Your adventure in Baldur´s Gate 3 is both more enjoyable and easier when you have companions by your side. This guide will reveal every companion that is available in Larian Studios' role-playing game, where to find them, and which ones you can play as.
You're not expected to face the Absolute and its minions alone. Instead, you can rely on the steadfast support of allies who will assist you in battles, schemes, and even conversations. While you'll encounter some potential allies early in the story, others can be recruited later, sometimes under specific conditions.
You might be surprised to learn that there are a total of 10 potential companions for your heroic journey in Baldur´s Gate 3. Familiar faces like Lae´zel, Shadowheart, Gale, Wyll, and Astarion are just the beginning. Each companion can aid you in combat, assist in exploration, and take on certain tasks.
They all have unique stats, abilities, equipment, and backstories, as well as distinct likes and dislikes. If you build a close bond with a companion, a deep friendship or even a romantic relationship can develop. However, if you consistently act against their beliefs, they might angrily leave your group.
Despite their strong personalities, they all rely on you in battle, as they aren't AI-controlled. You manage each group member and decide how they should level up and what equipment they should wear.
If in doubt, you can visit Lazarus in the camp to change their class. Karlach as a rogue? Wyll as a druid and Shadowheart as a monk? Anything's possible. Not always logical, but definitely possible. Handle your companions as you see fit.
Once you've successfully recruited them, we'll list all the companions in Baldur´s Gate 3, reveal their locations, and the specific conditions to recruit them. Plus, a bit of backstory for each. 
This fighter, belonging to the Githyanki race, can be a significant asset to your group despite her rough and somewhat off-putting demeanor. She deals high DPS and can effectively act as a tank for your other heroes.
How to unlock Lae´zel? Although you meet this formidable warrior on the Nautiloid, it takes a bit longer to recruit her. After your airship crashes, head to the Cliffside Waypoint. In the starting area, west of the cathedral ruins, you'll find her in a predicament.
Depending on your class, race, and origin, you'll have different options to free her, but combat is always optional.
Lae´zel's personality? Brutal. The Githyanki is a fiery warrior who admires those who show strength, are relentless, and take what they want. She sees compassion and compromise as signs of weakness and lack of determination.
She also dislikes when you seek alternative ways to remove the tadpole and only approves of her people's methods. If you want her to like you, always support the Githyanki's methods.
Furthermore, Lae´zel has a very negative opinion about Shadowheart. If both are in your group, she'll advocate speaking ill of the cleric. If you support Shadowheart, Lae´zel will disapprove.
This companion is a devoted cleric of Shar, the goddess of darkness and loss. Shadowheart agreed to erase her memories for a sacred mission, but is a valuable addition to your group. She heals, buffs, and deceives enemies.
Thanks to her high wisdom, Shadowheart is an excellent support mage, well-equipped with a variety of spells. Use her to support front-line fighters and weaken enemies.
How to unlock Shadowheart? You can recruit her during the prologue on the Nautiloid ship. To do so, you need to rescue her from the incubation tank you discover while exploring the ship.
To free her, find the rune in the adjacent room and insert it into the device next to the tank. Shadowheart will then help you escape the flying prison.
After your crash, you'll find her lying on the ground a few meters from your position. If you can't free her from the tank, it's not a big deal. Head north on the beach until you find the entrance to the cathedral ruins. Shadowheart will be waiting for you there.
Shadowheart's personality? Mysterious. She's a cleric with a secret mission, and she's not eager to share it with you. She's also very cautious and doesn't trust easily. She's a devout follower of Shar, and she's not afraid to use her powers to achieve her goals.
She's also a master of deception and can manipulate others to get what she wants. She's not a fan of Lae´zel and often clashes with her. If you support Lae´zel, Shadowheart will disapprove.
A powerful companion who can be recruited in the first hour of gameplay. Once an impressive wizard who had a relationship with the goddess Mystra. Gale has a high intelligence value and can be used as a researcher for magical items.
This wizard has some of the best damage and control spells in the entire game. If you focus on one of the two branches, he achieves the best values in Baldur's Gate 3, making him a real ace up your sleeve with which you can win any battle.
