter the Shadowfell. This involves defending Halsin while he performs a ritual to open a portal. The defense sequence is a challenging combat encounter, so prepare your party with strong crowd control and area-of-effect spells. Positioning is key here, as enemies will come from multiple directions. Use chokepoints and environmental hazards to your advantage.

After successfully defending Halsin, he will enter the Shadowfell and retrieve Thaniel. This will progress his quest and bring you closer to lifting the curse. However, this is also where you need to be cautious about companion relationships. Some companions, like Shadowheart, have their own personal quests tied to the Shadowfell. If you progress HalsinÔÇÖs quest too quickly, it might conflict with ShadowheartÔÇÖs quest, potentially leading to her leaving the party. To avoid this, ensure you complete ShadowheartÔÇÖs personal quest, "Daughter of Darkness," before fully committing to HalsinÔÇÖs quest. This involves resolving her conflict with the Nightsong in the Shadowfell.

Another important consideration is approval. Companions in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 have approval ratings that affect their loyalty and willingness to pursue romance. HalsinÔÇÖs quest involves making choices that might not align with every companionÔÇÖs values. For example, Astarion might disapprove of altruistic actions, while Wyll and Karlach will likely approve. To maintain high approval with all companions, balance your decisions and consider their personalities. Use dialogue options that align with their values when possible, and avoid actions that might alienate them.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing your party composition for the defense sequence. Having a balanced party with a mix of melee, ranged, and spellcasting abilities is crucial. Characters like Gale or Shadowheart can provide crowd control with spells like Hold Person or Spirit Guardians, while LaeÔÇÖzel or Karlach can deal heavy damage to incoming enemies. Additionally, using environmental tactics, such as setting up traps or using high ground, can give you an edge in combat.

In terms of D&D 5E rules, the defense sequence is a great example of how the game implements combat mechanics. Enemies will use their abilities strategically, and youÔÇÖll need to manage your resources, such as spell slots and action economy, to survive. Understanding the rules for opportunity attacks, concentration checks, and area-of-effect spells will help you optimize your strategy.

In summary, unlocking HalsinÔÇÖs personal quest without losing other companions requires careful planning and attention to companion dynamics. Progress through the main story, complete companion quests like ShadowheartÔÇÖs before fully committing to HalsinÔÇÖs quest, and balance your decisions to maintain approval. Use advanced combat tactics and optimize your party composition to succeed in the defense sequence. By following these steps, you can lift the Shadow Curse and strengthen your bond with Halsin while keeping your other companions by your side.