BarbarianKarlach is a Companion in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3). BG3 Karlach is found in The Risen Road, past the Blighted Village. She is a Zariel Tiefling Barbarian. See Hunt the Devil for Karlach's personal questline. Companions assist the player by joining their party and have their own backstories and unique characteristics. They all have their own Classes and starting equipment, but you can change their classes via Respec in camp. Companions can also be selected as an Origin in the Character Creation screen allowing players to play from their point of view.
I was a prisoner, forced to fight in the Blood War. The eternal battle between bad and worse.
Where to find Karlach in BG3
Karlach can be found in The Risen Road. Make your way through the Blighted Village, past the Gnome that is tied to the windmill, and jump across the gap in the bridge. Head down the road to your right, fight your way through the Hyenas and Gnolls, and continue down to the river where you will see blood on the ground and Karlach resting on the opposite side of the river.
EARLY KARLACH SHORTCUT FROM EMERALD/DRUID GROVE
In Act I, Go to Zevlor's room named the Secluded Chamber, from there use the ladder going up where you will find a Tiefling Zentry and overlooking the Risen Road area. When you reach the cliff facing the Risen Road, to your right you will find a climable slope and at the top is a chest containing some items. Once you find the chest. In this Area, you can jump down to Karlach's area directly below and you can most likely see her at this point.
Either get a character or characters that can survive the fall or if you have the Feather Fall spell, use it to negate Fall damage. You will land directly to the riverbank where Karlach is wounded and recruit her. After in which you can teleport back to druid's grove if you so wish.
Easier way is to head to Scratch then to the log north-east. You will see river next to it. If you come to the edge, you will be able to jump onto the rock in the middle and then to the other side of the river. Next simply follow the river east, till you see blood on the ground, which will lead you to Karlach.
Karlach's BG3 Starting Equipment
- Armour
- Boots
- Greataxe
- Crossbow
Karlach's BG3 Starting Skill Proficiencies
BG3 Karlach Video Guide
BG3 Karlach Quest Walkthrough
To complete Karlach's questline, you'll first have to recruit her into your party. This can be done by exploring the Risen Road area, past the Blighted Village. Recruiting her will begin the quest:
WARNING MASSIVE SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED
How to Romance Karlach in BG3
In this Karlach Romance Guide, we explore the general path toward gaining Karlach's approval and what opportunities you have to share some moments with her. This will be updated as more is revealed throughout the game. Gaining Karlach's approval centers around being forthcoming and somewhat heroic - showing compassion toward the wronged and almost uncompromising good. This might put decisions that will gain her approval at odds with other Companions like Shadowheart and Lae'Zel.
Additionally, her background (as someone who just escaped the Hells) attunes her towards outgoing people who take actions that express their love of life. As with all the Companions, whenever you can talk to Karlach, always scour the dialogue options for any new options, again still following the general guidelines above, where she'll slowly open up to you about things that will help you deepen your bond with her further and further. Karlach is one of the easier Companions to create a bond with as she is not too closed off or secretive. Part of this dynamic will be the fact that anyone she touches gets burned, which will have her yearning for your physical affection when you start being open about your feelings toward one another. She'll be sincere and upfront with her affection for you, so you only need to be the same.
BG3 Karlach Romance Guide Act I
Your relationship with Karlach can officially begin during Act I even before the Quest Save the Refugees, unlike how it was in Early Access. Keeping the general guidelines in mind above, and eventually getting her approval high enough, players may approach her at the camp for a talk. At this point, your approval rating with her should be High so try to explore and do a lot of other things before tackling the Quest for more chances to get your approval up, if it's still lacking at this point. One surefire way to increase affection with her is to follow her Companion Quest. This entails finding Infernal Iron and bringing it to the Tiefling Dammon. Eventually, this will let you speak to her at camp and offer to have an idea to help with her little fire problem. Afterward, use any Spell or Action that creates ice or water and direct it at Karlach. You can also do the same thing with a water barrel or anything similar you can interact with. Talk to her again and choose to test things out with a kiss. It's important to note that while it might not be a certainty, this might count as an attempt at romance already, and so while your relationship hasn't officially started by any means, it might lock you out of pursuing other Companions.
To romance Karlach, players only need to be forward with wanting to spend more time with her. As mentioned previously, she will have no pretense about responding to your affections. Choose the appropriate responses to flirt with her and hint at wanting to risk the pain to be able to touch her. Afterward, head to your bedroll and interact with it to see that you have a choice to go to bed alone or to think of Karlach. By clicking on Karlach, players share a moment with her right there on their bunk. You'll try and share a more prolonged intimate moment together before she'll stop you for fear of hurting you further. As previously mentioned, just keep being forward with her about your feelings, and don't be afraid to express your affection to officially start your tense, yearning relationship with her.
