Should I Kill He Who Was Bg3?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: Your party is struggling with a tough combat encounter and He Who Was poses an immediate, high‑damage threat that you can neutralize without endangering the rest of the group.
• Good fit: Your role‑playing narrative aims for a darker, morally ambiguous path, and eliminating He Who Was aligns with the character concept you’re portraying.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: He Who Was is tied to a side quest that unlocks valuable loot or story content; killing them may close off those options permanently.
• Warning sign: Your party lacks sufficient healing or crowd‑control abilities, making the fight risky and potentially resulting in unnecessary casualties.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Immediate removal of a powerful enemy can make the current combat smoother and protect weaker party members.
• Choosing a lethal solution can reinforce a specific role‑playing theme, giving a satisfying narrative payoff for players who prefer a ruthless approach.

Cons

• Eliminating He Who Was may lock you out of future dialogue, quests, or character development that depend on their survival.
• Engaging in a high‑risk kill can deplete resources (spell slots, health, consumables) needed for upcoming challenges, potentially making the rest of the game harder.

Decision Checklist

• Do I have the combat resources (HP, spells, items) to survive the fight without compromising later encounters?
• Will killing He Who Was prevent me from accessing any quests, items, or story outcomes I care about?
• Does this choice fit the character arc or role‑play style I’m aiming for, or am I acting solely for short‑term gain?

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re unsure, you can try non‑lethal options: use crowd‑control spells to incapacitate He Who Was, negotiate a temporary truce if dialogue options exist, or retreat to a safer position and come back later when you’re better prepared. Some players also choose to complete the associated side quest first, then decide whether to finish the character off.

Final Recommendation

Weigh the immediate tactical benefit against potential narrative loss and resource strain. If you have a solid plan, appropriate resources, and a role‑playing motive that embraces a darker outcome, killing He Who Was can be a sound choice. Otherwise, consider non‑lethal tactics or postpone the decision until you’ve secured the ancillary rewards. For high‑stakes outcomes—especially if you’re near the end of the campaign or playing on a high difficulty—consult community guides or a seasoned fellow player for additional perspective.