What’s the point of venturing through the treacherous Sword Coast and battling formidable foes if your party feels more like a dysfunctional group of strangers? Baldur’s Gate 3 boasts a compelling ensemble of characters, many of whom can become invaluable companions in your journey. You have the freedom to mold their classes and builds to your strategic needs, meaning your party composition can truly reflect your personal preferences.
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Building rapport with these companions, however, isn’t always straightforward. Some are easily impressed, while others are more complex, and your chosen alignment significantly impacts these relationships. This guide will delve into each recruitable companion and outline the best approaches to earn their approval in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Wyll Ravengard: The Heroic Blade of Frontiers
Winning the Heart of the Paragon
If you aspire to befriend Wyll, embodying the archetype of a “good” character is your most direct path. Wyll Ravengard is the quintessential hero, embodying nobility and righteousness. In many ways, he represents the classic protagonist archetype within the Baldur’s Gate 3 universe. To gain his approval, simply consistently choose benevolent actions and dialogue options.
Wyll’s primary disapproval trigger is witnessing cruelty or unnecessary aggression, particularly towards innocents. However, these situations are relatively infrequent. He is inherently selfless and reserved, often prioritizing the needs of others. Demonstrating genuine interest in his personal stories and engaging with his dialogue options will naturally lead to increased approval. Invest time in listening to Wyll, and you’ll find yourself aligning with his moral compass, earning his respect and friendship in the process.
Karlach Cliffgate: The Fiery Heart of Avernus
Earning the Affection of the Heart of Fire
Karlach shares Wyll’s inherent goodness, making virtuous actions the key to her approval as well. She possesses a fiery spirit and is more readily inclined towards righteous violence against evildoers. However, aligning with good deeds remains paramount for gaining her favor. You don’t need to compromise your moral compass to earn Karlach’s respect.
Consistently aid those in need and actively support Karlach in her personal quest to manage her infernal engine. Romantically, Karlach is remarkably open and receptive to flirtatious advances from the outset. Don’t hesitate to express your interest – she appreciates directness and warmth.
To secure Karlach’s unwavering companionship throughout your Baldur’s Gate 3 journey, ensure the survival of Dammon and Wyll and diligently pursue the resolution of Wyll’s personal storyline.
Gale Dekarios: The Wizard with a Netherese Orb
Befriending the Bookish and Benevolent
Similar to Wyll and Karlach, demonstrating kindness and compassion is the foundation for gaining Gale’s approval. Engaging in thoughtful conversations with him and actively assisting him with his unique magical predicament will swiftly place you in his good graces. Gale values intellect and magical prowess, so showing interest in his arcane knowledge is beneficial.
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Gale will express disapproval if you disregard opportunities to acquire knowledge, such as ignoring ancient tomes. Conversely, he approves of utilizing magical items and delving into arcane mysteries. While these approval shifts are often minor, they contribute to the overall relationship. Furthermore, Gale is an avowed cat lover. Showing affection towards feline creatures, or simply being kind to them, will earn you additional favor. Being kind to animals aligns with his gentle nature.
Minsc, Jaheira, and Halsin: Guardians of Nature’s Harmony
Appeasing the Protectors of the Wild
To streamline this guide and avoid redundancy, let’s address the remaining “good-aligned” companions collectively: Minsc, Jaheira, and Halsin. Similar to Wyll, Karlach, and Gale, consistently acting virtuously is paramount to gaining their approval. In fact, engaging in overtly evil actions will likely preclude you from even recruiting them into your party, mirroring the recruitment restrictions for Wyll and Karlach if you lean towards villainy.
All three companions share a deep affinity for animals, particularly Minsc and Halsin. Opportunities to demonstrate compassion and kindness towards creatures of the wild will significantly boost your standing with them. As for Jaheira, don’t shy away from humor or even lighthearted teasing. She appreciates wit and possesses a robust sense of humor. Engaging in playful banter and even gently mocking her will surprisingly lead to amusing interactions and increased approval.
Shadowheart: The Enigmatic Cleric of Shar
Unraveling the Secrets of the Selûnite Shadow
Shadowheart presents a more nuanced approval system compared to the overtly good companions. While leaning towards good actions will generally be acceptable, you can also navigate a more morally gray or even subtly evil path while still gaining her favor. She appreciates pragmatism and efficiency.
As a devoted Cleric of Shar, Shadowheart will, particularly in the early stages of your relationship, approve of actions that align with her deity’s doctrine. Embracing a degree of ruthlessness and violence, especially when deemed necessary or expedient, can resonate with her Shar-influenced worldview. However, genuine kindness and compassion aren’t entirely lost on her, particularly as her personal story unfolds.
Lae’zel: The Githyanki Warrior of Discipline
Gaining Respect Through Strength and Resolve
Shifting towards the neutral-to-evil spectrum, we encounter Lae’zel. She embodies the pragmatic and often ruthless nature of the Githyanki people. Wasting time on what she perceives as frivolous endeavors, such as excessive displays of charity, will likely draw her disapproval. However, Lae’zel highly values direct action and decisive combat.
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Quickly resolving conflicts through force, often eliminating enemies swiftly, is a reliable way to earn her respect. Showing compassion to enemies, however, is a significant point of disapproval. As Lae’zel’s personal quest progresses and her allegiance to her Prince becomes central, aligning with her on matters concerning her people and her mission will become crucial for maintaining her approval. Loyalty and strength are virtues she highly esteems.
Astarion Ancunín: The Vampire Spawn Rogue
Navigating the Labyrinth of Trauma and Wit
Astarion occupies a neutral moral ground, and your interactions can sway him towards either good or evil. Initially, he is emotionally guarded and difficult to read. Patience and a gentle approach are key to breaking down his walls. Mocking or belittling him will instantly trigger disapproval, as he is deeply insecure despite his witty facade.
Like Lae’zel, Astarion appreciates efficiency and dislikes wasting time on overly altruistic endeavors. However, he is more tolerant of helping others if it doesn’t significantly inconvenience him. He is comfortable with violence, even more so than Lae’zel, and revels in tormenting enemies. Intimidating foes and initiating combat proactively generally earns his approval, unless you are foolishly challenging an obviously superior opponent – recklessness is not something he values. Interestingly, like Gale, Astarion also harbors a fondness for cats, offering another avenue for gaining his favor.
Minthara Baenre: The Ruthless Drow Paladin
Embracing Darkness and Loyalty
Minthara represents the antithesis of the “good” companions. To gain her approval, invert the strategies used for characters like Wyll or Karlach. Minthara is unequivocally evil, and attempts to “redeem” her are futile. While she will remain in your party even if you pursue a good-aligned playthrough, to truly earn her approval and unlock her romantic path, you must embrace darkness.
Minthara approves of violence, malice, manipulation, and any action that inflicts suffering upon your enemies. However, beneath her cruelty lies a twisted sense of loyalty. She values those within her inner circle and approves of actions that bolster their power, even if those actions are morally reprehensible. Endorsing the darker inclinations of companions like Astarion and Shadowheart will resonate with her.
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To romance Minthara, embracing an evil playthrough is not merely advantageous – it is essential. This path may necessitate morally compromising actions, such as raiding the Tiefling refugees, a decision with significant narrative consequences.