After you move forward with her Companion Quest a little bit by
BG3 Karlach Romance Guide Act II
Act II will eventually allow you to progress further with the Companion Quest. For this to work, make sure to spare Nightsong during the events at the Gauntlet of Shar, as Dammon is one of the NPCs who will get affected by the consequences of letting her die, which can prevent you from bringing him Infernal Iron to help Karlach out. Assuming he's fine, in accordance with your actions, Dammon will also be in the Shadow-Cursed lands, which is where you'll also find the infernal items for Karlach. Bringing him one will help Karlach out with her physical condition. After bringing an Infernal Iron to him enough times, he'll finally be able to make it so that Karlach will be able to touch people. Afterward, all you'll have to do is rest at camp, as Karlach will be yearning for another intimate moment with you, this time going all the way. Try not to get too excited when you talk to Dammon before he creates the new upgrade so you don't miss out on the important status of Karlach's condition. Otherwise though, and as you've surely been since starting your relationship, you can remain as upfront as you'd like to be without fearing for any disapproval or negative outcome.
BG3 Karlach Romance Guide Act III
To be updated when more information is available.
Karlach Approval Guide in Baldur's Gate 3
If you are looking to befriend or romance Karlach, you will have to get her approval up. Companions are not black and white in BG3, but they have some characteristics you can consider when forming your party and making game choices.
Check out our Companion Guide for all compiled approval instances
Note this guide is a work in progress. The information below reflects what was available during Early Access. Some situations, flags and events may have changed. Please feel free to edit this page and contribute to the guide.
APPROVAL UP:
Ravaged Beach/ Nautiloid Crash site
- Calm the Scared Pig that Astarion scared. (May need Speak with Animals)
- Cast Speak to Dead on the Abducted Nobleman, do the class specific option
- Attack the Bandits/Adventurers
Druid's Grove
- Approves of giving the infernal iron to Damon.
- Persuade/Intimidate Aradin and Zevlor to calm down
- Agree to Help Zevlor
- Convince Rolan to Stay and fight for the Tieflings
- Approves of Persuading Zevlor not to take a swing at Aradin.
- While talking to Arabella's Parents (Locke and Komira) , promise to help
- Approves of telling Arabella's parents that the druids are overreacting to a child.
- Convince Arka not to Kill Sazza
- Agree to break Sazza out.
- Help Guex with his Swordfighting
- Detect Silfy's pickpocket with a perception check and let her go in the nicest way.
- Use the Deceit option with Topaz the Bird
- Use the bard option with Topaz the Bird
- Use the Intimidate option with Topaz the Bird
- Help Alfira finish her song
- Approves of Persuading Kagha to let Arabella go.
- Approves of calling Kagha a monster after persuading her to let Arabella go.
- Approves of promising Zevlor to talk to Kagha about giving the tieflings more time in the grove.
- After dealing with Kagha, agree to help deal with the Goblins for Zevlor and the Tieflings
- Approves of giving your scent to Silver the Wolf in the Druids Grove cave where Kagha is located.
- Tell Kagha you will kill her for Zevlor
- Approves of using supporting Alfira the Tiefling Bard with her creative roadblock.
- Approves if you say you will Free Sazza. (Notably after freeing Sazza from the Cage after breaking or lockpicking the cage, Sazza will go to Karlach with the follow up conversation 8 out of 10 times [Tested]. As Karlach telling Sazza to stop following her will have Sazza stop following her, and if you speak to Sazza as a Custom or Origin character saying "Follow me." This is what Karlach disapproves of.)
- Approves of driving off the goblins from the Druid Grove.
- Offer to Heal Pandirna without pay (Bard/Relevant Classes)
- Choose to kill Kagha without trying to persuade her when you expose her conspiracy with the Shadow Druids
- After Exposing Kagha's Conspiracy, convince Kagha to side against the Shadow Druids
Forest/Owlbear Nest
- Convince the Owlbear to let you go
- Let Owlbear Cub live
- Inviting Scratch to your camp if his friend does not wake up.
Blighted Village
- Convince Fezzerk to not Fight you
- Tell the Deep Gnome, Barcus Wroot, "You owe me nothing."
- Convince the Lump the Enlightened and his ogres to side with you.
Sunlit Wetlands
- Tell Johl and Demir that you will save Mayrina
- Say Baa to the Redcap after breaking the Illusion
- To Gandrel without Astarion, say Astarion is under my protection
- To Gandrel without Astarion, tell him to back off in hunting Astarion
- Approves of revealing to Mayrina that Auntie Ethel killed her brothers.
- Approves of confronting Ethel about Mayrina being in her hut unwillingly.
- Convince a Surrendered Hag Ethel to let Mayrina go and give you power
- With a Surrendered Hag Ethel choose Mayrina's Freedom over her offer of power
- With a Surrendered Hag Ethel choose to execute Ethel
- Decepting Ethel that your reinforcements are nearly here and to give you the girl and you'll spare her
- Approves of asking Mayrina "Are you sure you want to do this?".
- Give the Second Marriage Wand and Zombie Connor to Mayrina
The Risen Road
- When Wyll meets Karlach, tell Wyll Karlach is no danger
- Use the (Cleric) option to bless the sick Hyena you encounter in the Risen Road
- Approves when you agree with Karlach to give her a Soul coin in the next battle.
- Convince Rugan to give you the Chest (This Choice will either lead to Kill Rugan or Kill all the Zhentarim within the Hideout)
- Approves of telling Ellyka the gith at the bridge are nothing to you.
- Approves of promising to rescue Duke Ravengard.
