Should You Form an Alliance with Gortash or Orin in BG3?

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Gortash is one of the main villains you face in Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3. When you meet him for the first time, he will try to make a deal with you. He wants you to kill Orin, take her Netherstone, and help him control the Elderbrain.

If you agree to his offer, the game becomes a bit easier because you’ll only have to deal with Gortash instead of two enemies. However, you will have to give up some things to make this alliance. Be sure to check this guide to decide if it’s worth it.

Updated April 13, 2026, by Ben Jessey: Even years after its release, players are still loving Baldur’s Gate 3. But many are hesitant about trusting Gortash. So, here’s the latest information on what happens depending on whether you accept or reject his offer.

Outcomes of Making a Deal with Gortash

When Gortash offers the deal, he promises you safe passage through the city. True to his word, you can focus on defeating Orin and completing side quests without trouble.

Note: Accepting the deal will likely cause some disapproval from Karlach. But if your approval with her is high enough, she won’t turn against you. Still, choosing to side with Gortash means you won’t be able to complete certain quests, like disabling the Steel Watch or rescuing Wyll’s father from the underwater prison.

If you take his deal and return with Orin’s Netherstone, Gortash will ask for both Netherstones. You can test if he’ll respect you by refusing to give them. Declining his request will solidify your alliance with him. Later, if your loyalty remains, Gortash will join you to face The Netherbrain. Unfortunately, he won’t survive—The Netherbrain will kill him, and Karlach might even laugh at his fate if she’s in your party.

Outcomes of Refusing the Deal with Gortash

There aren’t many downsides to refusing Gortash’s deal, provided you stay respectful. If you threaten him instead of agreeing, you’ll have to fight him early on, which can be a mistake since he has many Steel Watchers backing him.

It’s best either to agree to his deal and betray him later or to avoid making any agreement altogether. If you don’t want an alliance, you’ll eventually need to confront him. Beyond that, your ability to move freely around the city remains mostly unchanged, and your approval with Karlach stays high—especially if you don’t bring her into the fight. You also won’t be blocked from side content by rejecting his deal.

Should You Take Orin’s Deal Instead?

Orin offers her own deal. She asks you to eliminate Gortash, take his Netherstone, and then visit the temple of Bhaal to fight her. Even if you accept her proposal, you’ll still have to fight her later on. She has kidnapped one of your allies and is using them as a hostage, threatening to kill them if you don’t deliver Gortash’s Netherstone.

While her offer isn’t as friendly as Gortash’s, it doesn’t change much—you can still save the hostage regardless of what you choose.