Baldur's Gate 3: Best Minsc Build

Key things

• Minsc in Baldur's Gate 3 is difficult to unlock because it is a very late addition in Act 3.
• Players must recruit Jaheira in Act 2 and complete specific quests to recruit Minsc.
• For Minsk's best build, consider multiclassing him as a Ranger, Fighter, and Barbarian for a versatile character.

Baldur's Gate 3 has many interesting companions to recruit and build, giving players countless options when it comes to how to build their teams.

One of the very late game additions is Minsc, who many players know from the previous ones Baldur's Gate games.

Updated by Rei Penber on ///: Minsc is perhaps the most difficult companion to unlock in BG3, so it's not worth unlocking and using him, especially since he only appears in Act 3. However, if a player still wants to give Minsc a chance, multiclassing can be a good option to make him more interesting.

Who is Minsc and where to recruit him

Minsc is a recurring character from Baldur's Gate franchise. This will make this character familiar to many fans of the old games. Unfortunately, getting it can be a bit tricky.

Minsc will be the last companion the player recruits while playing Baldur's Gate 3. Minsc will only be available to the player in Act 3, which is the last act of Baldur's Gate 3, meaning that it will only be obtained at the very end of the game, and this could making its use less appealing to players.

In addition, the player must also have another companion to even hope to recruit, that character being Jaheira, a companion that the player can recruit in Act 2, provided he survives the events that occur in that act.

With Jaheira at the player's side, it becomes possible to recruit Minsk. The player must also make sure to complete the Aid The Underduke quest.

Default Minsc

Minsc was a kind-hearted – but rather conceited – Rashemaar warrior who enjoyed many adventures along the Sword Coast and beyond. During the 14th and 15th centuries DR joined many adventuring groups, including the Heroes of Baldur's Gate. Mins was famous for his habit of talking to a hamster named Boo, who he believed to be a miniature giant space hamster, even though no one else had ever witnessed it.

Minsc is one of the few human companions a player will have in their roster, third after Gale and Wyll. As for his class, he is a Ranger, a class unique to him among companions.

Minsk's background in the game is that of Folk Hero. With this background, he unlocks animal handling and survival skills.

One unique thing about Minsk is his ability to summon Boo, his trusty hamster. This is unique to it and can be useful. Boo can be summoned with Find Familiar: Boo.

As for his ability score, here is what the player can expect:

Best Minsc Build

Despite Minsc being a very late addition to a player's team, if built well, he can still be a good character for a player to utilize.

As a level 1 Ranger, they receive the Favored Enemy and Natural Environment class traits. With these 2, he can choose one of the features that each one provides.

For Favored Enemy, he has the following options:

• Bounty Hunter
• Guardian of the Veil
• Mage Breaker
• Guardian Knight
• Sanctified Stalker

Select the Bounty Hunter option from these.

When it comes to the natural environment, here are the options:

• Beast Tamer
• Urban Trickster
• Wasteland Wanderer: Cold
• Wasteland Wanderer: Fire
• Wasteland Wanderer: Poison

From these, choose either Wasteland Wanderer: Fire.

Then at level 2, level 1 Guardian spellcasting is unlocked. The player can also choose a combat style, mainly archery, defense, dueling, or two-weapon combat. Of those, Two Weapon Fighting will be the most ideal.

At level 3, the player must choose Minsk's subclass. They have a choice between these three:

• Master of animals
• Stalker of Darkness
• Hunter

Of these subclasses, it is recommended to go with Beast Master. This subclass is very versatile and will be very useful. A player could also go for the Gloom Stalker if they want a stealthier build, overall all the Ranger subclasses are solid.

If the Beast Master subclass is chosen, the player immediately unlocks the Ranger's companion. This will unlock a companion to accompany Minsc and fight by his side. The player can choose one of the following animals to summon once per short rest:

• Bear
• Boar
• Wolf spider
• Terrible Raven
• Wolf

At levels 4, 8 and 12 he can choose a feat, here are some recommendations:

• Magic Initiate: Cleric or Magic Initiate: Druid. This will be useful as it will open up more magical options for Minsk, while also keeping in mind that his main magical ability is wisdom.
• Guard. This will allow the Minsc to attack an enemy targeting allies if they are in melee range. The attacked enemy is also no longer able to move for the rest of the turn.
• Hard. Maximum health increases by 2 for each level up.

At level 5, it unlocks the level 2 Guardian spell as well as Extra Attack. He also gains Companion's Bond with his subclass, making his familiar even more useful.

At level 6, he chooses another option from Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer. The player should go with Mage Breaker and Beast Tamer.

At 7th level, he gains the Exceptional Training subclass feature, which allows his companion to escape, disengage, and assist as a bonus action.

At level 8, he gains Land's Stride: Difficult Terrain. Difficult terrain is no longer a problem for Minsc.

At level 9, he gains level 3 Guardian spellcasting.

At level 10, Hide In Plainsight is unlocked, as well as another option from Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer. The player should go with Ranger Knight and Wasteland Wanderer: Poison.

