Baldur’s Gate 3 Karlach companion guide – best builds, stats, and inspiration

Want to learn more about Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3? This Tiefling Barbarian is an absolute menace in combat encounters as she enters a rage to knock down opponents. As an Asmodeus Tiefling, Karlach has a striking appearance.

She’s one of the stronger Baldur’s Gate 3 companions but don’t expect her to steer conversations in the right direction or sneak through enemy forces. The Barbarian class is one of the straightforward ones when it comes to Baldur’s Gate 3 classes and subclasses. Read on to learn more about this unique character.

Who is Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Karlach is a potential companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. She is a Tiefling Barbarian, turned into a Devil during her time fighting in Avernus, and powered by an Infernal Engine for a heart. You can side with her or a shady paladin named Anders in the Hunt the Devil quest. Kill the paladin and his allies to gain the option of recruiting her later. Anders’ smite attacks are particularly deadly to Karlach so protect her from them via spells or other methods.

As someone who has experienced slavery, she won’t stand for decisions that leave people to their fates. Karlach has an infernal engine in her chest. This introduces a new layer to interactions with her, particularly for those looking to romance her.

Karlach’s background and inspiration

Inspiration points are gained by performing actions that align with your character’s background. This can then be used to reroll ability checks at crucial points in Baldur’s Gate 3. Karlach has an Outlander background. Here are some ways that Karlach can use to earn inspiration points:

• Nest Egg – Take an item from the Carrion Crawler nest.
• Rock Steady – Survive the bandits’ rolling boulder trap.
• Mushroom Enthusiast – Destroy each kind of hazardous Underdark mushroom.
• Clever Cuckoo – Steal from the giant bird’s nest in the Underdark.
• Abyss Jumper – Enter the Underdark through the bottomless well.

Karlach’s starting skills and attributes

Karlach is a potent addition to any adventuring party in this Dungeons and Dragons adventure through the Forgotten Realms. She has a Greataxe and a Crossbow when you first meet her. Unique abilities take advantage of Karlach’s stats that lean towards Strength. Here are Karlach’s attributes:

• Strength: 17
• Dexterity: 13
• Constitution: 14
• Intelligence: 11
• Wisdom: 12
• Charisma: 8

Where to find Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3

Karlach can be difficult to find, and many players likely won’t encounter her until later into Act 1. To find her, you’ll want to first approach the Blighted Village. Head north, either through the top of the village or by going around the eastern flank of it and jumping over some rocks at a ford in the river.

Once you’ve done this, you’ll want to head towards the rough location of the tollhouse – the large two-story building at the end of a stone bridge. If you’ve found Waukeen’s Rest before this, just head southeast and you’ll run into it.

From the tollhouse, traverse further south, following a small dirt road that runs east of the ford crossing we mentioned earlier. You’ll find Karlach backed into a corner near some stone cliffs. We’ve also marked the rough location on the map below as a helpful guide.

Best Karlach builds

While Karlach is a Barbarian, her subclass can make a noticeable impact on how she deals with foes. There are three potential options: Berserker, Wildheart, and Wild Magic. Considering that she relies on powerful melee attacks, the Berserker sounds like a good pairing. Frenzied Strike and Enraged Throw are good options to have.

But I’m partial to the Wildheart subclass as you can pick from Bestial Hearts for powerful bonuses. Aspect of the Beast: Chimpanzee lets you blind enemies by throwing camp supplies, making for some hilarious encounters. Regardless of which subclass Karlach picks, expect high-damage attacks from her access to a collection of the best weapons in the game. Barbarian Berserkers are particularly adept with melee weapons in the early game.

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✓ Antony’s annotation

Heal as a Wildheart Barbarian

The Bestial Heart of the Bear gives Karlach a heal option when she rages as a Wildheart Barbarian.

At level 4, you’ll be able to pick from Baldur’s Gate 3 feats. I recommend the Great Weapons Master feat, which lets you buff up your damage by 10 at the cost of a penalty to attack rolls. This is a toggle that can be switched on or off in combat. It pairs well with Barbarian skills and Karlach’s ferocity.

Level 5 gives Karlach an Extra Attack and Fast Movement which gives her +5 Momentum if she isn’t wearing Heavy Armour. This is when Karlach becomes a solid melee companion, especially with a two-handed weapon. Level 6 bumps this up with a bonus Rage charge.

Level 7 grants Karlach Feral Instinct, a bonus of +3 to Initiative. And level 8 brings with it the opportunity to pick another feat. If you didn’t use Ability Improvement to buff up Karlach’s Strength, I’d suggest doing that now. Level 9 brings in one more Rage charge.

If you’d like to use Ability Improvement, consider buffing up her Intelligence or Dexterity instead of Strength too. There’s a chance Karlach might find herself in situations where she’ll need saving throw dice rolls from these attributes.

And here are some good items in BG3 for Karlach:

• Absolute’s Talisman – If you have less than 25% of your HP when you deal damage, you will gain 1d8 HP
• Crusher Ring – An addition of +3m to Speed
• Haste Helm – At the beginning of a battle, gain +3 to Momentum for 3 turns
• Linebreaker Boost – When you Dash, you gain Wrath for 3 turns

Karlach companion quest guide

Karlach’s companion quest in Baldur’s Gate 3 is titled Our Fiery Friend. It involves repairing Karlach’s heart (an infernal engine) with the help of a gifted Tiefling Blacksmith named Dammon. While you can find him at his blacksmith shop to the north of Emerald Grove, players usually find Karlach after defeating the goblins. This means that Dammon would have moved out with all the Tieflings.

