Baldur’s Gate 3’s story can feel wildly different depending on who you play. Do you pick Tav and create your own character from a blank slate? Or do you choose the Dark Urge and explore a violent, murderous path? Or, would you rather pick one of the origin characters and explore their versions of the story, positioning them as the ultimate main characters? There are also some side companions who never get the luxury of being picked, but who join your party during the story. What would the story be like if they were the main heroes?
It’s a pretty fun thought experiment to have. The “true” main character of Baldur’s Gate 3 has been fairly hotly debated among fans, as more lore and information have come out throughout the years. If a movie were to be made, who would take the lead role? This is a question that might be more relevant than ever with a Baldur’s Gate TV series on the horizon that’s set to feature some known characters from Larian’s game. For now, let’s rank all the companions we meet in the game based on how well they’d fit in the role of a main character (within the story of Baldur’s Gate 3, not in general).
Minor spoilers ahead!
Minsc
The Ultimate Funny Side Kick Character
Starting off with the least amount of main character energy, we have Minsc. In Baldur’s Gate 3, he perfectly embodies the role of a funny yet powerful comedic sidekick who has your back. He’s probably not the sharpest pencil in the box, but he’ll be fiercely loyal and good until the end.
He’s a cool throwback to the earlier games in the franchise, too, and while his hamster sidekick Boo is one of the best things in the entire game, he’s likely not someone who’s going to carry the whole plot of the game on his shoulders.
Jaheira
The Seasoned Veteran Who Mentors The Main Characters
Previously a major character in the Baldur’s Gate franchise, Jaheira is another returning figure in Baldur’s Gate 3. She’s still just as iconic, but is she main character vibes? Probably not. That’s fine, though, because she manages to deliver a different, important role.
In Act 2, she becomes a bit of a mentor to our characters, relying on us to figure out how to beat Ketheric while also helping us in the final fight. She’s a powerful druid, and as a seasoned veteran adventurer, it’s okay for her to take a step back and let other characters stand in the spotlight.
Halsin
A Wholesome Supporting Character
In Act 1, we meet Halsin the druid when we rescue him from the Goblin Camp. He’s an essential part of the plot as he’s the one who points the way to Moonrise Towers and offers to come along with us. For that, Halsin isn’t the most developed character in the cast, and he’s put into a clear side character role from the get-go.
Although 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 to see this whole story of mindflayers and parasites concluded for the sake of the Grove and his research.
Minthara
The Antagonist Turned Uneasy Ally
Another great sidekick character, Minthara, represents the classic media trope of a minor villain turned uneasy ally. There’s something utterly satisfying about having a previously antagonistic character join you on a quest because your interests align, and you’re both hungry for retribution.
In that sense, her role as a side character could easily be much greater than some of the origin characters, because it presents an interesting, alternate path to the main story. Not all are initially victims of the Absolute. Or, at least, they don’t believe themselves to be victims at the start.
Astarion
He Has His Own Story To Tell
Astarion, though a great character with a fascinating backstory and plenty of charisma, is one origin character that isn’t quite as tied to the main quest of the game compared to the rest. His story takes you down a side path into Cazador’s estate in Act 3, and it takes some time for it to develop and bloom into something full-fledged. When it does, he experiences one of the best, most cathartic moments in the story.
What’s also intriguing about him is that he’s likely the one character who doesn’t benefit greatly from the destruction of the Netherbrain, as it condemns him back into the shadows of vampire life. For more morally questionable playthroughs, he could be a solid main character, but the Netherbrain isn’t his top priority.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
