All Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions Guide & Ranking

By / Baldur's Gate 3, Baldur's Gate 3 Guides / January 5, 2024

Optimized party combination is the method to success in Baldur’s Gate 3, so we created this guide and ranking for all companions, including their classes, builds, and locations where you can find them.

Baldur's Gate 3 Companion Approval Quest Walkthrough
Gale, the Wizard Companion

Companions are an essential part of the roleplaying game genre, and those unique NPCs in Baldur’s Gate 3 may be one of the best in gaming history. The guide lists, ranks, and explains all companions that can join your party and adventure. Each of those NPCs is unique with its personality strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately, it’s up to you to decide who is the best option for your playstyle and the story you want to tell in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Updated 8/12/2023 by Pixel: The information about the companions and ranking is now updated with all available companions. We will add more details about them, as we test them and learn more about the game. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a fantastic and complex game with many endings and paths players can take, and testing it takes time. Also, you can check our builds and companion location guides for more info and keep an eye on updates. Thank you for your time!

Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions Tier List Overview

Here is a quick All Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions Tier List:

  • S Tier: Lae’zel, Minthara, Shadowheart
  • A Tier: Astarion, Karlach, Gale
  • B Tier: Wyll, Halsin
  • C Tier: Minsc, Jaheira

How Do Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions Work and Level?

Companions are the characters you can recruit in specific locations to join your party, and they will accompany you while you explore and fight. Over time you’ll learn more about their past, personalities, and goals, all through the series of cutscenes, dialogues with multiple outcomes. As a result, each one of the available characters brings something different to the player’s experience and the story. In Baldurs Gate 3, you can start a steamy romance with your companions if you get enough approval and reach a certain stage in the game.

Additionally, companions have their classes, abilities, and statistics, making each unique. After recruiting them, they will gain new levels with you, matching your power. You can equip new gear for your companions and advance them however you like and what type of party you wish to build. Players who want to optimize their team builds and create the most powerful combination will rally on the game’s most robust companion. But who is the strongest companion, and why? How to find them, and who they are?

All Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions List

The following list presents all confirmed Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions:

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

First, look at some of the companions you can get in character creation and even play as one of them from the beginning if you want to pick a so-called origin character. In that case, you’ll experience the story from the selected companion’s point of view, and other party members will still be available for you to recruit them.

Here is the list of confirmed Origin Characters in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  • Lae’zel
  • Astarion
  • Wyll
  • Shadowheart
  • Gale
  • Karlach

All Companions Ranked with Locations, Classes, and Best Builds in Baldur’s Gate 3

Who is the strongest companion, and why? In Baldur’s Gate 3, ranking companions and picking the best in the game can be challenging, so we’ll focus on determining the overall best with the greatest damage possible and the most flexible option for various party combinations. In Baldur’s Gate 3, you can respec your companies and change almost everything, except their race and background, but we’ll focus on ranking their primary classes. Below, we rank and describe each companion individually and where you can find them. For more details on how to find them and the builds, visit the linked companion individual guide pages.

Who Is The Best Companion in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Lae’zel is the best and strongest companion in Baldur’s Gate 3, thanks to her survivability, fantastic damage, and how easy it is to play a fighter. Even as a new player, you will quickly learn to execute her biggest strengths: the multi-attack and bonus action to attack another time. It is possible thanks to the Second Wind ability. She will attack multiple times per turn, deleting enemies one after another. We recently ranked all classes, placing Fighters at the top of the list, and Lae’zel highly benefits from her class.

Here is a tier list of all Baldurs Gate Companions Ranked:

List PositionCompanionRanking
1Lae’zelS+
2MintharaS
3ShadowheartS-
4AstarionA+
5GaleA
6KarlachA-
7WyllB+
8HalsinB+
9MinscC+
10JaheiraC

Remember that this is the tier list, and in rankings, someone must be first and someone the last. However, it’s important to note that the differences between these companions might be slight, so you’re free to choose whomever you prefer to travel with. If you are dissatisfied with your current companion, you can always change their subclass and class using Withers at your camp. Many of our recommended builds for the companions assume that they have been respected and are being utilized to their fullest potential. Now, let’s take a closer look at all of the companions.

