Players fond of CRPGs will remember the Baldur’s Gate series for its compelling storylines and wonderful cast of characters, and Baldur’s Gate 3 brings the same character-focused flavor to modern screens. This time around, players encounter various survivors who escaped a recent skirmish against mind flayer invaders from Faerun. Not only that, all of them have to eliminate illithid tadpoles inside of them before transforming into mind flayers themselves.

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However, Baldur’s Gate players who want to make optimized parties may want to rely on the game’s best Baldur's Gate 3 companions to help them save the day. The thing is, just how does each companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 fare in the context of specific builds?

Updated May 15, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With Baldur’s Gate 3 recently winning BAFTA 2024’s Game of the Year, fans of Dungeons & Dragons might wonder exactly what the fuss is about regarding this acclaimed title. However, as experienced players might tell newcomers, one of the most appealing parts of Baldur’s Gate 3 has to do with its delightful cast of characters. As players slowly meet the ten Companions the game will make available, some might stand out with unique personalities and idiosyncrasies.

However, some of these Companions may also stand out as stronger allies due to the potential of their builds. Ideal alternate builds for Companions include capitalizing on their naturally-high base stats, or even trying to replicate their builds from previous Baldur’s Gate entries.

10 Jaheira

A Returning Character Set Back By A Repeating Base Class

The Druid Jaheira has experienced her fair share of world-saving adventures as a returnee from the previous Baldur's Gate games. Now accompanying the Harpers as they plan to attack the Moonrise Towers, players can again seek her assistance in fighting the threats they’re about to face in Act 2.

Already a hardened warrior and capable leader, Jaheira can become quite the dependable Companion throughout a playthrough with a Baldur’s Gate 3 character. Her recommended Class as a Druid can transform her into one of the group’s main healers, resembling her role as a Druid/Fighter hybrid in previous games. Unfortunately, players not being able to Romance her does make her other Druid counterpart, Halsin, potentially more desirable.

Recommended Build: Druid, Circle Of The Land

While it’s tempting to build Jaheira as a Druid/Fighter Multiclass in Baldur’s Gate 3, her low Strength makes it unideal for players to pursue this route. Possession of decent Dexterity could transform Jaheira into a Druid/Ranger hybrid, although a Circle of the Land Druid may suit her skillset best due to her high Wisdom.

Compared to other Druid Subclasses, the Circle of the Land gives Jaheira access to more Druid Spells that could be tailored to a player’s ideal playstyle, depending on the environment or region chosen. This difference in Druid kits also makes Jaheira a neat support unit opposite a more aggressive Druid like Halsin.

Alternative Build: Paladin, Oath Of The Ancients

Fans of the original Baldur’s Gate title will remember Jaheira as a strong-willed Fighter/Druid Multiclass, and players can get close to this variation if they build her as an Oath of the Ancients Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3. This capitalizes on the Oath’s access to some Druid Spells (Speak With Animals, Ensnaring Strike, Misty Step, Moonbeam, Plant Growth), as well as nature-themed effects (restraining Nature’s Wrath, repelling Turn the Faithless). Thanks to the Paladin’s enhancements to her physical strength, this can make for a decent base Class to eventually Multiclass into a Circle of the Moon Druid.

Best Party Members For Jaheira

• Wyll: Ever the honorable Companion, Jaheira would find a dependable comrade in Wyll, especially for players hoping for a Face character to carry dialogue with high CHA Checks. Staying as a Warlock also allows Wyll to provide DPS/Support to the team with his versatile kit of spells and attack opportunities.
• Karlach: While Karlach’s initial appearance as a Tiefling may be unsettling when she and Jaheira first meet in Act 2, her bubbly personality is a much-needed contrast to Jaheira’s straightforwardness. As a Barbarian, Karlach can provide tanking to the team should players want Jaheira to stay in a supportive healing role.
• Minsc: It’s no question that Jaheira’s former comrade-at-arms is one of her most trusted Companions, especially with Minsc and Boo. Minsc is already familiar with Jaheira, making their interactions worth the look. However, Minsc shines in his versatility as a Ranger, boasting the capability of dishing damage up close or from afar.

