I love a moral dilemma in a game. All of a sudden, the immersion is much more than just surface level, and my actions are going to impact the whole storyline rather than just the shape of my enemies’ faces. It makes me think about how I want to be seen in the game, the way I see myself, and what I value: morality or loot. Baldur’s Gate 3 doesn’t hold back. The option to save or raid the Emerald Grove comes at you within the first few hours of Baldur’s Gate 3, but what should you choose?
Should you raid or save Emerald Grove in Baulder’s Gate 3?
It comes down to a simple choice once you take morality out of the whole equation. Do you want a hot warrior girlfriend with sick armor on your team, or do you want some druids, Theiflings, and a werebear?
Screenshot via PC Invasion
Save the Emerald Grove
This seems like the ‘Good’ choice, really. There are defenseless children in there, and you’re going to be required to kill absolutely everyone. Saving the Grove will require you to kill the Goblin Leaders and Minthara. This will mean she is no longer recruitable. Minthara and her romance options and Goblin army are out of the equation.
However, if you have also saved the druid in the Goblin camp, you can recruit Halsin later in the game. Saving the Emerald Grove will also allow you to use him and the druids of the camp to remove the parasite from your brain possibly.
If you save the Emerald Grove in Baldur’s Gate 3, you will have Druids and Theiflings at your disposal, with a number of other storylines to play with.
Raid the Emerald Grove
Seems a bit rough, but with the offer of a new companion at your camp, one with a goblin army, the temptation is certainly there. This option is also a lot easier. You simply need to show her the location of the Emerald Grove, have a long sleep, return to the Grove, and let her in to betray them all. The resulting bloodbath leaves everyone a little shaken, but what’s a war crime between friends?
Screenshot by PC Invasion
This option will result in your being able to loot the entire camp for their measly belongings, recruit and romance Minthara, and gain some respect. You will, however, lose the option to recruit Haslin and Karlach. Also, Haslin will try to murder you in your camp on your next long rest. You will also lose the option to talk to the Druids in the Grove due to them being dead, and there won’t be a number of Theifling options later.
This is by far the easier option, fighting-wise, but it does leave you with a bit of a moral dilemma. Side with the obviously mad and delusional warlord, or save the needy and vulnerable Emerald Grove.
Secret Option 3: Stay Neutral
Be boring about it and stay neutral. It is possible to avoid any committal to either cause in Baldur’s Gate 3 and have both Minthara and Halsin recruitable in the game. I don’t think the developers intended this to be the case but read out guide on how to save the Emerald Grove and recruit Minthara to cheese your way out of it all.