- Help Benryn, stuck in the fire in the Inn.
- Give Benryn the Dowry
- Persuade the Zhentarim to let you in the Hideout, (Before Rescuing Rugan or Before Rugan Reaches the Hideout)
- Intimidate Brem for a discount on Oskar's Freedom
- Approves when you give the Artist, Oskar the 200 Coin for his travel home
- Approves of buying Oskar Fevras
- Disguised as a Gith and then talk to Ellyka and say "Relax, it's just a disguise" and then "no you are safe"
- Encounter the Gith Patrol With Lae'zel, Let Lae'zel lead the conversation with Kith'rak Voss
Goblin Camp
- Smear Poo on your Face
- Throw Poo on multiple guards, not the Athletics Check throwing it does not provide approval
- Convince the Owlbear Cub to start killing the goblins
- Convince the Owlbear Cub to help win Chicken Chase
- Use Illithid to force Krolla to give your winnings
- Tell the Goblin Child Eight "Sorry for your loss"
- Win the first Intimidation Check with Novice Crusher
- Steal the ring by kissing the foot of Novice Crusher
- Lick Novice Crusher Foot
- After beating Novice Crusher in a fight, force him to kiss foot
- Approves of taking over Dror Ragzlin to ask your own questions.
- Evade suspicion from Dror Ragzlin after he questions the dead Illithid
- Say "You do not need the prisoner" and then win the Intelligence roll to obfuscate the location of the Druid Grove to Minthara
- Say "You do not need the prisoner" and then win the Intelligence roll to obfuscate the location of the Druid Grove to Minthara
- Defend Sazza from Minthara's accusation and say "Sazza didn't know"
- Inform Roah if you wiped out the Zhenterim Hideout
- Tell Halsin "I'll deal with this, you get to safety" after rescuing him in the Worg Pens
- Tell the True Soul Gut "All right. I'm ready" after following her to somewhere private.
Underdark
- Place an Autumncrocus Flower on Myrna's Grav. (May require finding the arcane tower first to trigger or find info about Myrna)
- Tell the Restless Myconid the truth about the parasite and that you seek safe passage.
- Tell the Restless Myconid that you are a traveler seeking adventure.
- Give the poisoned gnome, Thulla, the antitoxin.
- Report to Sovereign Spaw about killing Glut.
- Report the details of the event to Spaw, after killing the Duergar.
- Give Owlbear Cub a piece of food from your bag, while in camp.
- Successfully Persuade for Derryth Bonecloak that you will look for Baelen Bonecloak for a price
- Offer to help Baelen Bonecloak when you find him in the middle of the field
Grymforge
- Tell Ward Magmar that he disgusts you
- Tell the Deep Gnomes in the Dig Site that you will see what you can do
- Tell to Lunkbog and Laridda that Philomeen has decided to move on
- If you choose to free him from the cave in, tell True Soul Nere "Stop. No more innocents will die today, Nere."
- After defeating Nere, together with Elder Brithvar persuade him to leave the Gnomes behind
- Tell Skickpit to hide until things have calmed down
- Persuade the Deep Rothe in attacking its Master
- Bow your head in respect to Brathwen
CAMP
- Approves of petting Scratch.
- Giving the owlbear cub food.
- Inspecting owlbear cub's wound on his 2nd visit.
- Petting the owlbear cub.
- Approves of arguing to Wyll that she is not a devil when he confronts her at your camp. (Better to recruit Karlach first without Wyll and have the argument in Camp because everybody gets approval if you defend Karlach against Wyll. Every Origin Companion Likes Karlach)
- Approves of telling Mizora she won’t pay a finger on her.
- Approves when you say you won’t trust Raphael.
- Approves of telling Halsin you will protect the grove.
- Approves of standing with the Tieflings against Minthara.
- Approves of letting Lae’zel speak with the Gith.
- Approves of seeing through Auntie Ethel’s disguise as an elderly woman.
- Approves when you agree with her to give her a coin in the next battle.
- Approves of choosing to destroy the ancient tome.
Act 2
Last Light Inn
- Tell Isobel that Marcus is trying to kidnap her.
- Approves of telling Jaheira everything about the artefact.
- Approves of drinking wine laced by Jaheira with truth herb.
- Approves of shuffling the lanceboard in favor of Mol.
- Play the lute for Art Cullagh to wake him up (Malus Thorn in the House of Healing has the lute)
- Protect the portal while Halsin saves Thaniel
Ruined Battlefield
- Release Dolly Dolly Dolly from the Moonlantern
- Play hide and seek with Oliver
- Play another round of hide and seek with Oliver
Reithwin Masons' Guild
- Tell Arabella that you'll find her parents
House of Healing
- Convince the sisters to practice on themselves
- Convince Malus Thorm to kill himself
Gauntlet of Shar
- Lick the Dead Spider meat.
- Upon finding Nightsong, tell Shadowheart to spare Nightsong and hear what she has to say.
Lower City
- When Jaheira returns home, tell Rion "The cult is powerful- it's not going to be an easy fight."
APPROVAL DOWN:
Act 1
Ravaged Beach/ Nautiloid Crash site
- Disapproves if you Persuade the adventurers outside the Dank Crypt to leave.
