First of all, let me say now that this article is SPOILER FREE. Although there will be some references to the starting quests in Act 1, there is no mention of any major story events or endings!
Tough choices. Life is full of them. The most difficult decision of the year? Trying to decide who to have in your party. If you join any community of Baldur’s Gate 3 fans, there’s no doubt you’ll hear them debating over which companions are best, especially when it comes to romance. Believe me, people have some pretty strong opinions about this (Yes, I’m talking about the die-hard Karlach lovers).
Whilst this list does take stats into account, I’ll be ranking the characters mainly based on how memorable they are and the depth of their storylines. Don’t worry, I won’t be spoiling anything! Whether you’re deciding whether to get the game, just starting out, or are even about to start your second playthrough, this list can certainly help you decide which companions are the best to aid you on your journey.
10. Minsc
“Go for the eyes, Boo, go for the eyes!”
Minsc is a powerful Human Ranger and a well-established D&D lore character. He is a bit of a fan favourite for those who have played the previous games in which he frequently appeared. However, for newer players, he might not come across as extremely appealing.
In terms of build, Minsc is quite a powerful character with high strength and dexterity. He’s great for battering enemies. The reason why I’ve chosen to rank Minsc the lowest is because he only appears very late in the game, all the way into Act 3. This means that there isn’t a huge amount of time to learn about his story or build a connection. Unfortunately for some, there is also no chance to romance him. So, whilst he’s a powerful asset to the party later on, we lack the chance to really get to know him or enjoy his personality.
Choose this companion if you like;
- The original games - If you’re a fan of Minsc, you’ve most likely seen him make an appearance in the previous Baldur’s Gate instalments.
- Hamsters - Minsc’s best companion is a hamster named Boo, who he believes to be a giant space hamster. If you looking to gain his approval, you’ll need to treat his little friend with respect.
If you’d like Minsc in your team, you’ll find him partially into Act 3. However, since this is a no-spoiler article, I won’t be revealing his exact location as it’s too far into the story progression.
9. Jaheira
"You are amusing, in a 'what the hell is wrong with you' kind of way."
Jaheira is a High Half-Elf Druid. She has the background of a soldier and a High Harper of Baldur’s Gate. You’ll first come across her with dual-wielding swords, showcasing her impressive constitution and proficiency.
Whilst her base abilities aren’t the most powerful, they can be distributed a lot more effectively if you choose to reset them. She can deal a lot of damage using her Wild Shape abilities, which makes her excellent for crowd control. Her personality is similar to Lae’Zel but significantly less mean. She’s a stern voice of reason and a great and strong-willed leader to have around. Similar to Minsc, Jaheira also appears later in the game in Act 2. She, too, lacks the ability to be romanced. This is another reason why I chose to rank her lower compared to characters you can interact more with.
Choose this companion if you like;
- Versatility - Jaheira has a very versatile playstyle, making it very easy for her to fill the roles of melee, spellcaster, and support. This makes her a great addition if you have a gap in your party.
- A strong leader - Jaheira is a hardened warrior, making her a very dependable companion. As a druid, she can become an incredibly useful healer for your party.
If you want Jaheira in your party, you’ll find her in the Last Light Inn in the Shadow Cursed Lands area of Act 2. However, to completely recruit her, you’ll need to wait till the end of the Act when she’ll automatically appear in your camp.
8. Halsin
“Dispensing advice on matters of the heart would be like swapping boots: What suits me may be a poor fit for you”
Halsin is a Wood Elf Druid that you meet midway through Act 1. He leads as the First Druid of the Emerald Grove. He is an extremely kind and wise character with a strong connection to nature. It’s very easy to raise his approval rating if you choose a path of goodness and show kindness to animals. Another fact you may not know about Halsin is that he’s polyamorous! This means there’s a whole lot of love to go around and plenty of other characters to give it to.
As you’ll discover very early into meeting him, Halsin has the ability of Wild Shape, which gives him a pretty great weapon with a lot of tactical advantage. Although, he does have very limited spellcasting abilities. Whilst he’s a lovely and non-judgemental character to have around, he’s not super powerful in comparison to other companions. For example, Shadowheart is considerably better at healing, and Gale deals a lot more spell damage.
Choose this companion if you like:
- A big softie - Despite his strength and size, Halsin is a lovely character to bond with. He’s the least judgemental of you using your illithid powers and has a very sweet romance storyline.
- Spicy bear romance - Halsin, in his bear form, is capable of a lot more than just fighting. Believe it or not, you can actually achieve a spicy romance scene with him. A win for the furries, I suppose!
- Polyamory - If you’ve been struggling to decide which character you want to romance, then Halsin might be the answer! Due to his poly nature, he actually approves of you romancing other characters at the same time. Do with this information what you will.
If you’re eager to have Halsin in your party, then you’ll find him in the Worg Pen. This is located up the stairs in the Northeastern corner of the Shattered Sanctum in the Goblin Camp. There’ll be a few goblins to fight to get to him. He’ll also appear at the Emerald Grove after the goblin attack storyline is finished. However, you can’t fully recruit him until Act 2, where you’ll have to go to the Last Light Inn in the Shadow Cursed Lands area and follow the Art Cullagh quest line.
