1. Fighter: Fighters are skilled warriors with a focus on martial combat. They excel in melee and ranged combat and can be built to specialize in various weapon types. They have abilities like Action Surge and Extra Attack.
2. Wizard: Wizards are arcane spellcasters who harness the power of magic to cast spells and control the battlefield. They can specialize in different schools of magic and learn a wide range of spells.
3. Rogue: Rogues are agile and stealthy characters who excel at sneaking, lockpicking, and dealing massive damage with sneak attacks. They have abilities like Cunning Action and Evasion.
4. Cleric: Clerics are divine spellcasters who can heal, buff, and damage enemies with their spells. They also have the ability to turn undead creatures and can choose from various domains.
5. Ranger: Rangers are skilled hunters and trackers who are proficient with ranged weapons and can have an animal companion. They have abilities like Hunter's Mark and Favored Enemy.
6. Warlock: Warlocks make pacts with powerful otherworldly beings to gain access to eldritch magic. They have unique abilities such as Eldritch Blast and can choose different patrons.
7. Sorcerer: Sorcerers are spellcasters with innate magical abilities. They can cast spells using sorcery points and have a variety of origins, such as Draconic Bloodline or Wild Magic.
8. Barbarian: Barbarians are fierce and hardy warriors who go into a battle rage, gaining bonuses to damage and resistance to damage. They have abilities like Rage and Reckless Attack.
9. Bard: Bards are versatile performers who use their music and charisma to cast spells and inspire their allies. They can choose a bardic college that defines their specialization.
10. Druid: Druids are nature-focused spellcasters who can shapeshift into animals and harness the power of the elements. They have abilities like Wild Shape and Circle forms.
11. Paladin: Paladins are holy warriors dedicated to a cause or deity. They have divine spellcasting abilities and can smite their enemies with powerful attacks. They also have a Sacred Oath that defines their path.
12. Monk: Monks are disciplined martial artists who use their fists and agility to fight. They have abilities like Flurry of Blows and Ki points for special attacks.

1. Half-Elf: Half-Elves are a versatile choice for Bards. They receive a bonus to Charisma, which is the primary ability score for Bards, making them charismatic and persuasive. Additionally, they gain two extra skill proficiencies of their choice, enhancing the Bard's versatility.
2. Tiefling: Tieflings can make interesting Bards due to their infernal heritage. They receive bonuses to Charisma and Intelligence, both of which can be useful for a Bard. Their racial spells can also add some flavorful options to your Bard's repertoire.
3. Aasimar: Aasimar are celestial beings with a natural affinity for the divine, making them suitable for Bard subclasses like the College of Valor or College of Eloquence. They receive bonuses to Charisma and Wisdom, and they can use their radiant soul ability to deal extra damage.
4. Drow (Dark Elf): Drow are known for their magical abilities, making them a good choice for a Bard. They have bonuses to Charisma and Dexterity, and they get access to the Drow Magic racial spells, which can complement the Bard's spellcasting.
5. Gnome (Forest Gnome): Forest Gnomes receive a bonus to Dexterity and an innate proficiency with the minor illusion cantrip. This can be useful for Bards, especially those who want to focus on subtlety, trickery, or illusion magic.
6. Human: The standard Human is always a solid choice due to its versatility. You can allocate your ability score bonuses to Charisma and another relevant attribute. This allows you to tailor your Bard's strengths to your preferred Bard subclass and playstyle.
7. Halfling (Lightfoot): Halflings are naturally charismatic and make for charming Bards. Their Lucky racial trait can help you out in sticky situations, and their small size can provide advantages in certain scenarios.

Ultimately, the best race for your Bard character depends on your character concept and what kind of story and role-playing experience you want to have. Consider both the mechanical benefits and the role-playing opportunities that your chosen race can provide, and choose the one that aligns with your vision for your character.

After a wait of over two decades, Baldur’s Gate 3 is here and offers a variety of companions to share your adventure with.

These special characters can be recruited to join your party in Baldur’s Gate 3 and will assist in combat, though certain conditions must be met and your actions could lead to them leaving you further down the line.

There are a total of 10 companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, all of which can be respecced to any other class in the game, though you cannot change their race. Changing a character’s class does not change their story.

Six of the companions can be played as an origin character to explore within Baldur’s Gate 3, and, if not selected, can then be found on your journey.Table of Contents

• Astarion
• Shadowheart
• Gale
• Lae’Zel
• Wyll
• Karlach
• Halsin
• Minthara
• Minsc
• Jaheira

Astarion

Astarion is a High-Elf Rogue companion with a noble background who can first be encountered during Chapter One or can be selected for playthrough as an Origin character.

A vampire fleeing from a vampire lord named Cazador Sarr, Astarion has a number of skills, including Stealth and Sleight Of Hand, that can make him a valuable member of any party in Baldur’s Gate 3.

In order to keep Astarion on your side, balance your behavior to be both flirty and sarcastic, and choose the right option when he reveals himself to be a vampire to your party.

