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

To convince Karlach to stay with the party in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to navigate her personal storyline carefully and make 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 to the party depends on how you handle her questline and the decisions you make throughout the game. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to ensure she stays with your group.

First, you need to recruit Karlach. She can be found in the wilderness near the Risen Road, where she is being hunted by paladins of Tyr. When you approach her, youÔÇÖll have the option to either help her or side with the paladins. To keep her in your party, you must choose to help her. This involves fighting the paladins and proving that you are on her side. After the battle, she will join your group, but her loyalty is not yet guaranteed.

Once Karlach is in your party, her personal quest, "The HellionÔÇÖs Heart," will begin. This quest revolves around the infernal engine in her chest, which is both a source of power and a curse. To keep her with the party, you need to help her find a way to either remove or stabilize the engine. This involves seeking out Dammon, a tiefling blacksmith who can help with the engine. Dammon can be found in the Druid Grove during Act 1 and later in the Last Light Inn during Act 2. YouÔÇÖll need to bring Karlach to Dammon and provide him with infernal iron, a rare material that can be found in various locations throughout the game. Each time you give Dammon infernal iron, he will make progress on stabilizing KarlachÔÇÖs engine, which will improve her condition and strengthen her bond with the party.

Throughout the game, youÔÇÖll also need to make dialogue choices that align with KarlachÔÇÖs personality. She values honesty, bravery, and a willingness to stand up for the oppressed. When given the chance, choose dialogue options that reflect these traits. For example, if you encounter situations where you can help the downtrodden or fight against injustice, take those opportunities. This will earn KarlachÔÇÖs respect and make her more likely to stay with the party.

Another important aspect of keeping Karlach in your party is managing her relationship with other companions. Karlach has strong opinions about certain characters, such as Wyll, who initially sees her as a demon due to her infernal engine. If Wyll is in your party, youÔÇÖll need to mediate their interactions and ensure that they come to an understanding. This can be done by encouraging dialogue between them and making choices that show KarlachÔÇÖs true nature. Over time, Wyll will come to see her as an ally rather than a threat, which will help maintain harmony in the group.

In terms of combat, Karlach is a powerful barbarian who excels in melee combat. To keep her happy and effective in battle, make sure she is well-equipped with weapons and armor that suit her class. Barbarians benefit from high Strength and Constitution, so prioritize these stats when leveling her up. Additionally, consider giving her feats that enhance her durability and damage output, such as Great Weapon Master or Tough. Keeping her alive and effective in combat will also contribute to her overall satisfaction with the party.

One common mistake to avoid is neglecting KarlachÔÇÖs questline. If you fail to provide Dammon with infernal iron or ignore her personal story, Karlach may become disillusioned and leave the party. Additionally, making choices that go against her values, such as siding with oppressive forces or betraying her trust, can lead to her departure. Always prioritize her quest and make decisions that align with her moral compass.

Advanced techniques for keeping Karlach in the party include using her abilities strategically in combat and leveraging her unique traits in dialogue. For example, her barbarian rage can be a game-changer in tough battles, so use it wisely. In dialogue, her tiefling heritage and infernal engine can sometimes open up unique options that other characters donÔÇÖt have. Take advantage of these opportunities to further her story and strengthen her bond with the party.

In terms of D&D 5E rules, KarlachÔÇÖs infernal engine is a unique mechanic that doesnÔÇÖt have a direct counterpart in the tabletop game. However, her barbarian class and tiefling race follow standard 5E rules. Barbarians rely on rage to deal extra damage and reduce incoming damage, while tieflings have innate spellcasting abilities and resistance to fire damage. Understanding these mechanics can help you optimize KarlachÔÇÖs performance in combat and make the most of her abilities.

In summary, to convince Karlach to stay with the party, you need to help her with her infernal engine, make choices that align with her values, and manage her relationships with other companions. By following her questline, providing infernal iron to Dammon, and making morally upright decisions, you can ensure that Karlach remains a loyal and valuable member of your group. Avoid neglecting her story or making choices that go against her principles, and use her abilities strategically in combat to keep her engaged and effective. With careful attention to her needs and goals, Karlach will stay with the party and contribute to your journey through BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3.