Summary

Players fond of CRPGs will remember theBaldur’s Gateseries for its compelling storylines and wonderful cast of characters, andBaldur’s Gate 3brings 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, but all of them have to eliminate illithid tadpoles inside of them before transforming into mind flayers themselves.

However,Baldur’s Gateplayers who want to make optimized parties may want to rely on the game’sbestBaldur’s Gate 3companionsto help them save the day. That said, just how does each companion inBaldur’s Gate 3fare in the context of specific builds?

Jaheira in Baldur’s Gate 3

Updated on June 12, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:With 2025 forBaldur’s Gate 3now about to feature cross-play, a full-fledged photo mode and even split-screen for the Series S, fans of the acclaimedD&Dtitle have more to look forward to in the title as they also brace for the biggest update of the game to boot where all of the existing Classes get yet another Subclass for players to sink their teeth into. With this new addition potentially changing the way gameplay works for the game, players may be itching to do yet another playthrough to figure out the best ways of approaching the story for another time. In this regard, they might want to look into just which Companions have the most worthwhile stories to explore, especially considering how they all affect the overarching storyline by the time their questlines end.

AC 13, 17 HP

Jaheira as a Druid in Baldur’s Gate 3

Default Ability Scores

STR 10, DEX 14, CON 14, INT 8, WIS 17, CHA 12

The DruidJaheirahas experienced her fair share of world-saving adventures as a returnee from the previousBaldur’s Gategames. 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.

Minthara in Baldur’s Gate 3

Already a hardened warrior and capable leader, Jaheira can become quite the dependable Companion throughout a playthrough withaBaldur’s Gate 3character. 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.

Storyline Reasons To Focus On Jaheira

Without spoiling anything, Jaheira’s personal questline has ties to the legacy ofBaldur’s Gate 3, especially for fans curious about her involvement in Faerun’s dealings after the events of the previous titles. Her notoriety as a veteran Harper can directly affect the current main story, especially with the shifting political climate in Baldur’s Gate with the war at hand. Jaheira’s prior reputation can give players better insights on the game’s “bigger picture” lore, allowing fans to build investment on what Baldur’s Gate and Faerun was and why it’s important to preserve its future. Depending on Minsc’s fate, Jaheira may stay with the party.

While it’s tempting to build Jaheira asa Druid/Fighter Multiclass inBaldur’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 aCircle of the Land Druidmay 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.

Minthara as a Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3

Alternative Build: Paladin, Oath Of The Ancients

Fans of the originalBaldur’s Gatetitle will remember Jaheira as a strong-willed Fighter/Druid Multiclass, and players can get close to this variation if they build her as anOath of the Ancients PaladininBaldur’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.

Alternative Build: Ranger, Hunter

Players who want a more accurate take on Jaheira’s original build might want to go for aHunter Ranger, emphasizing her quick wit and tenacity in combat. This emphasizes more controlled damage dealing at any distance, with Mage Breaker (Favoured Enemy) giving her room to take down strong spellcasters. As a Hunter, taking Colossus Slayer (Hunter’s Prey) ensures she consistently deals more damage to injured enemies - a perfect fit when using Jaheira’s signature weapons like the scimitar Belm.

9Minthara

A Competent Paladin With A Complicated Recruitment Method

The PaladinMintharacan make quite a tricky acquaintance, as players can only recruit her inBaldur’s Gate 3if theyraze the Emerald Grove. 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.

Wyll in Baldurs Gate 3

Players looking for a more versatile yet combat-ready character should spec Minthara into anOath of Vengeance Paladin. ThisD&DSubclass 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.