9 Minthara

A Competent Paladin With A Complicated Recruitment Method

The Paladin Minthara can make quite a tricky acquaintance, as players can only recruit her in Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay if they raze the Emerald Grove or after her trial once players knock her out while defending the Tieflings. This effectively has the chance of exchanging Halsin for a chance to get Minthara in the party, giving players access to a more combat-oriented tank-support hybrid. Regardless of the Oath of choice, Minthara brings a smaller slate of more straightforward support spells complemented with multi-effect Smites that position her as a melee powerhouse.

Minthara's villainous nature can give players multiple options to expand their approach with her, potentially converting her or pursuing a darker path with the supposed Holy Warrior. Given the lack of a high-STR character with extra utility, Minthara could make for an efficient tank replacement for Lae’zel and Karlach.

Recommended Build: Paladin, Oath Of Vengeance

Players looking for a more versatile yet combat-ready character should spec Minthara into an Oath of Vengeance Paladin. This D&D Subclass boasts more offensive utility for the Paladin on top of a standard array of supportive spells, giving Minthara more room to duke it out on melee with enough self-sufficiency that her other allies can focus on other tasks.

Due to her rather high WIS, Minthara could also Multiclass into a Cleric of any Domain the player prefers. This 8 Paladin/4 Cleric split is a recommendation should players want to pursue a Minthara build with more support capabilities.

Alternative Build: Bard, College Of Swords

Being one of the leaders of the Goblin Camp means Minthara knows her way around words - a tough task indeed, considering carefree Goblins were majorly her charge. Players who want to translate this backstory into a build should consider making Minthara a College of Swords Bard, capitalizing on her high base CHA and channeling it through equal parts utility and ferocity with attacks. At Bard 6, she can transition into Paladin 2 - this way, she can integrate Divine Smites alongside the Bard’s Extra Attack. Even without Smites, the Bard’s Flourishes give Minthara a diverse range of combat options.

Best Party Members For Minthara

• Shadowheart: Being one of the more morally gray characters in the game, Shadowheart could understand Minthara’s darker nature given her affinity with Shar. If maintained as a Cleric, Shadowheart’s healing and buffing spells could synergize with Minthara’s more combative holy spells, ensuring the team can follow through on survivability.
• Astarion: Minthara’s ruthlessness may appeal to Astarion’s brand of deadly charm, especially as a vampire spawn who’s used to manipulating others to do his bidding. As a party member, keeping Astarion as a Rogue can give the party much-needed Physical DPS, especially when players capitalize on the deadly nature of Sneak Attacks.
• Lae’zel: Minthara’s absolutism could appeal to Lae’zel’s pragmatism, with the latter’s vendetta against Shadowheart opening interesting cutscenes and dialogue. When kept as a Fighter, Lae’zel can give Minthara support in the frontlines and combat versatility depending on her choice of Subclass. As an Eldritch Knight, Lae’zel could provide much-needed spell utility without sacrificing DPS.

8 Wyll

A Traditional Folk Hero With A Charisma Focus

At first glance, Wyll is a renowned hero in the land of Faerun. In truth, he is a Warlock of the Fiend Pact who made a deal with a succubus in exchange for power. Thankfully, the power he’s received did indeed make him rather competent in combat, allowing him to boast Charisma 17 and Intelligence 14 for his spellcasting, Constitution 15 for his durability, and Dexterity 13 to let him handle ranged combat. Unfortunately, Wyll's base stats mean he's more effective as a Face character but not much else outside of it.

Contrary to the spellcasting Gale, Wyll is a tried and true Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3, having access to a wealth of debilitating spells with the Constitution to help him outlast his foes. While his build as a Warlock means Wyll won’t be attacking in melee any time soon, his impressive durability allows him to at least become the last line of defense before the backline. His access to both damaging and debuff-inducing spells from D&D allows him to play with the battlefield in a more damaging manner compared to Gale. Unfortunately, his lack of a true “specialization” means his damage output isn’t always as optimal on the get-go.

