Baldur’s Gate 3’s Halsin is a Logical Progression From One Enhanced Edition Companion

Highlights

• Halsin is Baldur’s Gate 3’s answer to Wilson the Bear, a grizzly bear who was a secret playable character in Baldur’s Gate 2.
• Both Halsin and Wilson were kidnapped and locked in cages before being rescued and joining the party.
• The choice to have a bear-focused druid in Baldur’s Gate 3 can be seen as a tribute to the memorable Wilson from the previous game.

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Druid companion Halsin quickly became memorable for the appearance of his bear Wild Shape in one particularly infamous romantic encounter. However, players who did not experience the Enhanced Editions of previous games might not be aware that Halsin is far from the first bear to appear as a playable character in Baldur’s Gate. In many ways, Halsin is Baldur’s Gate 3‘s answer to Wilson the Bear, a grizzly bear who was a secret unlockable companion in the Enhanced Edition of Baldur’s Gate 2 and Throne of Bhaal.

Wilson Was Baldur’s Gate 2: Enhanced Edition’s Most Surprising Companion

Unlike Halsin, Wilson was not a druid who takes on the form of a bear – although Baldur’s Gate 2 did have two druids, Jaheira and Cernd, who could Wild Shape into creatures such as bears. Instead, Wilson was a fairly normal grizzly bear who could communicate only in snorts and grunts, although the player character was apparently able to understand him perfectly well. He was kidnapped and caged by a cruel man named Beastmaster Jolstead, and could be encountered and possibly recruited during the personal quest of another Enhanced Edition party member, the monk Rasaad.

A bear of refined tastes and delicate sensibilities, Wilson…was captured by a cruel trapper who sold his victims to the highest bidder. -Wilson Companion Description

Wilson’s class was Fighter, although he could only dual-wield his own Claws and could not equip other weapons. He could not wear armor, could not start conversations, and could not use any items other than healing potions and antidotes. Despite this, Wilson was an extremely capable party member, possessing the skill “Hug” – which let his attacks potentially do extra Crushing damage – and the ability to go into a Rage similar to Barbarians. He could also use the Tracking ability, otherwise exclusive to Rangers, to learn more about the creatures present in an area. His stats, most notably his Strength, are sometimes increased upon leveling, unlike most other characters.

Halsin And Wilson Share Unexpected Similarities

Halsin’s name isn’t the only way in which Baldur’s Gate 3’s elf Druid is similar to Wilson, the bear who preceded him. It is definitely possible that Halsin’s bear Wild Shape was chosen to deliberately reference Wilson. In addition to this, the pair have a few surprising connections, including:

• Both are first encountered by the party having been kidnapped and locked in a cage.
• Both must be rescued from their captors before they will join the party.
• Both are among the latest-joining companions in their respective games.
• Both are associated with protecting refugees – Wilson and his elf companion Zaviak lived at the Hidden Refuge, which protected Wild Mages from the Red Wizards of Thay, while Halsin led the Emerald Grove, a druid enclave which sheltered tiefling refugees.

Unlike Halsin, Wilson was not a romance option for players in Baldur’s Gate 2, and was not associated with any moments quite as infamous as the “bear scene.” Still, the choice to have a bear-focused druid in the party in Baldur’s Gate 3 can definitely be seen as a tribute to the memorable Wilson. It is even possible that some of the bears found residing in the Emerald Grove, such as the sleepy Tuffet, or Bosk, who is interviewed by Volo, are descendants of the original Wilson. In addition, given that Halsin is approximately 350 years old, and Baldur’s Gate 2 took place about one hundred years before 3, it is possible that the grizzly bear and the Druid met and interacted at some point. Perhaps Halsin’s love of bears even came from spending time with Wilson – although this has neither been officially confirmed nor denied in Baldur’s Gate 3.