You can then find him at the Last Light Inn in Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3. You can get here via the Underdark or the Mountain Pass. You’ll need Infernal Iron to complete “The Hellion’s Heart” quest. To continue the quest from here, you’ll have to meet Dammon once more at Baldur’s Gate. Here’s how to get to Baldur’s Gate.

And if you’re wondering where to get Infernal Iron in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll find it in the Masterwork Weapon forge under the Blighted Village. You can find one in the treasure room behind Dror Ragzlin’s throne in the Shattered Sanctum too. Get here via the Goblin Camp. Infernal Iron is used to repair Karlach’s heart.

You will eventually meet the person who had sold her into the service of a powerful devil. Dealing with them will progress the BG3 Karlach companion quest further.

How to raise Karlach’s approval

Freeing slaves and shows of strength will certainly win Karlach over. Indirect routes to victory might be frowned on. Karlach’s approval rating will determine whether she can be romanced later on. Here’s how to raise Karlach’s approval in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Arguing to Wyll that she is not a devil when he confronts her at your camp.
• Using Speak with Dead to ask the Abducted Nobleman in the crashed Nautiloid if there are any last rites he would like performed.
• Persuading Zevlor not to take a swing at Aradin.
• Promising Zevlor to talk to Kagha about giving the tieflings more time in the grove.
• Telling Silfy you won’t get angry when she fails to rob you.
• Telling Arabella’s parents that the druids are overreacting to a child.
• Using supporting Alfira the Tiefling Bard with her creative roadblock.
• Persuading Kagha to let Arabella go.
• Calling Kagha a monster after persuading her to let Arabella go.
• Giving your scent to Silver the Wolf in the Druids Grove cave where Kagha is located.
• Confronting Ethel about Mayrina being in her hut unwillingly.
• Save Sazza’s life.
• Say you will free Sazza.
• Telling Mizora she won’t pay a finger on her.
• Petting Scratch.
• Persuading Lump the Enlightened to fight for the flesh of the fallen.
• Intimidating Novice Crusher in the Goblin Camp.
• Taking over Dror Ragzlin to ask your own questions.
• Don’t trust Raphael.
• Telling Halsin you will protect the grove.
• Standing with the Tieflings against Minthara.
• Driving off the goblins from Druid Grove.
• Giving the infernal iron to Damon.
• Telling Ellyka the gith at the bridge are nothing to you.
• Letting Lae’zel speak with the Gith.
• Promising to rescue Duke Ravengard.
• Seeing through Auntie Ethel’s disguise as an elderly woman.
• Telling Jaheira everything about the artefact.
• Drinking wine laced by Jaheira with truth herb.
• Shuffling the lanceboard in favor of Mol.
• Tell the Restless Myconid the truth about the parasite and that you seek safe passage.
• Give the poisoned gnome, Thulla, the antitoxin.
• Report the details of the event to Spaw, after killing the Duergar.
• Give Owlbear Cub a piece of food from your bag, while in camp.

And here’s what you should refrain from doing as it lowers BG3 Karlach’s approval:

• Persuade the adventurers outside the Dank Crypt to leave.
• Tell Kagha that sometimes cruelty is required.
• Attacking the owlbear.
• Booing Volo in the goblin camp.
• Accepting the poison from Nettie.
• Torturing Liam without Wyll (with hot poker).
• Demanding a reward from Minthara for betraying the grove.
• Treating Oscar Fevras, the artist, as your slave.
• Making the Rothe in Grymforge work instead of turning against their masters.
• Not freeing the Pixy inside the working Moon Lantern looted from the Drider in the Ruined Battlefield.

How to romance Karlach

While other Baldur’s Gate 3 companions can be romanced before the refugee celebration, that wasn’t the case with Karlach in Early Access. The full release of the game changes things. From a high-enough point in Emerald Grove, you can jump over to the Risen Road. You even land right next to Karlach as flames surround her. Don’t worry, she’s resistant to fire.

Remember that you need to have a good enough approval rating to romance Karlach. Following her companion guide is a good option. Eventually, you’ll be able to help her with her fire problem. Use an ice or water spell to cool her raging infernal heart. You can then choose to test it out with a kiss. This doesn’t trigger a romance right away but it’s a start. You can eventually head to your bedroll and choose to spend time with Karlach.

Remember to spare Nightsong at the Gauntlet of Shar as failing to do so might impact Karlach’s companion quest in Act 2. Give Dammon enough Infernal Iron and Karlach will be able to touch people without burning them. Rest at camp after this for an intimate moment with her.

While I haven’t got to Baldur’s Gate yet, the devs have already showcased a bit of how BG3 Karlach’s romance will go. Eventually, you’ll get to go on a date with her. Players can take her to a restaurant, order food, and have a friendly conversation. She might even kiss you if you play your cards right.

That covers everything we know about Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3. You can also play as her since she’s one of Baldur’s Gate 3 origin characters. Remember that you can play as other companions like Astarion, Wyll, Lae’zel, and Shadowheart. This makes for a unique experience as a protagonist instead of creating your own character.

We’ll get to know more about her backstory and her role in the story when the game leaves Early Access in August. For more on the world of Faerun, check out our Baldur’s Gate 3 races guide. And if Baldur’s Gate 3 character creation is draining your mind, we’ve got your covered.

Can you get Karlach as a companion?

Yes, developer Larian Studios have confirmed that Karlach will be one of the main Baldur’s Gate 3 companions.

How do I recruit Karlach?

Karlach can be found along The Risen Road in the first chapter of the game.