Should you recruit Minsc or kill him in Baldur’s Gate 3?

The third act of Baldur’s Gate 3 introduces a new party member that some players may be familiar with: Minsc of Rashemen. Although most of the game’s companions appear in the first act, Minsc is more like a celebrity cameo than a full-fledged party character: a legendary hero showing up at the last minute to help save the world. When players encounter it, however, he has a different name: the Lord of Stone.

[Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Baldur’s Gate 3.]At this point in the story, Minsc is under the control of the Absolute, separated from his pet hamster and forced to commit violence against the cult’s enemies. The player can chase him into the sewers and free him from the Absolute’s slavery, although another character, the Emperor, strongly advises against it. For starters, the Emperor is a morally ambiguous character, and Minsc has always been a heroic figure when he’s appeared in previous films. Baldur’s Gate titles. But is there any truth to what the Illitid says, and should players think twice before recruiting this ranger?

What happens if you recruit Minsc in BG3

Adding this fan-favorite Ranger to your party

To recruit Minsc to the player’s party, he must simply eliminate him non-lethal during your fight and then convince the Emperor to extend his protection. The Emperor will react, saying that Minsc is too big a risk, but can be influenced, especially if Jaheira is in the party to help convince him. Afterwards, Minsc will express his gratitude, reunite with his giant miniature space hamster, Boo, and join the player in defeating the Absolute.

From this point on, Minsc becomes a companion, someone who can use illithid tadpoles and who has a special ability to summon his hamster to the battlefield. Minsc’s default class is ranger, and although his dialogue often makes him seem aloof and clumsy, he is a quite capable warrior. Having another companion is always good, and Minsc’s dialogue makes him a joy to have around. Additionally, the player character will earn Jaheira’s gratitude for saving the man.

What happens if you kill Minsc in Baldur’s Gate 3

Bringing death to the Lord of Stone

Alternatively, players can follow the Emperor’s advice and eliminate Minsc. Doing so leaves the ranger dead and obviously unable to keep up with the player’s party. This also makes Jaheira furious enough to leave the party entirely.meaning two companions can be lost at once (three, if Boo is included).

The Emperor will be happy with this decision, and the subsequent fight in the guild hall will be a little less chaotic with Minsc out of the equation. But beyond that, there’s really nothing good to say about doing this. It’s an act that loses allies and eliminates some of the game’s quirks, all to appease a mind flayer who would betray the player at any time if it was convenient.

You should recruit Minsc and ignore the emperor

Don’t be afraid to trust this hero and his hamster

Essentially, there is no disadvantage in allying with Minsc, and no advantage in killing him. Even though the Emperor gets upset for a moment and says this won’t end well, he holds no grudges about it, and his prediction that Minsc will cause trouble is simply incorrect. Minsc is a chaotic force, but he consistently fights for the good of others, and having him present in the later parts of the game is great.

Despite being introduced so late, Minsc has a huge presence in the story due to his bombastic personality and his relationship with Jaheira. Seeing the two returning party members interact is a pleasure, especially if players take them both to Jaheira’s house in the lower city. Minsc may not hinder character development much, especially compared to Shadowheart, Astarion, or any other Origin character, but he is a great source of levity during the game’s darkest hours.

Furthermore, there is no denying that the presence of Minsc provides a little fan service at the end of the game for those who have played the previous one Baldur’s Gate titles. He and Jaheira were party members in these games about a century ago and became fan favorites during that time. Seeing them now, after decades of living and learning, seems like a great way to do Baldur’s Gate 3 feel connected to the series as a whole.

Source: Larian Studios/YouTube