How to find and recruit every companion in Baldur’s Gate 3

There are quite a few companions that join your party in Baldur’s Gate 3. In this RPG set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, you’ll slowly bring together a party of adventurers. You’re on a common quest to try and stop yourselves from turning into Mind Flayers after being infected on a Mind Flayer ship. Later in the story, they can even become romance options. But how do you find and recruit every companion in Baldur’s Gate 3? We’ll give you the answers you desire below.

Where to find all companions in Baldur’s Gate 3

Every companion character on this list is controllable and can level up, just like your own character. While you only have a small party size, each companion is extremely helpful in their own ways. Other than these characters, you’ll also find other people staying at your campsite. Let’s take a look at how you can find and recruit every controllable companion in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Lae’zel

This githyanki Fighter is the first companion you’ll meet on the Mind Flayer ship. The start of the game is quite linear, since you’re on a Nautiloid ship trying to escape. The only way through is by passing Lae’zel and meeting her, so you can’t miss her.

After she abruptly assumes you’re an enemy, she’ll realize you’re also a prisoner. You can now choose to join up, or go separately. Although, after the ship crashes, you’ll need to find Lae’zel again. You’ll find her strung up in a cage by two Tieflings, just north of the Roadside Cliffs Waypoint. As a note, you should find her as soon as possible. If you leave Lae’zel in the cage and take a long rest or two, she’ll be dead by the time you find her.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Shadowheart

Shadowheart is a Cleric half-elf who is difficult to miss. You’ll find Shadowheart inside a pod in the Mind Flayer ship. You can decide to free her or leave her. No matter which option you’ll choose, once the ship crashes, Shadowheart is lying on the beach near where you landed. Keep walking along the beach, and you’ll find her unconscious. If you still missed Shadowheart, you’ll eventually find her later at the Druid Grove.

Astarion

You won’t be able to find Astarion until you’ve crashed the Mind Flayer ship. He’ll be standing on the western side of the crashed Nautiloid ship. At first, he tricks you, and pulls out his weapon. Once Astarion, the Rogue elf, realizes you’re also a victim, he’ll stop the aggression. From there, you can decide whether or not he should join your party.

Gale

You may easily miss Gale if you don’t interact with one of the portals. At the Roadside Cliffs Waypoint, north of the crashed ship, you’ll see a flaring purple portal. Interact with it, and a hand will stick out. If you pull on it, Gale comes tumbling out, thanking you for your help. It doesn’t take much convincing to take him along.

Even if you play most of Act One and didn’t find him, you can go back to that Waypoint, and the portal will still be available to interact with. This was the mistake I made. The first time I passed that portal I simply ignored it. Don’t make my silly mistake.

Wyll

Wyll the human Warlock is hard to miss as well, since you’ll meet him as soon as you find the entrance to the Druid Grove. You catch them in the middle of a goblin attack, where Wyll makes himself known. You’ll inevitably also be caught in combat, and can help take out the goblins.

After that happens, and you’re let inside, you’ll find Wyll again if you keep heading north. Wyll is teaching a group of children how to fight with a sword. Interact with the conversation, and you can eventually befriend Wyll, asking him to join you.

Karlach

Finally, you can recruit Karlach just west of the Druid Grove. If you’ve met Wyll first, he’ll tell you that his mission is to kill Karlach the devil. She’s not actually a devil, but you’ll find that out soon enough. Go to the waypoint set from that quest. This area is only accessible if you cross the river by jumping on the rocks. Then, head east, and down across the other side of the river, you’ll spot Karlach.

This tiefling Barbarian lets you know that she was forced to work in the Blood War, and you can convince Wyll—if he’s in your party currently—to believe her. From there, you can have her join your party.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on Steam.