Highlights

  • Player feedback shaped Baldur's Gate 3, leading to fan-favorite character Halsin's expanded role in the game's development.
  • Halsin's backstory reveals a rich history of battles against Ketheric Thorm and the Shadow Curse, setting up the potential for future content.
  • Disappointment lingers over Halsin's underdeveloped arc in the third act of Baldur's Gate 3, beckoning for expanded storylines.

While it was one of 2023’s biggest RPGs, Baldur’s Gate 3 is an example of a game that benefited from years of refinement in early access. With player feedback playing a key role in the development of Baldur’s Gate 3 leading up to its official release version, several major characters went through changes that newer players might not be aware of. One companion who played a big part in the game’s initial marketing found their place in Baldur’s Gate 3 due to this attention to community reception, but whose potential has ultimately not been realized.

Baldur’s Gate 3’s archdruid/bear party member, Halsin was originally only meant to appear as a character in Act 1, but his popularity among fans led to his inclusion as a permanent playable member of the camp. Though it’s possible to allow him to die while imprisoned in the Goblin Camp, and he even needed to die in order to instead recruit Minthara until a patch brought huge changes, many players have gone out of their way to ensure Halsin makes his way into the party in Act 2. With his somewhat underdeveloped nature beyond these events, however, he may be a prime candidate for appearing in future Baldur’s Gate media.

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Every Baldur's Gate 3 NPC Featured in Dungeons & Dragons 5e's Sourcebooks

Most of Baldur's Gate 3's cast is completely original, but there are also several important DnD characters that make notable appearances.

Baldur's Gate 3 Doesn't Fully Utilize Halsin

The History of Halsin's Battle Against Ketheric Thorm and the Shadow Curse

It's only expressed through dialogue and books, but the battles that took place in the area which became Baldur’s Gate 3’s Shadow-Cursed Lands were what transformed the terrain and put Ketheric Thorm in power. Halsin is passionately obsessed with putting an end to the Shadow Curse and is said to have participated in a war against Ketheric during the villain’s days as a dark Paladin of Shar which ended with the curse being released in the first place. Halsin’s personal quest could be seen as a complete arc following the resolution of the Shadow Curse, leading to the biggest complaint most players seem to have about him.

The Disappointment of BG3's Lack of Halsin Content

It might be the case that Halsin was only even introduced into the party of Baldur’s Gate 3 as a bonus on top of the cast that was originally planned, but the drop-off in relevancy he sees during the third act is noticeable when compared to other companions. Almost everyone else has a major event in their life or a tie to a memorable quest in the city of Baldur’s Gate in Act 3, but Halsin’s has little more than dialogue about his discomfort once the player takes him beyond the Shadow-Cursed Lands.

While he has most prominently been recognized as a love interest among players who find his humor in his openness and secure personality, the long-lived druid has often been reduced to this alone.

Halsin's Open-Ended Place in Baldur's Gate 3 Could Be the Foundation for a New Adventure

A Prequel or Expansion Featuring Halsin's Past Would Be a Natural Progression

He doesn’t have much left to do once he joins the party, but this void in Halsin’s presence could work in his favor through future development. The ambiguity of the specifics of his past and life beyond the Emerald Grove hint at what could be an interesting look into his history during war with Ketheric and the forces of Moonrise Towers, or even events following the base game of Baldur’s Gate 3.

It’s unlikely that a new title or even a DLC focused on a set protagonist would come after the popularity of BG3’s level of customization, but bringing players into the time of Halsin’s defense of what used to be the land around Reithwin Town could bring a new level of context to the wider lore of Baldur's Gate 3's beloved first two acts.