Companions are an integral part of Baldur’s Gate 3, enhancing gameplay with additional dialogue options, new situations, and even opportunities for romance. Choosing the right companions for your journey through Faerûn is essential.
The companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 feature diverse personalities, specialties, and classes. While you can respec their mechanical gameplay aspects, their narrative roles remain consistent based on your choices in the game.
Some party members in Baldur’s Gate 3 are superior to others, thanks to their extensive quests and the timing of when you acquire them. Below is a companion tier list for Baldur’s Gate 3.
All Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions
Baldur’s Gate 3 features 10 distinct companions scattered across the game world, listed below in alphabetical order, along with their Origin character and romance status:
| Companion | Origin Character | Romanceable |
|---|---|---|
| Astarion | AND | AND |
| Gale | AND | AND |
| Halsin | N | AND |
| Jaheira | N | N |
| Karlach | AND | AND |
| Lae’zel | AND | AND |
| Minthara | N | AND |
| Minsk | N | N |
| Shadowheart | AND | AND |
| Wild | AND | AND |
Origin characters are those you can choose to play as rather than recruiting them as party members; this choice alters the main story significantly based on the character selected.
For players unhappy with the available companions, there’s also the option to create hirelings. These characters have no narrative role in the game but can be useful for tackling tougher challenges, though they lack the depth of the main companions.
Some temporary party members, such as Alfira in Patch 7, join you only for brief periods and won’t be included in this guide.
Companion Tier List for BG3
| Tier | Companion |
|---|---|
| S | Shadowheart, Astarion, Karlach |
| A | Gale, Wyll, Lae’zel |
| B | Halsin, Minthara |
| F | Jaheira, Minsk |
- S = The best companions for versatility, strength, and effectiveness in combat or conversations.
- A = Excellent companions that may not be the strongest, but are efficient and tactical.
- B = Not the top choices, but can assist in particular playstyles if needed.
- F = Less effective companions that may complicate gameplay.
You can respec characters at your Camp. Baldur’s Gate 3 allows characters to multiclass, providing room for customization among party members.
That said, some characters are more advantageous choices, especially for first-time players eager to maximize their gameplay experience.
S-Tier
Shadowheart
Clerics are strong characters to begin with, but Shadowheart’s unique combination of assertiveness and candidness elevates her effectiveness. She excels as both a fighter and healer, making her a valuable addition to any party composition.
Shadowheart can accompany players through both moral paths, maintaining relevance in a good or evil run. Properly respeccing her Domain to Tempest or War is recommended, as the Trickery Domain does not suit her strengths.
- Class: Cleric
- Background: Acolyte
- Race: High Half-Elf
- Origin Character: Yes
- Romanceable: Yes
- Best ability score spread: Strength 10, Dexterity 14, Constitution 16, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 16, Charisma 10
Pros
- Powerful healer and buffer character
- Features one of the best long-term storylines
- Offers excellent magic items for evil character paths
- Benefits players by providing healing early in the game
- Often stays with players throughout various paths
Cons
- Requires respeccing due to poor subclass choice
- Difficult to romance compared to other early companions
Astarion
Astarion’s vampiric charm and high charisma make him a compelling character. He provides humor, flirtation, and a dash of mischief, engaging any D&D enthusiast.
As a Rogue, Astarion is crucial for dealing sneak damage and excels in stealth, allowing for tactical advantages in combat.
- Class: Rogue
- Background: Charlatan
- Race: High Elf
- Origin Character: Yes
- Romanceable: Yes
- Best ability score spread: Strength 8, Dexterity 16, Constitution 14, Intelligence 12, Wisdom 6, Charisma 8
Pros
- Provides early access to a Rogue, essential for trap disarming
- Unique vampire powers offer distinct combat actions
- Features an engaging storyline with a climactic boss battle
- Easy to romance due to his charming nature
- Best voice acting in the game enhances his character
Cons
- Feasting on your protagonist necessitates mitigation through items or spells
- Can be overly critical and quick to disapprove of decisions
Karlach
Karlach is an excellent choice for parties needing a robust tank or damage dealer. With high health and significant attack power, she can also enhance her abilities using Soul Coins.
Though she may lack versatility, every party can benefit from her tanking capabilities. If damage absorption and defense are priorities, Karlach is a top choice.