Starting Equipment

• Padded Armour
• Leather Boots
• Dagger
• Shortbow

Starting Skills

• Acrobatics
• Sleight of Hand
• Stealth
• History
• Perception
• Deception
• Persuasion

Shadowheart

Shadowheart is a High Half-Elf Cleric companion with an urchin background who can first be encountered during Act One or can be selected for playthrough as an Origin character.

As a Cleric, Shadowheart possesses abilities to heal allies and rebuff enemies, a key boost to any party, though her sassy nature may prove to be irritating.

To gain approval from Shadowheart, regularly disagree with Lae’Zel who she doesn’t like, and be kind to animals. The easiest way to do this is to pet Scratch whenever he appears at camp.

Starting Equipment

• Circlet
• Chain Shirt
• Leather Boots
• Mace
• Studded Shield

Starting Skills

• Sleight of Hand
• Stealth
• Religion
• Insight

Gale

Gale is a Human Wizard companion with a Sage background who can first be encountered during Act One or can be selected for playthrough as an Origin character.

A high Intelligence stat makes Gale great when researching magical items and his priority is removing the tadpole you have in your head—so any action down that path will gain approval rating.

Being sympathetic also earns appeal from Gale but dishonest deeds do the opposite, as does embracing the tadpole’s powers.

Starting Equipment

• Simple Robe
• Simple Boots
• Quarterstaff

Starting Skills

• Arcana
• History
• Investigation
• Insight

Lae’Zel

Lae’Zel is a Githyanki Fighter companion with a Soldier background who can first be encountered during the prologue or can be selected for playthrough as an Origin character.

Fighters are an important aspect of any party in Baldur’s Gate 3, with the ability to tear enemies apart and keep weaker members of your party safe. However, she has weak Charisma and should be kept away from dialogue checks.

To keep Lae’Zel on your side, show strength and be cruel. Siding with her over Shadowheart also boosts appeal, while siding with Shadowheart does the opposite. Anything other than the Githyanki way of removing the tadpole also yields negative appeal.

Starting Equipment

• Githyanki Half Plate
• Leather Boots
• Longsword
• Shortbow

Starting Skills

• Athletics
• Acrobatics
• Arcana
• Survival
• Intimidation

Wyll

Wyll is a Human Warlock companion with a Noble background who can first be encountered during Chapter One, specifically during the Removing the Parasite quest, or can be selected for playthrough as an Origin character.

Attributes for Wyll do not initially match up well with his class, so you need some work to make the most of him. However, a high Charisma stat makes him great for dialogue checks on your adventures.

Wyll generally dislikes it when you do cruel things, the opposite of Lae’Zel, and dislikes goblins. The best way to improve Wyll’s appeal is to be nice, including petting Scratch the dog.

Starting Equipment

• Padded Armour
• Leather Boots
• Rapier

Starting Skills

• Arcana
• History
• Intimidation
• Persuasion

Karlach

Karlach is an Asomodeus Tiefling Barbarian companion with an unknown background, who can be found at The Risen Road in Act One or can be selected for playthrough as an Origin character.

She is incredibly strong and is a solid member of any party, with the ability to quickly churn through enemies and protect the weaker members of your team.

As a former slave, freeing slaves results in appeal from Karlach, as does showing strength, while behavior of the opposite will result in disapproval.

Starting Equipment

• Greataxe
• Crossbow

Starting Skills

TBC

Halsin

Halsin is a Woof Elf Druid companion who can first be encountered during Act One.

Boasting the capability of turning into a bear, Halsin is extremely strong and is the infamous companion that will result in bear sex if you play your cards right.

Protecting nature is one way to increase his approval rating, which will drop if you do the opposite.

Starting Equipment

TBC

Starting Skills

TBC

Minthara

Minthara is a Drow Paladin who can first be encountered during Act One at the Shattered Sanctum.

However, Minthara cannot be recruited as a companion until later in the game, though she can be romanced early on.

Minthara is a follower of The Absolute, with some members of the cult implanted with a tadpole, just like your character, so any actions to remove the tadpoles will result in negative appeal. Using the abilities provided, however, will do the opposite.ADVERTISING

Starting Equipment

TBC

Starting Skills

TBC

Minsc

Minsc is a Human Ranger companion and is a fan favorite from the original Baldur’s Gate.

Full stats and abilities for Minsc are not yet known, but he should still come with his beloved hamster.

Raising approval rating with Minsc is likely done by completing heroic attacks and being kind to animals.

Starting Equipment

TBC

Starting Skills

TBC

Jaheira

Jaheira is a Half-Elf Druid companion who returns from Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate 2 and can first be encountered at Last Light Inn in Act Two.

Full stats and abilities for Jaheira are not yet known, though she was well-balanced in previous entries of the franchise and is expected to have similar stats.

As a neutral character, Jaheira is not expected to respond to both heroic or evil actions, though she is a lover of nature, so being kind to animals should provide some positive appeal.

Starting Equipment

TBC

Starting Skills

TBC

Players adventuring through the world of Baldur’s Gate 3 do not need to be on their own since there are plenty of companions to accompany them.

