In Baldur’s Gate 3, players often wonder about the correct order of dealing with the game’s major antagonists, especially when it comes to Orin and Gortash. The question ‘Can I kill Orin before Gortash?’ has become a hot topic in the community due to how the game handles main quest progression and boss encounters. With both villains being integral to the narrative in Act 3, the decision of who to face first can influence your options, your strategy, and the overall outcome of your journey through Baldur’s Gate. To make the best decision, it’s important to understand the consequences, the restrictions, and the opportunities tied to killing Orin before Gortash.
Understanding Orin and Gortash’s Roles
Who is Orin?
Orin the Red is one of the Chosen of the Dead Three and represents the chaos and bloodlust of Bhaal. She’s a shapeshifting assassin who operates from the shadows and has a personal connection to the player’s journey. Orin becomes more directly involved in the story when she kidnaps a key companion, forcing you to confront her to rescue your ally.
Who is Gortash?
Enver Gortash, on the other hand, is the Chosen of Bane. He’s a power-hungry manipulator who controls the Steel Watch, a powerful force in the city of Baldur’s Gate. He’s politically savvy and seeks to maintain order through control and fear. Gortash’s position makes him a formidable figure you must deal with as part of your progression through Act 3.
Quest Progression and Sequence Logic
Main Story Constraints
In terms of narrative structure, both Orin and Gortash are tied to the main objective of collecting the Netherstones, crucial items needed to reach the game’s climax. The game does not lock you into a specific order, but the timing and order in which you deal with these characters can affect dialogue, NPC behavior, and strategic advantages.
Yes, You Can Kill Orin Before Gortash
The short answer is yes you can kill Orin before Gortash. While many players assume Gortash must be dealt with first due to the Steel Watch threat, it is entirely possible to face Orin first. However, this decision comes with specific consequences that should be considered before initiating the fight with her.
Consequences of Killing Orin First
Steel Watch Remains Active
One major downside to killing Orin before Gortash is that the Steel Watch remains operational. Since Gortash controls the Steel Watch Foundry, eliminating him before Orin allows you to shut down the entire force, making later encounters in the city significantly easier. If Orin is killed first, Gortash will still be protected by the full might of the Steel Watch when you attack him.
Changes in Dialogue and Tension
Orin plays a mind game with the player by kidnapping one of your companions, and her psychological manipulation adds pressure to Act 3. If you eliminate her early, this tension disappears, and the threat she represents is resolved. While this can be a relief, it also removes some of the drama from the narrative arc.
Gortash Reacts to Orin’s Death
After Orin is defeated, Gortash acknowledges the shift in power. His tone and approach may change depending on when and how you face him. He may be more defensive and aggressive if he learns of Orin’s demise, tightening his control over the city and possibly altering his plans involving the Netherstones and your party.
Strategic Considerations
Combat Preparation
If your party is better equipped to deal with a boss like Orin who relies more on melee, stealth, and dark magic it might make sense to eliminate her first. Orin’s lair is also more straightforward in terms of layout compared to the complicated political web surrounding Gortash. If you want to secure your kidnapped companion quickly and avoid long stealth or political missions, Orin first can be a smart move.
Impact on Companion Quests
Orin’s kidnapping of a companion halts their personal quest progression until they’re rescued. If you care deeply about their story or need their abilities in combat, going after Orin early will restore your full party and allow their quests to resume normally. This can be a major incentive for killing her before dealing with Gortash.
Alternative Order: Killing Gortash First
Benefits of Targeting Gortash First
If you take out Gortash before Orin, you gain the ability to disable the Steel Watch, making the city less hostile and simplifying your path to Orin. Gortash’s political grip on Baldur’s Gate weakens after his defeat, opening new dialogue paths and possibly reducing enemy resistance in key areas.
Downside: Companion Still Missing
Until you defeat Orin, your kidnapped companion remains unavailable. This could limit your tactical options, especially if the missing party member plays a key role in your build or strategy. You’ll also continue to receive taunts and threats from Orin during this time, which adds narrative pressure and tension.
Which Path is Better?
Playstyle Matters
Choosing between killing Orin or Gortash first largely depends on your preferred playstyle and party setup. If you’re focused on tactical advantage and minimizing enemy numbers, taking out Gortash first is often the better choice. If you’re emotionally invested in your companions and want them back as soon as possible, defeating Orin first makes sense.
Story Experience vs. Combat Ease
Killing Orin first provides a more immediate emotional payoff and helps restore your party, but it makes the final battle against Gortash more difficult due to the active Steel Watch. On the other hand, dealing with Gortash first requires more patience and political navigation, but leads to an easier confrontation with Orin later on.
Tips for Killing Orin First
- Prepare for close-quarters combat in the Temple of Bhaal
- Use spells or abilities that counter stealth and invisibility
- Bring crowd control to handle her cultists and allies
- Focus on burst damage to prevent her from transforming mid-fight
- Free your kidnapped companion quickly once the fight ends
In Baldur’s Gate 3, player freedom is one of the game’s greatest strengths. The ability to choose whether to kill Orin before Gortash is a testament to that design. While there are pros and cons to both choices, neither path is wrong. The key is to weigh your priorities narrative satisfaction, companion availability, or tactical advantage and make the decision that best aligns with your style of play. Whichever route you choose, both Orin and Gortash offer memorable battles and significant consequences, making Act 3 one of the most intense and rewarding parts of the game.