Wyll as a Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3

Storyline Reasons To Focus On Minthara

Perhaps the only straightforward villain among the Companions, Minthara’s appearance challenges the player’s perspective of the game - especially when allied outright to fight the Emerald Grove. And if recruited after her incarceration, Minthara’s story slingshots players to that of redemption and transformation. Both Act 1 choices dynamically affect the player’s approach to the Moonrise Towers and the Shadow-Cursed Lands, while her dialogue and overall backstory is tied to the dark whispers of Drow politics - something not immediately encountered above-land. Being a commander of the Absolute, Minthara’s inclinations towards domination will provide quite the interesting dialogue with other party members.

Alternative Build: Bard, College Of Swords

Being one of the leaders of the Goblin Camp means thatMinthara knows her way around words- a tough task indeed, considering that carefree Goblins were majorly her charge. Players who want to translate this backstory into a build should consider making Minthara aCollege 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.

Alternative Build: Fighter, Battle Master

Using Minthara as aBattle Master Fighterenhances her potential to take command of the battlefield without the risk of having to micromanage her spell slots. Her limited Superiority Dice with her Maneuvers still enable her to dish out decent crowd control against enemies. If Multiclassed into a Thief, she can use Fast Hands to double-Brand herself and another ally to move faster anddeal extra fire damage. The lack of pesky utility as a Battle Master allows Minthara to focus on being a heavy-hitting tank, while the potentiality of a Thief Multiclass can transform her into a competent sub-DPS.

AC 12, 10 HP

Minsc as a Ranger in Baldur’s Gate 3

STR 8, DEX 13, CON 14, INT 13, WIS 10, CHA 17

At first glance,Wyllis 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 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.

Minsc in Baldur’s Gate 3

Contrary to the spellcasting Gale, Wyllis a tried and true Warlock inBaldur’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 bothdamaging and debuff-inducing spells fromD&Dallows 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.

Storyline Reasons To Focus On Wyll

Despite Wyll’s arc beginning as a rather typical “local” hero (the Folk Hero Background), players will be surprised with the “literal” demonstration of consequences in the pursuit of personal desire before his story is slowly pulled towards a much bigger conflict: that of duty and his own wishes. When it’s revealed that Wyll’s father is actually Duke Ravengard of Baldur’s Gate, players will be dragged towards an arc that will pretty much alter the fates of entire factions and the survival (or death) of those involved the city’s final defense.

Being connected to mysterious horrors is something that perfectly matches Wyll’s backstory, making theWarlock, 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 theirEldritch Blastto 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 witha rangedBaldur’s Gate 3weapon, Wyll can become nigh-untouchable.

Halsin in Baldur’s Gate 3

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 anOath of the Ancients Paladin. Unlike other builds, this is more of a multiclass option, whereWyll keeps being a Fiend Warlockfor 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.

Alternative Build: Warlock, Great Old One

A simple alteration to Wyll’s starting conditions can transform his Warlock fighting style into something wholly unique. As aGreat Old One Warlock, Wyll can use Agonizing Blast (Eldritch Invocation) and Mortal Reminder (GOO, Level 1) to build towards spamming criticals to proc a WIS-or-Frighten effect, practically giving him crowd control. Frightened ensuring that creatures have Disadvantage on Ability Checks and Attack Rolls can severely dampen the enemy’s DPS. While it can seem annoying for Wyll to spam Eldritch Blast to proc this effect, this build can definitely make him a heavy-hitting CC master for the team.

AC 14, 11 HP

Halsin as a Druid in Baldur’s Gate 3

STR 12, DEX 17, CON 13, INT 8, WIS 15, CHA 10

During the player’sBaldur’s Gate 3quest looking for Orin the Red, Jaheira will ask them to look for another one of her Companions, this time in the form of the iconicMinsc. 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.

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.

Storyline Reasons To Focus On Minsc

Although somewhat similar to Jaheira’s in terms of being a tug to nostalgia, Minsc’s story diverges from his former companion’s more faction-focused story into a more personal take on honor and justice - especially in a darker time during the war. Minsc’s ever-admirable optimism combined with Boo’s charm make them a delight to team up with, especially when the former’s overarching story arc provides a more introspective look on the impact of the previousBaldur’s Gategames on these characters.

