I agree that the way the poly stuff and Halsin are implemented is very off-putting.

Originally Posted by Noelle666
(...) from my personal experience (I've seen some scenes with Astarion and Halsin poly romance, so I was ready) I, as many other people, think Astarion doesn't suit for poly option. Yes, he says he's ok with Tav being with someone else and yes, maybe I am overthinking, but I felt I am betraying Astarion, especially considering what life he had before.

Astarion and Halsin polymance might have worked early in the game, when Astarion/Tav relationship is still developing, is sex oriented and he's unsure what he wants, but later on it feels very icky and precisely like a betrayal. During earlier stages of the game he even says he'd be ok with Karlach and Shadowheart poly if they weren't so sensitive and inexperienced respectively. Later on, when he actually really cares about Tav it's clear he doesn't want to share but agrees out of fear of losing them pre-Cazador, or is secure enough to agree but still not thrilled about it after his personal quest. But for some inexplicable reason he will also disapprove like Shadowheart if Halsin is not allowed to join in at the brothel, despite not even liking Halsin.

Originally Posted by Syraxfyre
What I find so disturbing about the way Halsin is written is that he feels very reminiscent of the classic text book groomer. He's a wise older man who offers you his counsel, his compassion and empathy, he's deeply passionate about protecting others and nature, banishing all darkness and evil from the world, and he's this tall beefy handsome man. A lot of people get swept off their feet with that, and feel safe to be vulnerable to share about themselves with such a person. You develop a rapport with them, and out of nowhere, you're suddenly blindsided by this whole other side to them you never saw. Just like suddenly discovering at the start of act 3, that Halsin underneath all that, is in fact a massive objectifying creep, with severe commitment issues, who cares far more about his sexual wants / needs than the well-being of others.

Ugh, exactly this. He's written as a total creep. I'm not sure why Larian thought it would be a good idea to write him this way after EA requests to make him a companion. Unless they wanted to teach us a lesson called 'careful what you ask for'.

Originally Posted by Netav
Also it is incredibly funny how you can reject Halsin's poly proposal(go even for mean line about sleeping with deep rothe, which indicates that you have 0 interest in any sexual connection with him) and this guys still proposes himself into drow-twins and after you decline him there again, he will still try to propose himself next time you go to drow twins, nothing changes. You can do it infinitely. Also you can count SH/Halsin banter after swimming scene there (...) (which he initates and hits on both SH an Tav, proposing a... threesome, after being rejected by Tav.(...)

And here I thought the way he tried to worm himself into the relationship between Tav and Astarion was bad, wow. This is just disgusting.