Recommended Wyll Build: Warlock, The Fiend

Being connected to mysterious horrors is something that perfectly matches Wyll’s backstory, making the Warlock, the Fiend, a perfect build for him. However, aside from being fit in terms of story relevance, the Fiend also matches Wyll in terms of overall efficiency.

To make the most out of this build, players should secure the ability to add their CHA Mod (Agonizing Blast) or a 4.5-meter push (Repelling Blast) to their Eldritch Blast to diversify its use in combat further. He can also help make the fight more challenging for foes by inflicting Disadvantage on a specific Ability Check and dealing additional damage to them (Hex) and a set of rays that deal nifty 2d6 Fire damage each (Scorching Ray). When paired with a ranged Baldur’s Gate 3 weapon, Wyll can become nigh-untouchable.

Alternative Build: Paladin, Oath Of The Ancients

Players who create their own Origin will likely become the main talking person in the group, making a CHA specialist like Wyll unideal to become another Face character. In turn, players can capitalize on his high CHA by transforming him into an Oath of the Ancients Paladin. Unlike other builds, this is more of a Multiclass option, where Wyll keeps being a Fiend Warlock for his story but transitions into a Paladin to become a fortress for the team. Choosing Protection (Fighting Style), dishing out Smites to maximize Spell Slots, and even securing Misty Step at Paladin 5 should give Wyll much-needed mobility as a tank. This build should end with Paladin 5/Warlock 5 to maximize his combat options.

Best Party Members For Wyll

• Gale: Serving as one of the first Companions players meet in their playthrough, Gale’s story dwelling on the personal dimension of divine relationships juxtaposes well with Wyll’s relationship with Mizora. Party-wise, Gale’s access to utility spells as a Wizard can help Wyll’s capacity to support allies, ensuring the party’s tank and their fourth party member can accommodate more versatile battlefield roles.
• Halsin: The wisdom of the Druid Halsin can become a much-needed reprieve between Gale’s banter and Wyll’s sharing of his exploits. In combat, Halsin can go back and forth as either a supportive healer from the rear or a more direct tank up front, giving Wyll’s team much-needed versatility.
• Karlach: On top of their rocky start making for some wonderful storytelling, Karlach’s bubbly personality can become a decent fit to Wyll’s rather energetic team. Moreover, Karlach staying as a Barbarian can give their squad a much-needed frontline as a tank or even a heavy-hitting melee attacker in intense combat situations.

7 Minsc

Base Ranger Gives Players Room To Adapt To Different Encounters

During the player’s Baldur’s Gate 3 quest looking for Orin the Red, Jaheira will ask them to look for another one of her Companions, this time in the form of the iconic Minsc. Despite his size, Minsc is a reliable Ranger capable of adapting to most combat situations, be it with an animal companion, through the shadows, or using old-fashioned battle tactics.

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Building Minsc as a Ranger can make him an ideal Companion in various encounters, especially since his skillset rivals that of Lae’zel’s in terms of overall versatility. Whereas Lae’zel specializes in generating different effects through attacks, Minsc can secure advantages against foes differently.

Recommended Build: Ranger, Beast Master

Accompanied by the (mini giant space) hamster Boo, there’s no question in the appeal of having Minsc become a Beast Master Ranger. Doing so allows him to tap into a Ranger’s Companion to improve his Baldur’s Gate 3 performance, summoning a much larger beast that can do more damage in battle. With sufficient levels, Minsc can access Companion’s Bond, which gives a wide array of bonuses to boost his beast’s longevity. Additionally, Exceptional Training will allow Minsc’s companion to use Dash, Disengage, and Help as Bonus Actions - effectively transforming them into a pseudo-Companion.

Despite Minsc lacking the extra damage options of the Hunter Subclass and the stealthier offerings of the Gloomstalker, being a Beast Master can give the team a more dependable animal companion. This beast could become a more durable scout and an extra hand in combat.

