How to Save Minsc in Baldur’s Gate 3? And Boo, of Course

If you’re looking to find a way to save Minsc in Baldur’s Gate 3, read our guide to see the whole process.

Baldur’s Gate 3 introduces you to several NPC characters that you can recruit on your adventures, one of them being the famous Minsc, a Human Ranger and Jaheira’s friend you’ll encounter in Act 3. Baldur’s Gate series are based on the classic Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying games, and in a due manner, has recurring characters from earlier titles, just like Minsc. He is the last character that can potentially join your party, given you play your cards correctly. So, what exact steps do you need to take to save Minsc in Baldur’s Gate 3? Read on to find out!

Guide to Save Minsc in Baldur’s Gate 3

Before saving and recruiting Minsc, you have to find him. Since BG3 has a choice-dependent progression, you’ll need Jaheira to join your camp after Act 2 in order to locate Minsc. Here’s how this should play out:

• In order to save and recruit Minsc, you must first find him hiding in the sewers of the Lower City. This will be part of Jaheira’s companion quest, The High Harper.
• When you come into contact with him posing as the Stone Lord, kill all the surrounding enemies as well as the fake Jaheira who is using Minsc.
• Once you’ve dealt with everyone except Minsc, you’ll need to defeat him as well. You can do this in any order, just make sure not to kill him. Be sure to use non-lethal attacks.
• After incapacitating him, you’ll be able to speak with Minsc and convince him of reality. He will look for his pet hamster, Boo, after which you can save and recruit him into your team.

As always, things will not be as simple as mentioned. That’s because finding Minsc is a whole other task that we’ll be talking about ahead. Before that, however, you should know that, in the battle against Minsc, you need to incapacitate him instead of killing him. If you kill him, you won’t be able to save him, nor can you recruit him to your party if that is what you want.

To incapacitate him, all you need to do is use a non-lethal strike to deal the final blow. This should knock him out cold and start a dialogue sequence. After the dialogue has ended, he agrees to join your team. Remember that he does try to run once, but that’s not from you, he’s just looking for his hamster companion, Boo.

Now, the bigger task at hand is finding Minsc. Let’s see how to locate him in the Baldur’s Gate Lower City Sewers.

Where To Find Minsc

We mentioned before that Minsc can be found hiding in the Lower City’s sewers, collaborating with a fake Jaheira. To stop their plans in their tracks, you first need to receive the High Harper quest from Jaheira, a companion from Act 2. Talk to Nine-Fingers Keene in the Guildhall. This will lead you to the Counting House main vault, where you learn of Minsc’s whereabouts and clues about what do to next after a brief scuffle.

Now, there are various methods to enter the sewers, you can pick whichever one you feel comfortable with. Our recommendation would be to use the well, which can be found in the Lower Part southwest of Bloombridge Park. Once inside the sewers, go towards the coordinates: X:200, Y:865.

When you reach these coordinates (past the acid-covered pipes, follow them until you reach a hollowed-out pipe), you’ll find the Abandoned Cistern and a puzzle that comes with it. By solving this puzzle, the door in front of you will open and lead you to Minsc’s location.

How To Solve the Abandoned Cistern Puzzle

The puzzle shows you two levers, one for water level and one for temperature. Your goal is to interact with both of them subsequently to get them to the ideal point without having them burst open. Remember that if they do burst and your party members are standing a little too close, everyone will take significant damage from the steam. The cistern door can’t be opened any other way, so you have to solve the puzzle. Here’s how to solve it:

• Move your party away from the valves except for one member who will interact with the water and temperature valves.
• Move towards the water level valve first and interact with it to increase its level. The level will be indicated on the gauge there, so make sure to keep an eye on it.
• After 4-5 seconds, interact with the temperate valve. All you need to do to interact is click it once. The temperature gauge will also start rising.
• If you do it correctly, both valves should reach their optimal levels together at the same time. This will cause the sluice gate to open, and you can progress further.

Interacting with both valves at the correct time is key because if either valve reaches maximum capacity, it bursts and deals damage to surrounding characters. This is why you should always save a game file before attempting this puzzle to avoid unnecessary damage. Also, make sure to position the camera so that you can see the gauge readouts.

Once you’re done with this, simply go ahead and follow the above-mentioned steps to save Minsc.

Tips to Keep Minsc Alive During the Sewer Battle

There are some key factors to keep in mind before attempting to save Minsc.

• Try to kill the surrounding thugs as well as fake Jaheira before battling with Minsc. This will make it easier so you don’t accidentally kill Minsc.
• Use a non-lethal weapon so you don’t kill him. Killing him will make Jaheira leave your party immediately.

How to Protect Minsc From Aboslute’s Mind Control

Now you must persuade the Emperor to shield Minsc’s mind from the Absolute’s control. This is because Minsc is also being controlled through a tadpole in his brain. Choose one of the following options (depending on your morality or Origin), when talking to The Emperor, to do so:

• “He’s Jaheira’s friend. Do it.”
• “Try to protect him. I must defy my urge.”
• “I don’t think you want to find out.”
• “It doesn’t matter–help him.”

Doing this will allow Minsc to retrieve the miniature giant space hamster Boo and join your party. Minsc starts off as a Level 1 Ranger who you can then Level Up to match your party as you please.