Baldur’s Gate 3 offers players a unique experience with companions that can easily be revived using spells like revivify or services provided by Withers. However, despite this safety measure, players may still find their favorite characters leaving the party under certain circumstances. A major factor contributing to this is the approval system: companions have their own preferences, and if players make choices that consistently disappoint them, these characters may choose to depart.
Interestingly, before any companion permanently leaves, they usually offer some sort of warning about their intentions. Throughout the gameplay, players will encounter various critical moments where their decisions can lead to the immediate and irrevocable departure of a companion. It’s crucial to bear in mind that betraying a character during key moments of their storyline can lead to them abandoning the player.
1. Shadowheart
Shadowheart’s Disapproval of Faith Interference
In the initial Act, Shadowheart is one of the easiest companions to retain. Players often secure her early on, as she has multiple recruitment opportunities. If players don’t maintain a high approval rate with her, they can engage her during the tiefling party for guidance, suggesting that she is generally kept within the party for a reason. Despite this, players must navigate her questlines carefully in Acts Two and Three to prevent her departure.
The most critical moment for losing Shadowheart occurs in the Shadowfell at Shar’s gauntlet. If players explore the Nightsong’s prison without her, she will feel that her opportunity to become a Dark Justiciar has been unjustly robbed. Additionally, being too insistent about her choices can lead to hostility between her and the party.
In Act Three, if players choose to hand her over to Viconia for Shar’s warriors’ assistance, she becomes unrecruitable. Conversations with her post-surrender yield no persuasive potential—as demonstrated in a recent TikTok video, even the rare night orchid item fails to rekindle her interest. Furthermore, if players commit the act of killing her parents after their rescue, it could lead to her withdrawal from the party.
2. Astarion
Astarion’s Potential to Depart through All Acts
Astarion’s journey is similarly fraught with exit opportunities across all three acts. At the very start, in Act One, players can surrender him to Gandrel, resulting in his immediate demise. His vampirism reveal towards the act’s conclusion also presents a chance for him to abandon the player, particularly reliant on player actions. In Act Two, if he successfully strikes a deal with Raphael, Astarion may part ways if the protagonist opts to spare Yurgir, although he can still potentially be swayed to remain.
A vital aspect of ensuring Astarion’s loyalty lies in how players approach his personal quest. Failing to persuade him that he is better off without power during his potential ascension can lead to feelings of betrayal, prompting him to exit the party. Furthermore, letting him attain ascendance while betraying his new nature post-romance will also cement his departure.
3. Gale
Gale’s Departure Linked to His Netherese Orb
Gale’s potential exits are predominantly tied to his Netherese Orb. A graceful exit occurs if players decide to part ways after he reveals his predicament. Moreover, if Gale goes for an extended duration without receiving magic items, he may leave out of concern for his own volatility. It is essential for players to consult Elminster to stabilize the orb, as neglecting him or eliminating him prior to such a discussion guarantees Gale’s departure.
Contrary to Wyll and Karlach, who exit after the grove raid, talking to Gale during the goblin party presents a chance for players to encourage his stay or hasten his exit based on their dialogue choices.
4. Jaheira
Killing Characters Affects Jaheira’s Recruitment
Jaheira’s survival hinges on specific events in the game, especially in the face of character deaths. While she can die in combat, she also might be un-recruitable if players eliminate critical characters. If Isobel perishes in Act Two and players are sympathetic to her grief, Jaheira can remain in camp. However, killing Aylin in the Shadowfell while she is absent prevents her from joining later, effectively sealing her fate in the Shadow Curse.
In Act Three, Jaheira’s actions concerning loved ones impact her staying power. Losing Minsc in the sewers, or players personally slaying her children, leads to an immediate exit. She faces unique scenarios at the temple of Bhaal and if players maneuver her towards Sarevok, she will become hostile if the player manifests the Dark Urge, which can involve manipulation of Minsc into hostility.
5. Minsk
Minsc’s Loyalty to Jaheira
Minsc is intrinsically tied to Jaheira’s fate. If she departs, he typically follows. Should Jaheira be inaccessible in Act Three, Minsc will never be added to the party roster. He can also be turned hostile by forcing him to kill Jaheira, particularly if players attempt to obtain Jaheira through darker means.
