Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3uses the Approval system to determine how close the player is to their companions. High approval can lead to romance with eight of the game’s ten companions, while low approval can cause the companion in question to leave the party entirely. Four ofBaldur’s Gate 3’scompanions - Halsin, Minthara, Jaheira, and Minsc - join the party much later than the six Origin characters, making earning their approval a much trickier process. Here are the best strategies for keeping approval high with each of these four companions.
Show Halsin Appreciation For Nature
Archdruid Halsindesires to preserve the balance between humanity and nature, and his approval can be earned through being kind to animals, helping people in need, and generally making heroic choices. He disapproves of being mean or cruel or making any choices that involve siding with the Absolute’s forces.
His primary goal is to cure the Shadow Curse in Act 2 of the game, which can be done by reuniting the nature spirit Thaniel with his missing other half, Oliver. Doing this earns players a whopping 40 approval for Halsin in one fell swoop. Players who are hoping to romance this handsome druid should definitely aim to help Thaniel and Oliver as soon as possible, as this is the best way toearn Halsin’s love.
Best Choices For Halsin Approval
Respect Minthara’s Desire For Power
Nightwarden Minthara Baenreis a mutually exclusive party member with Halsin, and can only be recruited should players kill the tieflings and druids living in the Emerald Grove. Even when broken from the Absolute’s control, Minthara is power-hungry and prideful, willing to perform cruel actions and make pragmatic decisions, even if they involve bringing others to harm.
Unlike many other companions, most ofMinthara’s approvalcomes not from player actions but from their responses to her during dialogue in camp and after crucial plot moments. Minthara wants to hear that she and the player make a good team, that the player wants to impress her and learn more about the tadpoles, and for the player to show sympathy for the horrific mind control she experienced under the thrall of the Absolute.
Best Choices For Minthara Approval
Prove Heroism And Strength To Jaheira
Jaheira, a druid and leader of the Harper organization, is one of two returning companions fromBaldur’s Gate 1and2.She has seen it all, and lived through much - including the loss of her beloved husband - but she still strives to be a hero and sees the good in others. Jaheira will approve of players who make generally heroic choices, including helping those who are suffering. Like Halsin, she is a druid, so she also generally approves of protecting and helping animals.
During Jaheira’s personal quest, “The High Harper,” players have two opportunities to earn large amounts of Jaheira approval. The first requires supporting a Harper named Geraldus when he discovers that his friends have been replaced byOrin the Red’sdoppelgängers. The other involves saving the final party member, Minsc, from his brainwashing by the Absolute and convincing Minsc that Jaheira is not his enemy.
Best Choices For Jaheira Approval
Stand By Minsc’s Side At All Times
Minsc(and his trusty miniature giant space hamster, Boo) is the last party member players can encounter inBaldur’s Gate 3,and, as a result, earning his approval can be quite difficult. There are far fewer moments where Minsc’s approval can increase - although, on the other hand, this also means that there are far fewer moments when players can lose approval. Minsc’s approval will stay high as long as players do not succumb to Bhaal’s influence and allow him or his old friend Jaheira to be sacrificed by the God of Murder’s tribunal.
Generally, players shouldsupport any choices Minsc makesand affirm the man’s heroism whenever it is brought into question by others. Like Jaheira and Halsin, Minsc disapproves of cruelty and rewards heroism. He also enjoys telling the player stories of his exploits and, of course, loves when Boo is praised by the player and the party members. In general, the swiftest path to Minsc’s heart is through his beloved Boo.
Best Choices For Minsc Approval
These four companions are much trickier to earn the approval of than the six Origin characters - Astarion, Gale, Karlach, Lae’zel, Shadowheart, and Wyll - who are with the player nearly from the beginning of the game. However, with careful planning and thoughtful choices, players can earn the esteem of Halsin, Minthara, Jaheira, and Minsc. It is possible to endBaldur’s Gate 3with maximum or nearly maximum approval from every single one of the player’s companions.
