Where to find all companions in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Baldur’s Gate 3 introduces a diverse cast of companions, and all BG3 companions have their own unique stories, abilities, and quirks. Knowing that venturing into the treacherous realms of the game is not a journey one should take alone, players are now looking for the locations of these characters.

These companions are crucial allies who can lend their skills and strengths to your party, adding depth and complexity to your gameplay experience. In this guide, we will explore the companions of Baldur’s Gate 3, detailing where to find them and how to recruit them into your group.

The role of all BG3 companions

Companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 serve as recruitable characters that can join your camp and become integral members of your adventuring party. While many companions can be chosen as your Origin character at the outset of the game, there are a few exceptions. Additionally, most companions are open to romantic storylines, although some stand apart from this trend.

Whether you seek companions for their narrative contributions, combat prowess, or potential romances, the following sections will provide a comprehensive overview of all the companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, along with their locations and recruitment processes.

Companion roster

Baldur’s Gate 3 boasts a roster of 10 companions, each bringing their own dynamic to the gameplay:

1. Astarion
2. Gale
3. Halsin
4. Jaheira
5. Karlach
6. Lae’Zel
7. Minsc
8. Minthara
9. Shadowheart
10. Wyll

While all Origin characters, Minthara, and Halsin are accessible during Act 1, Jaheira enters the picture in Act 2, and Minsc appears in Act 3. It’s important to note that Jaheira and Minsc are the sole exceptions when it comes to potential romances among the companions.

Recruitment and romance

Once a companion agrees to join you, they will initially head to your camp if your party is already full. To add a new companion, you must first ask one of your existing party members to stay at camp, opening up a spot for the newcomer. You can then invite the desired companion to join your group.

For those interested in romantic arcs, cultivating a strong bond with a companion involves gaining their approval and selecting appropriate dialogue choices. These interactions are vital to experiencing the full depth of their romantic storylines.

Unique opportunities and potential losses

It’s worth noting that some companions might be missed if not recruited promptly. Given that the fate of companions can be influenced by your decisions, some may die, leave your camp, or even refuse to join based on the choices you make throughout your playthroughs. This emphasizes the need to carefully weigh your actions and words to ensure a well-rounded and satisfying companionship experience.

Locations of all BG3 companions and how to recruit them

Here’s a breakdown of where to find and recruit each companion:

Lae’Zel

Lae’Zel, a fierce warrior, is first encountered aboard the Nautiloid. After the ship crashes, you’ll come across her cage northeast of the Roadside Cliffs waypoint. Engage with a couple of Tieflings guarding her cage, either by dispatching them in combat or intimidating them. Once the way is clear, utilize a bow or crossbow to shoot her cage and liberate Lae’Zel. If you lack a ranged weapon, there’s a conveniently placed bow on the ground for your use. Should you miss her at this juncture, worry not, as she reappears further northwest at the bridge with the Githyanki patrol.

Shadowheart

Shadowheart’s story starts on the Nautiloid as well, alongside Lae’Zel. To free her from her pod, navigate to the room just adjacent to hers (not the one marked by the main quest indicator). Search for an Eldritch Rune on a corpse situated at the back of the room. Insert this rune into the console beside Shadowheart’s pod. After the crash, she can be found a few steps north of the Ravaged Beach crash site where you awaken. If she’s not there, look for her outside the Dank Crypt or at Emerald Grove. Later in the game, you might encounter her at the Mountain Pass.

Gale

Gale is situated within the Roadside Cliffs waypoint. Approach the “Ancient Sigil Circle” characterized by swirling purple energies. Initiate the process of freeing Gale by interacting with it. Use your Cleric background to pass a skill check, or apply Strength or other class-specific skills. If your Strength is insufficient, you can enlist Lae’Zel’s help to extract Gale. Notably, Gale remains at this location until freed.

Astarion

Astarion awaits southwest of the Roadside Cliffs waypoint, near the interior of the crashed Nautiloid, close to the water. Engage in conversation with him to initiate his recruitment. His presence in this area is consistent for some time, providing ample opportunity for interaction and joining your party.

Wyll

For Wyll’s encounter, venture into The Hollow west of Emerald Grove. Passing by the merchant at the Hollow’s entrance, you’ll witness Wyll engaged in training with Tieflings. Recruiting Karlach might lead to Wyll’s temporary disappearance from this spot. If this occurs, he is likely to appear at your camp after a Long Rest, pending resolution of The Hollow’s Goblin issue.

Halsin

Halsin’s location is the Worg Pen, accessible through the door above the stairs in the northeastern corner of Shattered Sanctum at the Goblin Camp. Confront Goblins in this area to free Halsin, but choose to keep him in the Worg Pens if you wish to explore the Goblin Camp non-violently. He reappears at Emerald Grove upon completing the Goblin attack storyline. Halsin’s unique trait is that he doesn’t formally join until Act 2, although he can be interacted with at camp.

Karlach

Discover Karlach near a stream south of The Risen Road waypoint. Navigate a path strewn with corpses and Hyenas, leading down to the stream’s end where Karlach resides. Note that she might vanish from this location after a while. If so, she might reappear in Baldur’s Gate or in another area.

Minthara

Minthara stands as one of the more elusive companions, as she is one of your targets if you choose to align with the Tieflings during the Goblin attack storyline in Act 1. If you’re aiming for a morally “good” playthrough, you might choose to forego recruiting Minthara. There might be a chance to recruit her by skipping the Goblin questline and proceeding directly to Moonrise Towers, albeit at the cost of some moral integrity.

Jaheira

Encounter Jaheira initially at the Last Light Inn in the Shadow Cursed Lands during Act 2. Fully recruiting her, however, requires progressing to the end of Act 2. By the conclusion of this act, she automatically appears at your camp as your party transitions to another location as part of the story.

Minsc

Minsc becomes accessible during Act 3 in the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate. Following Jaheira’s questline, proceed to the Counting House and engage in dialogue with a banker to unveil his whereabouts. Further along the questline, locate Minsc behind a sluice gate in the Sewers. It’s essential to navigate this quest and ensure Minsc’s survival to successfully recruit him.