BG3 Stone Lord or Guild
Deep within the twisting streets and layered politics of Baldur’s Gate in BG3, players are faced with a significant decision: side with the mysterious Stone Lord or align themselves with the established Guild. This choice is more than a simple narrative fork it influences companion approval, quest progression, available loot, and the overarching impact on the city’s underworld. Both factions have their motivations, allies, and dark secrets. Choosing between the Stone Lord or the Guild requires understanding their goals, personalities, and what each can offer in both the short term and the long run.
Who is the Stone Lord?
A New Power in the Shadows
The Stone Lord is an enigmatic figure who begins to gain influence in Baldur’s Gate during Act 3. Initially shrouded in mystery, the Stone Lord is eventually revealed to be Minsc, the legendary ranger from previous Baldur’s Gate games. Controlled and manipulated under the influence of mind flayers, Minsc has taken on a more violent and unpredictable persona, using his past fame and unmatched strength to impose order through fear and brute force.
Rather than operating within the existing criminal structure, the Stone Lord aims to uproot it entirely. His forces are militant and disruptive, targeting Guild members and those loyal to traditional criminal networks. His vision of order is strict, and while brutal, it presents an alternative to the deeply corrupt status quo maintained by the Guild.
Stone Lord’s Motivation
Though Minsc’s true self is hidden beneath magical manipulation, the Stone Lord persona reflects a warped version of justice. It’s vigilantism taken to the extreme. Aligning with the Stone Lord means aiding a faction that believes in crushing the old world to build a new one whether the people want it or not.
- Pros: Unique storyline involving Minsc, opportunities to redeem or confront him.
- Cons: Violent approach that can alienate party members or NPCs.
The Guild Explained
The Old Order of the Underworld
The Guild represents the established criminal syndicate of Baldur’s Gate. Led by Nine-Fingers Keene, the Guild operates with strategy, balance, and diplomacy where necessary. Their roots in the city go deep, and while morally questionable, their presence has kept certain peace in the chaotic underbelly of Baldur’s Gate.
While they rely on theft, bribery, and smuggling, they avoid outright bloodshed where it’s unnecessary. The Guild plays a long game maintaining influence over politicians, law enforcement, and merchant circles. Helping the Guild is more about preserving a flawed but known system, rather than supporting a radical upheaval.
Guild’s Leadership and Values
Nine-Fingers Keene is pragmatic, calculating, and not without honor. She may be a criminal, but her sense of balance and stability appeals to players who wish to avoid widespread bloodshed. The Guild may be corrupt, but it’s predictable and sometimes, that predictability is safer than chaos.
- Pros: Stability, more diplomatic approach, less resistance from the city.
- Cons: Supporting a corrupt system, fewer combat-driven quests.
How to Choose Between the Stone Lord or the Guild
Questlines and Outcomes
The decision between the Stone Lord and the Guild arises during quests in Act 3. You’ll eventually be able to speak with Nine-Fingers Keene and uncover the truth about Minsc and the identity of the Stone Lord. From here, you can choose to align with either side based on your party’s alignment, your roleplaying goals, or the rewards you’re after.
Each faction offers exclusive quests and interactions. The Guild may offer tasks involving stealth, information gathering, or sabotage. Meanwhile, the Stone Lord’s path is more straightforward confrontation, assault, and enforcement through strength.
Your companions may also voice opinions on your allegiance. Characters like Jaheira or Wyll may lean toward traditional order and stability, while Lae’zel or Astarion might appreciate the Stone Lord’s aggressive and disruptive tactics.
Combat and Exploration Differences
Siding with the Stone Lord opens more intense combat scenarios, often involving heavy confrontations with Guild members and guards. The Stone Lord route is ideal for parties built around strength, offense, and AoE spells. On the other hand, the Guild’s missions provide more flexibility for stealth, persuasion, and alternative solutions. Rogues and Bards can find themselves more at home working with the Guild.
Impact on Baldur’s Gate
The city of Baldur’s Gate reacts to your decision. Supporting the Guild may ensure smoother travel, more open shops, and less immediate hostility. The Stone Lord path can lead to public unrest, changed patrol routes, and a different atmosphere in key locations. These changes also impact dialogue options and how other factions perceive your character.
Rewards and Gear
Stone Lord Faction Benefits
- Unique Weaponry: The Stone Lord’s path grants access to heavy-hitting melee weapons and enchanted gear tailored for brute-force builds.
- Exclusive Allies: You’ll unlock special units or allies who help in large-scale fights in Act 3’s closing chapters.
- Minsc’s Redemption Arc: This path includes major character development for Minsc, offering one of the most emotional redemption arcs in the game.
Guild Faction Benefits
- Gold and Supplies: The Guild provides easier access to coin, potions, and magical equipment through their smuggling routes.
- Merchant Discounts: Guild-friendly vendors offer better prices and unique items not found elsewhere.
- Underground Connections: Access to hidden routes, secrets, and additional quests tied to Baldur’s Gate’s political structure.
Roleplaying Considerations
Which Side Fits Your Character?
Your decision should also reflect your character’s backstory or moral compass. If you’re playing a noble Paladin, aligning with the Guild’s lesser evil might make more sense. A chaotic or vengeance-driven character, on the other hand, might see value in burning the old systems to the ground and siding with the Stone Lord.
The game’s narrative supports deep roleplaying elements, meaning this choice can define your experience in the final stretch of the game. It’s not just about mechanics or loot it’s about what kind of hero, anti-hero, or villain your character becomes.
Can You Switch Sides?
Technically, it’s possible to play both sides to a degree during early parts of Act 3. You can take on initial quests from both factions and delay committing. However, as the story progresses, you will reach a point where you must choose. Turning on one side often leads to hostile takeovers, irreversible combat encounters, and the death or betrayal of key NPCs.
If you’re unsure which route to take, keep multiple save files. That way, you can explore both paths and see which outcome you prefer based on the narrative weight and mechanical rewards involved.
The decision between supporting the Stone Lord or siding with the Guild in BG3 is not one to take lightly. Each offers unique quests, rewards, and consequences that shape your journey through Baldur’s Gate’s final act. Whether you aim to uphold some semblance of order through the Guild or throw your lot in with the Stone Lord’s uncompromising justice, the choice is yours and your legacy in the city will reflect it. Dive deep, consider your allies, and decide which vision for Baldur’s Gate you believe in.