Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions and Characters Guide: Everything you need to know
If you’re a fan of big and sprawling fantasy RPGs, then you’ll know that one of the best things about them are the companions you can recruit along the way – and Baldur’s Gate 3 is no exception to this.
Back when it launched in early access in October 2020, players were introduced to a handful of their companion characters — but not all of them. This means that there are plenty of characters out there just waiting for you to find them. In this Companions of Baldur’s Gate 3 guide, we’ll tell you exactly where to find each character, their starting class, and their background.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions Guide: Everything you need to know about Origin Companions
There are 5 Origin characters that players can play as or recruit during their adventures in Faerun: Astarion, Gale, Lae’zel, Shadowheart, Karlach, and Wyll. The Dark Urge is an Origin character, but is unable to be recruited. We explain why here.
Astarion
Astarion is a High Elf vampire spawn who comes from the city of Baldur’s Gate. Unlike his master, Astarion was never able to reach the fullest heights of being a vampire and instead had to scrape by for every meal, despite his master being a man of renown. Because of this, he holds a very clear resentment for his master and believes the Illithid tadpole can grant him the power necessary for vengeance.
Where to find Astarion: During Act 1. Astarion can be found past the crashed nautiloid ship where you’ll hear him calling for help.
Starting Class: Rogue
Gale
Gale is a Human who hails from the glittering city of Waterdeep. He is a kind and intelligent man who is all too aware of the repercussions of having a mind-flayer tadpole skulking around your skull. So you won’t be shocked to find out he’s just as eager as the rest of your companions to find a healer. When he isn’t traversing with you, Gale is interested in magic, reading books, and uh, maybe dying. Trust us on that last part, alright?
Where to find Gale: During Act 1. Along the road (to the right) from where you recruit Astarion, you’ll encounter a portal with a hand coming out of it. That hand belongs to none other than Gale.
Starting Class: Wizard
Lae’zel
Lae’zel is a Githyanki warrior who first appears during the opening sequence of Baldur’s Gate 3. As a Githyanki, Lae’zel pushes herself to the brink to prove herself to her people in the hope to rejoin them. Unfortunately, she is infected by the same tadpole as the rest of you, and is eager to find her creche so she can be cleansed. That is if her kin doesn’t kill her first. While she may seem cruel and brutal, Lae’zel holds a healthy amount of respect for shows of strength and open-mindedness to Githyanki values.
Where to find Lae’zel: During Act 1. Lae’zel is completely unable to be skipped by the player as she’s the first person you meet while exploring the nautiloid ship. After players finish the nautiloid ship, she can be found in a cage, held prisoner by Tieflings from the Emerald Grove. It is imperative that you go there before resting in camp as Lae’zel will escape the cage and may (possibly) be found dead later on.
Starting Class: Fighter
Shadowheart
Shadowheart is a Half-Elf Cleric of Shar. The only survivor of what appears to be a suicide mission, Shadowheart has just one objective: return a relic to her coven in Baldur’s Gate. However, getting kidnapped and then having a tadpole put in your brain does put a damper on things… Much like Lae’zel, Shadowheart puts the mission first and expects players to do the same. However, that doesn’t mean she has no soft side at all…
Where to find Shadowheart: During Act 1. Shadowheart can be found locked in a pod on the nautiloid ship and, much like Lae’zel, cannot be outright skipped unless you ignore her completely. If you’re unable to get Shadowheart out of the pod, she will be found later on via the beach you wake up on after the nautiloid section.
Starting Class: Cleric
Karlach
Karlach is a Tiefling veteran that served in the Blood Wars under the arch-devil, Zariel. Zariel is the antagonist in the Dungeons and Dragon’s 5th edition adventure, Descent into Avernus. After serving for 10 long years, Karlach managed to escape the devil’s grasp – but not without consequences. Despite her tragic backstory however, Karlach is easy-going and amicable towards good and kind players. Of course with literal fire running through her veins, she does often get a little, ahem, hot-headed. In more ways than one.
Where to find Karlach: During Act 1. Players can encounter Karlach in The Risen Road area of the Wilderness. If you cross over the lake where you first find Scratch, continue right, and you’ll eventually come across Karlach by a stream. Alternatively, if you meet Anders and the Paladins of Tyr first, Karlach will be located south of that building, nursing her wounds.
For a more specific location, see below.
Starting Class: Barbarian
Wyll
Karlach is a Human folk hero that goes by the name of The Blade of Frontiers. He is a well-known legend among the people of Baldur’s Gate, and, like the other companions, he too has a tadpole stuck in his head. He also has some major beef with Karlach and believes her to be a wanton she-devil who murders and pillages the innocent. Yet beyond the surface, Wyll is a mystery outside of his mentions of a mysterious and anonymous ‘source’ that gives him information.
Where to find Wyll: During Act 1. Players can find Wyll at the Emerald Grove after encountering a cutscene with the goblins versus Aradin, his group, and the Tieflings.
Starting Class: Warlock
Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions Guide: Everything you need to know about Non-Origin Companions
Not all companions are made equal. While some companions are Origin characters and can be played by the player, non-Origin companions are unable to do so. Either way, like their Origin counterparts, these Baldur’s Gate 3 companions are able recruited after completing missions or encountering them in the wild.
We know there are several different characters you’re able to recruit throughout Baldur’s Gate 3. More will be added as we continue to play through this massive, very big, oh-so-large game.
Halsin
Halsin is a Druid that players first hear of during their first visit to The Emerald Grove in Act 1.
Where to find Halsin: During Act 1. Halsin is injured in the Goblin’s camp and must be rescued. To recruit him, players must side with the Goblins and help the Tiefling refugees located in The Emerald Grove.
Starting Class: Druid
Minthara
Minthara is a Drow Elf that players first see during the cutscene of the nautiloid ship crash in Act 1. She is the leader of the Goblins, a worshipper of the Absolute, and is ruthless beyond comprehension.
Where to find Minthara: During Act 1. Minthara can be found at the Goblin camp. To get on her good side, players will need to side with the Goblins and destroy both the Druid’s enclave and the Tiefling refugees. It has been hinted that she can be recruited later on in the game.
Starting Class: Paladin
Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions Guide: Everything you need to know about Followers
Followers are NPCs that do not have much bearing on the story of Baldur’s Gate 3, unlike Origin and Non-Origin companions. This is the biggest difference between them. Regardless, they can prove useful if you find yourself with no companions or friends throughout your adventure, as you can rely on them to back you up in a fight.
How to Recruit Followers in Baldur’s Gate 3
The first mention of Followers occurs when you meet Withers, a mysterious, skeletal figure who you can find at your camp — unless you free him from the Strange Crypt in The Wilderness — after a select amount of time. Withers tells players that they are able to recruit others to help the player character throughout their adventure.
It should be noted that this guide is a work-in-progress due to the fact that we only received a review code for Baldur’s Gate 3 three days before launch. As such, information will be added over time. This guide was last edited on 03/08/2023.
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