How do I get Karlach to join my party 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 motivations. Karlach is a tiefling barbarian with a strong sense of justice and a desire to fight against tyranny, so your actions and dialogue choices will play a significant role in whether she decides to join your party. Here is a detailed guide on how to recruit her, along with important tips and considerations.

First, you need to reach the point in the game where you encounter Karlach. She can be found in the Shattered Sanctum, which is part of the Goblin Camp. This area is accessible after you have progressed through the early stages of the game and have reached the Goblin Camp. The Shattered Sanctum is a dangerous place filled with hostile goblins, so make sure your party is well-prepared for combat. You should have a balanced party composition, with at least one character who can deal high damage, one who can heal, and one who can tank or control the battlefield.

When you enter the Shattered Sanctum, you will eventually come across a room where Karlach is being held captive. She is being interrogated by a goblin named Priestess Gut. To recruit Karlach, you need to free her from captivity. There are several ways to do this, but the most straightforward method is to defeat Priestess Gut and the other goblins in the room. This will trigger a combat encounter, so be ready for a fight. Make sure to position your party strategically, using the environment to your advantage. For example, you can use choke points to limit the number of enemies that can attack you at once, or you can use ranged attacks to pick off enemies from a distance.

Once the combat is over, approach Karlach and speak to her. She will be grateful for your help and will express her desire to join your party. However, she will also have some conditions. Karlach is a character who values freedom and justice, so she will want to make sure that your goals align with hers. During the conversation, you will have several dialogue options. Choose the ones that emphasize your commitment to fighting against tyranny and helping those in need. This will increase her approval of you and make her more likely to join your party.

After the conversation, Karlach will officially join your party. She is a powerful barbarian with high strength and constitution, making her an excellent frontline fighter. Her rage ability allows her to deal massive damage and take less damage in return, making her a valuable asset in combat. However, keep in mind that barbarians have limited utility outside of combat, so you may want to balance your party with characters who have more versatile skills, such as a rogue or a wizard.

One important tip to consider is that Karlach's approval of you is influenced by your actions and dialogue choices throughout the game. If you make decisions that go against her values, such as siding with tyrants or harming innocent people, she may become disillusioned with you and eventually leave the party. To maintain a good relationship with Karlach, always try to make choices that align with her sense of justice and morality.

A common mistake to avoid is rushing into the Shattered Sanctum without proper preparation. The goblins in this area are numerous and can overwhelm you if you are not careful. Make sure to rest and replenish your resources before entering the Sanctum, and consider using stealth to avoid unnecessary fights. Additionally, be mindful of your party composition. Having a balanced team with a mix of damage dealers, healers, and support characters will make the encounter much easier.

For advanced players, there are some optimizations you can make to improve your chances of successfully recruiting Karlach. For example, you can use spells like Charm Person or Suggestion to manipulate the goblins and avoid combat altogether. Alternatively, you can use stealth to sneak past the goblins and free Karlach without alerting them. These strategies require careful planning and execution, but they can make the encounter much smoother.

In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, Karlach's abilities are based on the barbarian class from the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Her rage ability allows her to enter a state of heightened aggression, giving her advantage on strength checks and saving throws, as well as resistance to physical damage. This makes her a formidable opponent in combat, but it also means that she has limited utility outside of combat. To maximize her effectiveness, focus on building her strength and constitution, and consider giving her feats that enhance her combat abilities, such as Great Weapon Master or Sentinel.

In conclusion, recruiting Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3 requires careful planning, strategic combat, and thoughtful dialogue choices. By following the steps outlined above and keeping her values in mind, you can successfully add her to your party and benefit from her powerful combat abilities. Remember to prepare your party for the challenges ahead, make choices that align with her sense of justice, and avoid common mistakes that could jeopardize your relationship with her. With the right approach, Karlach will become a loyal and valuable companion on your journey through Baldur's Gate 3.