Should I Kill Gortash Or Orin First?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: Killing Gortash first makes sense if you have already sabotaged the Steel Watch Foundry and deactivated his mechanical army. Without the Steel Watchers backing him, the fight at Wyrm’s Rock is a challenging but manageable boss encounter rather than an overwhelming siege. Claiming Gortash’s Netherstone early also gives you a permanent key to the Netherbrain and advances the main plot cleanly. This order is narratively satisfying if you want to dismantle the Chosen of Bane’s political machine before turning to Orin’s cult of murder.
• Good fit: Killing Orin first makes sense if you want the most mechanically stable path through Act 3. Once Orin is dead, she cannot kidnap one of your companions during a long rest, which removes a forced detour to the Bhaal Temple and keeps your full party available for Lower City exploration. This approach is especially useful on higher difficulties, in honor-mode runs, or if your strategy depends on a particular companion being present for every fight. It also lets you decide when to face Gortash rather than reacting to Orin’s pressure.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: Avoid assaulting Gortash while the Steel Watch is still active. The Steel Watchers are durable, numerous, and can impose status effects that turn a single boss fight into a drawn-out survival battle. If you have not yet completed the Steel Watch Foundry quest, postpone the Wyrm’s Rock confrontation until you have.
• Warning sign: Avoid killing Orin first if you are roleplaying a Dark Urge or Bhaal-leaning character whose storyline benefits from her remaining alive through key conversations and temple events. Removing her early can lock out roleplay beats and may cause companions with strong feelings about Bhaal to react negatively.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Killing Gortash first secures his Netherstone and powerful loot early, giving you better equipment for the rest of Act 3 and a clear main-plot milestone.
• Killing Orin first prevents the scripted companion abduction, preserving your chosen party composition and letting you tackle the Bhaal Temple at a time of your choosing.

Cons

• Gortash first can lead to a grueling two-boss stretch: the Wyrm’s Rock fight followed by the Bhaal Temple rescue may drain your spell slots, potions, and camp supplies if you do not manage rests carefully.
• Orin first leaves Gortash and his political enforcers in control of Baldur’s Gate, which can delay some story outcomes tied to the Archduke election and leaves the Steel Watch as a threat until you deal with him.

Decision Checklist

• Have you disabled the Steel Watch Foundry? If not, delay Gortash until you have sabotaged his reinforcements.
• Does your party depend on a specific companion for healing, crowd control, or damage? If so, Orin first avoids the risk of that companion being taken.
• Which villain’s story matters more to your character? A politically driven party may prefer Gortash first; a party focused on ending Bhaal’s killings may prefer Orin first.
• Have you made a hard save before the point of no return? Saving lets you test either order without replaying the entire act.

Alternatives to Consider

If neither order feels right, spend time preparing instead of choosing immediately. Complete the Steel Watch Foundry quest, rescue Duke Ravengard, recruit Jaheira and Minsc, and resolve any companion personal quests that grant buffs or allies. You can also speak with the Emperor and review your Netherstone goals before committing. Because both targets are major bosses, a well-prepared party can handle either order, so preparation often matters more than sequence. If you are still torn, make a save before the decisive attack and try each path to see which one fits your preferred pacing.

Final Recommendation

For most players, especially on a first run or at higher difficulty, killing Orin first is the safer and more flexible choice. It avoids companion disruption and gives you full control over the Bhaal Temple encounter. However, if you have disabled the Steel Watch and want a narrative arc that builds from political conspiracy to serial-killer hunt, killing Gortash first is rewarding. If you are uncertain about story consequences for your specific character, consult a current Baldur’s Gate 3 community guide or Larian’s official support resources before making the final strike.