Baldur's Gate 3's story can feel very different depending on who you play. Do you choose Tav and create your own character from a blank slate? Or do you choose Dark Urge and explore a violent, murderous path? Or would you rather choose one of the original characters and explore their versions of the story and place them as the ultimate protagonists? There are also some sidekicks who never have the luxury of being chosen, but join your party during the story. What would the story be like if they were the main characters?
Baldur's Gate 3: All romantic characters
There are a total of ten romance options in Baldur's Gate 3, and each of them are unique companions that players can choose to get close to.
It's a pretty fun thought experiment to have. The “true” protagonist of Baldur's Gate 3 has been quite hotly debated among fans as more knowledge and information has come out over the years. If a movie were to be made, who would take the lead role? This is a question that may be more relevant than ever with one Baldur's Gate TV series on the horizon that will feature some famous characters from Larian's games. For now, let's rank all the companions we encounter in the game based on how well they would fit the role of a main character (within the story of Baldur's Gate 3not in general).
Minor spoilers ahead!
Min
The Ultimate Fun Side Kick Character
We start with the minimum possible energy from the main character and have Minsc. IN Baldur's Gate 3he perfectly embodies the role of a fun but powerful comedic sidekick who has your back. He may not be the sharpest pencil in the box, but he will be fiercely loyal and good to the end.
He's also a cool throwback to the previous games in the franchise, and while his hamster sidekick Boo is one of the best things in the entire game, he's probably not someone who's going to carry the entire plot of the game on his shoulders.
Jaheira
The seasoned veteran who mentors the main characters
Formerly a main character in Baldur's Gate franchise, Jaheira is another recurring figure in the Baldur's Gate 3. She's still just as iconic, but is she main character vibes? Probably not. It's good, though, because she manages to deliver another, important role.
In Act 2, she becomes a bit of a mentor to our characters, trusting us to figure out how to beat Ketheric while helping us in the final battle. She's a powerful druid, and as a seasoned veteran adventurer, it's okay for her to step back and let other characters take the spotlight.
Neck
A healthy secondary character
In Act 1 we meet the druid Halsin when we rescue him from the Goblin Camp. He is an important part of the plot as he is the one who shows the way to Moonrise Towers and offers to come with us. Because Halsin isn't the most developed character in the cast, and he's been put in a clear supporting role from the start.
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While it's pretty cool to have him fight on your side as a powerful druid, and even have him as a romance option, Halsin is definitely better suited to be on the sidelines and see this whole mindflayers and parasites story finished for the sake of the grove and his research.
Minthara
Antagonist turned uneasy ally
Another great sidekick character, Minthara, represents the classic media trope of minor villain turned uneasy ally. There's something deeply satisfying about having a previously antagonistic character join you on a mission because your interests align, and you're both hungry for retribution.
In that sense, her role as a supporting character could easily be much larger than some of the origin characters, as it presents an interesting, alternative path to the main story. Not everyone is initially a victim of the Absolute. Or, at least, they don't think they themselves are victims to begin with.
Astarion
He has his own story to tell
While Astarion is a great character with a fascinating backstory and tons of charisma, he's an origin character that isn't as tied to the main quest of the game compared to the rest. His story takes you down a side road to Cazador's estate in Act 3, and it takes some time for it to develop and blossom into something full-fledged. When it does, he experiences one of the best, most rewarding moments in the story.
What's also intriguing about him is that he's probably the character who doesn't benefit much from the destruction of the Netherbrain, as it condemns him back into the shadows of vampire life. For more morally dubious playthroughs, he can be a solid main character, but Netherbrain isn't his top priority.
Karlach
Apart from Gortash, her ties to the main story are loose
For characters that have stronger ties to the main plot, we have Karlach. Her background mostly revolves around Gortash, who is one of the main leaders of the Absolute Cult. In that sense, she has a personal interest.
She also has her whole side plot with Wyll at the beginning of the game, which adds an interesting dynamic to the camp, but it's hard to imagine her in a main role, given that most of her story involves the events of Avernus and the players there, as well as her faulty engine of a heart. Karlach works best as a supporting character we grow to love and care deeply about, the one person we deeply desire to save while fighting the Cult of the Absolute.
Shadow heart
She is the one with the artifact
One of the most important items in the game is the mysterious artifact that Shadowheart has been tasked to retrieve by his Mother Superior. A member of the Sharran Cult, the intention is to use the device to their advantage, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the wrong people, be it Githyanki or the Absolute Cult.
It just so happens that the artifact contains much more than we imagine; most importantly, one of the key characters that can help us deal with Netherbrain at the end of the game. Shadowheart's possession of the artifact puts her in a great spot as a potential main character, as does her inner turmoil regarding her faith and distrust of Shar.
Storm
The one best prepared to handle the Netherbrain
While Gale doesn't get an immediate connection in his past to anything going on, his mission makes up for it sometime at the end of Act 1 when players exit the Underdark. Gale's manipulation of Nether magic has caused him to contain within him a volatile orb of magical power capable of destroying an entire city, all because of his obsession with Mystra.
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Determined to somehow make amends with his goddess, the events of Baldur's Gate 3 and the threat of Netherbrain gives him the chance to do just that. He is asked to become the sacrifice to save Baldur's Gate from the influence of the cult, an ultimate story of complete heroic selflessness. What could be more main character coded than that?
Wyll
A deep, personal effort that is often overlooked
Wyll doesn't get enough love in general as a companion, but he should, considering he exhibits extremely strong main character energy. He is a complicated character despite being labeled as a goody-two-shoe, haunted by a pact with the cambion Mizora. It is his sense of justice that made him agree to such a pact, and it is the same pact that continues to trouble him all the time Baldur's Gate 3.
When the safety of Baldur's Gate and the safety of his father are directly threatened by the Absolute Cult and their influence through Gortash, Wyll's stake is pretty much quadrupled. It's easy to see him as the hero who returns home to save his father and the city he loves, and to finally be forgiven by Ravengard for his pact with Mizora. Overall, it's the perfect setting for a story, and adds more complexity to his character who simply isn't suited to being played as a sidekick.
Lae'zel
Baldur's Gate 3 is her story from start to finish
Lae'zel's story is a hero's quest like no other. As Vlaakith's most devoted servant, she was indoctrinated in the githyanki ways and began her journey while on the hunt for the head of a mindflayer to prove her worth as a warrior by her queen. When she ends up in tadpoles instead, she has the greatest motivation of all the characters to heal herself and to find the artifact the githyanki are hunting.
There are also some major story twists halfway through that significantly affect her seemingly unwavering belief in Vlaakith's superiority. Not to mention, the githyanki play a huge role in the final act of the story, when two factions begin to tear each other apart and fight for control. All along, it has been her adventure to discover not only the truth about her people, but also about herself. With her strong-willed personality, she is easily the best choice for a lead role in Baldur's Gate 3.
- Released
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August 3, 2023
- ESRB
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M for Adult: Blood and Gore, partial nudity, sexual content, strong language, violence
