Baldur’s Gate 3 companions tier list: best companions ranked in BG3

Looking for Baldur’s Gate 3 companions? On your grand quest to defeat the devious mind flayers, you’ll come across interesting characters who will team up with you.

Besides choosing among the Baldur’s Gate races, the right party composition can influence everything from conversations to combat. Companions let you extend your party’s potential with new spells and perks. They can grant aid during conversations too, offering their charisma and knowledge in tricky situations. These characters also get access to Baldur’s Gate 3 feats at level 4 like the protagonist.

Baldur’s Gate 3 companions list

Baldur’s Gate 3 has 10 companions who might join you on your adventure:

• Astarion
• Gale
• Shadowheart
• Lae’zel
• Wyll
• Karlach
• Halsin
• Jaheira
• Minsc
• Minthara

They have their own backgrounds and lore. And you can even play as some of them if they are Origin characters. We’ll get to see all of them in their glory after the game leaves Early Access. Certain in-game actions can improve your bond (or romances) with them. Outfit them with the right gear and you’ll have an incredible party of NPCs to rely on.

Baldur’s Gate 3 companions tier list

Lae’zel is the best companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. As a Fighter, she can be levelled up to deal multiple attacks in one round. She can also heal herself and sustain some heavy damage from enemies in the Forgotten Realms.

Fighters are the most straightforward class in the game so you won’t have trouble with optimizing her damage output. Here’s a ranked tier list of all the companions in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Ranking	Companion	Advantages
S+	Lae’zel	High damage, multiple attacks
S	Astarion	Sneak proficiency, deadly sneak attacks
A	Shadowheart	Defensive spells, can sustain damage
A	Karlach	Strong melee, fast but tanky
A	Jaheira	Versatile, and powerful attacks
A	Halsin	Great survivability, soothing voice
B	Minthara	Powerful magic
B	Gale	Wide variety of spells
B	Wyll	Charismatic talker, solid spells
N/A	Minsc	(We haven’t encountered him yet)

Baldur’s Gate 3 companions explained

Here are the companions that you’ll encounter in Baldur’s Gate 3:

S+ Tier – Lae’zel

This Githyanki Fighter means business. Lae’zel’s access to two-handed weapons means that she can deal some incredible damage up close. Lae’zel’s durability also means that she can protect glass cannons and other support characters. As a Battle Master, she can use features like Menacing Attack and Riposte to devastating effect against monsters like goblins.

Where to find Lae’zel

Rescue her from her cage near the Cathedral Ruins in Act 1. While there are Tieflings near her cage, you can convince them to leave. After that, it’s a matter of shooting Lae’zel’s cage with a ranged weapon. After that, you’ll be able to recruit Lae’zel in BG3.

Here’s everything you need to know about Lae’zel:

Species	Githyanki
Class	Fighter
Background	Soldier

S Tier – Astarion

Don’t let Astarion’s Noble background fool you. As a High Elf Rogue, his Stealth and Perception come in handy for getting a job done silently. While he’s more durable in combat than a Wizard or Warlock, I’d suggest using Sneak Attacks over straightforward combat. He’s good with bows, too. Use the Thief subclass’ Extra Bonus Action to attack three times in one turn.

Where to find Astarion

A vampire spawn with a dark past, you’ll find him calling for help at a hill near the Nautilus wreck in Chapter 1. You can go with his ruse of ambushing a brain creature or get a knife pulled on you either way. He’ll join your party once you make him understand that you too are afflicted with a tadpole in your brain.

Here’s everything you need to know about Astarion:

Species	High Elf
Class	Rogue
Background	Noble

A Tier – Shadowheart

Shadowheart serves Shar as a High Half-elf Cleric. She taps into the Trickery Domain subclass for her spellcasting. While she can wield simple weapons, I wouldn’t recommend direct combat without using defensive spells first. Shadowheart offers solid utility thanks to her heals and support abilities. Shield of Faith and Mirror Image boost her durability if you need her to take charge in combat.

Where to find Shadowheart

Sent on a suicide mission to steal an artefact, Shadowheart can be freed from a pod during the Prologue. And after that, you’ll find her unconscious on the Ravaged Beach. If not, you can find her near an abandoned chapel near the Overgrown Ruins waypoint. Here’s how to free Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Here’s everything you need to know about Shadowheart:

Species	High Half-Elf
Class	Cleric – Trickery Domain
Background	Urchin

A Tier – Karlach

Karlach is a Tiefling Barbarian. You’ll encounter her further north in the Act 1 map, not far from Waukeen’s Rest. Karlach is an absolute tank, with a massive health pool compared to some of the squishier companions on this list. Her high strength also give her a superior jump, and excellent melee damage in combat. She’s also a handy knowledge base for anything demonic, having served as a the right hand of Zariel the Archdevil during the Blood Wars, albeit unwillingly.

Her only falter is that without a full respec, she’s not all that versatile. Her ranged capacity is decent, but hardly exceptional. It probably also goes without saying that she isn’t fantastic at stealth unless you opt for the right bestial heart as a Wildheart Barbarian.

Where to find Karlach

Described as a Tiefling bent on vengeance and a mission to help the oppressed, you can find her at The Risen Road in Act 1. Wyll is determined to kill her so you’ll have a choice on your hands. There are some shady paladins led by Anders who is out for her blood as well. Despite her appearance, Karlach cares deeply for the people around her.

