How an Evil Baldur’s Gate 3 Playthrough Impacts Each Companion

Highlights

• Players can significantly influence the arcs of party members in Baldur’s Gate 3 through their choices and actions.
• Some party members, like Astarion and Shadowheart, can be corrupted by evil actions, while others, like Wyll and Karlach, have moral boundaries they won’t cross.
• Certain characters, such as Halsin and Minthara, are only available or have expanded availability depending on the player’s moral alignment.

As early as player choice is emphasized in the prologue of Baldur’s Gate 3, so is the importance of the player’s connection to other characters. The world of Baldur’s Gate 3 constantly reacts to the choices of the player through the varied reactions of its inhabitants, but the game’s party members are actually capable of undergoing different arcs depending on the route they are driven towards.

The player’s party in BG3 contains an array of moral alignments across its members, such that some are nearly impossible to recruit unless certain principles are agreed upon. As the player influences these characters with evil actions throughout the game, however, some will become corrupted and change while others remain adamantly less affected.

This article contains major spoilers regarding the storylines of several key characters in Baldur’s Gate 3

Astarion

He may be a more sinister voice of the party, but Astarion will become a Vampire Ascendant by sacrificing his fellow Spawn in Cazador’s ritual if encouraged by the player. This will lead to Astarion becoming more arrogant and selfish in his newfound power.

Lae’zel

While there are clear sides to the conflict between Vlaakith and Prince Orpheus that Lae’zel finds herself playing an important role in, there’s a case to be made that both of these factions are ultimately evil and violent. There is at least more honesty to siding with the less manipulative Orpheus, but many evil players are likely to be pleased with Lae’zel’s disposition no matter her outcome.

Shadowheart

Shadowheart’s arc takes a drastic turn if she is encouraged to delve into darkness by sacrificing the Nightsong, and subsequently, her parents. She will become so dedicated to Shar folllowing this path that she will even end her romantic relationship with the character, fully committing to the dark goddess.

Gale

Gale is morally dubious in his troubled pursuit of Mystra’s love, but he seems to mean well and will disapprove of evil actions. Keeping him after sinister acts can be challenging, but his goals align with the player’s enough to look the other way.

Wyll

His status as a Warlock due to Wyll’s contract with Mizora gives him an obvious sense of edge and darkness, but the good intentions behind his choices show his true nature as a heroic warrior. Following this, he will not tolerate attacking the Emerald Grove, permanently leaving the party if that route is taken.

Karlach

Despite her devilish appearance and brutish strength, Karlach is a character with a heart of gold that has endeared her to many fans. While she won’t take most evil too seriously beyond Act 1, she will take the same stance as Wyll in terms of abandoning the party if the Emerald Grove is attacked by the player.

Halsin

Intended to be a party member that is only acquired if the player is on the path of good, Halsin will end up dead if an evil route is followed in Act 1. Trapped in the prison of the Goblin Camp’s Shattered Sanctum, he must be saved by defeating the murderous faction’s leaders.

Minthara

Originally intended to require the player to raid the Emerald Grove to recruit her, Minthara’s availability has recently been expanded to good routes as well. She is meant to embody development within a dark moral alignment despite her depth, as she’s an evil person who looks at the pragmatic side of things.

Jaheira

She won’t be able to survive if the player goes evil in Act 2 and sacrifices the Nightsong, but Jaheira can tolerate a level of moral ambiguity. She won’t become unavailable if the player kills a few Harpers before meeting her, and subsequent questionable actions unrelated to Minsc won’t affect her much.

Minsc

A violent crime lord under the Absolute’s influence when first encountered, Minsc is eventually shown to be characterized by a wholesome disposition. He won’t necessarily approve of unnecessary cruelty, but he understands that force gets the job done for a hero like himself and doesn’t mind most evil.