Druid's Grove
- Tell Elegis "You're scared of a few goblins? Pathetic"
- Disapproves if you tell Kagha that sometimes cruelty is required.
- Let Arka Kill Sazza
- When Asharak ask you to say something, "Bad news kids, You are all going to die."
- Tell Zorru to Follow Lae'zel's orders
- Compliment Lae'zel interrogation of Zorru
- Take Mattis ring when he attempts to distract you for a pickpocket. Do not give in to his begging.
- Tell Kagha "She was just protecting her own." after the Arabella event
- Tell Kagha "I wanted to see what happen" after the Arabella event
- Prod the bird to death
- After dealing with Kagha, telll Zevlor you don't care about his other problem
- Disapproves of accepting the poison from Nettie
- While talking to Arabella's Parents , Blame them for Arabella's situation
Forest/Owlbear Nest
- Kill the Owlbear Cub, Dialogue choice
Blighted Village
- Execute Fezzerk after surrender
Sunlit Wetlands
- To Gandrel without Astarion, tell him camp location so he can kidnap Astarion
- With a Surrendered Hag Ethel choose the gift of power and let her take Mayrina
Risen Road
- Use Illithid powers on Flind to force her to attack her pack
- After Battle with the Gnoll Tribe and if you managed to Mind Control and she survives the battle, Convince the Flind to eat herself
- Refuse to help search for Duke Ravenguard
- Kill Rugan in the Zhentarim Hideout
Goblin Camp
- Boo Volo during his performance
- With Tracker Grikka tell "I can get info out of the prisoner"
- Kiss Novice Crusher Foot
- After beating Novice Crusher in a fight, try to kill him
- State you want to torture Liam
- Every instance of Successful Torture on Liam, repeatable.
- Tell Liam "Keep trying...." when he asks to be released
- When speaking to Minthara and her talking about the prisoner (Liam), say you can be very persuasive
- If you saved Sazza from the prison, tell Minthara "She is too stupid to understand"
Underdark
- Agree to get the Boots for Gekh Coal
- Steal the Boots of Speed from Thulla
Grymforge
- After freeing Nere, side with Brithvar and the rebels against him.
- Persuade the Deep Rothe to calm down so the Masters don't destroy her herd.
Events/Camp Events/Companion Events and Dialogue Act 1
- Disapproves if you use Withers services to bring back anyone.
- Disapproves of attacking the owlbear.
- Disapproves booing Volo in the goblin camp.
- Disapproves of torturing Liam without Wyll (with hot poker).
- Disapproves of demanding a reward from Minthara for betraying the grove. (Likely disapproves of any scenario where you betray the grove).
- Disapproves of treating Oscar Fevras, the artist, as your slave.
- Disapproves of making the Rothe in Grymforge work instead of turning against their masters.
- Disapproves of not freeing the Pixy inside the working Moon Lantern looted from the Drider in the Ruined Battlefield
Karlach Inspiration Guide
All characters can gain Inspiration based on their Background when your party completes content in a specific way. Karlach has an Outlander background, so her inspiration boosts are:
Chapter One
- Walking on Air (Successfully use a fairy ring)
Chapter Two
- Mushroom Enthusiast (Destroy each kind of hazardous Underdark mushroom)
- A Noble Endeavour (Effectively use a noblestalk mushroom)
- Child's Play (Beat Oliver at hide and seek without alerting the shadow creatures)
- Embracing the Environment (Survive two rounds of the shadow curse)
- Sleeping in the Dark (Take a full Long Rest in the Shadow-Cursed Lands)
- Bumps in the Dark (Conquer three combat encounters in the Shadow-Cursed Lands)
- Tools of the Trade (Obtain the orthon's crossbow)
All Karlach Endings in Baldur's Gate 3
Karlach becomes the Mind Flayer that kills the Netherbrain and Survives
Ending Requirements and Conditions:
- Free Orpheus
- Entrust the Netherstones to Orpheus
How to Obtain Ending:
- Free Orpheus
- Reject the offer of The Emperor to work together
- Choose the dialogue options below that will prompt Karlach to do it instead of you
ENDING DESCRIPTION
There is another known variation of how you can spare yourself from becoming a Mind Flayer, and allow Karlach to undergo Ceremorphosis, instead of you or Orpheus. This can happen with the help of Orpheus, but first, you need to free him. When the Emperor asks you to release the Netherstones to him and you choose to reject him there, he will leave the area. Then, you can proceed to help the Prince. Once the Prince is freed, he tells you about how the Netherbrain is so strong that it will require an Illithid to unleash the full potential of the Netherstones. You will be given the following choices listed below:
- Someone will need to turn into a mind flayer. Are you willing to do that?
- There has to be another way.
- I'm not becoming a Mind Flayer.
- I understand. If that's what it takes, I'll do it.
- This isn't an easy decision. I need a moment to consider it.
Choosing the third option here will prompt Karlach to speak up and say that maybe you (the player) don't have to and that it should be her. Then, you will get the next choices:
- Why you?
- This isn't your sacrifice to make.
- Better you than me.