Alternative Build: Barbarian, Wildheart

Based on Minsc’s introduction in Baldur’s Gate 3 and the establishment of his jolly but aggressive personality, it’s easy to want to try transforming his character into a Wildheart Barbarian. While a Berskerer can give Minsc more straightforward attacks, being a Wildheart offers Minsc more battlefield options akin to his original Ranger classification. Various Bestial Hearts will give him access to more dynamic movement and combat opportunities, allowing him to work in tandem with the rest of the team to accommodate different situations - be it Dashing while imposing Disadvantage to Opportunity Attacks (Eagle Heart), securing multi-damage resistances (Bear Heart), and even giving Advantage on melee attacks against foes (Wolf Heart).

Best Party Members For Minsc

• Wyll: Minsc being the ever-traditional good guy means working well with Wyll, who in his own right tries his best to do good despite his unsavory patronage. Sticking as a Warlock allows Wyll to give Minsc’s team much-needed versatility with his Spells and a Face for conversation checks.
• Gale: The Wizard of Waterdeep’s brand of quips may work well with Minsc’s hilarious nature, paving the way for clever banter. However, should Gale stick as a Wizard, Minsc can get a valuable asset through powerful long-range spells and utility casting. Gale can easily cover for the lack of DPS with a couple of AOE spells, or even get his team out of sticky situations.
• Jaheira: Minsc’s familiarity with Jaheira as a fellow Companion in Baldur’s Gate 2 hints at interesting conversations between them. Not only that, Jaheira as a Druid can provide much-needed survivability to Minsc’s crew. On top of healing spells, Jaheira may get into the frontlines as a tank or in the rear to assist.

6 Halsin

Gentle Giant Brings Strength & Wisdom To The Table

Assigned First Druid of the Emerald Grove, Halsin is one of the first Companions players can recruit in Baldur’s Gate 3 that aren’t part of the starting Origin options. When he’s rescued from the Goblin Camp and is helped in the quest for the Grove’s salvation, Halsin can accompany the player’s journey in ridding their Mindflayer parasite.

Halsin already showcases his combat superiority by staying in his Bear Form as a temporary Companion. This becomes more “controlled” once he’s acquired, with the accompaniment of extra Druid spells making him quite eligible for the sub-tank/sub-support role. Even outside being a Druid, his decent STR and WIS stats can help him transition into combat-heavy roles like the Fighter.

Recommended Build: Druid, Circle Of The Moon

Given Halsin’s penchant for striking opponents first in his animal form, his most ideal build is that of the Circle of the Moon Druid. Unlike other Druids, such as Jaheira, who have access to more spells, Halsin becoming a Moon Druid allows him to Wild Shape into more powerful beasts more suitable for combat.

Although Halsin loses access to more potent Druid Spells, this feature is easily compensated with access to adaptable Combat Wild Shape forms such as the Bear, the Dire Raven, the Sabre-Toothed Tiger, and a myriad of elemental Myrmidons.

Alternative Build: Monk, Way Of The Elements

For a person as buff as Halsin, one might be surprised he’s introduced as a Druid and not necessarily someone who focuses on bashing other people’s heads. However, players can technically respec him as a Way of the Elements Monk and allow him to get aggressive while still staying in touch with the elements. Circle of the Moon Druids can get OP as it is with Wildshape, but Monks can achieve a similar level of ridiculous power when paired with the damage boosts from Tavern Brawler.​​​​​​​

Best Party Members For Halsin

• Shadowheart: One of Halsin’s potential polyamory partners, Shadowheart can provide much-needed mystery to the former’s gentle nature. Shadowheart can become a powerful asset in the Druid’s team should players allow her to maintain her Class designation as a Cleric. While Halsin can fill in as a tank or a healer, Shadowheart being the delegated support unit in Halsin’s team can add to the team’s survivability.
• Karlach: Another of Halsin’s potential poly lovers, the bubbly Karlach fits Halsin’s humble personality. While Halsin can become a tank with Wild Shape, Karlach can secure the safety of the frontline if she maintains her designated Barbarian Class.
• Astarion: One of Halsin’s potential polyamorous partners, Astarion provides much-needed spice to the former’s rather humble and gentle nature. Astarion’s natural charm and penchant for the darker things in life can provide a new perspective on Halsin’s journey, accompanied by Astarion’s efficiency in dealing high damage numbers when maintained as a Rogue.