Each companion comes with their own unique backstory, and some are also playable as an origin character, covering a range of classes and having a number of abilities to help you in whatever battle you may find yourself in.

In total, there are 10 companions to find in the world of Baldur’s Gate 3, some of whom you will meet almost immediately, while others require you to venture further into the game before you can become acquaintances.

Companions are also able to be romance options for your player, so you won’t need to worry about any lonely nights. Though some companions are definitely better than others, who can be downright annoying—no Gale, you can’t eat my magic shoes.

If you’re looking for the right team composition and who should join you on your travels, here’s our selection of the best companions—based on their combat, skills, classes, story, and more.ADVERTISING

Who are the best companions in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Karlach

The fiery-hot, foul-mouthed Karlach is by far my favorite companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. She provides immense damage, plenty of health, and an endless amount of entertainment.

Karlach is a Tiefling Barbarian and has high strength stats, which allow her to inflict serious damage upon enemies as well as help to clear heavy objects that can hide loot—like the scuffed rock early in the game.

Excelling at close-range combat, Karlach is a brilliant asset for any team and can shoulder plenty of damage before being defeated, so it’s possible to use her as a primary attacking outlet or as a tank to maneuver around teammates to protect them.

The best bit about Karlach, by far, is her personality. In her companion quest, after defeating some Paladins who were hunting her, she burst into a fiery fit of rage, setting everything on fire and screaming obscenities.

Shadowheart

A companion you can find early on in Baldur’s Gate 3, as you can rescue her in the prologue, Shadowheart is a must-have in any party composition as she provides a great source of healing, as well as fairly decent damage output.

Using spells as a Cleric, Shadowheart is able to provide protection to allies or buffs to future attacks, as well as inflict status effects on enemies themselves. She does not have tons of health, however, so jumping head-first into battle is not recommended.

With abilities that can be used at range as well as head-on, Shadowheart offers a lot in battle. She is also great at passing Perception checks to reveal hidden areas or items that provide valuable rewards.

Shadowheart’s storyline is intriguing, too. She’s a worshipper of Shar and does not remember her past, which leads to some interesting interactions and character development.

Astarion

While I find Astarion infuriating, there is no denying he has a rather unique backstory and is particularly useful when engaging in battles by using stealth to inflict serious damage.

As a Rogue, Astarion has great maneuverability and decent damage output, while he can bite enemies for self-healing when required. Though that doesn’t do much damage, it saves you from using a potion or a healing action from an ally.

The Vampiric high elf does get quite annoying in dialogue and will not stop asking me if I want to be bitten again (I don’t), but the story is an interesting concept that is progressing along nicely, even if I’m still early on in the game.

Lae’zel

The first ally you will come across in Baldur’s Gate 3, Lae’zel is a great option for high-damage output, particularly if you don’t have Karlach available.

As a Fighter, Lae’zel excels in close-quarters combat and is capable of shouldering significant punishment from enemies before being downed, making her a useful tank in most combat situations.

She does not get along well with Shadowheart, with the pair clashing almost immediately in the game, so you’ll find it difficult to keep both on your side.

Minthara

Having Minthara as a companion requires certain choices in the game and she will not be available if you kill her (obviously), or if you romance her.

As a Paladin, Minthara provides damage output through melee as well as healing to keep your party alive, though be warned that the steps to having Minthara as a companion require you to be very, very evil.

Minthara pairs particularly well with someone who has chosen the Dark Urge origin character, however, and should be considered if you are going down that route.

1. Understand Character Creation: In Baldur's Gate 3, you'll create a character with various attributes like race, class, background, and abilities. Understand how these choices impact your character's playstyle.
2. Character Concept: Decide on a character concept or role you want to play. Do you want to be a spellcaster, a melee warrior, a sneaky rogue, or a combination of these? Knowing your character's role will help you make appropriate choices.
3. Attributes: Allocate your ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma) based on your character concept and chosen class. For example, if you want to be a powerful wizard, you'll prioritize Intelligence.
4. Skills and Background: Choose your character's skills and background based on your role and backstory. If you're a rogue, you might want skills related to stealth and lockpicking.
5. Class Abilities: Understand your chosen class's abilities and spells. Some classes have unique features, and you'll want to plan how you'll develop your character's abilities as they level up.
6. Feats and Leveling: As your character levels up, you'll have the option to choose feats or abilities. Plan ahead for these choices to ensure they align with your character concept.
7. Gear and Equipment: Consider the type of weapons and armor your character will use. Different classes are proficient with different types of equipment.
8. Party Composition: If you're playing in a group, consider how your character will complement your party members. Having a balanced party with various roles can be advantageous.

There is apparently a part in baldurs gate 3 where a dude has fun with a bear.

Buldars gate 3 developer has teased some romance options including one that lets you have fun with a bear as druid in bear form.

How to get to that scene

1. Make sure you're romancing Halsin
2. Wait until he goes back to humanoid form to appologise
3. Choose the option that says you actually like it

Have fun ;)

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