Almost three years have passed since then. Baldur's Gate 3 It was released to critical acclaim and praise. Nonetheless, the companion discourse is still going strong. It's not quiet either. Passionate debates and counterpoints rage just as they did during launch week.
Players both new and veteran are still actively seeking the absolute truth: who their best camp mates are. Baldur's Gate 3. And look no further than this Reddit thread that puts that energy front and center. Declaring Karlach the best companion is a perfect case study in this kind of fandom interaction. On the surface, this Karlach-centric view is not very controversial. After all, Karlach is widely loved. But it's the response that quickly proves it's “the best.” Baldur's Gate 3 It wasn't resolved at all.
All romanceable characters in Baldur's Gate 3
There are a total of 10 romance options in Baldur's Gate 3, each of which is a unique companion that players can get close to.
As the ultimate BG3 companion, Karlach's case is built on pure heart.
The above post doesn't over complicate things. For currently deleted users: Baldur's Gate 3Her barbarians win simply because they are nice. She enjoys being in camp, not in a mechanical sense or in a dramatic narrative twist kind of way. When contrasted with another BG3 Camp mates, this makes sense: Karlach is a genuinely good guy in a world where most of his comrades' burdens sour them.
Rearranges covers into correct US release order.
start
Rearranges covers into correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Difficult (10)
According to the post, she's “just a big kid in a bad tiefling body.” That sentiment also shows up in the replies. User eawardie says she finds Karlach refreshing because she doesn't rely on dark secrets to keep things interesting, calling her a “genuinely likeable person” in difficult situations. She's the one who wants hugs, dances while people watch, and delivers some of the most memorable lines in the game.
Why players love Karlach from Baldur's Gate 3
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Her good-natured nature stands out as the narrative pushes the player into darker corners. BG3 Ultimately, it's an open world game with morally gray decisions to make.
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Her vocal lines and delivery make her instantly memorable.
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She brings warmth and levity to the heavy moments of the story.
Not all Baldur's Gate 3 fans think Karlach is “the best.”
Kalach's Romance Baldur's Gate 3 It's a fan favorite. Her joy is contagious. But this Baldur's Gate 3 Debate without rebuttal. Karlach's personality is widely known, but some players argue that being likable doesn't equate to being the strongest companion overall.
User KatyaBelli points out: “Karlach is definitely likable, but her plot is lower quality than her four larger EA peers (Astarion, Lae'Zel, Shart, and Gale). But the voice acting is definitely great.”
Likewise, Mercurionio emphasizes how much potential his story has in the third act, but it only feels short. In a definite riposte to Karlach at the top, this user said: “Very bad ending and very truncated quest line. It's like half the third act points out something to do with her, but there's really nothing to do (Gortash is the problem anyway).”
Where critics say Karlach falls short
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Act 3 content feels less developed compared to other colleagues.
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Her personal quest doesn't develop as deeply as the others
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Kalach's conclusion is as follows: Baldur's Gate 3 It received a lot of criticism for being unsatisfactory.
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Other colleagues receive better emotional rewards.
Astarion, Lae'zel, and more continue the debate on BG3's best characters.
Even in threads focused on Karlach, it doesn't take long for other colleagues to join the conversation. Things get interesting because every rebuttal reveals a different definition of what “best” actually means for every player.
User jmbutler1728 argues in favor of Astarion, noting his growth and changes throughout the story, as well as the way his relationship with the player develops. They said, “I like Karlach, but Astarion is my favorite because of the amount of growth and change his character goes through and his overall arc. The way he speaks to Tav changes in distinct ways throughout the journey. Plus, I love storylines that subvert my expectations in a good way.”
Meanwhile, MiserableProfessor16 breaks this down even further, dividing “the best” into categories such as personality, narrative arc, and gameplay utility.
Other fan favorite picks
- Astarion: Praised for character development and emotional range
- Laezel: It is often cited as one of the strongest arcs in the game.
- Will: It is recognized as a moral compass for players to refer to while playing the game well. Baldur's Gate 3
- Shadowheart: Recognized for its deeply integrated and central storyline.
- gale: He was highly regarded for his introspective, redemption-focused stories.
What starts out as a simple Karlach appreciation post quickly grows into a snapshot of how differently the players connect with each of their peers.
This four Baldur's Gate 3 class combo is worth trying at least once.
Even if you're not a fan of multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3, these four multiclass combos will give you a build that can rock even the toughest fights.
Baldur's Gate 3's companion gap is the fandom's greatest strength
Anyone in the gaming space knows that while dialogue can be frustrating at times, it's actually a good sign. In this case:
There is no universally agreed upon “best” companion because the game does not guide the player to a single answer. Instead, it gives each character enough personality, narrative weight, and mechanical value to resonate differently with different players. For some, this is the warmth of Karlach. For others, it's Lae'zel's transformation. And for some players, it's a story woven into the origins of Tav or Durge.
i heard you
A while ago, I wrote an article ranking things. Baldur's Gate 3 Your companion from the best to the worst. Obviously, I'm a gamer just like you. I've got some thought pieces and personal favorite TikTok memes to prove it. However, as a games journalist, I've based my list solely on (somewhat) objective criteria in order to deliver an unbiased list. Some of you agreed. Some of you were convinced that I had personally released the tadpoles on Faerûn and befriended Ulvren Vongle.
But through the creative comments and shares, one thing stood out. The thing was that everyone had different opinions about who should come in first place. Players passionately defended the characters they bonded with the most, the characters they loved, and the immobile companions who shaped their play as a whole.
And perhaps this is the key to all of this. The best “companion” Baldur's Gate 3 It's not a fixed answer, but it reflects you – the player with your biases, baggage, and things that tick you off. It's nice to know that three years later these characters can still capture your heart, even if it means yelling at someone online.
Baldur's Gate 3
9/10
- released
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August 3, 2023
- ESRB
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Ages 17 and older / Blood and gore, partial nudity, suggestive content, strong language, violence
