Should you save the Emerald Grove in Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the first major decisions you’ll make, and it will greatly impact your play-through.
Early in Act 1, you’ll have to decide whether you are going to side with the druids in the Emerald Grove or the Goblins in the Goblin Village. This decision is teased as early as deciding whether to save the goblin Sazza in the Emerald Grove or not. Whether or not you decide to, you will have to ultimately choose to protect or destroy the Emerald Grove. The decision in Baldur’s Gate 3 matters, but you may not yet realize that this choice is a major fork in the story of your play-through. You could cut off significant sections of the game depending on what you choose.
This guide contains Act 1 spoilers and information about if certain characters play a role in later Acts.
Where to Find the Emerald Grove in Baldur’s Gate 3
The Emerald Grove is easy to find. The game almost forces you into the front gates.
As soon as you leave to crash site, you’ll naturally work your way around the map to the front of the Emerald Grove. There, you’ll find a hoard of goblins about to attack the gates. Once you’re inside the Emerald Grove, you’ll speak to Zevlor, and you’ll learn that the druids are in the process of closing off the Grove.
Should You Save the Emerald Grove in BG3?
The main benefit to saving the Emerald Grove is the expansive NPCs, companions, quests, and items you can access through the Grove. A major part of Act 1 happens in the Grove but doesn’t start there. The NPCs from the Emerald Grove continue to play a role in the story throughout the entire game. Here’s a map of the major characters you’ll meet in the Grove
So, should you save the Emerald Grove in Baldur’s Gate 3? Here’s what you should consider in the Emerald Grove.
Which NPCs Are in the Emerald Grove in BG3?
The NPCs you meet in the Grove will continue to appear throughout the rest of your story if you save the Emerald Grove in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Zevlor is the first of the many Tieflings you will meet at the Emerald Grove. You meet him at the gate of the Emerald Grove, who will ultimately let your party in. While he doesn’t play a significant role in the main story, he does intersect with it in many ways. You’ll see him all the way through Act 3 as long as you save the Emerald Grove in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Rolan is another NPC found in the Grove. You’ll meet Rolan as soon as you enter the Grove, arguing with a couple of other Tieflings. If you side with the Grove and he lives, he will appear in all three Acts and ultimately apprentice under a major NPC in Act 3.
Aradin is another major NPC that first met at the gates of the Grove. Aradin is trying to get into the Grove as you approach for the first time. If Aradin lives, you can assist with the quest Find the Nightsong, which spans from Act 1 to Act 3.
Which Traders are in the grove?
There are also two great early game traders in the Emerald Grove. If you decide to save the Emerald Grove, you’ll continue to see one of these traders throughout the story, and his wares will continue improving throughout the acts.
Arron is the first trader you’ll meet in the Grove, and you will only meet him here. The most notable item Arron stocks is the Gloves of Missile Snaring.
Dammon is the other trader at the Grove, and you’ll continue to see Damon through Act 3. You can trade your Infernal Iron to him for the Flawed Helldusk Armor, a very well-rounded mid-game armor, but he stocks many great upgrades in Acts 1 and 2 as well.
Which Companions Can You Recruit In the Grove?
One of the major draws to save the Emerald Grove in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the companions you can journey with.
Wyll the Warlock
Wyll is the first companion you meet from the Grove.
This Warlock companion is only available if you save the Emerald Grove in Baldur’s Gate 3. If you raid the Grove, you’ll have to fight and kill Wyll as you attack with the goblins. You first meet Wyll when you arrive at the gates of the Emerald Grove. He helps remove the band of goblins and shows off how strong Wyll’s builds can be.
Inside the Grove, going to The Hollow cave will introduce you to Wyll. He will join your party if you agree to help him on his quest.
Halsin the Druid
Halsin is another companion that is only accessible if you save the Emerald Grove in Baldur’s Gate 3. While Halsin can’t join your party until Act 2, you start recruiting Halsin in Act 1. Later in Act 2, you’ll need to complete the Wake Up Art Cullagh quest, and he will join your party.
Karlach the Barbarian
Karlach is another companion you’ll meet in Baldur’s Gate 3 Act 1, who is only available if you save the Emerald Grove.
While she won’t agree to join your party if you raid the Emerald Grove, she will immediately leave your group if you have already recruited her. With how strong Karlach’s companion build is, recruiting her is a pretty solid reason not to raid the Grove.
Even if you succeed in persuading her your intention wasn’t to destroy the Grove, she will ask you to leave her alone and attack you if you further provoke her.
Quests Available In the Grove
There are many quests you can complete in the Emerald Grove. While you can’t complete every one of these quests if you don’t save the Emerald Grove in Baldur’s Gate 3, you can still complete a few of these before raiding.
- Save the Refugees
- Save Arabella
- Find a Cure
- Investigate the Breach
- Save the Goblin Sazza
- Defeat the Goblins
- Find the Nightsong
Is the Emerald Grove Worth Saving?
It is up to you and what you want out of your playthrough. The Emerald Grove is the “good” side in the story, and raiding the Grove is the evil choice here. If you’re unsure if you want to raid the Grove, you might consider saving that decision for a later Dark Urge Playthrough instead.
You might still raid the Grove and side with the Goblins in Act 1 for many other reasons. It does make an enormous difference in the overall story.
Should You Aid the Goblin Village?
There are some great benefits to siding with the Goblins in Act 1
The most notable benefit is the option to recruit Minthara to your party later in Act 2. A strong Minthara build will quickly turn Minthara into one of the most dangerous members of your party. She’s one of the most powerful companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 and offers a lot of potential group utility as a Paladin.
You also get to loot the Emerald Grove, which has many great items in Act 1. While you miss out on parts of the game, you unlock other options and companions for a different playthrough. If you decide to save the Emerald Grove in Bladur’s Gate 3, don’t worry too much about how it will affect your play-through. You can always replay later and choose a different path.
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