Karlach, the fiery Tiefling Barbarian from Baldur’s Gate 3, is not just a fierce warrior but also a character brimming with personality and depth. Players encounter her early in Act 1, where they must navigate a web of choices that could lead to her recruitment or demise. With her past entwined in the chaotic Blood War and a burning desire for revenge against those who wronged her, recruiting Karlach offers both a powerful ally and an engaging narrative twist. Discover the secrets to bringing this formidable companion into your party and the consequences that follow in your adventure through Faerûn.
Where is Karlach hiding in act 1?
In Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3, Karlach can be found on The Risen Road, specifically at the southeastern end of the area, near coordinates X:111, Y:503. After escaping from Avernus aboard a nautiloid, she becomes a target for the paladins of Tyr who believe her to be a dangerous devil. If players have recruited Wyll, his quest will provide a map marker to help locate her. Players can approach Karlach, who is on a rocky outcropping over a narrow river, and engage in dialogue to learn about her past and motivations. Additionally, there is a hidden pathway through the Emerald Grove cave that allows players to reach her earlier than usual, although it may require some clever jumping or assistance to cross the river separating them.
- You can find Karlach in the first act of the campaign. The wounded woman hides by the river in the Risen Road region – the above pictures show this place. Get there from the west, by first crossing the Blighted Village and jumping over the damaged part of the bridge.
- Paladins under the leadership of Anders are hunting Karlach, and this is related to the Hunt the Devil quest – we described it on a separate page. You can start this quest by meeting with the paladins or when you find the woman.
- After starting the conversation, don’t turn aggressive in response to the tiefling’s flames. Keep talking and mention the parasite.
- Agree to help Karlach – you’ll need to handle the paladins. Do not choose the option to assist the paladins, because you will have to kill the woman.
- You can recruit Karlach immediately. If you want to deal with the paladins sneakily, send Karlach back to camp and get rid of them without her. Otherwise, take Karlach straight to the tax house to the north, where the paladins are. Do not refuse her.
How to gain approval of the tiefling?
To gain the approval of Karlach, the fiery Tiefling Barbarian in Baldur’s Gate 3, players should focus on aligning their decisions with her values and supporting her quest for revenge against those who enslaved her. Engaging in dialogue that reflects empathy and understanding towards her plight is crucial. Additionally, players can enhance their relationship with her by actively opposing her enemies, particularly the Paladins pursuing her, and by making choices that demonstrate loyalty and strength. Successfully navigating these interactions not only fosters a positive rapport but also opens up potential romantic avenues with Karlach, enriching the gameplay experience.
To get approval with Karlach, you can:
- make decisions consistent with her beliefs;
- support her in revenge on the people who made her a slave.
You can romance Karlach as any of the genders. We described the romance in a separate chapter of the guide.
Karlach and Wyll – confrontation
Karlach and Wyll’s confrontation is a pivotal moment in Baldur’s Gate 3, highlighting the tension between their conflicting pasts. Wyll, a warlock bound to hunt down Karlach due to her ties with the archdevil Zariel, initially views her as a target rather than a potential ally. When both characters are recruited into the party, their animosity can erupt into a direct conflict, especially during camp interactions. Players have the option to mediate this clash by persuading Wyll to reconsider his stance or, in a more drastic move, choosing to eliminate him. However, siding with Wyll can lead to losing a valuable companion, making this confrontation a key decision point that impacts party dynamics and narrative outcomes.
- Karlah and Wyll start off hating each other. Wyll is supposed to hunt her. If you recruit both of them, they may end up confronting each other.
- It can occur after returning to camp for a long rest. You can support Karlach in two ways – persuade Wyll to see reason (choose the first dialogue options) or just kill him. We don’t recommend it, as you’ll lose him as a party member.
Karlach – best stats
Karlach is a formidable companion in Baldur’s Gate 3, boasting impressive stats that make her an asset on the battlefield. As a Barbarian, her primary attributes include Strength at 17, enabling her to deliver devastating melee attacks, and Constitution at 14, which enhances her durability in combat. She also has Dexterity at 13, allowing for decent agility, while her Intelligence stands at 11, Wisdom at 12, and Charisma at 8. Equipped with a Greataxe and a Crossbow, Karlach excels in dealing high damage output, making her an excellent choice for players seeking a powerful frontline fighter.
Karlach is a female tiefling. She is a barbarian and her default equipment includes a large axe and a crossbow.
Her base statistics are as follows:
- Strength – 17
- Dexterity – 13
- Constitution – 14
- Intelligence – 11
- Wisdom – 12
- Charisma – 8
What makes Karlach such a unique and powerful companion
Karlach stands out as a unique and powerful companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 due to several distinct characteristics:
- Combat Prowess: Karlach is a skilled Barbarian, excelling in melee combat with her high Strength score and proficiency in wielding heavy weapons like greataxes. Her racial traits, particularly Hellish Resistance, grant her resilience against fire-based attacks, making her a formidable force on the battlefield.
- Story Narrative: Karlach’s backstory adds depth to the game. Once a slave soldier, she now seeks revenge against those responsible for selling her into servitude. This personal vendetta drives her actions and provides rich storytelling opportunities.
- Personality: Karlach is known for her open and communicative nature, making her an honest and emotive love interest. Her goofy charm and heartfelt story captivate players, adding a lighter tone to the otherwise serious gameplay experience.
- Unique Abilities: As a Zariel Tiefling, Karlach possesses innate magical abilities, including Thaumaturgy (Cantrip), which enhances her intimidation and performance checks. Additionally, her infernal engine heart, though problematic, underscores her extraordinary strength and determination.
- Role in the Party: Karlach fills a critical role in the party as a melee-focused Barbarian, complementing other characters’ strengths while providing significant combat support. Her presence ensures that the party remains balanced and effective in various scenarios.
Overall, Karlach’s combination of raw combat prowess, compelling storyline, and charming personality makes her a standout companion in Baldur’s Gate 3.
What are Karlach’s strengths in combat
Karlach is a formidable combatant in Baldur’s Gate 3, and her strengths in battle stem from a combination of her class features, ability scores, and unique skills. Here are the key aspects that make her a powerful ally:
- High Strength and Constitution: With a Strength score of 17 and Constitution at 14, Karlach excels in dealing damage and sustaining hits. This allows her to wield heavy two-handed weapons effectively, maximizing her damage output while also providing durability in combat situations.
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Barbarian Class Features: As a Barbarian, Karlach has access to abilities that enhance her combat effectiveness:
- Rage: This ability increases her damage output while reducing the damage she takes, making her a resilient frontline fighter.
- Reckless Attack: This feature allows her to roll two attack dice and take the higher result, significantly boosting her chances of landing critical hits, albeit at the risk of exposing herself to enemy attacks.
- Extra Attack: At higher levels, she gains the ability to make multiple attacks per turn, further increasing her damage potential.
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Unique Abilities:
- Frenzied Strike: This ability enables Karlach to make an additional melee attack as a bonus action, allowing for rapid damage output during critical moments.
- Enraged Throw: She can pick up and throw enemies or objects, dealing damage and potentially knocking foes prone, which can disrupt enemy formations.
- Combat Strategy: Karlach thrives in melee combat where she can absorb damage and initiate fights. Her high Dexterity also enhances her initiative, allowing her to act early in combat rounds, often giving her the chance to eliminate threats before they can retaliate.
- Skill Proficiencies: Her proficiencies in Athletics and Survival further bolster her combat capabilities. Athletics enhances her ability to grapple and maneuver enemies, while Survival improves her resilience and tactical awareness in
