One of the first conflicts to appear in Act 3 of Baldur's Gate 3 involves a trio of squatters and an angry homeowner, and it's a uniquely difficult situation to resolve. Arriving at the outskirts of the titular city of Baldur's Gate makes it clear just how much the problems caused by the Absolute have spread, as the city is dealing with a refugee crisis that has its citizens divided. Although the squatter trouble is only one small part of that struggle, it presents a uniquely personal situation for the party to involve themselves in if they so wish.
Baldur's Gate 3 frequently presents situations with an obvious victim in a way that makes it possible for parties seeking to do good to champion an underdog, but it's also no stranger to moral complexities. The squatter situation is one such example, where both parties are presenting themselves in a generally poor light despite having some sympathetic aspects to their situation. That being said, it's still possible to treat the dilemma in a lesser of two evils manner, particularly when a number of extenuating circumstances that aren't immediately clear are taken into .
You Shouldn't Kill The Squatters In Baldur's Gate 3
There are a number of reasonable ways to approach the homeowner's crisis in Baldur's Gate 3, but attacking and killing the interlopers isn't one of them. The couple squatting in the house has a child, and their crime isn't one that's worthy of death by any means. Even attacking with the nonlethal ive feature turned on isn't a particularly optimal way to resolve the situation, although it's certainly better than showing no mercy at all. The homeowner himself — a man named Arfur — doesn't present a particularly compelling case for the party to take aggressive measures. Even when failing an Insight check, it's obvious that he isn't entirely to be trusted.
One reasonable outcome is to offer the family 100 gold to pack up and leave and head for an inn, although there isn't likely to be one with room. The right choices and luck can make it possible to get this money off of the homeowner, resulting in no loss to the party's own finances. It's also possible to simply intimidate them into leaving, which makes for a likely dire situation for them and their daughter. It's also possible to fight off the homeowner's hired guards instead, who inspire a lesser degree of pity thanks to their willingness to slaughter the squatters for the right price.
The conversations with the squatters and the homeowner can fork in a lot of different ways, requiring various skill checks to navigate things gracefully without causing some sort of violence. Outside of making the homeowner himself angry, it's easy to trigger the wrath of the mercenary guards, who don't appreciate someone trying to muscle in on what they see as a business opportunity. They can be successfully intimidated or paid off, but it's also possible to end up in a fight with them without the homeowner even requesting it.
The Homeowner Arfur Is The Bad Guy In Baldur's Gate 3
If the homeowner was willing to spare a room or two in Baldur's Gate 3, the situation would resolve itself nicely, but he clearly isn't as magnanimous as he claims to be. Protecting his property isn't the real problem, and the position itself is completely understandable. The core issue with his moral fiber is something much deeper, a Baldur's Gate 3 Act 3 secret hinted at through his unconvincing protestations of charity and comfort with the idea of siccing armed guards on an unfortunate family for a nonviolent crime.
Succeeding on an Insight check can be one way to get a glimpse at what Arfur is really up to, but exploring the right places can lead to a discovery of his ill deeds even when failing this initial chance. The ultimate reveal is that Arfur has armed a shipment of toys that was donated to help the refugees, a shipment that could obviously make its way into the hands of children. Although he protests that he was doing it to save his own skin, learning this information reveals him to be a truly detestable figure and not one who inspires any help, even if his behavior in the situation with the squatters was more irable.
Getting to the bottom of Arfur's business is possible no matter what side a party takes in the squatter dilemma, so it shouldn't ultimately influence the decision on the practical front. Finding the evidence to connect Arfur with his crimes requires some tresing, but neither he nor the squatters seem too touchy about the player poking around in the relevant places. It's also possible to dispense justice to him — or avoid doing so — in several different ways with either path, making the squatter situation a choice that doesn't close many doors that count.
When Killing The Squatters Is Worth It In Baldur's Gate 3
Despite Arfur's nefarious means, it's generally reasonable to side with him as long as the squatters are treated fairly. Choosing to kill them, however, is best suited for playthroughs focused on an evil path. Although this won't change the overall course of the main story, it can be another step in roleplaying a violent character or giving into the worst impulses of the Dark Urge Origin character. It can also be an easy way to drum up quick cash for those without moral scruples, as Arfur can be convinced to pay for the job, and the squatters are much easier to dispose of than the guards.
Although the outskirts of the city may seem like a comparatively peaceful region of Baldur's Gate 3, there are plenty of fights to be found for those looking for them. Picking one with the squatters, however, is only done in service of a man who is all too happy to kill the less fortunate when it suits him. Evil parties can prioritize taking up a blade for Arfur, but for all other Baldur's Gate 3 campaigns, there are too many other ways to handle the squatter situation to make the cruelest one seem worthwhile.