Accompanied by the (mini giant space) hamsterBoo, there’s no question about the appeal of having Minsc become aBeast Master Ranger. Doing so allows him to tap into a Ranger’s Companion toimprove hisBaldur’s Gate 3performance, 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 teama more dependable animal companion. This beast could become a more durable scout and an extra hand in combat.

Alternative Build: Barbarian, Wildheart

Based onMinsc’s introduction inBaldur’s Gate 3and the establishment of his jolly but aggressive personality, it’s easy to want to try transforming his character into aWildheart 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).

Players who want to make a more lore-accurate version of Minsc might want to get aHunter Ranger, practically giving them the opportunity to pulverize nearby foes with his weapons of choice. Two-Weapon Fighting (Fighting Style) and Dual Wielding (Feat) alongside Horde Breaker (Hunter’s Prey) for multi-hit or Colossus Slayer (Hunter’s Prey) for extra damage can represent Minsc’s original Berserker trait from the firstBaldur’s Gatetitles.

AC 11, 38 HP

STR 16, DEX 11, CON 14, INT 10, WIS 17, CHA 13

Assigned First Druid of the Emerald Grove,Halsinis one of the first Companions players can recruit inBaldur’s Gate 3who isn’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 mind flayer parasite.

Halsin already showcases his combat superiorityby 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.

Storyline Reasons To Focus On Halsin

Similar to Minthara being a recruitable character in the middle of Act 1, so too does Halsin of the Emerald Grove. The Archdruid’s largest involvement in the story is probably noticed best in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, with his (and the player’s) choices directly affecting the current state of the region. As a Druid, Halsin’s presence provides a deeper context into the interplay of nature and corruption, especially when facing Ketheric Thorm.

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

Fora 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 aWay of the Elements Monkand 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.

Players who want Halsin to use his bear bod as something other than a Druid might want to spec him as aWildheart Barbarian, allowing him to stick to his love for nature in a more straightforward manner. Thanks to bonuses in Melee Attack rolls of Wolf Heart (Bestial Heart), or the constant Temp HP-on-Dash (Stallion, Animal Aspect), or adding STR Mod to Attacks on Bleeding and Poisoned Targets (Tiger, Animal Aspect), Halsin can pulverize anyone rather easily.

AC 13, 14 HP

STR 17, DEX 13, CON 15, INT 8, WIS 12, CHA 10

When Wyll encountersKarlach, he recognizes her as the Devil’s Advocate he’s been assigned to hunt. However, Karlach explains that she’s only forced to participate inThe Blood Warand, 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, regardlessif they’re using Versatile Weaponsor 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, she 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 that threats are dead before they even get close to the rest of the party.

Storyline Reasons To Focus On Karlach

The ever-cheerful personality of Karlach is in direct contrast with her appearance as a former demonic soldier, and her quest for freedom from the chains of servitude is one that a lot of people can relate to in terms of attaining desired destinies. Karlach has a direct impact to Wyll’s story, making their dynamic quite an interesting relationship to witness. Not to mention, Karlach’s role grows in importance throughout the Arcs, with a pivotal moment in Act 3 demanding a closer relationship with the character to fully realize the weight of this specific choice.

Due to Karlach’s high STR, she should stick to herBerserkerstarting Class, ideally transforming her into aWildheartto 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. 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 couldopt for the Berserker Subclassinstead, 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 theOath of Vengeancearchetype 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.

Alternative Build: Monk, Four Elements

Karlach being a former denizen of Avernus can make theFour Elements Monkan interesting alternative to her original Barbarian makeup. On top of maintaining familiar features such as Unarmoured Defense, Karlach will now enjoy extra movement with Unarmoured Movement and enhanced combat potential with her Ki Points. Being able to use variations of Martial Arts allows her tomanipulate her damage potentialon the battlefield in ways a Barbarian never could, with the fire-themed options of the Four Elements giving Karlach much-needed damage utility with long-distance spells.