7. Wyll
"You can't compromise with evil; it always profits in the end."
Wyll is a Human Noble named the Blade of Frontiers. He’s a powerful and legendary character who you run into when you first head to the Emerald Grove. He’s a sweet and caring character who appreciates kindness over cruelty.
Wyll’s Warlock Fiend class, whilst powerful, is rather hard to execute effectively. Despite having a few powerful attacks, he is commonly left vulnerable to attacks and is not the easiest of companions to keep alive. However, his personality makes up for his statistical weaknesses. Wyll is incredibly easy to romance. He’s an adoring and affectionate partner, making it impossible not to fall for him. His storyline is also intriguing as it takes a dark turn the more he opens up to you.
Choose this companion if you like:
- Compassion - Wyll’s romance is extremely healthy compared to some of the others, placing a loving focus on courtship and consent. If you’re looking for a walking green flag, Wyll is the one for you.
- Morally grey - Wyll is the embodiment of doing wrong things for the right reasons. This gives him huge potential to grow as a character and become the good person he wants to be.
If you’re looking to add Wyll to your party, you’ll find him inside The Hollow, West of Emerald Grove. You’ll see him training with the Tiefling younglings. However, if you happen to meet Karlach first, then he’ll automatically appear at your camp after a long rest.
6. Minthara
“I have something of a feline nature. I do not like getting wet. And I will gladly scratch out your eyes if you annoy me.”
Minthara is a Drow Paladin with a vicious and dedicated personality. She’s completely infatuated with the idea of The Absolute and is utterly ruthless in her quest to fulfill the tasks that have been demanded of her.
With a slight reshuffle, Minthara’s stats can give you huge amounts of damage and effective debuffs. Despite her ruthless and cruel personality, she’s actually extremely passionate when you get to know her. She’s also rather easy to romance, giving you access to spicy time with her very early on. However, if you choose to have her in your party, then it’ll completely close off the opportunity to have Wyll and Karlach in your team as they will permanently leave due to your decisions. Siding with Minthara against the Emerald Grove will also mean that Halsin won’t be available to join you at all. Quite a large price to pay for the company of this drow!
Choose this character if you like:
- The dark path - Siding with Minthara and gaining her approval will lead you into all sorts of dark trouble. You’ll have to be cold and cruel in your actions, leading to quite a unique playthrough. If you’ve already played on the good path, it’s definitely worth turning to the dark side for a change.
- Pleasure over depth - Minthara’s romance can easily come across as quite shallow, with little opportunity to create a deep relationship. However, if you’re looking for some quick and sensual fun, then she’s definitely worth the sacrifice!
If you want your Minthara in your party, you’ll have to pay attention as she’s surprisingly easy to miss. You’ll find her at the back of the Shattered Sanctum in the Goblin Camp. To win her over, you’ll have to side with the goblins in Act 1. Then you’ll find her again at the Moonrise Towers, where you can recruit her. You’ll also find her there if you skip the goblin questline altogether.
5. Karlach
“Don't get me wrong, I'd ride him to the Feywild and back if I had the chance, but I wouldn't let my guard down around him.”
Karlach is a Zariel Tiefling Barbarian with a fiery temper and a strong sense of good. She’s a feral fighter and is built like an absolute unit. Once a slave soldier, she’s determined to ensure that she’s never under someone’s power again.
As you may already know, Karlach is certainly a fan favourite. No surprise, really. This burning hot muscle mommy will steal your heart and make you laugh with her lovable personality. She’s a strong warrior who still favours acts of kindness towards the oppressed. Her character is a delight to have in the party, and her romance is even sweeter. Even better, she’s an extremely powerful subclass with a great melee build. As a barbarian berserker, she has a highly aggressive playstyle with simple-to-use mechanics. However, stats-wise, she doesn't have many unique elements compared to other companions.
Choose this companion if you like:
- Powerful Hits - As a Barbarian, she packs a powerful punch, especially if you pair her with a strong weapon.
- Entertaining Conversations - Karlach is easily one of the funniest companions to have in your group. From her quips to her emotional outbursts, she's truly a treasure.
If you’re eager to have Karlach on your team, you’ll find her by a stream South of The Risen Road waypoint. There will be a path littered with hyenas, so be careful. Just a heads up, Karlach will refuse to join your party if you turn against the Tieflings at the Hollow Grove.
4. Gale
“You find yourself in the presence of the renowned wizarding prodigy, Gale of Waterdeep - please, no need to be intimidated.”
Gale is a Human Wizard with a humorous personality and a troubled background. He struggles to keep the consequences of his past actions from corrupting him, seeking your help throughout the playthrough.
Whilst Gale isn’t super helpful power-wise in the beginning, he gets significantly more powerful as time goes on. By the time he reaches level 5, he’s an absolute unit of a spellcaster. He is also a highly entertaining companion to keep around, with his cocky quips guaranteeing a good laugh in even the worst situations. He’s definitely the positive energy of the group and has quite a sensitive and sweet romance storyline. He appreciates acts of kindness and sympathy to all creatures.
