Baldur's Gate 3: Can You Be Good With An Evil Party?

Trying to maintain a virtuous path in Baldur's Gate 3 can be a real test of character, especially when your companions are… less than virtuous. It's easy to fall into the dark side, but what happens when you try to play a paragon of good with a group of morally flexible allies?

In my previous playthrough, I embraced the chaos, happily recruiting Minthara, raiding the Grove, and generally causing mayhem. This time, I'm attempting a noble run, playing as a paladin dedicated to saving lives and guiding tieflings to safety. But my party – Gale (now a necromancer), the power-hungry Minthara, and the charmingly wicked Astarion – are constantly tempting me towards darker choices.

The Temptation of Evil At every turn, my companions encourage the pursuit of power and scoff at acts of kindness. Gale, who I've twisted into a necromancer, is the closest thing I have to a moral compass, which says a lot. My attempts to redeem Minthara have been met with constant suggestions of slaughter and power grabs.

During our journey through Shar’s Gauntlet, we manipulated Orthon Yurgir into ending his own life for loot and to advance Astarion's quest. This quest revealed a ritual that would allow his former master, Cazador, to ascend to godhood through mass sacrifice. As a paladin, I couldn't stand by such evil and vowed to stop Cazador, freeing Astarion in the process. However, Minthara suggested we let Astarion take Cazador's place, using that power against the Absolute. It's a tempting offer, but one that comes at a terrible cost.

 The Illusion of Good You can technically make the "good" choices with an evil party, but it often feels hollow. Every act of heroism is tainted by the snide remarks and hidden agendas of your companions. Bringing a bloodthirsty murderer like Minthara to the heart of Faerûn feels incredibly risky."

I could swap them out for morally sound companions like Wyll or Karlach, but I'm drawn to Minthara and Astarion's personalities. The constant pressure to seize power is wearing me down, making it harder to stick to my virtuous path. The tieflings made it to Baldur’s Gate this time, but the dark urge to let Astarion ascend is growing stronger. Adding to the moral conflict is Gale, who, despite not being as bloodthirsty as Minthara and Astarion, is now a powerful necromancer surrounded by the undead.

## Finding Balance in the Darkness Baldur’s Gate 3 excels at allowing players to shape their own narratives within Larian's world. It's liberating to play a good character without completely abandoning the more villainous companions. However, their influence is starting to take its toll. Minthara's arguments are persuasive. Taking down the Absolute would be easier with every advantage we can get, but the price is too high. Ultimately, the game challenges you to define your own morality and decide how far you're willing to compromise your values for the greater good.