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

Recruiting Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3 is a multi-step process that involves specific story progression, combat encounters, and dialogue choices. Karlach is a tiefling barbarian with a fiery personality and a tragic backstory tied to the infernal forces of the Nine Hells. To recruit her, you need to follow a series of steps that take you through the early acts of the game, with some key decisions along the way.

First, you need to reach the point in the story where you are exploring the wilderness areas outside the Druid Grove. Karlach is not available in the very beginning of the game, so you will need to progress past the initial tutorial section and the Nautiloid crash. Once you are in the wilderness, you will hear rumors about a dangerous tiefling who has been seen in the area. These rumors will guide you toward her location.

Karlach is found near the Risen Road, which is a region you can access after leaving the Druid Grove. To reach her, you will need to travel north from the grove, passing through areas like the Blighted Village and the Goblin Camp. Along the way, you may encounter various enemies and obstacles, so it is important to be prepared for combat. Make sure your party is well-equipped and that you have a balanced mix of classes to handle different types of enemies.

When you reach the Risen Road, you will find Karlach near a group of paladins who are hunting her. These paladins are part of the Order of the Gauntlet, and they believe Karlach to be a dangerous fugitive. This is where the recruitment process becomes more complex. You will need to decide whether to side with Karlach or the paladins. If you choose to side with Karlach, you will have to fight the paladins, which can be a challenging encounter. The paladins are well-armored and have powerful abilities, so you will need to use effective combat tactics to defeat them.

One important tip is to focus on taking out the paladins' leader first. This will reduce their morale and make the fight easier. Use crowd control spells like Hold Person or Sleep to disable some of the paladins while you deal with the others. If you have a rogue in your party, use sneak attacks to deal extra damage. Barbarians like Karlach can also be very effective in this fight, as they can deal high damage and take a lot of punishment.

After defeating the paladins, you will have the opportunity to speak with Karlach. She will explain her situation and why she is being hunted. At this point, you can invite her to join your party. If you have an open slot in your party, she will join immediately. If not, you can send one of your current companions back to camp to make room for her.

Once Karlach is in your party, you can start building a relationship with her. Like other companions, she has her own approval system, which is influenced by your dialogue choices and actions. Karlach approves of bold and aggressive behavior, so making decisions that align with her personality will increase her approval. Conversely, being overly cautious or indecisive will lower her approval. Building a high approval with Karlach can lead to romantic opportunities and deeper story developments.

One common mistake to avoid is rushing through the dialogue with Karlach. Take the time to listen to her story and understand her motivations. This will not only help you build a better relationship with her but also give you valuable insights into her character and the world of Baldur's Gate 3. Additionally, make sure to keep her well-equipped and leveled up, as she is a powerful frontline fighter who can be a key asset in combat.

In terms of advanced techniques, you can optimize Karlach's build by focusing on her barbarian abilities. Barbarians are known for their rage, which increases their damage output and reduces incoming damage. Make sure to use her rage ability frequently in combat, especially against tough enemies. You can also multiclass her with other martial classes like fighter or ranger to give her additional abilities and versatility.

From a D&D rules perspective, Karlach's barbarian class follows the standard 5th Edition rules. This means she has access to abilities like Reckless Attack, which allows her to attack with advantage but also gives enemies advantage against her. She also has Unarmored Defense, which increases her AC based on her Constitution and Dexterity modifiers. Understanding these mechanics can help you make the most of her abilities in combat.

In summary, recruiting Karlach involves progressing through the early acts of the game, making key decisions, and engaging in challenging combat encounters. By following the steps outlined above and paying attention to her approval and build, you can successfully recruit Karlach and make her a valuable member of your party.