Choose this companion if you like:
- Powerful spells - As Gale levels up, he’ll unlock increasingly powerful spells which deal huge amounts of damage. This is excellent for wiping out big chunks of health at once in powerful enemies.
- A light-hearted conversation - If you ever get a little demotivated from all the dark events going on around you, Gale is great to lighten the mood. His humour in dark times and adoration for his cat make him a lovely companion.
If you want this wizard on your team, you’ll find him stuck inside the Roadside Cliffs waypoint towards the start of Act 1. It’ll look like a strange, swirling purple symbol on the wall. You’ll have to succeed in a strength or skill check to yank him out.
3. Astarion
“Dead? Don't they have a sister to save? Now that's just lazy."
Astarion is a High Elf Rogue who you run into very early in Act 1. He’s a charming and complex character who takes great pleasure in cruelty and deception. While he first comes across as a cold and untrusting character (with good reason, I might say), Astarion is quite a complex and lovable companion with a brilliant and entertaining storyline.
With the right build, his Rogue class becomes exceptionally useful, dealing a great amount of damage in both ranged and melee setups. Astarion is also the only companion with proficiencies for sneaking and lock-picking, making him a vital asset if your character doesn’t possess those skills. His dialogue is filled with dark humour, making him consistently intriguing and entertaining to have around. However, his ruthless and cruel nature often sparks in-party conflict if you choose to side with him. Not only is he a great character with a dark storyline to explore, but Astarion’s powerful build makes him an excellent asset to any party.
Choose this companion if you like:
- Dark humour - Astarion is full of sadistic quips, mainly at some very unnecessary times. Not everyone is a fan of him, but many certainly enjoy his naughty side.
- Charming romance - One reason why he’s so loved is because of his romance storyline. With incredibly seductive voice acting mixed with some honey-coated lines, you’re bound to fall in love.
If you’re eager to have Astarion in your party, you can find him soon after the crash at the start of the game. He’ll be Southwest of the Roadside Cliffs waypoint, right past the inside of the crashed Nautiloid. If you’re looking to romance him, you’ll need to remain supportive of his desires and allow him to do as he pleases. Whilst choosing to be mean and selfish to others does gain his approval, he doesn’t entirely care whether you choose to be good or bad. So there’s no need to screw over your playthrough trying to seduce him.
2. Shadowheart
“Everyone has to suffer; it’s a fact of life.”
Shadowheart is a High Half-Elf Cleric with a devotion to her Shar Diety and a very interesting storyline. She’ll do what she has to for survival, but she also has a soft spot for those she gets close to.
Whilst she doesn’t have many weapon proficiencies, she can become an incredibly powerful healer if you choose her spells right when levelling up. She’s favoured as a highly versatile companion and an essential aspect of your party as a healer. Despite her strong opinions and hatred towards Selune causing a few conflicts, her personal story interweaves deeply into the main story. She has a great character arc, making a playthrough focused on her storyline extremely worthwhile.
Choose this companion if you like:
- Soft romance - Whilst Shadowheart originally comes across as ruthless and focused on her mission, she is actually a very sweet and caring lover. Once you gain her trust, she’ll open up to you, and you’ll get the chance to partake in some super cute dialogue.
- Interesting storyline - Whilst some say you can spot her arc from a mile away, I’d still say her main storyline is super interesting to delve into. It underpins huge parts of the game and is worth exploring in full at least once.
If you’d like Shadowheart in your party, then you’ll find her stuck in a pod on the Nautiloid at the very start of the game. You’ll have to find a way to free her. After the crash, she’s basically unmissable, lying down a few steps North of the Ravaged Beach when you first wake up.
1. Lae’Zel
“There is no flesh I will not carve and no barrier I will not shatter to see it done.”
Lae’Zel is Githyanki Fighter with a strong desire to prove herself and rid herself of the creature that plagues her. She is ruthless and deeply mistrusting but a fantastic and effective warrior.
For Lae’Zel, strength is her primary ability, allowing her to absolutely dominate any battle. With the right weapons, she can quickly become the most overpowered companion in your party. She can attack several times in a turn, and with optimised HP, she can take a whole lot of damage. She can wield a significant amount of weapons and armour, making her a lethal addition to your team. She approves of showing strength and domination in battle, making her romance very easy to achieve. However, her hotheadedness will commonly cause conflicts within your party and make diplomacy rather difficult.
Choose this companion if you like:
- Githyanki lore - If you’re a fan of the previous games, you’ll know that they didn’t reveal much about this intriguing race. Spending time with Lae’Zel will allow you to learn a whole lot more about the Githyanki.
- Easy fights - Whilst no fight is ‘easy’, having this OP warrior on your team will certainly make things easier for you.
If you want Lae’Zel on your team, you’ll automatically run into her on board the Nautiloid at the very start of the game. After that, she’ll be in a cage guarded by Teiflings Northeast of the Roadside Cliffs waypoint. Free her, and she’ll be available to join your team. If you miss her there, she’ll reappear later Northwest at the bridge with the Githyanki patrol.