AC 16, 12 HP

STR 17, DEX 13, CON 15, INT 13, WIS 12, CHA 8

Trained specifically to fight illithids,Lae’Zelis a Githyanki Fighterof the Soldier background who 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 inBaldur’s Gate 3setups that want to focus on intense close-quarters combat.

As a Fighter, Lae’zelis probably one of the fiercest combatants inBaldur’s Gate 3. Boasting mastery over a wide variety of weapons, she 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.

Storyline Reasons To Focus On Lae’zel

Identity, indoctrination, and rebellion become central components of Lae’zel’s story inBaldur’s Gate 3, especially when she begins as a loyal disciple of Vlaakith (to the point of fanaticism) - something that initially threatens the stability of the entire party. However, as she encounters more distressed Githyanki throughout the Acts, Lae’zel’s certainty starts to waver. In the end, she (and players) have to choose whether to continue supporting Vlaakith, challenge it, or even unravel a much larger truth that can change the course of her relationship with her kinspeople - a decision that might even be affect the final battle. ​​​​​​​

An easy choice of a build for the aggressive Lae’zel would be theFighter, Battle Master, especially due to her naturally high STR Attribute, as well as above-average DEX and CON. Unlike other class choices likethe stalwartBaldur’s Gate 3Paladin, 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 ofa popular build inD&D, where being anEldritch Knight Fighterand 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.

Alternative Build: Barbarian, Berserker

Players who want Lae’zel to indulge in her rather aggressive ways can maximize fun out of aBerserker Barbarian. Instead of stressing about how she can control the battlefield, accessing Berserker’s Rage and Frenzy can help her dish out as many attacks as possible while soaking damage from enemies. While she misses out on the utility of Maneuvers from her Battle Master origins, the Barbarian is a fun alternative for Lae’zel fans who want to sit back and relax as she engages in sarcastic banter as she pulverizes her foes.

AC 11, 12 HP

STR 8, DEX 13, CON 15, INT 17, WIS 10, CHA 12

With a Netherese Destruction Orb in his chest threatening the destruction of bothGaleand 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 Galemakes him an unideal strong character to place beside his companions. However, his versatilityas a Wizard fromD&Dand sheer firepower with magic allow him to dominate damage numbers with the right setup, especially against fiercerBaldur’s Gate 3enemies. His spells offer a lot of options against various creatures, and his Cantrips afford him continuous damage should his spell slots run out.

Storyline Reasons To Focus On Gale

Gale begins hisBaldur’s Gate 3story with quite the explosive (literally) beginning, having been living with a Netherese Destruction Orb within his body. While players can spend a good part of Acts 1 through 2 feeding it with Magic Items, things come ahead when Gale confronts his past in Act 3 and makes quite the difficult choice. This will become more impactful should players for a meaningful relationship with the character, even if not a romantic one. More than that, Gale’s relationship with the player can involve special dialogue with spellcasting factions and items, giving players somewhat of an edge in terms of hunting for powerful artifacts. ​​​​​​​

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

More specifically, the Abjuration School combined with the Armour of Agathys can provide players with 10 Temporary Hit Points alongside a unique ability that lets them 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 Wizardbecause of his backstory, but his nature as both a studious and prodigious spellcaster can make an alternateWild Magic Sorcererbuild perfect, both thematically and mechanically. Fans can headcanon this build into a “growing instability” when he gets 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.

Alternative Build: Cleric, Tempest Domain

Players who want to capitalize on Gale’s plot involving his Netherese Orb without defaulting to an Evocation Wizard can instead go for a more thematicTempest Domain Cleric. Aside from a headcanon of Talos or Gruumsh calling onto Gale after Mystra’s abandonment, Channel Divinity: Destructive Wrath will immediately transform Gale into a DPS-oriented support unit by maxing outa thunder or a lightning damage spell. Accessing a more diverse range of utility spells can give the impression of Gale dabbling into the divine as an act of desperation to try and solve his rather unsolvable curse, making his journey even more riveting.

