Well the way I see it - it's not in the game/files yet
They said they were surprised by the positive feedback he's received so as it's still EA there's no reason not to add it right?
I guess if there was a poll "whom would you rather romance Minsc (and Boo) or Halsin?" I'm pretty sure the results would be quite unequivocal.
As for Deckard Cain argument - well we're playing with the cards we were dealt not with woulda, coulda, shoulda.
*Yet* is very key. And I'm fully aware that the datamining doesn't confirm anything. Act I is still incomplete and you can tell that they knew people would go rifling through the files so some parts seem intentionally scrubbed. All I can go off of is what I've seen in there now. But I remember the first week of EA release and the forums exploded with love for the swole elf. (Personally, I don't even care about his build. He just has a warm personality which was refreshing given how cold the current party is toward you in the beginning.)
Yes they are definitely aware that some players are thirsty for Halsin.
I don't think there is a space to romance Halsin in the 1st Act regardless... At least not without going to the Moonrise Towers - personally I don't think that he will die there.
They would need to add some development between him and the MC. Minthara jumping you makes sense at that point, especially for drow. He is a druid, that you just rescued - or defended his grove.
There is not much reason for romance there - other than the godly body.
I am personally not even sure, if I trust him, but most of the characters have me thinking twice about their intentions; I think that's definitely a positive.
I also really don't understand the decision to have Minsc romanceable, but I will shut up about it, because in the end it's just an option. In my head it wouldn't be canon.
As for henchmen/hirelings in some shape and form are coming; I believe they said they'd look into it, I don't think it's confirmed - but even if it was somehow missing on full release, mods are probably going to fix that pretty quick...
I agree that there isn't enough time to get to know him during Act I. Honestly, and I know this is highly unlikely, it would be nice if they restructured the overall romance progression in Act I. Probably the most common complaint I see is that romances go from 0 to 60 at that party. It would be nice if there was more relationship development across the board.
I got chewed out on reddit by a rabid Minsc fan who wanted to bone him. I hadn't even said he shouldn't be an option--just that I was disappointed by it. So they're out there! and I wouldn't want to deny them that happiness. Even though I think it's a strange direction to take him.
