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

Gaining Karlach's trust in Baldur's Gate 3 is a process that involves understanding her personality, making choices that align with her values, and engaging in her personal quest. Karlach is a tiefling barbarian with a strong sense of justice and a desire to protect the innocent. She values honesty, bravery, and loyalty, and she has a deep disdain for cruelty and exploitation. To build trust with her, you need to demonstrate these qualities through your actions and dialogue choices.

The mechanics of gaining Karlach's trust revolve around the approval system. Each companion in Baldur's Gate 3 has an approval rating that increases or decreases based on your decisions and interactions. Karlach's approval is influenced by how you handle situations involving justice, protecting the weak, and standing up to tyranny. Positive approval leads to stronger trust, while negative approval can make her question your character.

To start gaining Karlach's trust, you need to recruit her first. She can be found in the early stages of the game, and her recruitment involves helping her with a personal conflict. Once she joins your party, pay attention to her reactions during key moments. For example, if you encounter a situation where innocent people are in danger, choosing to help them will earn her approval. Conversely, if you ignore their plight or side with their oppressors, she will disapprove.

One effective strategy is to engage in dialogue with Karlach regularly. Ask her about her past and her motivations. This not only helps you understand her better but also shows that you care about her as a person. When given the opportunity, choose dialogue options that reflect bravery and a willingness to fight for what is right. For instance, if you encounter a group of bandits threatening a village, siding with the villagers and confronting the bandits will earn her approval.

Another important aspect is how you handle combat. Karlach is a barbarian, so she thrives in direct, aggressive combat. Fighting alongside her and using tactics that complement her strengths will make her respect you more. For example, positioning your characters to protect her flanks or using spells to enhance her abilities can show that you value her role in the party.

Avoid making choices that go against her values. Karlach has a strong moral compass, and she will disapprove of actions that involve deceit, cruelty, or exploitation. For instance, if you encounter a situation where you can betray someone for personal gain, choosing to do so will lower her approval. Similarly, if you side with factions or individuals who oppress others, she will lose trust in you.

Advanced techniques for gaining Karlach's trust include completing her personal quest. This quest involves resolving a conflict from her past and making choices that align with her sense of justice. Successfully completing this quest will significantly boost her approval and deepen your relationship with her. Additionally, paying attention to her reactions during major story decisions and choosing options that align with her values will further strengthen your bond.

In terms of D&D rules, Karlach's approval system is based on the alignment system. She leans towards a chaotic good alignment, meaning she values freedom and doing what is right, even if it means breaking the rules. Understanding this alignment can help you make choices that align with her values. For example, if you encounter a situation where the law is unjust, choosing to defy it in favor of doing what is right will earn her approval.

Specific examples of gaining Karlach's trust include helping the tiefling refugees in the Druid Grove. If you choose to defend them against the goblins and other threats, Karlach will approve. Another example is when you encounter the paladins of Tyr who are hunting her. Choosing to stand by her side and confront the paladins will earn her approval, while siding with them will cause her to lose trust in you.

In summary, gaining Karlach's trust in Baldur's Gate 3 involves making choices that align with her values of justice, bravery, and loyalty. Engage in dialogue with her, fight alongside her in combat, and avoid actions that go against her moral compass. Completing her personal quest and paying attention to her reactions during key moments will further strengthen your relationship. By understanding her alignment and motivations, you can make decisions that earn her approval and build a strong bond with her.