How do I unlock Gale? After the crash of the Nautiloid, simply follow the path until you discover the second fast travel point on the beach. The portal on-site looks extremely unstable and is commented on accordingly by your group members. Interact with the portal, and you have the opportunity to free Gale from his tricky situation.
You have the option of either brute force or magic. If your character fails to pull Gale out, let Shadowheart or Lae'zel try.
What is Gale like? As an intelligent and prudent character, Gale appreciates it when you also use your brain and rely on tactically smart solutions instead of brute force. This companion also values art, science, and poetry.
Despite all his misdeeds, he has a high moral standard and appreciates it when you help other inhabitants of the world and express gratitude and kindness. He despises unnecessary violence, idiocy, and a lack of curiosity.
It should also be mentioned that Gale does not appreciate it if you downplay or do not take his special medical situation seriously. Conversely, he appreciates it if you take care of his problem and want to know more about it.
A scion of a famous Baldurian house and a powerful warlock who has entered a highly questionable pact with a devil. This monster hunter has a prominently displayed moral compass and always stands up for the innocent.
This companion is a true folk hero, but also a real asset to your group, mastering strong debuffs, inflicting high damage, and being versatile in all areas.
How do I unlock Wyll? In the first act of Baldur's Gate 3, you will have to visit the Druid Grove eventually. When you reach this grove for the first time, a goblin attack is triggered, which Wyll, among others, opposes. Here you get to see directly what the Blade of Frontiers is capable of.
If you want him in your group, you just have to talk to him in the grove and ask if he would like to join your fun band of worm-infested heroes.
What is Wyll like? This companion is a genuine hero, primarily concerned with helping those who cannot help themselves. He supports the weak, the innocent, and the exploited and hates all oppressors.
If you openly oppose such parties, for example, by joining the goblins in Act 1 and attacking the grove, he will leave your group immediately and without discussion. He thinks very little of you if you show cruelty and recklessness.
Wyll advocates every act of kindness and appreciates it when you go the extra mile with side tasks. He supports heroic deeds, especially when you don't ask for a reward or even decline it. Yes, Wyll is a role model.
He is arrogant, sometimes cruel, and often displays a rather morbid sense of humor. The vampire Astarion served his sadistic master Cazador for centuries, but now relishes his newfound freedom and doesn't want anyone to spoil his fun.
The natural rogue can pick locks, disarm traps, and ambush enemies for you. His stats make him the perfect ranged fighter, attacking your adversaries from a distance and inflicting hellish damage.
How do I unlock Astarion? At the beginning of Act 1, the bloodthirsty half-elf lurks west of the Nautiloid wreck and asks for your help as soon as you approach. If you decide to help him, he instead attacks you and puts a blade to your throat.
Whether you can escape his grasp or not, in the subsequent conversation, you can convince him to join your group to search for a cure together.
What is Astarion like? Quite arrogant and occasionally bloodthirsty. The vampire has a high opinion of himself and revels in the misery of others. His survival and interests take precedence over everything else, making him a challenging companion.
He appreciates selfishness, and if you agree with him and praise him, he is utterly delighted. Conversely, he dislikes kindness and generosity and doesn't appreciate gestures that don't benefit him.
Being a silver-tongued individual, he is always satisfied when you also convince others purely with words, deceive, and mislead them. Anything that leads to theatrics and drama is a delight to him, and he also endorses the use of Illithid powers.
A battle-hardened barbarian who can tear through enemy ranks faster than they can defend themselves. She has an infernal machine burning inside her chest, which means she can't touch others. A circumstance that weighs heavily on her.
Driven by a desire for revenge, Karlach is not a bad person. On the contrary. As a powerful barbarian, it's best to deploy her at the forefront. With a few buffs and support from team members, she becomes a one-woman army.
How do I unlock Karlach? If you already have Wyll in your group, you just need to talk to him about Karlach, and her location will be marked on your map. Alternatively, you can find her without a specific task.
