What are the best ways to gain approval from Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3?

Gaining approval from Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3 involves understanding her personality, values, and the types of decisions she favors. Karlach is a tiefling barbarian with a strong sense of justice, loyalty, and a desire to protect the innocent. She appreciates bold, courageous actions and has a disdain for cowardice, cruelty, and manipulation. To build a strong relationship with her, you need to align your choices with her moral compass and engage in dialogue and actions that resonate with her ideals.

The approval system in Baldur's Gate 3 is based on how your decisions and dialogue choices align with a companion's personality. Each companion has a hidden approval rating that increases or decreases based on your actions. For Karlach, this means making choices that demonstrate bravery, compassion, and a willingness to stand up for others. Approval can be gained through main story decisions, side quests, and even small interactions during exploration.

To start gaining Karlach's approval, focus on being direct and honest in your conversations. Karlach values straightforwardness and dislikes deceit. For example, if you encounter a situation where you can lie or manipulate someone, avoid doing so. Instead, choose dialogue options that reflect honesty and integrity. This will earn her respect and increase her approval.

In combat, Karlach appreciates bold and aggressive tactics. She is a barbarian, so she thrives in the thick of battle. To gain her approval, engage in combat decisively and avoid overly cautious or defensive strategies. For instance, if you are faced with a choice to negotiate with enemies or attack them head-on, choosing to fight will likely earn her approval. Additionally, using her in combat and allowing her to shine in battle will also help build her trust in you.

Another key aspect of gaining Karlach's approval is supporting her personal quest and backstory. As you progress through the game, you will learn more about her past and the challenges she faces. Show empathy and offer to help her with her struggles. For example, if she shares her desire to seek revenge or protect her people, express your support and willingness to assist her. This will deepen your bond and increase her approval.

It is also important to avoid actions that Karlach disapproves of. She dislikes cruelty, especially towards the innocent or vulnerable. For instance, if you encounter a situation where you can harm or exploit someone weaker, avoid doing so. Similarly, she disapproves of cowardice or running away from challenges. Always strive to face problems head-on and protect those in need.

One common mistake players make is trying to please all companions simultaneously. This can be challenging because companions often have conflicting values. For example, while Karlach values honesty and bravery, Astarion may prefer cunning and manipulation. To avoid losing Karlach's approval, prioritize her values in situations where companions' preferences clash. This may mean sacrificing approval from other companions, but it will strengthen your relationship with Karlach.

Advanced techniques for gaining Karlach's approval include leveraging her class abilities and role-playing her ideals. As a barbarian, Karlach excels in melee combat and has abilities like Rage that make her a formidable fighter. Use her in your party frequently and position her in the front lines during battles. This not only increases her effectiveness but also aligns with her desire to be in the thick of the action. Additionally, role-playing as a character who shares her values can make it easier to gain her approval. For example, playing as a paladin or fighter who prioritizes justice and protection will naturally align with her ideals.

In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, Karlach's approval system is influenced by her alignment and class. Barbarians in D&D are often associated with chaotic good or neutral alignments, meaning they value freedom, strength, and protecting the weak. Understanding these traits can help you make decisions that resonate with her. For instance, choosing to free slaves or stand up to tyrants will align with her chaotic good tendencies and increase her approval.

Specific examples of gaining Karlach's approval include siding with the tieflings in the Druid Grove conflict. Karlach has a strong connection to her tiefling heritage and will approve of actions that protect her people. Additionally, helping her confront her past and seek justice for wrongs done to her will earn her approval. For instance, if you encounter a situation where you can help her take down a powerful enemy from her past, choosing to support her will strengthen your bond.

In summary, gaining Karlach's approval in Baldur's Gate 3 involves aligning your actions and decisions with her values of bravery, honesty, and justice. Be direct and honest in your conversations, engage in bold combat tactics, support her personal quest, and avoid actions that she disapproves of. By understanding her personality and leveraging her class abilities, you can build a strong relationship with Karlach and unlock deeper interactions and potential romance options.