Update: Larian Studios added an official way to recruit Minthara without killing in Baldur’s Gate 3, which you can read about here. This article appears as it was originally published below
Minthara, the Dark Elf, has become one of Baldur’s Gate 3‘s more popular NPCs, and if you play your cards right, she can become a romanceable companion. In fact, as of Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch #5, you can recruit Minthara without murdering the inhabitants of Emerald Grove.
How to Recruit Minthara Without Killing Everyone
To recruit Minthara without killing everyone, you’ll need to ensure she survives Act 1, then meet her in Act 2. That means knocking her out, whether you’re taking her on in the Shattered Sanctum or battling her as she attacks the Emerald Grove.
You do this by using non-lethal attacks on her when her health is low. You can start with non-lethal attacks, but she’s not the easiest NPC to beat, so wear her down with some regular attacks. Then, switch to non-lethal attacks using the “Passive” box at the bottom of the screen or the radial menu (left shoulder button) if you’re on console or using a joypad.
Once you’ve knocked her out and defeated the rest of her forces, you can go about your business until you get to Act 2, where you head to Moonrise Towers. Inside Moonrise Towers, you’ll meet Ketheric Thorm, who will have Minthara on trial for her failure. You’ll have the option to chip in, but she’ll end up being sent to jail regardless. This kicks off the “Decide Minthara’s Fate” quest.
Once in the jail cells, you can convince her torturers, Questioner Sumera and Questioner Jasin, to let you step in, or you can just attack them. Once you’ve released her, you have to escort her out of Moonrise Towers, and then, when she’s escaped with you, she’ll be at your camp, ready to join your team.
The Sneaky Way to Recruit Minthara in Baldur’s Gate 3
It may have been fixed but, prior to Patch 5, there was a sneaky way to recruit Minthara. Redditor Wulfrinnan came up with a method for “innocently” recruiting Minthara. Wulfrinnan’s method is detailed below:
- Speak to the Tiefling children (Mol’s gang) about stealing the Druid idol.
- Steal the idol to stop the ritual using stealth.
- This will start a fight between Tieflings and Druids, so run or sneak out.
- Report the grove’s location to Minthara, and when you and her go back, you’ll find all the defenders dead. You’ll then be in her good graces, and she’ll be ready to join the cause.
Are you really innocent? Not in the least. It reminds me of the time I persuaded Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’s Romeo and Juliet families to murder each other. I didn’t fire a shot, but it was absolutely my fault.
Related: What Does the Bird’s Nest Key/Shiny Key Unlock in BG3?
How to Recruit Minthara “Normally”
Typically, you get this badass Drow on your side by completing a quest she gives you to slaughter pretty much everyone in the Emerald Grove. So, with a little assistance from Minthara’s goblin troops, you’ll end up knee-deep in Tiefling and Druid corpses. You’ll have earned her favor, and she’ll still be alive.
Then, when you reach Moonrise Towers, follow the method mentioned earlier to recruit her. But wait – isn’t slaughtering the druids a win for Team Minthara? It is, but Ketheric Thorm is mad she didn’t get the artifact she was tasked with finding. Where could that be, I wonder?
And that’s how to recruit Minthara in Baldur’s Gate 3 without killing all the druids.
If you’re looking for more guides and how-tos, check out our guide to the Self-Same Trial in Baldur’s Gate 3.
 The above article was updated on 5/2/2024 by Chris McMullen to add information about methods to recruit Minthara.
