Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3’sultra-difficult Honour Mode added Legendary Actions to almost every boss fight in the game. Auntie Ethel can summon a surge of weird magic, Enver Gortash brands his foe with force damage, and the mother Owlbear can call her partner to fight alongside her. However,Baldur’s Gate 3missed out on one major opportunity in Honour Mode: granting Legendary Actions to potential companions who can also be faced as foes in combat.
Many Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions Can Be Fought
Most of the game’s companions, with a few exceptions such as the generally combat-averseGale, can wind up facing the player in battle. This will generally occur if the player’s decisions put them in opposition to the character in question. The exception is Minsc, who must be battled in his brainwashed “Stone Lord” form in order to be recruited. Times when party members can be fought include:
These Battles Would Be Perfect Opportunities For Legendary Actions
Despite these many battles against potential party members, none of them have Legendary Actions when fought in Honour Mode. This is disappointing, especially in the case of Minthara, who is a fairly tricky boss fight, and Halsin, who will attack the player in a rage while desperately seeking revenge. With even minor and optional antagonists like theOwlbear Motherand the Thorm family members gaining Legendary Actions, the lack of giving them to party members is a disappointment.
The Stone Lord Fight Could Bring Back Minsc’s Rage
Returning characterMinscis fought as “the Stone Lord,” a powerful figure in Baldur’s Gate’s underground who has been brainwashed by the Absolute. It is a tricky fight, in which players must make careful use of non-lethal damage to knock Minsc out, as he cannot be recruited if he is killed in battle. The Honour Mode version of this fight would have been the perfect opportunity to bring back “Berserk,” Minsc’s unique ability from the originalBaldur’s Gategames.
Although Minsc was aRanger, he possessed the ability “Berserk,” which mimicked a Barbarian’s rage. Upon use, Minsc became enraged for two turns. His Strength and Dexterity would increase, as would his HP, and he would become immune to almost any status. When the rage ended, however, Minsc would lose the temporary HP immediately. This “Berserk” state would make a fascinating Legendary Action for Stone Lord Minsc, allowing him to deal punishing amounts of damage against even highly leveled parties.
Possible Legendary Actions For Party Members
While Minsc’s Legendary Action is the most obvious, all members of the party could benefit from powerful abilities and skills added to their Honour Mode incarnations. Some possibilities include:
Honour Mode inBaldur’s Gate 3is already a challenge, and these additions would only make it more difficult for players looking to claim the golden dice. But it would also give the game’s companions a chance to shine as opponents in battle, which might just be a worthwhile trade.