Here’s everything you need to know about Karlach:

Species	Zariel Tiefling
Class	Barbarian
Background	Outlander

A Tier – Halsin

You’ll be tasked with rescuing Halsin to find a cure to your “Illithid tadpole in your brain” problem. While we don’t know much about him, remember that romance scene that involves a bear? That’s Halsin. That Baldur’s Gate 3 bear scene is already driving fans crazy with respect to the sheer potential of the game. Druids are versatile beings that can shapeshift into animals.

Where to find Halsin

This Wood Elf Druid is located in the Shattered Sanctum in Act 1. He’ll be in the Worg Pens in bear form. Rescuing him involves killing all three Goblin leaders. He’ll then join your party temporarily and is of great help against the enemy goblins. Just note that you have to rescue him before defeating the leaders or else he’ll slip by during the carnage. Here’s how to find Halsin in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Here’s everything you need to know about Halsin:

Species	Wood Elf
Class	Druid
Background	Outlander

A Tier – Jaheira

A Half-elf who dabbles in Druid magic, Jaheira returns from the original Baldur’s Gate. You’ll get to see her skills on display too, when the inn is attacked by Marcus and you have to save isobel. Druids are a force of nature (pun intended) as it is, and this is equally true for Jahiera as it is for Halsin.

She’s got exceptional damage potential and fantastic health. While she can’t offer as much in the way of support, she can bolster your front lines in a conflict well enough to offer the party breathing room during heavy combat.

Where to find Jaheira

She can be found at the Last Light Inn in Act 2.

Here’s everything you need to know about Jaheira:

Species	High Half-elf
Class	Druid
Background	Soldier

B Tier – Gale

Gale’s magic backstory as a Human Wizard is particularly interesting given his role as one of the Baldur’s Gate 3 companions. With the goal of becoming the greatest wizard known to Faerun, a spell gone wrong puts a dangerous Netherese Destruction Orb in his chest.

With time ticking for him to find a fix, you might just level a city before you help him. While he isn’t durable in combat, his spells deal solid amounts of damage. Pairing him with the Abjuration School can enhance his durability even further. His spell variety is incredible, letting you kit him as you see fit.

Where to find Gale

Find him at the Roadside Cliffs waypoint near the Nautilus wreck in Act 1. You’ll spot a human arm sticking out of a portal. Drag it out to reveal Gale. Once he’s free, he’ll join your party.

Here’s everything you need to know about Gale:

Species	Human
Class	Wizard
Background	Sage

B Tier – Minthara

Minthara can be found within the Shattered Sanctum, in the Goblin Camp. She’s a powerful magic wielder, and a pretty tanky one too – just what you’d expect of a good Paladin. She is however an evil piece of work, and you’ll have to massacre the Emerald Grove in order to win her approval.

While Minthara is capable and deadly, she falls shy of being excellent at team support or excellent at damage respectively, instead having a bit of a thumb in both pies. This can lead to her being overwhelmed without great team cohesion.

Where to find Minthara

Find Minthara in the Shattered Sanctum. You’ll need to side with the goblins and tear down the Emerald Grove of the Tieflings and Druids to win her favour. This will put you at odds with companions like Wyll and Halsin. She will fully become a companion in Act 2 after you rescue her from Moonrise Towers.

Here’s everything you need to know about Minthara:

Species	Drow
Class	Paladin
Background	Noble

B Tier – Wyll

Wyll is a celebrated hero of Faerun. But he gains his powers from a succubus, forming a Fiend Pact as a Warlock. This makes him a strong pick for your three-person strong party. With devastating abilities and debuffs, he’s among the more powerful of your companion choices. But you’ll take a while to unlock his full potential. Agonizing Blast and Repelling Blast modifiers to the Eldritch Blast are powerful ways to enhance its utility.

Where to find Wyll

You’ll find Wyll in the Removing the Parasite quest of Chapter 1 with a mysterious past and a strange connection to a demon. He’ll be sparring with some kids to the north of Roadside Cliffs at the Druid’s Grove.

Here’s everything you need to know about Wyll:

Species	Human
Class	Warlock – Fiend Patron
Background	Folk Hero

Minsc

Another returning character from the previous games, you need to complete the Aid the Underduke quest to recruit Human Ranger Minsc. He’s voiced by Matthew Mercer, known for his stellar performances in Critical Role and a handful of renowned anime.

Where to find Minsc

Minsc is at the Counting House vault in Act 3 as the Stonelord. You’ll be able to deal with a trap that Nine-Fingers placed for him. Later, you’ll find him in the city sewers where you’ll fight Bhaalists. You can then choose to let Minsc live or kill him.

Here’s everything you need to know about Minsc:

Species	Human
Class	Ranger
Background	Folk Hero

That covers all the Baldur’s Gate 3 companions in the game. With a wide variety of races and classes to pick from, they’ll make a great addition to your party. Just remember not to have a party full of healers.

Check out our Baldur’s Gate 3 romance guide for more details about these characters. And if you’re looking for other ways to step up your power, here are some Baldur’s Gate 3 tips.

How many companions will be in baldurs gate 3?

There are ten companions in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Who are the best companions in baldurs gate 3?

Lae’zel, Astarion, and Gale are the best companions in Baldur’s Gate 3.