The Ultimate Dilemma in Baldur's Gate 3: Spare or Slay Ketheric Thorm?

Throughout his existence (and even beyond), Ketheric Thorm of Baldur's Gate 3 has sought answers from three distinct deities. While his drive stems from the tragic loss of his daughter, his actions in service of two malevolent gods are difficult to justify.

However, as players progress through Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3, defeating Thorm becomes necessary. Yet, the protagonist has one final opportunity to reach out to him before the ultimate confrontation with the main antagonist. The question remains: is this endeavor fruitful or futile? What do players truly gain from attempting to redeem Thorm? In comparison to other choices presented in Baldur's Gate 3, the answer is rather straightforward.

The Rooftop Confrontation

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Upon reaching the rooftop and eliminating the source of his immortality, Thorm will address the party. In order to proceed, two options for skill checks are available: an Intimidation check with a difficulty class (DC) of 21 and a much simpler Persuasion check with a DC of 10. However, to unlock the Persuasion check, players must thoroughly investigate Moonrise Towers and uncover the fate of Ketheric's wife, Melodia. Succeeding in the Intimidation check leads to another skill check against a higher DC of 30, with players having the choice between Persuasion, Intimidation, and Deception in Baldur's Gate 3. On the other hand, the Melodia check does not require any additional rolls.

Regardless of the choices made or the success of the skill rolls, a boss battle will ensue. Thorm will retreat once his health drops to approximately half, and players will then need to finish off the remaining Necromites. The true advantage of passing these checks becomes apparent later when players confront Thorm once more in the Mind Flayer Colony.

In the Pit of Despair

In the depths of the Mind Flayer Colony beneath Moonrise Towers, players will encounter Thorm. Although the party cannot interrupt his meeting with allies, there is a chance for the protagonist to speak with him once he is alone.

If players successfully passed the skill checks during the rooftop conversation, they will have the option to make a Persuasion check. This time, the difficulty class (DC) is set at a more reasonable 18. If the check is successful, Thorm will surrender and throw himself into the nearby pit. However, Myrkul, unwilling to give up easily, will continue the boss fight's final stage.

The final phase of the battle is inevitable, leaving players with no choice but to rely on their social skills to bypass the second stage of the boss fight, which consists of three stages. However, by sparing Thorm, the party will conserve valuable resources and spells, making the subsequent sequence slightly less challenging.

Baldur's Gate 3 is currently accessible on macOS and PC.