5 Karlach

Energetic Melee Powerhouse

When Wyll encounters Karlach, he recognizes her as the Devil’s Advocate he’s been assigned to hunt. However, Karlach explains that she’s only forced to participate in the Blood War and, now free, aims to eliminate her captor Zariel herself. Her large stature and fierce combat prowess are befitting her starting Class as a Barbarian, with her Rage Feature making her one of the most potent damage dealers in the game, regardless if they’re using Versatile Weapons or Heavy Weapons.

Unlike Lae’zel when built as the more tactical Fighter, Karlach, as a Barbarian, prefers more straightforward combat. If relegated to a tanking role, Karlach would ideally want to get the enemy’s attention and attack them while the rest of the team finishes them. When appropriately built, Karlach “defends” the team by ensuring threats are dead before they even get close to the rest of the party.

Recommended Build: Barbarian, Wildheart

Due to Karlach’s high STR, she should stick to her Berserker starting Class, ideally transforming her into a Wildheart to take advantage of the additional combat options that her Bestial Heart and Animal Aspects offer. This way, Karlach and the rest of the team could benefit whenever the Barbarian enters combat in their Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay. While not as versatile as the Battle Master, Wildheart is the closest the Barbarian has to a more support-leaning role.

Players who want a more battle-ready Karlach could opt for the Berserker Subclass instead, this time with Frenzy offering Frenzied Attack and Enraged Throw, which offers more repetitive options for hardcore striking. Frenzied Attack practically guarantees two strikes in an Action + Bonus Action pairing, with Extra Attack at 5th-Level giving Karlach access to a three-strike combo.

Alternative Build: Paladin, Oath Of Vengeance

When players get introduced to Karlach, she declares that she’s out for vengeance against Mizora - the very Fiend that Wyll made a Pact with. If players want to get Karlach out of a Barbarian role, she can fit the Oath of Vengeance archetype in terms of both flavor and combat potential. Karlach already begins with Searing Smite, and her natural charm and willingness to protect others can simply add flames to her desire to eliminate Mizora and the evil she represents. If players don’t get to recruit Minthara, Karlach can become the perfect Paladin substitute - especially for players who want a more divine-connected tank.​​​​​​​

Best Party Members For Karlach

• Minsc: Being a token good guy among Companions, Minsc and Boo’s banter could be comedy gold in Karlach’s team. However, what makes Minsc a strong asset for Karlach’s crew is his flexible combat potential as a Ranger. Being technically able to accommodate both short-range and long-range plays, Minsc can become a dependable damage dealer while Karlach focuses on defense.
• Halsin: As one of the game’s more dependable Companions, Halsin always has some piece of wisdom to offer his comrades. His gentle nature blends perfectly with Karlach’s bubbly streak, making Halsin as a Druid all the more effective for Karlach’s team. Halsin’s capability to shift from healing/support to overall damage with his Druid toolkit makes Karlach’s crew more diverse.
• Shadowheart: The Cleric of Shar’s early good impression of Karlach can make her a suitable comrade of the Tiefling, especially with Shadowheart’s gloomy nature contrasting Karlach’s fiery hyperactivity. If maintained as a Cleric, Shadowheart can give parties a guaranteed boost in survivability, especially once she starts using her heals and buffs.

4 Lae’Zel

Well-Balanced Stats Boost Compatibility With Builds

Trained specifically to fight illithids, Lae’Zel is a Githyanki Fighter of the Soldier background that knows exactly what she is doing. Her Skill specializations in Athletics and Acrobatics mean she can easily traverse obstacles to reach her foes. Moreover, her Great Weapon Fighting Style allows her to equip two-handed weapons in the game, giving her access to some of the largest damage pools from the get-go. Her most noteworthy stats are Strength 17, Dexterity 13, and Constitution 14, giving her both the durability and the skillset needed to handle combat across all ranges. This kit makes Lae’Zel an ideal frontliner in Baldur’s Gate 3 setups that want to focus on intense close-quarters combat.