For that, search for Victory Road west of the Druid Grove and head to the small cut-off area south of the hut where the NPC Anders is located. Choose to keep the tiefling alive and fight together, and she will join you.
What is Karlach like? Open, loud, and full of zest for life. Karlach speaks her mind and likes to take matters into her own hands. She appreciates it when you act instead of just talking. She has a heart of gold and likes it when you act like a true hero, showing compassion to the weak and defenseless.
She despises deceit and trickery. The barbarian is very open and likes to talk about her feelings and past. Make sure to regularly chat with her in the camp and fully explore new conversation options, and soon friendship and even more are possible.
Yes, even the druid Halsin, whom you are supposed to search for in a quest series in the first act, can become a loyal and equally powerful companion. Halsin can transform into animals, proves to be a true leader, and loves nature, which he wants to protect at all costs.
In battle, you can use this potential companion quite diversely. In his bear form, he can deal massive damage to your enemies, but he also masters strong attack and healing magic as well as some great buffs and debuffs.
How do I unlock Halsin? With or without a specific task, Halsim can be found in the goblin camp in the first act, where he is held captive in a cage cell. You can get him out there and help him eliminate the True Souls of the Absolute. However, freeing Halsin is not the only way.
Alternatively, you can initiate Minthara's attack on the grove and then help the grove residents defeat the goblins and their drow leader. The druid then reappears in the grove on his own.
Nevertheless, Halsin will not initially be available to you as a playable character. This is only possible when you have dealt with the nature spirit Thaniel in Act 2 of Baldur´s Gate 3 and thus broken the shadow curse.
Can I recruit Halsin and Minthara at the same time? Naturally, it seems impossible to recruit both Minthara and Halsin for your group, as they are on completely different sides. But there is still a way.
For this, speak to Zevlor and Kagha in the grove to learn all about the druids' plans to completely isolate the Druid Grove from the outside world. Then leave the region by traveling to the Underdark or the mountain pass.
Let a whole day pass there by taking a long rest in the camp. During this time, the druids will complete the ritual, and the grove can no longer be entered. Now is your time to free Halsin from the goblin camp. Now that the grove can no longer be reached, Halsin has no choice but to join you.
By the way, you don't talk to Minthara during all these events, as this would only end in a fight. So ignore the dark elf for now.
In Act 2, you can now break the shadow curse, after which the druid becomes a permanent companion. Then go to the Towers of Moonrise and prevent the execution of Minthara, who then joins you as a group member.
What is Halsin like? Calm, a bit mysterious, and eager to protect nature and all its inhabitants. The druid appreciates it when you find a peaceful solution to a problem and disapproves of unnecessary violence and atrocities of any kind.
Halsin is full of compassion for animals and doesn't like it at all when you act heartlessly towards animals or even torture them. You get his full approval when you defend the grove and when you break the shadow curse.
This companion doesn't have his own side quest, so it's advisable to take him on the adventure as often as possible so you can impress him in situations and dialogues. Halsin is one of a total of four characters that you cannot choose as your own character. 
The True Soul Minthara, whom you can encounter in Act 1 of Baldur´s Gate 3 in the goblin camp, is also a potential companion for your group. The dark elf is a strong paladin and already brings along impressive equipment as soon as she joins you.
She is perfectly suited to weaken your enemies and attack from the shadows. She can be used in melee combat, but she is most effective when positioned in the second row, providing powerful support for your frontline fighters.
How can I recruit Minthara? The first opportunity is in Act 1. Visit the goblin camp and ally with the dark elf. Betray the location of the Druid Grove to her and help her slaughter everyone in the grove.
After the battle, take a long rest in the camp. There will be a scene with Minthara, during which you have the chance to enter her mind. If you fail, the drow will be angered, but there will be no further consequences.
Regardless of whether you succeeded in entering her mind or not, Minthara will try to kill you that night. Here you must convince her that you are both on the same side. If you fail, a fight with her is inevitable.
In Act 2, you must eventually reach the Towers of Moonrise, where you learn that Minthara has been captured and is being tortured. You now have the choice to free her, either with convincing words or with brute force.
