How do I increase approval with Minthara without losing other companions in Baldur's Gate 3?

Increasing approval with Minthara in Baldur's Gate 3 without losing other companions is a delicate balancing act, as Minthara is a Drow Paladin who aligns with the Absolute, a faction that many of your companions, such as Wyll, Karlach, and Gale, strongly oppose. To achieve this, you need to carefully navigate the game's approval mechanics, story choices, and companion interactions. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to do this effectively.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand how approval works in Baldur's Gate 3. Each companion has a hidden approval rating that increases or decreases based on your actions, dialogue choices, and decisions throughout the game. Minthara, in particular, approves of ruthless, pragmatic, and power-hungry decisions, while disapproving of acts of mercy or kindness that donÔÇÖt serve a greater purpose. To gain her approval, youÔÇÖll need to make choices that align with her worldview, but youÔÇÖll also need to avoid alienating other companions who may disapprove of such actions.

One strategy is to focus on gaining MintharaÔÇÖs approval during specific moments in the story where your other companions are less likely to be affected. For example, during the Goblin Camp storyline, you can side with Minthara and the Goblins to attack the Druid Grove. This will significantly increase her approval, but it will also cause Wyll, Karlach, and potentially Gale to leave your party permanently. To avoid this, you can delay siding with Minthara until after youÔÇÖve completed certain companion quests or gained enough approval with those companions to offset the negative impact.

Another approach is to use dialogue choices that Minthara approves of without committing to actions that will anger other companions. For instance, when speaking with Minthara, you can express interest in her plans or show a willingness to use violence to achieve your goals. These choices can increase her approval without necessarily forcing you to take actions that will upset your other companions. However, this requires careful attention to the dialogue options and a good understanding of each companionÔÇÖs preferences.

ItÔÇÖs also important to manage your party composition strategically. If you know youÔÇÖre going to make a decision that Minthara will approve of but others will disapprove of, consider leaving those companions at camp temporarily. This way, they wonÔÇÖt witness the action and wonÔÇÖt lose approval. For example, if you plan to raid the Druid Grove with Minthara, leave Wyll, Karlach, and Gale at camp to avoid losing them permanently.

Advanced techniques involve exploiting the gameÔÇÖs mechanics to maximize approval gains while minimizing losses. For example, you can use the "Partial Long Rest" feature to trigger certain companion interactions and dialogue options that can increase approval without progressing the main story. This allows you to build relationships with multiple companions simultaneously. Additionally, you can use the "Save Scumming" technique to experiment with different choices and see their immediate effects on approval ratings before committing to a particular path.

In terms of D&D 5E rules, approval mechanics in Baldur's Gate 3 are inspired by the alignment system and role-playing elements of the tabletop game. MintharaÔÇÖs approval is tied to her Lawful Evil alignment, which values order, power, and self-interest. Understanding this can help you predict how she will react to certain choices and tailor your actions accordingly.

Specific examples include the Goblin Camp storyline, where you can choose to side with Minthara and the Goblins. If you do this, make sure to complete WyllÔÇÖs and KarlachÔÇÖs personal quests beforehand to ensure they remain loyal. Another example is the Underdark, where you can make choices that Minthara approves of, such as siding with the Duergar or using deception to gain an advantage, without necessarily angering other companions.

In conclusion, increasing MintharaÔÇÖs approval without losing other companions requires careful planning, strategic decision-making, and a deep understanding of the gameÔÇÖs mechanics. By focusing on dialogue choices, managing party composition, and exploiting advanced techniques, you can build a strong relationship with Minthara while maintaining the loyalty of your other companions. Always be mindful of the consequences of your actions and consider the long-term impact on your party dynamics.