 | This article may need to be rewritten to comply with Wikipedia's quality standards. (April 2024) |
| Minsc | |
|---|---|
| Baldur's Gate character | |
 Minsc as he appears in Baldur's Gate 3 | |
| First game | Baldur's Gate (1998) |
| Voiced by | Jim Cummings[1] Matthew Mercer (Baldur's Gate 3)[2] |
| In-universe information | |
| Class | Ranger |
| Alignment | Neutral Good (Baldur's Gate) Chaotic Good (Baldur's Gate II) |
| Home | Rashemen |
Minsc ⫽ˈmɪnsk⫽ is a fictional character in the Baldur's Gate series of Dungeons & Dragons role-playing video games developed by BioWare and Larian Studios. He originated from the pen-and-paper Dungeons & Dragons sessions held by the lead designer of Baldur's Gate, James Ohlen, and was expanded upon by the game's lead writer, Lukas Kristjanson. His video game debut was in Baldur's Gate as a companion character who can join the player's party. He also appears in the sequel, Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, the expansion, Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal, the 2015 game Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear, the 2023 game Baldur's Gate 3, as well as in promotions relating to the titles. Minsc is voiced by Jim Cummings in his original video game appearances,[1] and by Matt Mercer in Baldur's Gate 3.
In the storyline, Minsc is a ranger, originally tasked with serving as a bodyguard to the witch Dynaheir as part of a "dajemma" (rite of passage). When Dynaheir is captured by gnolls, Minsc asks the player to help free her, after which both characters are available to assist the player. Eventually, the player's party is captured and when Dynaheir is killed by the mage Jon Irenicus, Minsc teams with the player in the pursuit of justice. A berserker, he has a strong desire to uphold good and be heroic, though with an extreme fervor that causes those around him to regard him as possibly insane. His animal companion is a miniature giant space hamster named Boo, with whom he often consults.
Since his introduction, Minsc has been regarded as one of the best and most popular elements of the Baldur's Gate games because of his demeanor and attachment to Boo, according to reviewers from IGN, GameSpot, and Eurogamer. Other reviewers from publications such as CVG have regarded him as one of the greatest aspects of PC gaming, while game developers have noted a preference for him. The web comic Megatokyo added Boo as a character in their publication, while Largo (for whom Boo serves in the comic as his long-suffering conscience) took on aspects of Minsc. His absence from subsequent gaming titles has also been lamented by several publications.
- ^ a b Gale Research Company (2001). Contemporary Theatre, Film, and Television. University of Michigan: Gale Research Co. p. 100. ISBN 0-7876-5108-7.
- ^ "Baldur's Gate 3 adds Critical Role's Matt Mercer in 'critical role'". Polygon. 14 December 2022.