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Introduced in Baldur's Gate, Minsc is a bald, purple-tattooed ranger from the Forgotten Realms country of Rashemen. Originally a berserker on his "dajemma", a rite of passage to gain entrance to the prestigious "Ice Dragon Berserker Lodge", he swore to guard the witch Dynaheir. When introduced to the player, the duo has already been ambushed by a group of gnolls, who took Dynaheir back to their stronghold. Ordering them to halt so his hamster may judge them, Minsc introduces himself and his source of advice, the hamster Boo. He requests their help, and if they accept he will hold them to their word, to the point of using violence if necessary. Once rescued, both characters will assist the protagonist in defeating his brother, the antagonist Sarevok.
In Shadows of Amn, it is revealed shortly after the close of the previous game the group was captured and imprisoned by the mage Jon Irenicus, who seeks to tap into the protagonist's power for his own goals. Dynaheir is slain, and Minsc offers his services in the name of good to strike back against Irenicus. In Throne of Bhaal, Minsc is one of several character that can be summoned to assist the protagonist in a similar fashion. In the game's epilogue, it is revealed Minsc returned to Rashemen and gained access to the lodge, having become a renowned hero due to his experiences with the protagonist. Forming his own adventuring company, he continues fighting against evil until when well advanced in age, Minsc and Boo set out and disappear.
Though not appearing in any later games in the series, Minsc and Boo are referenced in other Bioware titles. In Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer, an "Astral Rodent totem" can be found, with the words "For M" carved on it. In Mass Effect 2 a purchasable "space hamster" that gives the player a "knowing smile" when observed can be purchased; in another instance, one of the game's non-playable characters, Tali, will shout a modified version of one of Minsc's battle cries, instructing her combat drone to "Go for the optics!" In Dragon Age: Origins, the loading screen sometimes displays the advice "If all else fails, go for the eyes" (a reference to Minsc's battle cry commanding Boo to "go for the eyes"). Another Bioware game, Dragon Age Legends, also references Boo by directly quoting Minsc's battle cry of "go for the eyes" as a battle cry for random NPC's that fight alongside the player
Guild Wars Nightfall also come with a Paragon shout called "Go for the eyes!", clearly referencing to Minsc battle quote.
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