No recruitment methods available to players permit Minsc to join independently of Jaheira, ensuring their fates are forever intertwined.
6. Halsin
Halsin’s Stability Post-Shadow Curse
After an intricate recruitment process, it’s refreshing to note that Halsin poses little risk of leaving the party in Act Three, assuming he was rescued during Act One. The primary risk comes if players exit Act Two without resolving the Shadow Curse; in which case, he will remain behind to rectify it himself. Curiously, Halsin demonstrates minimal reaction towards larger events in the game, such as embracing the Dark Urge.
There is a temporary exit in Act Two if players fast travel to an earlier area while his quest is ongoing, showing him permanently gone. However, players can re-recruit him if they return to his quest quickly. If the quest remains incomplete by Act Three, he becomes permanently unobtainable.
7. Karlach
Karlach’s Good Alignment and Discretion
Karlach’s strongly benevolent nature dictates that she won’t tolerate instances of player cruelty, especially toward innocents. Similar to Wyll and Gale, she will exit if the party raids the Emerald Grove with Minthara. Additionally, she may abandon the party should players continue into Act Two without confronting Anders and the counterfeit paladins of Tyr.
One significant approval decrement arises from breaking off the relationship with Karlach bluntly, stating, “I had my fun with you. That was enough for me.”
8. Wild
Wyll’s Commitment to Heroism
Wyll embodies the essence of heroism, departing if players engage in unethical actions, such as raiding the grove in Act One. Ignoring Mizora’s plea in Act Two can seal his fate; failure to save her from the mind flayer colony triggers a harrowing cutscene where his soul is dragged into Hell, leading to a game over in an Origin scenario.
“I will mourn the person you were. But I will not accept the one you’ve become.”- Wyll
Moreover, embracing the Dark Urge can lead to another tragic exit for Wyll; if he, along with Jaheira and Minsc, unites against the player, he exemplifies the emotional repercussions of choices made throughout the journey.
9. Lae’zel
Lae’zel’s Unlikely Hostility
Despite her assertive nature, Lae’zel exhibits surprising tolerance if players skip the crèche. If persuasion rolls falter, she may turn hostile if the artifact is withheld from the Inquisitor during their first meeting. Similarly, siding with the Emperor while she remains loyal to Orpheus can also provoke aggression in Act Three if players fail to persuade her otherwise.
Lae’zel is at risk of death from a Githyanki patrol in the mountain pass if she ventures out alone. Players often believe skipping the crèche will lead to her exit; however, if she heads there alone and is absent for too long, she could meet a grim fate, succumbing to the illithid parasite. Additionally, allowing Shadowheart to slay her in conflict can lead to permanent loss. In instances of Shadowheart’s Origin run, Lae’zel’s demise could result from the Astral Prism’s effects, as depicted in a video by Lady Lilianne.
10. Minthara
Stability After Recruitment for Minthara
Minthara offers a unique companion dynamic where she will seldom depart once appropriately recruited. The only triggering event that causes her to leave is if players choose to eliminate her while pursuing their Dark Urge during a romance scene in Act One. Given the inherent challenge in securing her recruitment, Larian has intentionally limited the opportunities for her to exit. To avoid losing her, it ensures her survival becomes a matter of strategic gameplay, primarily centered around safely navigating Moonrise.
11. Miscellaneous Ways of Losing Companions
Sacrificial Choices for Buffs
Act Three takes a darker turn when Orin abducts one of the companions—if they are currently absent from the player’s party. Possible options include Lae’zel, Gale, Halsin, or Minthara. Failing to rescue them from Orin before their demise results in permanent loss, as their soul becomes a sacrifice to Bhaal.
In the depths of the Underdark’s Festering Cove, players might opt to sacrifice a party member to the Kuo-Toa for a significant buff named BOOAL’s Benediction, which offers advantages in combat against bleeding enemies. However, similar to Orin’s scenario, if a character falls in this process, they will remain permanently lost. Despite the evident risks of losing companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, players can navigate their journey more strategically, ensuring they retain their party members by being mindful of critical choices.
Sources: rndm.lys/TikTok, Lady Lilianne/YouTube.
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