AC 13, 12 HP

STR 8, DEX 17, CON 14, INT 13, WIS 13, CHA 10

Formerly a vampire,Astarionis a High Elf Rogue of the Noble background. However,Baldur’s Gate 3players should not makethe 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 aBaldur’s Gate 3companion 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.

*Storyline Reasons To Focus On Astarion

Astarion being a Vampire means players get to explore the more unknown parts ofDungeons & Dragons’s supernatural locales - the undead. Beyond liches and zombies are vampires and werewolves that seem to have their own “underground” society, something only Astarion can access inBaldur’s Gate 3. The Vampire’s story, one that involves a desire for freedom and revenge, is explored internally from Acts 1 to 2 but comes ahead in Act 3, leaving players with the choice of acquiring power by making Astarion become what he hates the most or leave the Vampire with an uncertain future with an unknown path. ​​​​​​​

Fit for his innate and mysterious charm, Astarion is suited for theRogue, Thiefbuild, 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 off-hand attacks in a single turn, Astarion is now capable of attacking three times. This helps more in the context of Rogues that often have DEX as a main stat, making versatile weapons such as the Longsword an ideal piece of equipment. In the context of Level 5 gameplay, having the means to attack three times in a single turn can transform Astarion intoa boss killer or a mob eraser, depending on whether the attacks are allotted to a single opponent or spread throughout multiple targets.

Despite his initial build as a Rogue, Astarion’s quick wit and penchant for the fancy make him the perfectCollege of Swords Bard.Vicious Mockeryseems 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.

Alternative Build: Rogue, Assassin

Despite the temptation to respec Astarion into any other Class, his character story and archetype just perfectly falls into theAssassin Rogueto resist both its thematic components and hyper-efficient combat perks. Being able to Assassinate to capitalize on a Sneak Attack transforms Astarion into a first-turn threat, especially when Assassin’s Alacrity gives him another chance to attack immediately after triggering Initiative.

AC 15, 10 HP

STR 13, DEX 13, CON 14, INT 10, WIS 17, CHA 8

Despite her name,Shadowheartis 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 withherBaldur’s Gate 3builds.

Had this been about the most practical companions inBaldur’s Gate 3gameplay, 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 thestrongest companion, with the role reserved for her more combative counterparts.

*Storyline Reasons To Focus On Shadowheart

While amnesiac at first, Shadowheart’s story of faith and choice is largely explored throughout Act 2 - specifically the Gauntlet of Shar where Shadowheart’s servitude towards the Goddess of Darkness is ironically (or unironically?) reflected in a mission to kill an embodiment of the light. Choices players make here will affect not just Shadowheart’s character arc but the battlefield of Act 3, especially when Shadowheart finally confronts her past. Depending on the player’s choices, Shadowheart can become much warmer or colder - both of which choices that come with unexplainable power.

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When acquired as a companion, Shadowheart begins as aCleric of the Trickery Domainby default, and this is also her ideal build versus other suggestions forBaldur’s Gate 3classes 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 castShield of FaithandMirror Imageat 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 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 aLight Domain Cleric. On top of being able to obliterate battlefields withFireballas 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.

Alternative Build: Rogue, Arcane Trickster

Being a worshipper of Shar, it’s not surprising for players to try respeccing Shadowheart into anArcane Trickster Rogue. This transforms the character into a mobile threat with nifty utilities, being able to dish out decent first-turn novas via Sneak Attack while possessing extra Spells likeTrue Strike(Cantrip) to consistently secure more Sneak Attacks with the right combos. Being able to get Spells such asFog Cloud,Charm Person,Sleep, andExpeditious Retreatcan help her get out of pesky situations, while offensive Spells likeMagic Missile,Ray of Sickness, andThunderwavecan serve as emergency attacks.