How do I recruit Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3?

To recruit Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to follow a specific sequence of events and make certain choices that align with her character and story. Karlach is a tiefling barbarian with a fiery personality and a strong sense of justice, so your interactions with her will heavily influence whether she joins your party. Here is a detailed guide on how to recruit her, including mechanics, strategies, and tips to ensure success.

First, you need to locate Karlach. She can be found in the Shattered Sanctum, which is part of the Goblin Camp in Act 1. The Goblin Camp is located to the west of the Druid Grove, and reaching it requires navigating through several hostile areas filled with goblins and other enemies. Before heading to the Goblin Camp, it is advisable to have a well-balanced party with strong combat capabilities, as you will face multiple battles. Characters like Shadowheart for healing, Gale for ranged magic damage, and Lae'zel for melee combat are good choices to bring along.

Once you reach the Shattered Sanctum, you will encounter Karlach in a tense situation. She is being held captive by the goblins, and you will need to decide how to handle the situation. The key to recruiting Karlach is to gain her trust, which means you should avoid siding with the goblins. If you attack the goblins or find a way to free her without violence, she will be more inclined to join your party. However, if you side with the goblins or make choices that go against her moral compass, she will refuse to join you.

One effective strategy is to use dialogue options that show empathy and a willingness to help her. For example, when you first speak to her, choose dialogue options that express concern for her situation and offer to help her escape. This will increase her approval of you and make her more likely to join your party. Additionally, if you have a character with high Charisma, such as a Bard or Paladin, you can use Persuasion or Deception checks to convince her that you are trustworthy.

After freeing Karlach, you will need to escort her out of the Goblin Camp. This can be challenging, as the goblins will likely attack you on sight. To make this easier, consider using stealth tactics to avoid unnecessary fights. Characters with high Dexterity, such as Astarion, can be useful for sneaking past enemies. Alternatively, you can use area-of-effect spells like Fireball or Cloud of Daggers to quickly dispatch groups of goblins.

Once you have successfully escaped the Goblin Camp with Karlach, she will express her gratitude and offer to join your party. At this point, you can add her to your active party by speaking to her and selecting the appropriate dialogue option. Keep in mind that your party can only have four members at a time, so you may need to dismiss one of your current companions to make room for Karlach.

It is important to note that Karlach's recruitment is tied to your choices throughout the game. If you make decisions that conflict with her values, such as siding with evil factions or harming innocent people, she may leave your party or refuse to join in the first place. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the consequences of your actions and how they align with her beliefs.

In terms of character building, Karlach is a powerful barbarian with high Strength and Constitution, making her an excellent frontline fighter. She excels in melee combat and can deal significant damage with her rage ability. To optimize her effectiveness in combat, consider equipping her with heavy armor and two-handed weapons like greatswords or greataxes. Additionally, her barbarian abilities, such as Reckless Attack and Unarmored Defense, can be used strategically to maximize her damage output and survivability.

In summary, recruiting Karlach requires careful navigation of the Goblin Camp, making choices that align with her values, and successfully escorting her to safety. By following these steps and considering the tips provided, you can add this formidable barbarian to your party and benefit from her unique abilities and personality. Remember to stay true to her moral compass and make decisions that foster trust and camaraderie, as this will ensure a strong and lasting partnership with Karlach.