Related:

Baldur’s Gate 3 Builds – All Classes and Companions

10 Jaheira (High Half-Elf, Druid)

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Important Jaheira Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  • Class: Druid
  • Race: High Half-Elf
  • Background: Soldier
  • Origin Character: No
  • Romance: Yes
  • Location: Last Light Inn, the Shadowcursed Lands, Act 2
  • Best Build: Circle of the Moon Druid, Spellcasting
  • Base Proficiencies: Unknown
  • Base Abilities: Strenght: 15, Dexterity 14, Constitution 17, Intelligence 10, Wisdom 16, Charisma 15
  • Initiative: +2
  • Movement Speed: 9m
  • Darkvision Range: 12m

Jaheira is a Companion who is a Half High Elf and becomes available to join your party during Act 2. Found in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, she guards Last Light Inn and plays a key role in unraveling the mysteries of the absolute cult. With a strong background as a soldier and a High Harper of Baldur’s Gate, Jaheira’s first-time introduction showcases her abilities as a Druid, highlighting her high constitution and proficiency in dual-wielding swords.

Best Build

Like all companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, her ability scores are decent but could be better distributed after a reset. The strongest subclass for her is the Circle of the Moon, and Jaheira revolves around utilizing Wild Shape to transform into various animals when engaging in combat. The best build is primarily designed to excel in dealing with damage, with an additional capacity for providing support and limited healing. By harnessing the power of Wild Shapes, Jaheira becomes a strong force, offering substantial damage output, effective crowd control, and impressive survivability.

Ranking

Jehaira can be built similarly to Halsin as a Circle of the Moon Druid for her to become powerful. However, her race is comparatively weaker than his. She possesses less initiative and movement speed. Furthermore, when players meet her, she is built with a focus on dual-wielding swords and strength, which creates a rather unconventional combination for the druid class.

Adding to this, you encounter her very late in the game. You can add her to your active party close to the end of Act 2. This means that for most of the game, players may not even be aware of her existence. These factors collectively contribute to why we have ranked her at the last position on our list.

9 Minsc (Human, Ranger)

Baldur’s Gate 3 Comprehensive Guides - BG3

Important Minsc Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  • Class: Ranger
  • Race: Human
  • Background: Folk Hero
  • Origin Character: No
  • Romance: No
  • Location: Counting House – Vault in Act 3
  • Best Build: Gloom Stalker Ranger, Ranged Combat
  • Base Abilities: Strenght: 12, Dexterity 17, Constitution 13, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 15, Charisma 10
  • Initiative: +3
  • Movement Speed: 9m

Minsc is the last companion you can recruit, and because you can meet him only in Act 3 in Bladur’s Gate City, many players don’t get the chance to learn much about him. He is also known as the Stonelord, and that is a nickname you will hear first. To recruit him, you need to complete the quest Aid the Underduke. Minsc is a very unique and charismatic character with his loyal companion, the hamster Boo. He is a returning character from Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2.

Best Build

The Best Ranger subclass for Minsc is Gloom Stalker. It focuses on stealth, darkness, and ambushing enemies. The Gloom Stalker excels in low-light or dark conditions, gaining various abilities that make them effective at surprise attacks and staying hidden. It has extremely high damage and, with consumables and special arrows, is one of the best classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 and the best range class overall.

Ranking

If this were the best-class tier list, Minsc would be much higher. His race isn’t the best for ranger but not the worst. However, how late you even recruit him prevents many players from appreciating his unique personality. On the other hand, he is a strong charcter and definitely worth waiting for, with numerous unique dialogue options especially if paired with Jaheira. The two share a history and make great companions for your exploration journeys.

8 Halsin (Wood Elf, Druid)

Baldur's Gate 3 Companion - Halsin

Important Halsin Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Halsin is a Wood Elf Druid, proudly taking on the position of the First Druid within the Druids of the Emerald Grove, a small settlement also recognized as the Druid Grove. Halsin embodies an exquisite balance of great kindness and decisiveness. With profound experience and a keen understanding of nature and its inhabitants, he navigates the world with serenity. Yet, his insights reveal a profound connection to the intricate rhythms of life.

Players can encounter him for the first time in the heart of the goblin camp, and he will be held prisoner in shattered sanctum in the bear form. However, the path to recruit him is considerably longer, and players can do it later during Act 2.

Best Build

The best build for Halsin’s companion revolves around embracing Wild Shape, thus predominantly functioning as a damage dealer. While he has access to a few good supportive capabilities, and a degree of healing is possible, he is best created to primarily center around various animal transformations that give him unique abilities and bonuses and robust survivability.

Ranking

Halsin is proficient in wielding the forces of nature and powerful spells he mastered the art of Wild Shape, enabling him to transform into diverse animals. This gift allows him to become a wolf, a bear, a spider, and more, each form granting him distinctive tactical advantages. With their expertise in support, crowd control, and summoning, Druids prove themselves as fantastic assets to any party. However, the Wild Shape form greatly limits his spellcasting capabilities. Also, Shadowheart is better at healing, Gale as a damage dealer, so Halsin doesn’t bring anything greatly powerful to the team, and for that reasons, he is ranked as the B tier.

