Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a rich tapestry of companions to recruit on your adventure, each with their own compelling storylines and, for the lucky few, romance options. Among these characters, Minthara stands out as a particularly intriguing and popular choice. However, in the past, recruiting this Drow Paladin came at a steep moral cost: players were forced to side with goblins and slaughter innocent Tiefling refugees. For many players yearning to explore a Minthara romance playthrough, this evil path was a significant barrier.
Thankfully, Larian Studios has listened to the community! The latest patch for Baldur’s Gate 3 introduces a brand-new method to recruit Minthara without staining your hands with the blood of the Tiefling refugees. No more morally compromising choices are needed to secure this fascinating companion and unlock her romance path. This guide will walk you through the updated process of recruiting Minthara non-lethally, allowing you to experience her unique storyline and romance arc while maintaining your virtuous playthrough.
The Old Way: A Path of Destruction (No Longer Necessary)
Previously, recruiting Minthara demanded a dark pact. Players had to actively participate in the raid on the Emerald Grove, leading the goblin horde to decimate the Tiefling refugees and Druids seeking shelter there. This path, while effective in securing Minthara’s loyalty, locked players out of numerous quests, companion approval, and the satisfaction of playing a heroic character. Many players felt conflicted, torn between their desire to romance Minthara and their aversion to such a cruel act.
The New Way: Recruit Minthara Non-Lethally
Patch 5 has revolutionized Minthara’s recruitment, offering a merciful alternative. Now, you can incapacitate Minthara during the goblin camp conflict, ensuring her survival and subsequent recruitment at Moonrise Towers. This method allows you to save the Tieflings, maintain your heroic standing, and still welcome Minthara into your party, paving the way for her romance. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Enable Non-Lethal Attacks
Image showing the non-lethal attacks toggle in Baldur’s Gate 3, highlighting the passives button and non-lethal attack icon.
To utilize this method, you must activate non-lethal attacks for your party members. Locate the “Passives” button on your hotbar and toggle the “Non-Lethal Attacks” icon. A small indicator next to your character portraits will confirm which party members have this setting enabled. Remember, non-lethal attacks only work with melee weapons; spells will still deal lethal damage.
Step 2: Provoke Minthara to Temporary Hostility
Before engaging Minthara, it’s crucial to make her temporarily hostile. Simply attacking her outright might not trigger the correct flags for later recruitment. A reliable method to achieve temporary hostility is to commit a minor act of theft or aggression in her presence. As suggested by players, attacking the patrolling eye near her is a subtle way to provoke her without initiating a full-scale goblin camp battle immediately.
Step 3: Knock Her Out (Non-Lethally!)
Image depicting Minthara in Baldur’s Gate 3, emphasizing her Drow Paladin appearance and potential for romance.
Now, engage Minthara in combat, ensuring that all your attacking characters have “Non-Lethal Attacks” enabled. Focus your melee attacks on Minthara, and avoid using spells that deal direct damage. Buffing and healing spells are acceptable. Reduce her health to zero using melee attacks. If done correctly, she will be knocked unconscious rather than killed.
Important Note: Ensure you deal with the other goblin leaders and complete the related questline before taking a long rest. Resting too early might cause issues with the recruitment process. It’s advisable to take a long rest at the Tiefling party to progress the story naturally.
Step 4: Find Her at Moonrise Towers
Image showing Moonrise Towers in Baldur’s Gate 3, hinting at the location where players can find and recruit Minthara after knocking her out.
Continue playing through Act One and progress into Act Two. Upon reaching Moonrise Towers, you should find Minthara in the main chamber. Since you incapacitated her non-lethally, she will be available for recruitment, unlike before where she would be absent or hostile if you didn’t follow the evil path. You can now proceed with her recruitment dialogue and welcome her as a valuable companion.
Minthara Romance: A Rewarding (and Now Guilt-Free) Path
Recruiting Minthara through the non-lethal method not only saves innocent lives but also unlocks the full potential of her character, including her romance arc. Minthara offers a unique and compelling romance experience, different from the other companions. Her story explores themes of ambition, power, and redemption, making her romance a deeply engaging journey. With Patch 5, you can now pursue this romance without the moral baggage of the previous recruitment method, allowing for a more satisfying and heroic playthrough.
More from Patch 5: Enhanced Romance and Gameplay
Beyond the Minthara recruitment changes, Patch 5 brings other exciting updates to Baldur’s Gate 3, further enhancing the overall experience:
- Enhanced Romance Scenes: Players romancing Minthara, Astarion, and other companions will experience improved intimate scenes with better lip-syncing and animations, adding to the immersion and emotional depth of these relationships.
- New Epilogue: A brand-new epilogue set six months after the game’s conclusion provides closure and a glimpse into the fates of your companions and the world you shaped.
- Customizable Difficulty: Tailor the game’s challenge to your preferences with new difficulty options, allowing for a more personalized and enjoyable playthrough.
- Hide Dice Rolls: For those who prefer to focus on the narrative, you can now hide dice rolls, removing the visual reminder of chance and maintaining immersion.
Conclusion: Embrace the Non-Lethal Path to Minthara’s Heart
Patch 5 for Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game-changer for players wanting to recruit Minthara and explore her romance path. The non-lethal recruitment method is a welcome addition, allowing players to experience her compelling story without compromising their heroic playthrough. So, gear up, enable non-lethal attacks, and get ready to welcome Minthara into your party and perhaps, into your heart, all while saving the Tieflings and enjoying the latest improvements in Baldur’s Gate 3!
