How do I convince Karlach to stay in the party in Baldur's Gate 3?

To convince Karlach to stay in the party in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to navigate her personal storyline carefully, making choices that align with her values and goals. Karlach is a tiefling barbarian with a strong sense of justice and a desire to break free from her past, which is tied to the infernal engine in her chest. Her loyalty and willingness to stay with the party depend on how you handle her questline and the decisions you make along the way. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of how to ensure she remains a loyal companion.

First, you need to recruit Karlach. She can be found in the wilderness area of Act 1, near the Risen Road. When you encounter her, she will initially be hostile due to a misunderstanding. To recruit her, you must pass a series of dialogue checks to calm her down and explain that you are not her enemy. Persuasion or Deception checks are often required here, so having a character with high Charisma can be helpful. Once she joins the party, her personal quest, "The Hellion's Heart," begins.

KarlachÔÇÖs quest revolves around her infernal engine, a device implanted in her chest that keeps her alive but also ties her to the Nine Hells. She wants to find a way to remove or deactivate it, and your choices during this quest will determine whether she stays with the party. In Act 1, you will encounter a tiefling blacksmith named Dammon in the Druid Grove. Dammon can provide some initial help with KarlachÔÇÖs engine, but the real progress happens in Act 2.

In Act 2, you will find Dammon again in the Last Light Inn. He will offer to make further improvements to KarlachÔÇÖs engine, but this requires Infernal Iron, a rare material you can find throughout the game. You need to provide Dammon with at least two pieces of Infernal Iron to fully stabilize KarlachÔÇÖs engine. Infernal Iron can be found in various locations, such as the Goblin Camp in Act 1 or the Gauntlet of Shar in Act 2. Make sure to explore thoroughly and collect these materials.

Once you provide Dammon with the Infernal Iron, he will make the necessary adjustments to KarlachÔÇÖs engine. This not only improves her condition but also strengthens her bond with the party. If you fail to provide the Infernal Iron or ignore her quest, Karlach may become disillusioned and leave the party. Therefore, prioritizing her quest and gathering the required materials is crucial.

Another important aspect of keeping Karlach in the party is your dialogue choices. Throughout the game, you will have opportunities to discuss her past, her goals, and her feelings about the infernal engine. Choosing supportive and empathetic responses will increase her approval of you, making her more likely to stay. For example, when she expresses her desire to be free of the engine, agreeing with her and offering to help will earn her approval. Conversely, dismissing her concerns or making light of her situation will decrease her approval and could lead to her leaving.

Combat tactics also play a role in maintaining KarlachÔÇÖs loyalty. As a barbarian, she thrives in melee combat, so positioning her effectively and supporting her with healing or buffs will keep her satisfied with the partyÔÇÖs performance. If she feels that the party is ineffective or if she is frequently left to die in combat, she may become frustrated and consider leaving.

In terms of advanced techniques, you can optimize KarlachÔÇÖs build to make her more effective in combat, which in turn keeps her happy. For example, focusing on her Strength and Constitution stats will make her a durable and powerful frontline fighter. Additionally, equipping her with powerful weapons and armor will enhance her combat effectiveness. Items that boost her rage abilities or provide resistance to damage are particularly useful.

From a D&D rules perspective, KarlachÔÇÖs infernal engine can be seen as a unique magical item or curse that requires specific conditions to remove. The need for Infernal Iron aligns with the idea of rare components required for powerful rituals or crafting in D&D. Her barbarian class also ties into her backstory, as her rage can be seen as a manifestation of her inner turmoil and the infernal energy within her.

In summary, to convince Karlach to stay in the party, you need to prioritize her personal quest, gather the required Infernal Iron, and make supportive dialogue choices. Effective combat tactics and optimizing her build will also contribute to her satisfaction with the party. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes like ignoring her quest or making dismissive dialogue choices, you can ensure that Karlach remains a loyal and valuable companion throughout your journey in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3.