- Class: Barbarian
- Background: Outlander
- Race: Zariel Tiefling
- Origin Character: Yes
- Romanceable: Yes
- Best ability score spread: Strength 17, Dexterity 13, Constitution 15, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 12, Charisma 10
Pros
- Highly compatible in party dynamics compared to Lae’zel
- Unique Soul Coin mechanic adds fire damage output in combat
- Natural fire resistance helps in early game survival
- Exceptional stats aligned with her role
Cons
- Personal quests can involve tedious fetch objectives
- Lae’zel may outperform in terms of defense unless Karlach is respecced
- Her narrative conclusion can be unsatisfying
- The quest to find her may lead to fatal encounters, especially with Wyll
A-Tier
Gale
Gale may initially come off as a clumsy Wizard, but he reveals remarkable potential in combat. He is versatile, proficient, and a valuable spellcaster for any party lacking magical support.
However, Gale’s need to consume magic items to prevent exploding can be a temporary challenge, but assistance from a notable mage can resolve this if Gale is cooperative.
- Class: Wizard
- Background: Sage
- Race: Human
- Origin Character: Yes
- Romanceable: Yes
- Best ability score spread: Strength 8, Dexterity 16, Constitution 14, Intelligence 16, Wisdom 10, Charisma 10
Pros
- Provides immediate access to powerful arcane magic
- Offers interesting alternate outcomes for the game’s conclusion
- Possesses an intriguing personal story (if you overlook his smugness)
Cons
- The consumable magic item mechanic can be burdensome in early stages.
- May exhibit creepy behaviors in romantic engagements if neglected
Wild
While Astarion is captivating, Wyll stands out with a significantly higher Charisma rating. As a Warlock, his communication skills excel, making him a perfect addition to teams requiring strong conversational tactics. Being able to talk your way out of conflicts can be invaluable.
In combat, though he may not boast the most extensive spell list, Wyll is a competent fighter and remains effective, especially with Eldritch Blast, a top-rated D&D cantrip.
- Class: Warlock
- Background: Folk Hero
- Race: Human
- Origin Character: Yes
- Romanceable: Yes
- Best ability score spread: Strength 10, Dexterity 16, Constitution 14, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 10, Charisma 16
Pros
- Top Charisma score makes him ideal for social interactions
- Simplistic usage compared to Gale, benefiting new players
- Can rely solely on Eldritch Blast for combat success
- Engaging personal story featuring the interesting character of Mizora
- Capable of wearing armor and proficient with weapons
Cons
- His quest draws more attention than his character
- Warlocks may feel weaker later on, depending heavily on magic items
- Wyll tends to be vulnerable in frontline combat
Lae’zel
Lae’zel may initially seem like the ultimate companion. As a proficient Fighter, she offers multiple combat options that scale as she levels up, improving her combat effectiveness. Additionally, having her on your team enhances relations with other Githyanki.
However, her moodiness can complicate interactions, and engaging in conversations with her might feel burdensome at times. While some may appreciate her blunt nature, there are more agreeable companions available.
- Class: Fighter
- Background: Soldier
- Race: Githyanki
- Origin Character: Yes
- Romanceable: Yes
- Best ability score spread: Strength 16, Dexterity 14, Constitution 16, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 10, Charisma 10
Pros
- Being a Fighter grants her access to top-tier weapons and armor with enhanced AC potential early in the game.
- Can be acquired easily, with little effort needed
- Facilitates interactions with certain Githyanki
- Simple to romance provided players make the right choices
Cons
- Can be among the most challenging characters to bond with due to attitude
- May initiate dangerous early encounters with Shadowheart
- Her consistent complaints can become tiresome
B-Tier
Halsin
Halsin is an entertaining companion, offering versatility with potent spells, useful Wild Shapes, and an engaging personality. He’s famous for that memorable bear romance scene, an iconic moment in the game.
However, acquiring Halsin occurs quite late in the game, specifically in Act II after a lengthy quest. Additionally, as a Circle of the Moon Druid, he won’t utilize powerful elemental spells while in animal form, limiting his options. While he can still be effective, respeccing may enhance his capabilities further.