Once you have freed the drow, return to your camp and speak to her again. Go through her dialogue options, and you will eventually have the opportunity to bring the female paladin into your group.
If you want both Minthara and the druid Halsin in your group, you need to take a different approach. Check this guide under the entry for Halsin to find out how to recruit both Halsin and Minthara in Baldur´s Gate 3.
What is Minthara like? Cruel. The drow is cold and aloof, completely obsessed with the Absolute. Later, as a group member, she shows her ruthless side and her desire for power. If you play your character similarly, she will like it.
Regularly talk to her about the rise to power and dominating the land to win her favor. She also likes it when you subdue, humiliate, and exploit people. Act brutally and unbendingly, and she will blush slightly with affection.
Furthermore, she is one of the companions who like it when you use your Illithid powers and urge others to do the same. She prefers actions over words and often disapproves when you want to solve problems in dialogs.
Apart from the night after the battle against the Druid Grove, there are no more romantic scenes with Minthara. However, you can always talk to her about your bond, and she will reaffirm her affection for you. 
In Act 2, you will meet a character at the Last Light Inn who should be familiar to veterans of Baldurs Gate. The druid Jaheira has appeared in previous games and returns here as a potential group member.
How can I unlock Jaheira? Speak to the druid at the aforementioned inn and be honest with her. After that, you must follow the main quest until the inevitable fight against Ketheric Thorm.
Once he is defeated, Jaheira will return. She will now be convinced that you are a promising fighter and that she can indeed become the huntress she once was. From this point on, she is keen to join your group.
What is Jaheira like? This druid is righteous, has a very high moral standard, and values justice. You can score points with her by performing heroic deeds, bringing villains to justice, and showing compassion and mercy.
Jaheira doesn't like dishonest people, and she can't stand deception, lies, and fraud. Just like Halsin, she is connected to nature and doesn't like it when you are cruel to others, especially animals. She also doesn't appreciate unnecessary violence.
Jaheira is one of the few characters in Baldur´s Gate 3 with whom romance is not possible. Since she only joins your group in Act 2, you also have little time to gain her trust and befriend her, so you should take her on trips as often as possible. 
Another character that should be familiar to Baldurs Gate veterans is the ranger Minsc. He is the last companion you can unlock in Baldur´s Gate 3, as he only joins in Chapter 3. Recruiting him also means recruiting his hamster, Boo.
Minsc is an extremely capable ranger and therefore a great asset if your hero group doesn't have a strong ranged fighter yet. Since he is available so late, you hardly have time to form a bond with him.
More than friendship is not possible anyway, as Minsc is one of the few characters in this game with whom you can't have a romance. However, as a fighter, he is versatile and definitely an enrichment for your illustrious group.
How can I unlock Minsc? This is only possible from Act 3 of Baldur´s Gate 3 and only if you have already recruited Jaheira in Act 2. At the beginning of the third act, follow the main quest until you reach the Undercity of Baldurs Gate.
Now it's possible to talk to Jaheira again and complete a new questline for her. This requires you to search for Minsc, which is quite convenient since you are also looking for him. You will eventually find him in the city's office.
But be warned, at the end of the questline, you will have to fight Minsc, so you should have set beforehand that melee attacks are not lethal. If you defeat the ranger in the skirmish, it is logically impossible to invite him to your group.
Afterward, you must convince the emperor that Minsc needs protection and Jaheira is willing to sacrifice everything to help him. Then talk to Minsc and exhaust the dialogue options until he wants to search for his hamster.
Once the hamster is saved, you can finally recruit Minsc. Since he can only become part of your group so late, you should take him on trips as often as possible; otherwise, you won't be able to build a friendship with him.
What is Minsc like? Sometimes unpredictable, a bit chaotic, but also kind-hearted and loyal. The ranger has a heroic attitude and wants to protect Baldurs Gate from all dangers with all his heart, for which he fights with his little hamster Boo, whom he adores.
| More about Baldur´s Gate 3 |
Want to join our community and discuss about Baldur´s Gate 3? Then join our Discord server or visit us on Facebook, we look forward to seeing you!
