How to recruit all companions in Baldur’s Gate 3

❘ Updated: 2024-06-22T13:02:10

Larian Studios

Baldur’s Gate 3 companions add vital spells and skills to your party, but finding all of them can be challenging. So, here’s how to get a hold of them, as well as their classes to ensure you choose the best one to suit your playstyle.

Baldur’s Gate 3 has ten different companions to choose from. You can fall in love with these companions, explore the world with them, or use them in battle.

However, finding all the available companions can be quite troublesome. So, here’s how you can recruit every companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 with their exact location.

Astarion

Race: Human
Class: Wizard
Background: Sage

Astarion can be found on the west side of the first main map, just after you crash-land onto the beach. Head to the southwest of the roadside cliffs, near the wreck and you should see him asking for help.

He’ll ask you to help destroy one of those ‘brain things’ he saw you kill. As soon as you help, or tell him to do it himself, he’ll threaten you with a blade. It’s quite easy to break out and calm the situation. Shortly after, your minds will link and you can begin traveling together.

Shadowheart

Race: High Half Elf
Class: Cleric (Trickery Domain)
Background: Urchin

Shadowheart will be found stuck in one of the Mind Flayer pods on the Nautiloid, if you stop to help her, you’ll need to find an Eldritch Rune which can looted from a Reliquary Chest through a nearby door.

Once you have the Rune, head to the terminal next to the pod and use your Illithid powers to open the cage. This will set Shadowheart free and she will travel with you until your ship crashes.

If you choose to save her on the ship, you can find her on the beach (as seen in the picture above) lying unconscious. You can help her again and recruit her.
If you didn’t free her on the ship, you can find her at the entrance to the Dank Crypt.
If you don’t do either of these options, you can find her later in the Druid Grove.

Gale

Race: Human
Class: Wizard
Background: Sage

You can recruit Gale by finding him near the Roadside Cliffs on the Ravaged Beach. Head towards that waypoint and you’ll see him stuck in the portal with his arm reaching for help.

Simply pull him out and he’ll thank you for your aid. Shortly after your minds will link and you can recruit him as a companion. Remember that pulling Gale can be complicated depending on your dice rolls and what class you end up playing.

Lae’zel

Race: Githyanki
Class: Fighter
Background: Soldier

Lae’Zel is one of the first companions you will meet in Baldur’s Gate 3 as she will be aboard the Nautiloid. After the crash, you can find her north of where you found Gale as indicated on the map above.

You can find her imprisoned in a cage by two Tieflings, you can then choose to persuade the Tieflings or fight them to make them leave the area. You can then shoot the cage to free Lae’Zel and recruit her.

Wyll

Race: Human
Class: Warlock
Background: N/A

You’ll be able to find Wyll, when you enter Druid’s Grove. He will be heroically fighting the Goblins at the gate, indicating he will likely be inside when you complete the battle.

Head into the Grove, and go to the Training Area, where Wyll will be training the other soldiers. Speak to him and he’ll explain a bit about himself. Shortly after chatting, you’ll be able to recruit him as your companion.

Karlach

Race: Asmodeus Tiefling
Class: Barbarian
Background: N/A

You can find Karlach through Wyll as all you have to do is follow Wyll’s quest to hunt down the demon and you should come across her.

You can find her north of the Risen Road, raging by the side of the river. Speak to her there, and make your choice to side with the Paladins hunting Karlach or side with Karlach herself. We’d recommend siding with Karlach as she’s one of the best companions in the game.

Halsin

Race: Wood Elf
Class: Druid
Background: N/A

To recruit Halsin, start Rescuing the Druid Halsin quest from the Emerald Grove. Side with the Druids to be able to recruit Halsin later. Once this is done, head to the Goblin Camp where you will find the door to the Worg Pens.

You will encounter Halsin disguised as a bear fighting some Goblins. You can free him by helping him take out the Goblins. That being said, while all of this happens in Act 1, Halsin won’t join you until Act 2.

Once you reach the Shadow Cursed Lands in Act 2, wake up Art Cullagh at the Last Light Inn and get him to mention Thaniel. Halsin will then ask for your help to save Thaniel, if you do end up saving Thaniel, Halsin will join your party fully.

Remember that if you decide to follow the Halsin questline, you’ll have to fight a lot of Goblins and it will be difficult. Therefore, be prepared if you want him on your team.

Minthara

Race: Drow
Class: Paladin
Background: N/A

You can find Minthara in the Shattered Sanctum. Take the ladder close to the door of Worg Pens which will lead you to her chambers. She’s one of the three Goblin Leaders you need to take down in the Goblin Camp.

Speaking to her will allow you to side with the Goblins and betrays Druids and Tieflings. Doing so will make Karlach and Wyll leave while also locking out Halsin. If you do end up siding with the Goblins she will eventually be on trial in the Moonrise Towers and you can recruit her there.

If you choose to not take on the Druid Grove, then you won’t be able to have her as a companion, so make your decision wisely.

Jaheira

Race: High half-elf
Class: Druid
Background: Soldier

You can only recruit Jaheira when you get to the Last Light Inn in the Shadow Cursed Lands during Act 2. She will likely ask you for aid in the upcoming battle at Moonrise Towers.

It’s up to you whether you let her fight alongside you or lead the Harpers but either way, you must ensure her survival. If she survives, you can recruit her as a companion shortly after.

Minsc

Race: Human
Class: Ranger, Hunter
Background: Folk Hero

Minsc is found relatively late into Baldur’s Gate 3, in Act 3. However, once you’re there, the first major step is to already have recruited Jaheira in the Last Light Inn.

Once you do so, you’ll get her companion quest. Follow this and you’ll eventually find Minsc in the Counting Halls. As you follow the quest, we’d advise bringing Jaheira along as it’ll give you a better chance to recruit Minsc. It’s also vital you keep Jaheira alive as her death will stop you from recruiting Minsc.

That’s how you can get hold of every companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. You can take a look at how to revive characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 if your companion happens to die. You can also check out the fastest ways to earn XP to level up fast.