Many people playing early access are finding Baldur’s Gate 3 to be quite challenging. Especially since there are no difficulty options and almost everything is based on the luck of a dice roll. In its early access, one of the biggest decisions and turning points in Act 1 involves the Goblin Camp and whose side you should choose regarding the protection or destruction of the grove.
Defeating the goblins, assuming you want to be morally good, is a troubling task since you’ll find yourself in their dark lair surrounded by minions with the simple task of killing every boss there (yes, bosses, plural). As with most RPG’s and decision-based games, there are different choices you can make and different ways to go about this part of Act 1.
9 Grind And Stock Up
It’s always important to make sure you have enough healing flasks, the best weapons, and any special items that bring aid in fights like scrolls or Alchemist’s Fire. Most of the enemies in this early access drop the same weapons each time which can pile up as junk, but you can keep all of these and sell them to wrack up quick money. Whatever items will help you and your fighting style, stock up on them before battle.
8 Persuade To Allow Entrance
Before you even decide how to kill the goblins or if you want to, you can take your time by persuading the entrance guard to be let in so that you can steal or explore before making any final decisions. There are different ways to be let in, from succeeding in a Persuasion dice roll to putting dung on your face to let them know you’re serious. Whatever you do, agree with what the goblin says, behave like a friend as if you’re one of his own.
7 Stealth Kill Bosses
If killing is your goal, stealth is definitely an option. Running into a fight guns-blazing can pull surprises, create uncomfortable positions, and not give you time to think. With stealth you will be able to position every person in your party correctly and get the first hit which can greatly decide the fate of the fight.
6 Kill Everyone By Hand
Living for the thrill of the fight is the next way to go. Simply start taking them down one by one. With enough patience and tactics, you can clear out the goblin temple or at least the important areas before skedaddling off with their heads.
While the priestess’ fighting area is more spacious, there are fewer things around the room to use to your advantage. There are higher areas you can use and a big area for any AOE damage that won’t put your party at risk. In Minthara’s room, there are two small ledges near her desk that you can place party members, as well as a great abyss below the bridge to surprise shove people in. In Dror Ragzalin’s area, you can lure people to the spider pits or use the behind rafters to your advantage.
5 Kill Everyone Using Gimmicks
As with Divinity: Original Sin 2, another Larian Studios game, you can use many oil barrels to cause massive explosions and not have to do much fighting at all! Some might see it as a cheap way out and that it shouldn’t be allowed or shouldn’t do as much damage, but if you’re having a tough time defeating the goblins or care about the story more than the combat, this is a good option. You can find oil barrels in different areas of the map, collecting them all and placing them in a ready position. There are some to steal in the Goblin Camp and some to take in the hidden cave to the right of the Druid Grove.
4 Charm The Spiders
Call reinforcements! With an Animal Speaking potion, scroll, or simply using Wyll along with some persuasion, you can open the spider nest gate and speak to the spider there. You can ask her to aid you in battle and kill the goblins, as she’s starving and wants to kill something. There is another spider in the cave who will show up and help but it’s important to make space in this cramped staircase so the spiders can get through to the goblins and protect you otherwise the goblins will AOE on the entire area. The lever for the door is right beside the goblin on the left of the above image and it does not alert anyone when used.
3 Avoid The War Drums
There are war drums in the goblin temple that when initiating a fight, a goblin will drum on to sound an alarm to everyone and call people. This can make the fight even more difficult so it’s important to avoid these if you’re not up for the challenge.
In the picture above is the war drum near the priestess and there is another one in Dror Ragzalin’s room that is on a small ledge beside the right hanging staircase. There is a tiny ladder that goes to it. You can destroy these war drums before battle but there has been some bugs with this where the goblins will still drum on an invisible one instead. At best, while in battle you should keep an eye on the drum and make sure no one is near it.
2 Pretend To Side With Them
If you’re still iffy about what to do or want to trick them, side with them for a short while until the right time strikes. You can agree with Minthara to destroy the grove and even tell her exactly where it is. You’ll want to get there before and team up with the remaining people in the Druid Grove and kill her when she arrives. You also have the option to kill her after they have overtaken the grove. This will move the fight to a less tough location as you won’t be surrounded by goblin after goblin.
1 Actually, Side With Them
And of course, the last option is to simply side with them. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Sometimes it isn’t about the guts and glory but about agreeing with whoever is helping you in the moment so you can get what you want. After all, your objective is to get that worm out of your head, not to fix other people’s problems!
NEXT: Baldur’s Gate 3: Should You Buy It In Early Access?
