In the vast and intricate world of Baldur’s Gate 3, your journey is not just about personal growth but also about the diverse companions you can recruit along the way. Each character, from the cunning rogue Astarion to the fierce Githyanki warrior Lae’zel, brings unique abilities and rich backstories that can dramatically influence your adventure. As you navigate treacherous landscapes and moral dilemmas, understanding how to find and recruit these companions is essential for crafting a party that can tackle any challenge. Dive into our comprehensive guide to discover all the companions available in Baldur’s Gate 3, their locations, and the secrets that make them invaluable allies in your quest.
- Us is a temporary companion that you can add to your party at the beginning of the game. Unfortunately, it will only accompany you until you leave the ship.
- You will meet Lae’zel for the first time while traversing one of the damaged side sections of the Nautiloid ship. Lae’zel will automatically join the main character after a short conversation. She will remain on the party until you complete the prologue. After advancing to the first act of the campaign, you will have to find Lae’zel again.
- You can also meet Shadowhearton board the ship during the prologue. If you don’t help her get out of the capsule, you’ll meet her near the place where the ship will crash.
- Astarion will approach you at the beginning of the first act, near the shipwreck. The first meeting with Astarion can go in several different ways. If the meeting ends positively, Astarion will immediately join the party or visit you in the camp.
- Gale is a Wizard that you can meet at the Ancient Rune Circle in Roadside Cliffs in act 1. After talking to him, you will get an option to add him to your party, refuse, or send him to the camp.
- Wyll is in Druid Grove, which you must defend from a goblin attack during act 1. During a conversation with the Warlock, you can check his mind by performing a skill check, which you will definitely pass.
- Helsin is a powerful Druid, whom you will meet in Warg Pens in act 1. When you help him escape from the goblin camp, you will meet him later in Druid Grove.
- You can meet Karlachduring the Hunt the Devil quest in act 1. While completing the quest, you must pick a side and either kill Karlach or deal with the paladins and their leader, Anders.
- You will meet Mintharain the goblin camp in act 1. In our guide, we explained how to recruit Minthara to your party or defeat this strong Paladin.
- Minsc is a character known from previous games. You will most likely be able to meet him in act 2 and help him take revenge on the cultists.
- Jaheira is another person from the previous games. You will meet her at Last Light Inn during act 2.
What makes each Baldur’s Gate 3 companion unique
Each companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 brings unique abilities and personality traits that enrich the gameplay experience. Here’s a breakdown of what makes each character stand out:
Companion Unique Traits
| Companion | Class | Unique Ability/Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Astarion | High Elf Rogue | Can use a bite attack once per short rest, which grants bonuses to attack and skill rolls when used on humanoids. His charming yet sinister personality adds depth to interactions. |
| Gale | Human Wizard | Has a necrotic aura upon dying, unique scrolls, and provides advantage on concentration checks, enhancing his spellcasting reliability. |
| Lae’zel | Githyanki Fighter | Known for her combat prowess and brutal demeanor, she can acquire powerful items through her storyline, emphasizing her warrior background. |
| Shadowheart | Half-Elf Cleric | Possesses unique items tied to her backstory and can unlock special quests; her narrative arc is emotionally engaging and often involves moral dilemmas. |
| Wyll | Human Warlock | Wields the Blade of Frontiers, which enhances his combat capabilities and ties into his backstory as a hero with a dark past. |
| Karlach | Zariel Tiefling Barbarian | Gains fire damage on attacks while raging, thanks to her connection with soul coins, reflecting her tumultuous history. |
| Halsin | Wood Elf Druid | Offers unique spells and can shapeshift into animals as a bonus action, providing versatility in combat and exploration. |
| Minthara | Drow Paladin | Features the Soul Branding ability that grants bonuses in movement and damage; her morally ambiguous nature adds complexity to party dynamics. |
| Jaheira | Half-Elf Druid | Has access to unique gear and spells that enhance her role as a support character while also providing strong offensive capabilities. |
| Minsc | Human Ranger | Known for his quirky personality and the ability to summon his miniature giant space hamster, Boo, adding humor and charm to the party. |
Each companion not only contributes distinct skills but also enriches the narrative with their personal stories, allowing players to explore diverse gameplay styles and moral choices throughout their journey in Faerûn.
How does Gale’s necrotic aura work in combat
Gale’s Necrotic Aura in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a unique and potentially hazardous ability that activates when he dies. Here’s how it functions during combat:
- Damage Output: When Gale is killed, he emits a necrotic aura that inflicts 1-4 necrotic damage to all nearby players each turn. This can be detrimental to party members and even NPCs, making positioning crucial during battles where he might fall.
- Aura Duration: The aura persists until Gale is revived. If left unaddressed, it can create a chaotic situation where party members continuously lose health, complicating resurrection efforts and overall survival in combat.
- Revival Mechanics: To eliminate the Necrotic Aura, players must successfully revive Gale. If not done quickly (within three in-game days), his Netherese orb can trigger a catastrophic explosion, resulting in an immediate game over.
- Long Rest Solution: Taking a Long Rest at camp is the primary method to clear the aura after reviving Gale. This allows players to reset the status effects and restore health without the ongoing damage from the aura.
- Strategic Considerations: Players need to be cautious about Gale’s positioning in combat. Keeping him away from allies during critical moments can prevent unnecessary damage and help maintain party health, especially in challenging encounters.
In summary, while Gale offers powerful spellcasting abilities, his Necrotic Aura adds a layer of complexity that requires careful management during combat scenarios.