Choose the first option here and Karlach will reveal that she is dying. She continues that her heart feels like a live grenade and that she could explode any minute. She goes on to tell you that you have a life to live, and she doesn't. She also wants to be the one to save the world, if there's no other way for her to go. Then, you will get the next choices:
- If this is what you really want, all I can say is thank you.
- No, Karlach. This is for me to do. I'll embrace the parasite- I'll evolve.
- No, neither of us is turning into a Mind Flayer. Not now.
Choose the first one once more, and Karlach will express her willingness to do it. Then, Orpheus will commend Karlach for her sacrifice and bravery. Shortly after, Orpheus will withdraw his power for a moment and this will turn her into a Mind flayer that will eventually help you to defeat the Illithids and end the Grand Design. After her transformation, Orpheus reactivates his power once more and shields her from the Netherbrain once more.
Orpheus kneels before Karlach who has completely changed, and tells her: "My people will remember you, tiefling." despite her being fully transformed into a Mind Flayer. Orpheus goes on to return to the city, follow the path of the Netherbrain, and stop the attack. Before you progress, Karlach will begin to say that she is still herself, but more. She tells you that her gear is now silent and no longer threatening to explode.
Next, you will seek the Netherbrain and fight the final battle. This will lead to you choosing to command the brain to destroy the tadpoles and itself. A good-natured ending is to command the brain to destroy the tadpoles and then itself. This ending will successfully destroy the Netherbrain and the tadpoles under its command, and the fighting below in the city will cease. The people of different races will rejoice as they are freed from the grips and terror of the Illithid Empire. Later on, you and your party will gather in the city to celebrate your win against the Illithids. Orpheus commends Karlach once more and assures her that all Githyanki will know her name and her sacrifice.
Karlach becomes the Mind Flayer and You Betray Her (The Dark Urge)
Ending Requirements and Conditions:
- Free Orpheus
- Entrust the Netherstones to Orpheus
- Betray Karlach during the final battle
- Must have The Dark Urge origin
How to Obtain Ending:
- Free Orpheus
- Reject the offer of The Emperor to work together
- Choose the dialogue options below that will prompt Karlach to do it instead of you
- As Karlach resists the Netherbrain's temptation, attack her
- Claim the throne in Bhaal's name
ENDING DESCRIPTION
This is an alternate version of Karlach's first ending. Just as the Absolute has weakened, Karlach will approach you and say "This is it soldier. This is what we fought for. Time to end this thing." Karlach is fighting it off with all her strength, and you see this as an opportunity to betray him. Just as the absolute tempts Karlach, you remember the destiny promised by your Father. You become enslaved, dominated, and ruined. You feel the need to seize your rightful claim to the brain and not destroy it. You see this as a way to escape the horrors of Bhaal's anguish, so you decide to Claim the Absolute in the name of Bhaal. Betray Karlach.
Just as you launch to attack Karlach, she exclaims that this is all she has, but you have made up your mind and will brutally attack her. Then, Wyll expresses his disbelief as he witnesses your act. This is a bad-natured ending where you will rule the world and betray your companions.
Karlach Tips and Notes
- Karlach wishes to get revenge on the one who sold her into infernal slavery.
- She specifically mentions the fallen Solar current Archdevil Zariel. Zariel is the main antagonist of the DND adventure, Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus which also counts as a prequel to Baldur's Gate 3 as the Tiefling Refugees heading to Baldur's Gate is a direct effect of the Events of Descent into Avernus.
- Karlach has gone through multiple design changes over the years of early access. Each update she gets bigger.
- Previously known as an NPC but has been confirmed as an origin character and companion.
- Anders (before his VA was altered) mentioned how Karlach lost her horn through fighting demons, hence her title 'The Demonsbane'.
- If you kill a druid in the grove, she will not join you.
Anonymous
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
SO DEVASTATED THE KISS ANIMATION WONT PLAY... WOE !!!!!! WOE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Anonymous
Just wanted to confirm: for walking in on the bugbear and ogre in the Blighted Village, having a party of just me, Karlach and Astarion had him interrupt me opening the door to ask if he could. When I said "do the honours", I gained approval!
- Anonymous
Fun fact:
Her skincolor is scarlet. Scarlet is Scharlach in german. Funny name origin
- Anonymous
So Minthara is "evil", but the barbarian hellspawn with a heart that is literally powered by consuming the trapped souls of innocent people is "good", lmao
- Anonymous
Left her at camp and don't use her anymore. She's far too goofy and obnoxiously annoying. Never seems authentic, and adds no value to discussions other than silly humour. "Hehe look at me I can rage". Her character/attitude so far is repulsive and grotesque.
- Anonymous
The whole Questline and Romace with her is bugged like **** ... one design bullshit and bug after another.
- Anonymous
The hell is with most of the community's obsession over her? She's HIDEOUS.
- Anonymous
If you miss Dammon in Act2 for any reason, Karlach will retreat from your relationship at the Beginning of Act3... i'am so sad.
- Anonymous
She is a beast early game. Only party member to survive when I fought the Minotaurs in Underdark as a level 3 group.
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
So, I got locked out of romancing Karlach at the start of Act 3, after rejecting Shadowheart's offer at the end of act 2, because I wanted to pursue Karlach. Only thing I can think of to explain it was that after the blacksmith in Last Night Inn told her about her condition I didn't press the issue since she seemed to want to avoid it.
