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Is Karlach a Companion in Baldur’s Gate 3? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, Karlach is absolutely a companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. She is one of the Origin characters, meaning you can either choose to play as Karlach and experience her unique story firsthand, or you can create your own custom character and recruit her as a valuable member of your party. This dual functionality makes her a fan-favorite and adds significant replayability to the game. Her story is compelling, her personality is fiery (both literally and figuratively), and her combat prowess is undeniable, making her a highly sought-after companion for many players.

Finding and Recruiting Karlach

How to Locate Karlach

There are two primary methods to encounter Karlach in the game:

Exploration: While exploring the first large area of Baldur’s Gate 3, you can stumble upon Karlach. However, she is somewhat hidden away, requiring you to venture off the beaten path. When you get close enough, a cutscene will trigger, beginning her introduction.
Wyll’s Questline: Alternatively, you can first encounter Karlach by talking to Wyll at the Druid Grove. Wyll’s questline eventually leads to her, allowing you to recruit her. This method provides a more structured path to meeting her.

Karlach’s Recruitment Requirements

Note that Karlach will not join your party if you raid the Druid Grove. She is fiercely protective of innocent people and will leave your party immediately if you participate in such an act. Additionally, you cannot recruit her if you’ve participated in the raid prior to meeting her. Aligning yourself with her moral compass is crucial to having her as a companion.

Karlach: The Powerful Tiefling Barbarian

Why Players Love Karlach

The consensus among Baldur’s Gate 3 players is clear: Karlach is one of the best characters in the game. Her fiery personality, coupled with her immense strength as a Tiefling Barbarian, makes her incredibly engaging. Her personal story, filled with tragedy and a thirst for justice, also resonates deeply with players. Not to mention, she’s undeniably a powerful combatant.

The Best Build for Karlach

The most effective subclass for Karlach is often considered to be the Berserker Barbarian. This subclass unlocks some of the most damaging melee actions, allowing her to tear through enemies with ease. Focusing on damage output and melee prowess are crucial for maximizing her effectiveness.

Is Karlach a Good Tank?

While known for her offensive capabilities, Karlach is also a capable tank. She benefits from increased HP, making her more resilient in combat. She also has access to skills that enhance her supporting role without diminishing her tanking proficiency.

Karlach’s Unique Challenges

Karlach’s internal engine, caused by her time in Avernus, needs to be cooled. This plays heavily into her personal questline, and you must work to keep her from overheating. This adds a unique layer of gameplay related to her.

Karlach’s Companion Quest and Ending

The Hellion’s Heart

Karlach’s Companion Quest, “The Hellion’s Heart,” revolves around finding a way to cool her internal engine. You will need to enlist the help of a Tiefling blacksmith named Dammon and acquire specific materials, like Infernal Iron, to progress.

Saving Karlach

There is a way to save Karlach, ensuring she lives beyond the game’s end credits. While there may not be a way to repair her heart entirely, it is possible for her to live on. Following specific steps and completing her questline is vital for this outcome.

A Happy Ending?

It’s possible for Karlach to achieve a happy ending. This includes turning her away from Shar and rescuing her parents, which gives her a new lease on life. Her questline allows for genuine character growth and a hopeful future.

Avernus and Karlach

One of the options players have is to send Karlach back to Avernus, possibly with Wyll or with the player character. However, this is often considered undesirable by players who are attached to Karlach. Her time in Avernus was incredibly painful and returning there is not a great choice for her.

FAQs about Karlach as a Companion

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Karlach, providing additional clarity and insight:

Can you have both Karlach and Wyll in your party? Yes, by following specific steps, you can save both Karlach and Wyll, allowing you to continue their personal quests without major drawbacks.
Should I put armor on Karlach? The Bracers of Defense are great for her, providing +2 AC when she’s not wearing armor or a shield. Medium armor is beneficial until she has a combined +7 or higher in her Dexterity and Constitution modifiers.
Should I give Karlach soul coins? Yes, Soul Coins can be used to power her Infernal Engine, giving her a combat boost. They may also have more uses in future DLC.
How do you fix Karlach’s heart? By finding Dammon and giving him Infernal Iron at specific points in the game. This allows you to progress through her personal quest.
How do you keep Karlach alive? By choosing the correct path in her quest, you can keep her alive past the end credits.
Should I recruit Karlach? Absolutely. Siding with Karlach during the “Hunt the Devil” quest is generally the best outcome, as her story is both compelling and significant.
What if I romance someone else; can I go with Karlach to Avernus? Yes, you can choose to go to Avernus with Karlach even if you’ve romanced another character, though it will not trigger a cinematic ending.
Why can’t Karlach wear heavy armor? She can’t use her Barbarian Rage when wearing heavy armor, so medium armor or no armor is generally preferred.
What is the best weapon for Karlach? Balduran’s Giantslayer, a +3 Greatsword, is an excellent option. Other items should focus on improving melee damage, AC, and saving throws.
How much Infernal Iron does Karlach need? You need two Infernal Iron pieces to complete her quest, but you can collect more for other purposes.
Is there a time limit on Karlach? No, there is no time limit on recruiting her, and her quest progresses as you rest after triggering specific events.
Is Shadowheart evil? Shadowheart’s story isn’t necessarily about being evil. Her actions and character development are shaped by your choices.
Is Karlach immune to fire? Yes, Karlach is immune to Fire Damage, Burning, and Hellfire when Infernal Fury’s conditions are met.
Will Karlach leave if you raid the Grove? Yes. She will leave your party immediately and will not join if you’ve already done so.
Can you not save Karlach? There is 100% a way to save Karlach.

Conclusion

Karlach is an exceptional companion in Baldur’s Gate 3, offering a compelling backstory, strong combat capabilities, and a memorable character arc. Whether you choose to play as her or recruit her, she is a character that enhances the overall experience of the game. Her unique challenges and the ability to achieve a happy ending make her a beloved and integral part of the Baldur’s Gate 3 community.

Is Karlach a companion?