7 Wyll (Human, Warlock)

Baldur’s Gate 3 Wyll

Important Wyll Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Wyll made his name as the Blade of Frontiers, a living legend and human noble who hides a very dark secret. He draws his power from his Demonic patron, and you’ll need to increase his approval and become friends before he shares any details with you. You’ll meet him early in the game when he joins the fight to defend Druid Grove. After that, seek him inside, where he will train children in martial arts. Wyll despises cruelty and appreciates all types of kindness towards others and himself… except goblins.

The romance with Wyll is straightforward. However, the sequence of cutscenes and the secret he hides makes the relationship with him sweet and affectionate—the one you shouldn’t miss.

Best Build

The best Build for Wyll uses a rapier as the primary weapon, and his most significant damage spell is Eldritch Blast Cantrip. His base stats aren’t bad, and he passively gains extra hit points based of his Charisma modifier, which affects his primary damage cantrip dealing considerable combo damage. But this makes him highly vulnerable to any attacks and not enough survival.

Ranking

Sadly in our Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions ranking, Wyll is at the 7th spot, Warlock Fiend class is hard to execute, and he becomes much worse the longer the game goes on. Unless you like him as a companion and have him at the party, we advise leaving him in the camp during challenging fights or change his class or subclass.

6 Karlach (Zariel Tiefling, Barbarian)

Baldur's Gate 3 Karlach New Origin Character

Important Karlach Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Karlach is an Zariel Tiefling Barbarian who appreciates creatures that show their strength in combat and life. She was once a slave soldier and is an Outlander. As a result, she’ll gain inspiration and approval from acts of kindness for the oppressed and solve problems like a true fighter, never showing weakness.

This beautiful, muscular woman with a unique demonic look and spark in her eyes will steal many hearts, and as a romance option, players can’t wait to learn more about her.

Best Build

As a Barbarian Berserker, she starts with a decent set of stats. This subclass is extremely powerful and fun to play as a melee build with Great Axe or Greatsword. The playstyle focuses on taking considerable hits to lower the damage taken and increase the damage dealt with the berserker’s unique skills. As a barbarian, you want to use a two-handed sword.

Ranking

Karlach possesses a robust subclass, impressive statistics, and a formidable class, yet she doesn’t bring any unique elements to the group that others couldn’t offer more effectively. While she certainly wields significant prowess as a warrior, Lae’zel has more versatility. Karlach serves as a great companion overall, known for her aggressive playstyle and straightforward mechanics. With beneficial racial passives and her ability to seamlessly integrate into any party, she undoubtedly is a valuable addition and unquestionably worth including in your gameplay.

5 Gale (Human, Wizard)

Baldur's Gate 3 Gale

Important Gale Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

This good-looking Wizard with a little cocky personality once attempted a forbidden magic of ancient Netheril, which no one ever should do. Now he struggles to keep corruption in check and win back his goddess’ favor before it is too late. No doubt, he is a powerful wizard. His extensive knowledge will prove helpful during many missions, researching magical items and passing checks on Faerun’s rich and dark history. However, can it be said the same about combat?

Gale is one of the romanceable companions. As usual, you’ll need to earn his approval first. To gain his trust, actively look for and find the healer and be sympathetic to all creatures, including animals. His story quest is interesting but some of you may find it annoying as the player must feed Gale magical objects for him to survive. Regardless, he is a very kind person with great ambitions.

Best Build

The playstyle you should focus on when playing Gale heavily relies on spellcasting. The best subclass for Gale is Envocation, especially for new players. We recommend using staves as his primary weapon. He can deal decent damage from the back lines.

Ranking

Similarly to Wyll, Gale’s class is not helpful in combat at the beginning of the game. However, as you advance, Gale gains access to more powerful spells. At level 5, he is definitely one of the most powerful companions. In our Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions Guide & Ranking list, he earned 5th place. Sadly he can cast only one spell per turn, consuming the action. As a result, you cast your spells rarely when you start. Later in the game his spells are powerful and survivability greatly increases.

4 Astarion (High Elf, Rogue)

Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion

Important Astarion Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

His unique personality and charming vampire attitude make it hard to believe how shady and complex his life was before. Astarion has been a vampire for centuries, and only recently, he can walk in the daylight, free from his sadistic ex-master.

How hard can it be to romance a vampire? Well, it depends. He is nothing like the blood-suckers you know from other games, and becoming his friend can be a fantastic journey. You can earn his approval by supporting him when your party learns he is a vampire. Mostly, he doesn’t care if your decisions are good or bad, but he will appreciate it if you ask for compensation when coming to the rescue.