I wish there had been an option to talk about it later, or at least a way to profess your love and change her mind in act 3. It really seems like a waste to hinge a whole romance on one line of dialogue that's so easily missed...
- Anonymous
Karlach approves of flinging the dung at the goblin guards faces after successfully passing the deception check option.
- Anonymous
Approval UP in the Underdark:
when interacting with the Tombstone of Myrna, select 'Put a bundle of autumncrocus next to the tombstone.'
likely need to read something about them at the arcane tower before. also gave approval for wyll.
- Anonymous
I have quite a strong dislike for the overly nice, the Mary Sue in most games and Karlach is exactly that. Lae'zel, Minthara or Shadowheart can all be annoying at times, but it's those times that make them real and interesting.
Karlach, on the other hand, is just plain boring and unbelievable. Doesn't help at all when her best pal Wyll is equally boring.
- Anonymous
I was able to keep Karlach in my party even after siding with Minthara and killing the tieflings/druids. She was at ~60% approval before.
Two trigger points will cause her to leave when you go down this dark path.
1st trigger: When you blow the druid horn + side with goblins, her approval goes to zero so she leaves next chance she gets close to you.
To avoid this trigger I had her sperated from my party half a screen away from the noble's body in the nautiloid crash site. After I killed everyone in the druid enclave, I withered into a cleric, used speak to dead amulet, and offered burial rites to the noble to get Karlach's approval up a notch. She stopped auto leaving then.
2nd trigger: When talking to Minthara after every is killed and she wants to use your body.
To avoid this trigger, I had Karlach die beforehand. Interesting enough, the game resurrected her in camp and she act like nothing happened. Had to persuade Gale not to leave.
Wyll left after trigger #1. Not sure if I had his approval higher could get him to stay as well.
- Anonymous
There is an engraving on her horns. I noticed them Act 2 at the inn during her quest dialogue. Seems like Infernal Language.
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
"I won't let you enslave them" dialogue option with BOOOAL gives approval.
- Anonymous
Girl ravaged not only the entire paladin hut, but friendly-fired my entire party. Reloaded and killed her. Exaggerated, boring and entirely useless character. Almost made me quit the game. But it's in line with the overall bad character design in Baldur's Gate 3. Larian once made good games but they failed miserably on this one. I can't recall a single moment I had fun with, mostly due to unlikable, so-called "companions" as Karlach. Not to speak of the bad state the game is in even days after release bug-wise (but that's the standard anyways), as well as the unbearable loading times on PS5. Kill Karlach, then try to get a refund on this piece of time wasting software.
- Anonymous
some guide, been a month now and you guys don't even have the "romance guide" done
- Anonymous
You don't need such a convoluted way of recruiting Karlach early via Zevlor's Secluded Chamber.
You can literally jump your entire party over a spot in the river behind where you find Scratch. Even weak Gale can make the jump, unaided by any spells or abilites. No risk to falling damage.
- Anonymous
So stupid that she won't join you if you kill the druids. The druids are evil.
I also killed her enemy Anders, and she still tells me to f-off.
This makes no sense lol
- Anonymous
Approves of persuading the Goblins at the Windmill to leave peacefully.
- Anonymous
I killed literally every druid in the grove before rescuing haslin and still managed to get her in my party.
- Anonymous
I began a very slow romance with Shadowheart before I met Karlach.
Is there a way to have them both or commit to Karlach instead? God damnit she's so perfect.
- Anonymous
She approves of deceiving Nadira in the Druid Grove into giving you her Soul Coin just like Shadowheart does.
- Anonymous
I think I missed or broke the part where you use ice/water on her. I'm now in act 2 and she talks about wanting to touch me and needing something to cool her down soon. Putting Ice/Water on her never worked. I hope I didn't get locked out of the Romance.
- Anonymous
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I was able to 'flirt' with Karlach and we were talking about wanting to touch each other etc.
But the moment I invited Jaheira into our camp after the end of act 2, Karlach thought I was more interested in Jaheira than her... Since that moment there was nothing I could do to win her back over.
I am not sure if anyone else had this happen as well? It is a bit of a shame.
- Anonymous
When first encountering Ketheric in the Moonrise tower throne room where he is judging the goblin, letting the goblins go gives you approval. Choosing any of the options to force the goblin to kill themselves give disapproval.
- Anonymous
Romance in this game is so confusing, so apparently i got locked out of all the romance with female companions and yet the guys are ****in throwing their butts at me when i was just trying to be friendly??
- Anonymous
Approval up - After freeing the pixie from the moon lantern in act two and securing her bell and aid, if you leave the area the or long rest the pixies blessing will be removed. In order to reapply it you need to ring the bell to summon the pixie back and will enter a dialogue with several options. Choosing the "snarl" option well give you Karlach approval. Just be careful as the pixie will polymorph you for a turn or two which could leave you vulnerable depending on the situation. Also no long term consequences w/ Dolly, you can ring the bell again to get the blessing back.
- Anonymous
going from romancing her in my first playthrough to straight up decapitating her in my second one (cause alternate paths and all that) was uh... an interesting experience.
- Anonymous
Ok.... screw Larian....