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As a Fighter, Lae’zel is probably one of the fiercest combatants in Baldur’s Gate 3. Boasting mastery over a wide variety of weapons, Lae’Zel can easily eliminate her foes should they become unfortunate enough to get in her way. Perhaps Lae’Zel’s biggest setback is the distance component, where her lack of movement speed means having to spend a lot of time getting close to foes. In turn, one wrong move can have Lae’Zel surrounded with no way out. However, in situations where Lae’Zel is attacked, she can easily wreak havoc with her arsenal.

Recommended Lae’zel Build: Fighter, Battle Master

An easy choice of a build for the aggressive Lae’zel would be the Fighter, Battle Master, especially due to her naturally high STR Attribute, as well as above-average DEX and CON. Unlike other class choices like the stalwart Baldur’s Gate 3 Paladin, Lae’zel as a Battle Master grants her access to decent combat options early on in the game.

For instance, at Level 4, Lae’zel’s access to class features such as Menacing Attack, Rally, and Riposte allows her to maneuver the battlefield much more efficiently. Not to mention, having access to these convenient Passives allows Lae’zel to frighten the target (Menacing Attack), give 8 HP to an ally (Rally), and counter an attack with Weapon Damage + 1d8 Piercing (Riposte).

Alternative Build: Fighter, Eldritch Knight

An alternative build for Lae’zel takes advantage of a popular build in D&D, where being an Eldritch Knight Fighter and bonding with a weapon means returning to the players when Thrown. Through the Tavern Brawler Feat, players add twice the STR Mod to both the Attack Roll and Damage Roll - which can be enhanced with the Ring of Flinging for extra 1d4 Damage. Outside this mechanical tweak, Lae’zel as an Eldritch Knight adds more utility to her kit courtesy of Spells, ensuring she can dish out extra damage outside her weapon attacks without having to rely on the team’s base caster.​​​​​​​

Best Party Members For Lae'zel

• Jaheira: The no-nonsense attitude of Jaheira can make her a dependable comrade in the eyes of the straightforward Lae’zel, especially once players maintain Jaheira as a Druid. Despite Jaheira’s Wild Shape potentially clashing with Lae’zel’s frontline prowess as a Fighter, Jaheira has the advantage of utility once she uses her Druid powers to heal and support allies from the rear.
• Gale: While the humor of the Wizard of Waterdeep doesn’t always sit well with Lae’zel, Gale retaining his position as a Wizard can give the Githyanki’s crew an undeniable advantage in terms of utility. Gale’s access to powerful spells and creative magic uses can get the party out of dangerous encounters.
• Shadowheart: The early animosity between Shadowheart and Lae’zel is already a sight to see, but their developing relationship (tolerance?) for each other is a more worthwhile journey. Shadowheart can become an undeniable asset to Lae’zel’s crew, especially from a support perspective. With the right build, maintaining Shadowheart as a Cleric can secure the team’s survival in tough battles.

3 Gale

Stats Facilitate Magic Domination Without The Glass Cannon

With a Netherese Destruction Orb in his chest threatening the destruction of both Gale and perhaps a city full of people, this Wizard of the Sage background may have to forego his obsession with becoming Faerun’s greatest spellcaster for the sake of survival. Moreover, his specialty in Investigation and Insight allows him to peer through things that are usually hard to understand - which is helpful in tricky combat encounters. His nature as a prodigy becomes quite apparent at the onset, boasting base INT 17 alongside competent CON 15 and DEX 13.

One might think that the glass cannon nature of Gale makes him an unideal strong character to place beside his companions. However, his versatility as a Wizard from D&D and sheer firepower with magic allow him to dominate damage numbers with the right setup, especially against fiercer Baldur’s Gate 3 enemies. His spells offer a lot of options against various creatures, and his Cantrips afford him continuous damage should his spell slots run out.

Recommended Gale Build: Wizard, Abjuration School

When it comes to the almighty spellcaster Gale, one would think his Wizard would tap into Fireballs as soon as possible with the Evocation School. However, in the overall meta of Baldur’s Gate 3, Gale might be better off with the Wizard, Abjuration School build instead. To recall, the Abjuration School focuses on providing the caster and their Baldur’s Gate 3 allies with the best protection from some of the most brutal damage in the game.

