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 desires. Karlach is a tiefling barbarian with a strong sense of justice and a deep hatred for the forces of evil, particularly those who have wronged her in the past. Her loyalty to the party is influenced by how you handle her personal quest and the moral decisions you make throughout the game.

First, you need to recruit Karlach into your party. She can be found in the wilderness area of Act 1, near the Risen Road. When you encounter her, she will be hostile at first due to her mistrust of strangers. To recruit her, you need to pass a series of dialogue checks that demonstrate your good intentions. High Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion or Deception can be helpful here. Once she joins your party, her personal quest, "The Hellion's Heart," will begin.

Karlach's personal quest revolves around her infernal engine, a magical device implanted in her chest by the archdevil Zariel. This engine is both a source of power and a curse, as it causes her immense pain and threatens to consume her soul. To keep Karlach in the party, you need to help her find a way to stabilize or remove the infernal engine. This involves several key steps and decisions.

In Act 1, you will need to gather information about the infernal engine. Speak with Dammon, a tiefling blacksmith in the Druid Grove, who can provide some initial insights. Dammon will tell you that he needs infernal iron to craft a device that can stabilize the engine. Infernal iron can be found in various locations, such as the Goblin Camp or the Underdark. Once you have the required materials, return to Dammon to have him create the stabilizing device. This will temporarily ease Karlach's pain and strengthen her bond with the party.

In Act 2, you will encounter more challenges related to Karlach's infernal engine. You will need to find additional infernal iron and seek out more advanced solutions. Dammon will again be a key figure in this process. He will suggest that the only way to fully remove the engine is to travel to the city of Baldur's Gate and find a powerful mage or artificer who can perform the necessary procedure. This sets the stage for the final resolution of Karlach's quest in Act 3.

Throughout the game, your dialogue choices and actions will influence Karlach's loyalty. She values honesty, bravery, and a commitment to fighting evil. Avoid making deals with devils or siding with clearly evil factions, as this will alienate her. Instead, focus on helping the innocent and standing up to tyranny. For example, in the Goblin Camp, siding with the tieflings and druids against the goblins will earn her respect. Similarly, in the Underdark, helping the myconids or the deep gnomes will reinforce your alignment with her values.

One common mistake is neglecting Karlach's personal quest or making choices that conflict with her moral compass. If you ignore her infernal engine problem or side with evil forces, she may eventually leave the party. Additionally, failing to gather the necessary infernal iron or missing key interactions with Dammon can stall her quest progression, leading to negative consequences.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing your party composition and combat tactics to support Karlach's strengths. As a barbarian, she excels in melee combat and can deal massive damage with her rage ability. Pair her with a cleric or paladin who can provide healing and buffs, and a rogue or ranger who can handle ranged attacks and stealth. This will create a balanced party that can handle various combat scenarios while keeping Karlach in the thick of the action.

In terms of D&D 5E rules, Karlach's infernal engine can be seen as a unique magical item or curse that affects her abilities and health. The process of stabilizing or removing the engine involves skill checks, resource gathering, and narrative choices that reflect the collaborative storytelling aspect of the game. Understanding these mechanics can help you make informed decisions and navigate her quest more effectively.

Specific examples of scenarios where your choices impact Karlach's loyalty include the confrontation with the paladins of Tyr in Act 1. These paladins are hunting Karlach, believing her to be a dangerous fugitive. If you side with the paladins and attack Karlach, she will leave the party permanently. However, if you defend her and uncover the truth about the paladins' corruption, she will trust you more and remain loyal.

In summary, convincing Karlach to stay with the party requires careful attention to her personal quest, alignment with her values, and strategic decision-making. By helping her stabilize or remove her infernal engine, making morally upright choices, and optimizing your party composition, you can ensure that Karlach remains a loyal and powerful ally throughout your journey in Baldur's Gate 3.