So, I was doing Act 2, and I was afraid of possible timed quests, and I also got incredible buffs which only lasted until a long rest.
So I refused to long rest in Act 2. When traveling to BG, I was forced on a long rest, and tried to talk with Karlach, nothing special happend (I did her companion quest, so there should have been an option)
After than rest, I officially am in Act 3, again a forced long rest.
I think, ok, let's talk to Karlach again.
Now she proclaims there was something between us, but it blew out. So I'm now no longer romancing Karlach, simply because I didn't do a seperate long rest in Act 2.... that's bs...
- Anonymous
Disapproves of siding with the rebels in Grymforge and fighting Nere. Not sure why? Seems like the good / heroic thing she usually approves of.
- Anonymous
In act III, if you check your bond with her via the Dryad, the answers are as follows:
1 - Who does she loathe above others? - Gortash
2 - What is her idea of a perfect date? - Bashing baddies interspersed with victory sex.
3 - A decade from now, what will the mighty Karlach do? Where will she be? - Probably dead.
- Anonymous
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That you can become permanently locked out her romance because you did too much in Act 1 already before her upgrades and the party is so idiotic. She's halfway across the map! Chances are you've done too much for the grove before you even find her. For all the great things Larian did, some of the bugs and the infuriatingly specific gameplay route you have to follow for Karlach's relationship makes me not even want to play anymore because it'd require starting all over again. To keep any sense of sanity I'll have to abuse Cheat Engine to just massively overpower myself so it doesn't take dozens of hours to get back to where I was.
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
You don't even have to throw a bottle or a spell on her to cool her down and kiss.
Just start a conversation while she is standing in the water (first camp has a lot of water around). Sure you should be fast enough to catch her before she returns to her tent.
- Anonymous
what's her canon height? given her build and weight I can't see it being less than 6'3" (191cm)
- Anonymous
The only character deserving the good and happy ending, somewhere in the peaceful farm, with "little you and little me" and angry goat. The only character who is brimming with life and LIGHT. The only character Larian decided to torture. Fuq you, Larian. If there is no DLC where we can save her - FUQ you to the moon.
- Anonymous
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After saving Barcus Wroot from Grymforge and having him back at camp, Karlach approves if you'll look for Wulbren for him.
- Anonymous
Underdark. Karlach approves if you reported to Sovereign Spaw about killing Glut.
- Anonymous
- Karlach approves if you persuade the two Rothe to attack the Herdmaster Skarjall and other 2 Duergar instead of breaking the cave-in. Don't know how it is without speak with animal.
- Succeed a Persuasion check with Elder Brithvar after combat with Nere regarding freeing the Slaves and Karlach approves. Grymforge location.
- Anonymous
I'm in act III with exceptional relationship but I can't get the romance dialogue to trigger. I've done her quest up to this point too. Actually, I can't even get Shadowheart's romance. Wyll was the only option I got and that was all the way back in act I. Withers even made fun of me for not picking anyone. Is there anything I can do???
- Anonymous
Approves when saying "I still can't touch you, though..." then "Of course I do." (Act I - The exclamation mark conversation that shows up after giving Dammon the Infernal Iron)
- Anonymous
Karlach approves if you tell Skickpit to hide until things cool down in Grymforge after killing Pistle and Magmar.
- Anonymous
[Act 2] Approval Up: Rosemon Monastery - if you successfully persuade teacher (Sa'Varsh Keth) to not force kid to fight
- Anonymous
Karlach approves if you pray for the dead gnomes in the Grymforge.
- Anonymous
She dissaproves if you agree to Abdirak's ritual
She approves to agreeing to help Halsin take down goblin leaders
- Anonymous
Approves when you Bless the hyena, trying to purge her body of evil as a paladin
- Anonymous
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If you saved Sazza, brought her to Minthara and then defended her by saying she didn't know, Karlach approves
- Anonymous
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Her questline really needs more safeguards to prevent it from just ending due to reasons unknown to the player. Doing a blind playthrough makes it nearly impossible for her questline to continue. Like for example, who could've known ahead of time that killing the Strange Ox would make Dammon disappear?
- Anonymous
She dissaproves when you boo Volo off the stage in the Goblin Camp
- Anonymous
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Is the Our Fiery Friend quest bugged? I killed the paladins before talking to them and the quest won't go away. Also, only Anders and Trynn spawned, but I see that someone else named Cyrel was supposed to spawn too. I don't know if they changed that or if that's the issue, but I'm afraid to progress because Karlach might leave when I begin Act 2
- Anonymous
I just saw a bug where after her battle, she raged around lighting everyone on fire and got some one killed, couldn't be commanded or anything. just went around and smashed stuff
- Anonymous
"If you kill a druid in the grove, she will not join you."
I haven't tested if this is true, but what I can say is that if you recruit her first, then steal the idol and kill every druid in the grove, she does not leave your party or even say anything about it.
- Anonymous
(BIG ole SPOILERS below)
I feel like Larian really dropped the ball pretty hard with Karlach. She's a very likeable character, possibly the only all of your companions seem to like from the very start (even that beautiful toad Lae'zel) and probably one of the most popular romance choices, and yet she has by far the weakest story arc whose companion quest is basically just a glorified fetch one with rest of it just pulling on player's hopes and making them feel like they can save her - not to mention that its culmination is just a part of the main quest that you simply can't miss even if you never recruited her (aka dealing with Gortash).
