Summary
- Karlach and Astarion stand out as top-tier companions in Baldur's Gate 3 due to their compelling stories and arcs.
- Lae'zel, Shadowheart, and Minthara showcase deep and nuanced character development, enhancing the player experience.
- Wyll, Gale, and Halsin fall into the B Tier due to narrative impact, character depth, and limited interactions after Act 2.
As a prolific RPG release of recent memory, Baldur's Gate 3 has received praise for immersing players with its richly developed characters and the dynamics they introduce into the Forgotten Realms. Each companion and their respective backstory contribute to deep arcs that complement player choice, leading to the potential to make every playthrough unique.
With a diverse roster ensuring that many players can forge meaningful connections, Baldur's Gate 3's cast is made up of complex characters all experiencing their own sense of growth. They will always have varying presences in the opinions of different fans, but their differences in overall influence and appeal have set some companions apart from the rest.
Baldur's Gate 3's Minthara Makes a Case for a Brutal BG Spin-Off
Minthara from Baldur's Gate 3 may be the game's most obscure party member, but her existence begs big questions for another D&D game.
S Tier Companion Quests in Baldur's Gate 3
- Karlach
- Astarion
Karlach
The road to her final state in the game was rocky, but after several updates and patches, Baldur's Gate 3's Karlach is an extremely charming companion with a complete story to be told. Her good-hearted nature makes betraying her in any way feel appropriately sinister, and her romance is equally compelling. Her infernal engine-based story arc and the patched-ending dedicated to her survival are some of the most satisfying outcomes a player could ask for.
Astarion
Emerging as the breakout icon of BG3, Astarion's charisma is undeniable. His vampiric affliction along with a memorably flamboyant and snarky personality make his journey engaging regardless of player choices. Whether following his path to evil ascendancy or unlikely redemption, a window into Astarion's life provides a rich narrative experience that represents the game's freedom.
A Tier Companion Quests in Baldur's Gate 3
- Lae'zel
- Shadowheart
- Minthara
Lae'zel
Initially appearing as the most evil and bloodthirsty of the companions, Lae'zel opens up to reveal a caring and sweet side if she's treated with enough patience. Her story arc, particularly with the player's guidance, becomes an exploration of her potential and the future of her entire people, making the presence of the Githyanki in Baldur's Gate 3 and their culture a believable aspect of the world.
Shadowheart
She may seem like a traditional archetype at first, but Shadowheart's story in Baldur's Gate 3 unfolds into a nuanced tale of a dark cleric. As a character whose arc delves deeply into family trauma and presents the player with healing versus repression, she is more than worth the extra effort to understand and nurture throughout the game.
Minthara
With patches for Minthara in Baldur's Gate 3 making her more accessible regardless of the player's morality, she has become one of the most engaging characters to romance. Her arc, once positioned as a counterpart to Halsin's benevolence, has evolved into the more independent and personal journey of a noble Drow.
B Tier Companion Quests in Baldur's Gate 3
- Wyll
- Gale
- Halsin
Wyll
With a kind disposition and a tumultuous situation as a Warlock in a pact, Wyll brings a conflicted dynamic to the game alongside his patron Mizora. Despite his major narrative relevance, his sometimes subdued presence can feel less impactful relative to his epic backstory.
Gale
While intriguing as an emotionally tortured Wizard, Gale's ties to Mystra in Baldur's Gate 3 along with his sarcastic personality can be divisive. His balance of quips and melancholy may not appeal to everyone, but this man's willingness to sacrifice himself can make him the hero of the game to some players.
Halsin
While an iconic companion who offers unique romance options and a strong divergence from Minthara's tone, Halsin's presence falters due to lacking many interactions after Act 2.
C Tier Companion Quests in Baldur's Gate 3
- Jaheira
- Minsc
Jaheira
Her return from the original Baldur's Gate titles is great fan service, as Jaheira plays a pivotal role in the story. Outside of her quest to find Minsc and a small storyline about her family, she can lack the same depth as the rest of the party.
Minsc
While another fan-favorite returning companion, Minsc's excellent voice performance doesn't save him from a limited role. He lacks a proper quest outside his recruitment, often acting more as a nostalgic nod than a fleshed-out party member.
Baldur's Gate 3
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Engine
- Divinity 4.0
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Full cross-platform play.
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.
THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCE
Choose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.
A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPIC
Forged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian's next-generation RPG engine.
- Cross Save
- Full cross-platform progression.
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
- X|S Optimized
- yes
