Summary
For many gamers,Baldur’s Gate 3was their first foray into thisDungeons & Dragons-inspired video game series by Larian Studios. But for long-time fans of the series, this long-awaited third installment brought back some familiar faces to join the cast of now-iconic characters. One of those faces — without a single thought behind the eyes — is Minsc.
Now, Minsc is by no means a complicated man. He likes ferocious hamsters and kicking evil’s butt. He’s a jovial guy with about as many brain cells as he has hair. Nevertheless, this man is a legend of the Sword Coast and a ranger worth knowing.
6He’s Jaheria’s Oldest Friend (Literally)
Looking Pretty Good For A Century-Old Human
Minsc has been around for a long time. Far longer than he reasonably should. There’s about a hundred-year gap betweenBaldur’s Gate 3and Minsc’s previous appearance,The Shadows of Amn. Now, this timeline means nothing to immortal elves like Jaheira, but a mere human: Minsc? Larian’s writers needed to get creative there.
In true bumbling adventure fashion, Minsc has spent the entire time between games petrified. His statuesque physique became a park decoration for over a century until the Coast called for his aid yet again.Of all Jaheira’s friends she still has in her twilight years, she definitely wasn’t expecting it to bethisguy.
5He’s Still Mourning Dynaheir
Thou Art Witless and Witchless
Most of the time, Minsc is the party’s delegated comedic relief companion. His dialogue tends to center around either his lack of brains or his overabundance of butt-kicking. However, the Mad Rashemeni’s big heart has its fair share of injuries. And none pain him more than the loss of his witch.
Fans ofBaldur’s Gate 1and2rememberDynaheir, the powerful witchthat Minsc dedicated his entire being to protecting. Sadly, theShadows of Amncampaign begins with Minsc being imprisoned, and his beloved Wychlaran is slain by the evil Jon Irenicus. He spends most of the game looking for a new purpose. And while he’s overcome his grief for the most part inBaldur’s Gate 3, it’s clear from the way he talks about her that Minsc will always regret her passing.
4He’s Aware of Mystra’s Troubling Relationship With Young Wizards
Perhaps It’s For The Best He Chose The Ranger Class
Gale fans have long been giving Mystra the side-eye forher questionable romantic decisions. Gale’s lifelong obsession with the goddess of magic is anything but healthy, a fact she seems more than willing to exploit to get him to follow her commands. And as it turns out, he’s neither the first nor the last of her mortal playthings.
In Minsc’s homeland of Rashamen, Mystra’s been known to visit promising young wizards in their boyhood, filling their heads with fanaticism for her. Minsc even recalls that young men are urged to hide their arcane talents, so she’ll leave them alone. For someone so disinterested in relationships himself, Minsc can spot a toxic one a mile away.
3He’s Voiced By A True Dungeon Master
The Legendary Matthew Mercer Voices Minsc
In the first twoBaldur’s Gategames, Minsc was voiced by the one and only Jim Cummings. But when it came time forBaldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios recruited none other than Matthew Mercer, a man who’s become synonymous withDungeons & Dragons.
Not only is Matt Mercer one of the most prolific voice actors out there, but he’s also the legendary Dungeon Master for the livestreamD&DshowCritical Role. He has such cred with the online TTRPG community that several lines of Minsc’s dialogue include references to the show.
2His Petrification Was Foreshadowed in Act One
It Was All Right There
Minsc isn’t mentioned by thepowerful Jaheirauntil Act 3. She begs the player to help her rescue her friend, the big lunk. But, as it turns out, the existence of the Stone Lord was actually mentioned all the way back in Act One.
After putting out the fire at Waukeen’s Rest, players poking around may come across an interesting scrap of parchment. It seems to be an article or letter mentioning that a local park’s beloved ranger statue has mysteriously vanished overnight. While the author hopes the stolen property will eventually be found, Minsc has probably had enough pigeon droppings for one lifetime.
1Minsc Was Right About Boo All Along
Welcome Our Miniature Giant Space Hamster Overlords
Ever since his first appearance, Minsc’s greatest friend and animal companion has been Boo, the smaller but equally fierce half of this dynamic duo. Minsc has always insisted that Boo is actually a miniature version of the giant space hamster. Now, giant space hamstersdoexist inD&Dlore, but for the longest time, players were convinced that Boo was simply a normal hamster and Minsc was talking nonsense.
However,Baldur’s Gate 3has several hints suggesting that Minsc was actually right all along. Druids may notice theirSpeak with Animalsspell doesn’t work on Boo.Lae’zelconfirms the existence of giant space hamsters in the Astral Plan, and she’s open to the idea of mini versions as well. But when theNetherbrain itselfrecognizes Boo’s extraplanar origins, that’s the proof that Minsc, for once, has outsmarted everyone.