At level 11, he gains Bestial Fury, allowing his companion to make another attack.

The best Tier 1 Ranger spells

Unlocked at level 2,

• A thrilling blow
• Hail Of Thorns

The best Tier 2 Ranger spells

Unlocked at level 5,

The best 3rd level Guardian spells

Unlocked at level 9,

• Plant growth
• Conjure up a barrage

The best multiclass build for Minsc

Minsc is a character that the player gets too late in the game, making him unfit for many players. A good way to use it is to Multiclass and make it more interesting.

The most optimal multi-class build for Minsc will be a combination of three classes: Ranger, Barbarian and Fighter for 6 – 3 – 3.

To start with Minsk, he will be a Ranger. At 1st level as a Ranger, he can choose one favored enemy and one natural explorer. Bounty Hunter and Wasteland Wanderer: Fire are good options to start with.

If you continue to level 2 as a Guardian, the player will be able to unlock the level 1 Guardian spell, with Ensnaring Strike and Hail of Thorns being some good spell options. The player can also choose a combat style, with the four options being archery, defense, dueling, or two-weapon combat. The best choice depends on what fighting style Minsc want to use, but archery is good.

Now at level 3 as a Ranger, Minsc can choose the Ranger subclass. He has a choice between Beast Master, Gloom Stalker and Hunter. Choosing between Beast Master and Gloom Stalker can be difficult, but overall Beast Master may be the better choice. This gives Minsc the Ranger's Companion group action and allows him to summon an animal companion to fight by his side.

Now, the next level up, the player would want to switch to the fighter class, making the Minsc a Ranger 3 – Fighter 1. The player can choose a different fighting style for the Minsc, dual weapon combat would work well here. He also unlocks Second Wind, an awesome class action that allows him to heal as a bonus action.

By continuing to level 2 as a fighter, making him Ranger 3 – Fighter 2, he will unlock Action Surge. This allows him to gain an extra action, which is a very valuable action.

Now when Minsc becomes a Ranger 3 – Fighter 3, he will finally be able to choose his fighter subclass. He has a choice between Champion, Battle Master or Eldritch Knight. The real choice here is between Battle Master and Champion, but overall the player should go with Champion to get the improved crit.

Now the player switches Minsc from fighter to barbarian, making him Ranger 3 – Fighter 3 – Barbarian 1. At this level, he unlocks Unarmored Defense, as well as Rage. Rage will allow him to become stronger and have an advantage on strength checks and saving throws.

He should continue to Level 2 as a Barbarian, making him a Ranger 3 – Fighter 3 – Barbarian 2. Here he gains Danger Sense, which can help him avoid traps and other bad nuisances. He also gains Reckless Attack, which gives him and enemies attacking him advantage on attack rolls.

For the barbarian's final level, Minsc becomes a Ranger 3 – Fighter 3 – Barbarian 3. He will unlock an additional Rage Charge and be able to choose a Barbarian subclass. He can choose between Berserker, Wild Heart, and Wild Magic. For Minsk, his best choice will be Wildheart. This will give him the option to choose one beast heart. For Minsk, Rage: Bear Heart will be the best choice. Minsc also learns to talk to animals.

Now the player should switch the Minsc back to the Guardian. Minsc becomes a Ranger 4 – Warrior 3 – Barbarian 3. At this level he simply gets the feat. Tough will be a good choice for him.

After leveling 5 as a Ranger, making him a Ranger 5 – Fighter 3 – Barbarian 3, Minsc unlocks the ranged 2 Ranger spells. Some good options for spells here include Spike Growth and Barkskin. Minsc also finally unlocks Extra Attack. This will allow him to make an extra attack. Minsc also gains Companion's Bond, and this subclass feature allows the player's companion to become stronger and more robust.

Finally, at level 6 as a Ranger, making the player a Ranger 6 – Fighter 3 – Barbarian 3, the player unlocks additional Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer environments. Anyone goes here, but if the player doesn't want to think too much about it, they can go with Keeper of the Veil and Wasteland Wanderers: Poison.

Best items for Minsc

As for items, here's what Minsc will find useful:

• Killer's Sweetheart. This very rare ring will allow Minsc to gain a critical attack roll once per long rest on the next attack after defeating an enemy.
• Legacy of the Masters. This very rare gauntlet gives the wearer +2 to attack rolls and damage rolls. Also gives +1 to Strength saving throws.
• Sharpened Snare Cuirass. This very rare armor adds a Dexterity modifier to Armor Class. This armor will generally help Minsk trap enemies much more effectively. It also has no disadvantage on stealth ability checks.
• Blood of Lathander. This legendary mace can deal 1d6+3 damage in addition to its strength modifier. Deals massive damage. Also grants Lathander's Blessing, Lathander's Light, and Sunbeam.
• Belm. A very rare scimitar that will take advantage of Minsk's high dexterity. May deal 1d6 + 2 in addition to Dexterity modifier damage.

Baldur's Gate 3 is now available to play on PC, Xbox and PlayStation 5.