I can't really tell if this is what they had in mind all along (because if 'doomed character' is that they were going for, then this is a pretty weak execution) - or if they simply ran out of time given how she's the very last Origin they've worked on, and as such isn't even featured on game cover.
- Anonymous
She approves of Protecting Sazza, AND offering to Free Sazza. Mutually separate instances. As a reminder, freeing Sazza is one of the methods to gain an Oathbreaker Paladin. So depending on whom you choose, it may be worthwhile to combo that with her approval, maybe even turning Karlach into an Oathbreaker.
- Anonymous
If you go to the mountain pass early to try to do laezels quest wylls cutscene about not killing her plays, the paladins will be dead, and Karlach will be gone. Just a warning get her first
- Anonymous
Karlach approves of calling Kagha a monster, and of giving your scent to Silver the wolf in the Silver Grove. She approves of saying the druids are overreacting to the parents of Arabella. She DISAPPROVES of making the promise to Nettie to take the poison.
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
*Act III and ENDING SPOILERS for romance*
seems like you can't really do much for her problem beyond getting the engine 'upgraded' by Dammon twice and avenging her by killing Gortash once you get to Baldur's Gate (which concludes her companion quest) - but you can convince her at the very end while she's dying for you to both go to Avernus and stay there together (despite her previous objections throughout the story); it's kinda bittersweet but I guess it's the closest thing to a 'happy' ending if you don't want her to die
- Anonymous
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She, for some reason that i don't understand, disapproves of siding with Brithvar and the slaves during the fight with Nere. Given her background it seems really odd to me.
Is it a bug or is it suppose to be like this? Does anyone know why she disapproves if it isn't one?
I've tested it, Karlach is the only Companion every origin companion likes. Even Wyll approves if you defend Karlach and side against him. Lae'ze likes her for being Brash and strong. Astarion likes her for being an engine of violence. Shadowheart likes her for being a great fighther and being slightly horny. And Gale Idk but he likes it if she joines
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
hi everyone. does someone already know how to unlock the good ending? i only hear anout the bad/sad/depressing one.
- Anonymous
U can pick her before camp. Move to Zevlor hideout and climb on the mountain , then find a cliff with a chest and jump down if you playing as orc u will die and stand up with 1 hp. If u don't have an orc jump with Lae'zel she will take ~22 dmg, then jump with main hero and revive him. Speak with Karlach and pick her up. Use your last character to return in to Zevlor hideout for a group up
- Anonymous
Spoiler for Act 2
I decided to proceed onwards to act 2 from the lift in grymforge and after getting a blessing at an Inn it seems like Dammon dies 100% of the time. I don't know if the protagonist needs to do other things beforehand or go to act 2 via the mountain pass our path behind the goblin hideout, but taking the lift and going to the Inn definitely kills Dammon.
You can talk to Dammon before the whole blessing event to fix up Karlach's engine (dialogue makes it seem temporary).
I'm currently looking around the lower city in Baldur's Gate and it doesn't look like there is anyone else that can help :c
- Anonymous
Does anyone know how to get Dammon to give Karlach the second upgrade before killing the goblin leaders and having the tieflings move on from the grove?
- Anonymous
"Karlach has gone through multiple design changes over the years of early access. Each update she gets bigger."
I hope this trend continues with the release version - like, imagine if they scale her by 1% each update and don't even document it in the patch notes.
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why does she seem like one the Avatar person but with red color and horns
- Anonymous
Finally a game that lets us romance a hot buff barbarian... unlike Kingmaker :(
- Anonymous
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Her being labelled an Asmodeus Tiefling has to be wrong. During dialogue she reveals that she was the champion and prisoner of Zariel. So, I think she's much more likely to be a Zariel Tiefling. The +1 Strength boost fits a lot better with her character as well.
- Anonymous
I think the notes are wrong.
The one with the bomb inside his Chest is Gale.
Karlach has an infernal engine in her chest.
Those are the things that power tanks and stuff in hell.
So it probably either needs to be fed with souls. Or she can boost herself, when feeding souls.
- Anonymous
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I still think Paladin would fit more. Both because of the cha bonus from tiefling, and because it would be kind of ironic to have the most "good" character be a tiefling and paladin to an archdevil
- Anonymous
The picture above is her old model she has a newer one thats less generic its very likely she will be added as a companion and an alternate front liner since currently Lazel is the only one it seems like she might be classed as barbarian there are also other charecters in the MTG set that was released with this game in mind with backgrounds its possible they are also optional charecters for later but we will see!!
- Anonymous
According to baldurs gate set for mtg, she will be a barbarian
- Anonymous
PLEASE make her a full companion, we need at least 1 female party member who isn't an outright *******...
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
"Karlach is a potential Companion in Baldur's Gate 3. " uh no unless that's not in EA, she's not a companion.
Also once you're able to touch her, if you progress to act 3 without doing the deed with her it will lock you out of romancing her so make sure you long rest one or two times too make sure the option comes up.
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