More specifically, Abjuration School combined with the Armour of Agathys can provide players with 10 Temporary Hit Points alongside a unique ability that lets players do 10 Cold Damage to attackers whenever any of those Hit Points get damaged, practically punishing melee combatants who try to take Gale out of commission.

Alternative Build: Sorcerer, Wild Magic

It feels weird to respec Gale outside of a Wizard because of his backstory, but his nature as both a studious and prodigious spellcaster can make an alternate Wild Magic Sorcerer build perfect - both thematically and mechanically. Fans can headcanon this build into a “growing instability” when he got his Netherese Orb, transitioning from a Wizard into a Sorcerer. Moreover, Gale’s potential access to Metamagic and a more brutal repertoire of Spells can add a more “raw” feel to the character.

Best Party Members For Gale

• Astarion: Gale’s intelligent quips can meet their match with Astarion’s natural sarcasm, with their personal stories containing unique enough flair to provide players with a lot of world-building beyond the fantasy venue of Faerun. Not to mention, Astarion’s inclination to become a stealthy Rogue can lead to a lot of Sneak Attack power plays that let Gale become more confident using his spells to achieve a variety of other effects.
• Minthara: Going by the theme of Gale’s rather bizarre adventures, having Minthara of the Goblin Camp as a party member can certainly merit surprising reactions from the Wizard of Waterdeep. As a comrade-in-arms, maintaining Minthara as a Paladin can give Gale’s team much-needed defenses and even emergency heals. Minthara as a Paladin can transform her into a reliable tank on the frontlines.
• Lae’zel: Despite her straightforward nature, Lae’zel can become quite the dependable warrior in Gale’s team. Unlike the other party members, Lae’zel maintaining her Fighter Class transforms her into a heavy-duty frontline combatant. When transformed into an Eldritch Knight, Lae’zel can provide combat utility over straightforward attacks.

2 Astarion

High Dexterity With Other Balanced Abilities Lean Towards Mobile Builds

Formerly a vampire, Astarion is a High Elf Rogue of the Noble background. However, Baldur’s Gate 3 players should not make the amateur mistake of ignoring him. Despite his rather aristocratic appearance, Astarion hides a peculiar specialty in clandestine endeavors, becoming the team's go-to person for Stealth and even Perception. His most noteworthy stats are Dexterity 17 and Constitution 14, making him a rather decent frontliner should the need arise.

It’s one thing for a Baldur’s Gate 3 companion to dominate combat and another to be equipped with almost all the right tools to fight any kind of enemy. Moreover, his high Dexterity also allows Astarion to double as a long-distance archer should the need arise, allowing him to adjust to almost any situation. Most importantly, his build as a Rogue allows him to take advantage of Sneak Attacks to rake in those damage numbers, easily making him the best damage dealer in the game.

Recommended Astarion Build: Rogue, Thief

Fit for his innate and mysterious charm, Astarion is suited for the Rogue, Thief build, especially given his naturally-high DEX Attribute. Compared to the other characters and their more flexible combat approach, Astarion as a Thief gives players a clear advantage: massive damage numbers.

Thanks to the Thief having an Extra Bonus action that allows them to do two (2) off-hand attacks in a single turn, Astarion is now capable of attacking three (3) times. This helps more in the context of Rogues that often have DEX as a main stat, making Versatile Baldur’s Gate 3 Weapons such as the Longsword an ideal piece of equipment. In the context of Level 5 gameplay, having the means to attack three (3) times in a single turn can transform Astarion into a boss killer or a mob eraser, depending on whether the attacks are allotted to a single opponent or spread throughout multiple targets.

Alternative Build: Bard, College Of Swords

Despite his initial build as a Rogue, Astarion’s quick wit and penchant for the fancy make him the perfect College of Swords Bard. Vicious Mockery seems like the perfect way of making sure his words hurt his opponents (literally), and his skill with the blade can be made more evident with the Bard’s Flourishes. Outside these, giving him naturally high CHA can justify his allure as a potential main character. He can Multiclass into a Warlock with Pact of the Blade for extra damage, or back into a Rogue for more powerful Sneak Attacks.