- Class: Druid
- Background: Outlander
- Race: Wood Elf
- Origin Character: No
- Romanceable: Yes
- Best ability score spread: Strength 10, Dexterity 14, Constitution 14, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 17, Charisma 12
Pros
- Wild Shape provides useful abilities and can be potent early on
- Includes one of the best romance arcs in the game
- The unique bear scene is often remembered fondly
Cons
- Recruiting him is time-consuming
- Lacks significant personal quests after joining
- Circle of the Moon Druid can be underwhelming later in gameplay
Minthara
Minthara boasts one of the game’s best classes; as a Paladin, she wields formidable power. Her character and storyline intertwine with the main villains making her a complex addition.
However, players encounter challenges during her recruitment. Securing her on an evil route is easier, but misguided dialogue choices may result in having to fight her to join. Choosing an evil path means losing companions like Karlach and Wyll. Although acquiring Minthara during a good playthrough is possible, it typically requires strategic gameplay, which might turn off some fans. Like Halsin, you must wait until Act II for her to join, delaying her contribution to your party.
- Class: Paladin
- Background: Noble
- Race: Drow
- Origin Character: No
- Romanceable: Yes
- Best ability score spread: Strength 16, Dexterity 10, Constitution 14, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 10, Charisma 16
Pros
- Belongs to one of the strongest classes in Baldur’s Gate 3
- Features some of the funniest dialogue lines throughout the game
- Excels as a dedicated character for evil runs
Cons
- Among the hardest characters to recruit outside evil routes
- Easy to accidentally ruin the recruitment process
- Can be frustrating in conversations
F-Tier
Jaheira
Jaheira, while a veteran from earlier Baldur’s Gate titles, fails to offer comparable strength in-game.
Similar to Minsc, Jaheira is hindered by her multiclass; her Druid abilities don’t hold up against Halsin’s, and her Fighter skills appear lackluster. Players may find themselves more focused on keeping her alive than utilizing her to defeat foes.
Additionally, Jaheira joins late in Act III when most party decisions have been made. Her unfavorable class combination further reduces her chances of being a valuable party addition.
- Class: Druid
- Background: Soldier
- Race: High Half-Elf
- Origin Character: No
- Romanceable: Yes
- Best ability score spread: Strength 10, Dexterity 14, Constitution 16, Intelligence 10, Wisdom 16, Charisma 8
Pros
- Offers entertaining moments alongside Minsc
- Serves as a nostalgic throwback for long-time fans
Cons
- Poor multiclass choice necessitates respeccing for effectiveness
- Can betray players in certain scenarios
- Only joins during the game’s final Act
Minsk
Minsc is an entertaining addition to the party. His humor and strength provide a refreshing perspective that few companions replicate.
However, the Ranger class ranks among the weaker options in both Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur’s Gate 3. Minsc doesn’t excel in any particular aspect, making him less appealing compared to other companions in terms of dealing damage or providing healing.
Moreover, acquiring Minsc occurs later in the game. He typically joins during Act III, when most gameplay has concluded, limiting his usefulness.
- Class: Ranger
- Background: Folk Hero
- Race: Human
- Origin Character: No
- Romanceable: No
- Best ability score spread: Strength 10, Dexterity 16, Constitution 16, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 14, Charisma 10
Pros
- Boo, his pet, accompanies him
- Engaging dialogue with Jaheira
- Among the funniest characters in the game
Cons
- Ranger class inadequacies suggest a need for respeccing.
- Minsc arrives too late in the game to be fully utilized.
How to Find the Best Companion, Shadowheart
Shadowheart can be recruited at the beginning of the game. To expedite her recruitment, you should locate her on the Nautiloid:
- During your time on the Nautiloid, search for a chamber with a bright red pod on the left side as you approach the helm near the end of the prologue. Shadowheart is trapped within this pod.
- After speaking with her, head into the adjacent room to the left of the pod, where you will find a corpse, a console, and another pod. Search the corpse for the Eldritch Rune.
- Once you have the rune, return to the room to use the console to free Shadowheart.
- Finally, you need to pass the Illithid/Wisdom check to release her, after which she will join your party.
Post-escape, you will find an unconscious Shadowheart on the path to the next area. Just revive her, and agree to collaborate, and she will become a permanent member of your party.
Her healing and support abilities are invaluable for survival throughout Baldur’s Gate 3, making her one of the best companion choices.
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