Originally Posted by AmayaTenjo
Originally Posted by Icelyn
Originally Posted by Anska
Besides all this, I am mostly puzzled why he doesn't become a recruitable companion right after the party, he just lounges in camp and does not even have reactions to things going on in the other companions' lives, which is very weird. He is there, but kind of not part of the team.
Agree that he should be recruitable after the party! For those that don’t want him in the party, they could also have the choice not to recruit him there.

Because it’s his personal quest, I like that curing the shadow curse requires him. It makes him feel more involved in the story.

I honestly dont understand why he isnt playable after the party, it doesnt make sense narratively if hes decided to ally with you even just for the curse. I dont see how from a programming perspective they couldnt do that. Sure thered be no banter or dialogue but if they take some of his act 2 dialogue and move it around itd be just fine and wouldnt really change much narratively. Im also really unsure why he has the dialogue he has at the party, has one or two lines here and there IF you picked the "flirty" party dialogue, and he never really speaks again until act 2. Like he could open up about superficial stuff at first and once we start his quest he could tart to open up deeper, talking about Thaniel and stuff.
It has nothing to do with the narrative or programming. It's that Halsin's level is too high for an act 1 party. Druids have ranks which are associated with levels, so they can't just lower it either and remain coherent within the lore.

Given more time, Larian could have perhaps found a story reason, but they didn't have it.