Best Party Members For Astarion

• Minthara: The innate ruthlessness of Minthara is at a whole other level compared to Lae’zel, making the former Goblin Camp Leader’s penchant for absolutism a match with Astarion’s charm. As a party member, Minthara may become the shield of the team’s frontline, ensuring everyone’s survival with supportive heals or being a tank.
• Gale: Having Gale in Astarion’s party is a surefire way of securing humorous back-and-forth between the two characters, especially when Gale’s more peaceful nature clashes with Astarion’s charisma. In the game, maintaining Gale as the resident Wizard gives Astarion’s party an edge regarding long-range utility, ensuring they have sufficient firepower and even background-affecting spells at a distance.
• Halsin: The Druid Halsin might clash with a former enemy like Minthara, but seeing their potential friendship bloom in a short time is worth witnessing, especially with Astarion as their proverbial glue. As a party member, Halsin brings survivability to the table, boasting support and healing spells when needed and the might of Wild Shape in emergencies.

1 Shadowheart

Sans Charisma, Balanced Stats Can Accommodate Most Combat Roles

Despite her name, Shadowheart is a High Half-Elf Cleric of the Trickery Domain, serving Shar as one of its dark disciples. Due to her training, she boasts Wisdom 17 for her spellcasting, and decent Constitution 14 for defense, and Dexterity 13 for combat, allowing her to wield Simple Melee Weapons should the need for close combat arise with her Baldur’s Gate 3 builds.

Had this been about the most practical companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay, Shadowheart would easily dominate for her sheer utility. After all, her Cleric Class allows her not just to heal but also to support her team from the backline. Her presence can guarantee the survival of the team. Unfortunately, her lack of combat options means she’s not an ideal member to include on the front lines. Her damage output alone doesn’t necessarily make her a contender for the strongest companion, with the role reserved for her more combative counterparts.

Recommended Shadowheart Build: Cleric, Trickery Domain

When acquired as a companion, Shadowheart begins as a Cleric of the Trickery Domain by default, and this is also her ideal build versus other suggestions for Baldur’s Gate 3 classes like the Bard. While the initial perception towards the Cleric is that of a healer, Shadowheart doesn’t necessarily need to remain on the sidelines if her Cleric’s abilities are used properly.

For instance, Shadowheart can easily cast Shield of Faith and Mirror Image at Level 4, quickly making her one of the most formidable tanks. At its core, Shield of Faith gives its caster an additional 2 AC. Meanwhile, Mirror Image not only offers players three (3) duplicates for distractions, but each of those distractions gives another 3 AC.

Alternative Build: Cleric, Light Domain

Similar to Gale, Shadowheart’s backstory makes her being a Cleric an integral part of her build. However, instead of beginning as a Trickery Domain Cleric, Shadowheart has more potential as a Light Domain Cleric. On top of being able to obliterate battlefields with Fireball as early as 5th-Level, her utility can become a lifesaver for the team. Her 1st-Level Warding Flare can force potential hits into real misses, while Radiance of the Dawn is a Channel Divinity for decent long-ranged damage.

Best Party Members For Shadowheart

• Gale: Using Gale as a base Wizard can complement Shadowheart’s hard focus on support as a Cleric. Gale’s access to utility effects via his Spells allows Shadowheart’s party to tap into powerful damaging spells, buffs to allies, and debilitating enemy ranks with status effects.
• Halsin: The humble giant that is Halsin makes for a stark contrast against Shadowheart’s smaller stature, with the Druid being polyamorous also an interesting factor in their relationship. In the party, Halsin provides much-needed support when maintained as a Druid, with Wild Shape allowing him to take the helm as a tank or healing through his spells.
• Minsc: The good-natured Minsc can be a worthwhile addition to Shadowheart’s party, especially with his capacity in combat as a Ranger. On top of his hilarious dialogue, Minsc can become quite the flexible combatant regardless of his Ranger Conclave. Minsc’s capability of adapting to both long-ranged and melee plays can help him adjust to most combat situations.

Baldur's Gate 3

Platform(s)

PC , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X

Released

August 3, 2023

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Genre(s)

RPG