Grace is a Guides Staff Writer from New Zealand with a love for fiction and storytelling. Grace has been playing games since childhood and enjoys a range of different genres and titles. From pick your path games to turn-based RPG or team-based shooters, Grace enjoys spending time with them all and learning new techniques and answers that will help players in their own experiences.
One of the biggest appeals, and greatest features, of Baldur's Gate 3 is the pick-your-path style of gameplay presented to the players, where their actions and dialogue choices may have lasting effects on the rest of the story. From who they encounter again, the allies or enemies made along the way, and secrets uncovered.
However, there are also a few decisions in the game that can have absolutely devastating effects - instant death and even a game over for your entire party, to be specific. This can be a huge threat, especially on the highest-level difficulties where you only get one save slot, and every decision matters. For this reason, knowing every instant death choice in Baldur's Gate 3 and ways to avoid them can be very beneficial.
The cutscene itself is unavoidable, so once this triggers you will need to de-escalate the situation with Lae'zel, rather than entertaining her plans.
This is only a game over in the case that Lae'zel is the only current companion recruited. In the case that there are others, they will fight her after she kills you.
When allowing Astarion to drink your blood, you will need to stop him at a point before he drinks too much. Failing to do so will result in your death.
Killed by Gale
Allowing Gale to die
Once Gale dies, you must resurrect him within two days. Failing to do so in time will result in a game over following the next rest.
The Whispering Masks
Equipping one of the Whispering Masks found in Auntie Ethel's dungeon
Avoid equipping for too long. Anything longer than a couple of seconds to get through the Gnarled Door runs the risk of turning your party against one another.
Whispering Depths chasm
Jumping down the chasm in the Whispering Deaths, where the Phase Spider Matriarch battle takes place
This chasm is one of the many entrances to the Underdark. However, if players jump down without the use of a spell such as Feather Fall, they will die on impact.
Killed by Philomeen
Antagonizing Philomeen at Grymforge and brushing off her threat by telling her to blow everyone up
De-escalate the situation and convince her you are no threat, or avoid this interaction altogether. Any characters in the room when the explosion goes off will immediately die.
Stealing The Blood of Lathander
Stealing The Blood of Lathander from Rosymorn Monastery/the Githyanki Creche - this will cause a 4 turn period in which you must escape the temple, disarm the weapon, or die trying.
To take the weapon without stealing it and causing this event, you must obtain the Dawnmaster's Crest, and then use this item to disable the machine. The Dawnmaster's Crest can be obtained by solving the Ceremonial Weapons puzzle in Rosymorn Monastery.
Killed by Vlaakith
Questioning Vlaakith's power as a god in Rosymorn Monastery/the Githyanki Creche
Avoid smack talking Vlaakith in any way, and if Lae'zel warns you about questioning her power, then immediately back down and chose a more passive dialogue option. If you continue to question Valaakith's power, she will team wipe your party with instant death.
Located by the Absolute and turned into a Mind Flayer
Leaving Act 2 and returning to Act 1 several times, ignoring the warnings from your Guardian.
Killing the Emperor when meeting him
The best way to avoid this is to only make one return trip to Act 1 if there is something you need to go back and do, and then complete all tasks you need in a single run, before returning to Act 2 and Long Resting.
Believe and trust in the Emperor, choosing to work with him rather than immediately kill him off.
Either ensure you have the best chance at succeeding the saves before initiating this scene, kill Haarlap instead, or avoid the interaction altogether.