Best Build

He is fantastic for almost any party combination, taking on the role of a typical rogue thief companion. You can successfully build Astarion as a melee and range damage dealer with dual rapiers or Light Crossbow for ranged build.

Ranking

Astarion earned 4th place on our list because of the insane damage he can put on the battlefield and how useful he is outside combat. He is the only companion with sneaking and lockpicking skills, so if you aren’t playing similar build yourself, Astarion’s proficiencies will prove helpful.

3 Shadowheart (High Half-Elf, Cleric)

Baldur's Gate 3 Shadowheart

Important Shadowheart Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Shadowheart is a survivor on a holy suicide mission, and her strong devotion to Shar Diety is her shield and guidance. She grew up on the streets until she joined the Mistress of the Night’s convent and found her purpose in life.

You’ll meet her for the first time on the Nautiloid ship and quickly notice how protective she is over a small artifact and details about it. You can become allies and eventually lovers with her only by looking for a healer and disregarding all other solutions to the tadpole problem. She despises Laezel, so disagreeing with Githyanki warrior will earn Shadowhart’s approval.

Best Build

Shadowheart is a Trickster Domain Cleric who lacks good weapon proficiencies. However, she can be a fantastic support companion if you choose two strong heals and Blessed, Guiding Light, Necro Touch, and command spells. We recommend a spear or simple melee weapon to achieve the best build combination.

Ranking

Shadowheart is 3rd on the Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions Guide & Ranking list because her class allows versatility. She will excel as party support because Clerics are probably one of the best healing classes with many buffing cantrips and spells. You can make her even better if you decide to change her subclass to life domain cleric. Regardless, she still can become your group’s survival and hard-hitting Trickster Domain damage dealer.

2 Minthara (Drow, Paladin)

Baldur's Gate 3 Companion - Minthara

Important Minthara Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Minthara, a Drow Paladin, is driven to take down the Druid Grove in the name of the Absolute. You’ll encounter her early in the Goblin Camp, where she stands as one of the three leaders. Players have the choice to align with her, aiding in the destruction of the settlement and its Druids, or to oppose her by siding with Halsin. To recruit her you must side with goblins which will close the possibility to recruit Halsin. If Minthara survives the Druid Grove assault, she will eventually become a playable companion Paladin.

Best Build

The Oath of Vengeance subclass stands out as an ideal Paladin choice in Baldur’s Gate 3, particularly suited for Minthara. Remember that the best results you’ll achieve, if you respec her and spend all ability points and statistics again. Then it will provide access to strong damage abilities, effective debuffs, and survivability. This subclass’s emphasis on damage aligns well with Minthara’s character, avoiding healing or utility-focused paths. Equipping her with a two-handed weapon and medium armor transforms her into a mighty force on the battlefield, further empowered by Divine Smite—the hallmark ability of the Paladin class in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Ranking

Minthara paladin build can be complex but god-tier single target damage, buffs, and debuffs. You can meet her early in the game and she has decent traits, superior darkvision, fantastic initiative, and is resistant to charms thanks to her racial bonus Fey Ancestry. If you decide to recruit her she will challenge even Lae’zel with damage output. For all those reasons we ranked her as S tier and at second position in our All Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions Guide & Ranking.

1 Lae’zel (Githyanki, Fighter)

Baldur's Gate 3 Lae'zel

Important Lae’zel Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

She feels great urgency to return to her kind and, as a result, heal and remove the tadpole from her head. Lae’zel belongs to the race of mighty warriors who sacrifice their lives to fight mind flayers. She hasn’t yet proved herself worthy of wielding the silver sword of a Kith’rak and must now return to her creche and their leader with the monster in her head she has sworn to destroy.

This Githyanki Fighter can seem cruel, but the more you learn about her, hopefully, the more she grows on you. You can earn her respect and approval only by domination and strength in the fight and beyond. Lae’zel romance is the most straightforward. She will simply ask you to have sex with her if you get enough approval and reach a certain stage in the story.

Best Build

She benefits from strength as her primary ability. The best build for her is a Battle Master subclass with Greatsword or Dual Longswords. You can get an extremely powerful two-handed Everburn Blade and Haste Helm for her early on, and she will quickly become the best companion in your party.

Ranking

Lae’zel dominates the battlefield as a durable and mighty warrior. She can attack multiple times per turn, dealing a crazy amount of damage. She also shines at cc and semi-optimized HP, making her survival party tank. As a Githyanki warrior, she can use all kinds of weapons and armor. For all those reasons, Lae’zel earned first place in our companion ranking. Playing as a powerful Melee DPS and hitting with Lae’zel multiple targets at once is probably the most satisfying playstyle in Baldur’s Gate 3.

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