A Companion in Baldur's Gate 3 is one of a few characters who can be recruited into your party, providing new class skills and abilities to balance out a group. These deep and interesting NPCs may also be selected instead of a custom character to see the story of the game through their perspective. However, the best way to interact with Companions is to form connections with them and see how your choices impact them.
As of this time of writing, there are six known Companions, with four more to be included in Baldur's Gate 3's official release. Every character has their own Stats, Background, and Class that influences not just their personality, but their skills in battle as well. Those looking to gain Approval and deepen their bonds with these Companions should pay attention to their dialogue and actions throughout the story.
Astarion
A vampire spawn that has lived for hundreds of years, Astarion gains renewed freedom in Baldur's Gate 3, and may be recruited as a Companion after helping him in the Nautiloid wreck in Chapter 1. You must defeat the Intellect Devourers toward the east of the crash site before meeting Astarion along the beach. However, the High-Elf Rogue intends to attack your character the moment they are freed, which can be noticed with a Perception check success.
Instead of recruiting Astarion or any other Companion, you can pick the vampire spawn in the Character Creation screen to play from their point of view instead.
Much like the rest of the Companions in Baldur's Gate 3, they will have to be convinced to your party by picking the right dialogue choices. Thankfully, it's not too difficult to be agreeable to these characters, just make sure to choose the options that fit best with their personalities. Astarion, for example, has a manipulative and deceitful side paired with some teasing that you can lean into.
Shadowheart
The Trickster Domain Cleric Shadowheart may actually be the Companion you have the most chances to recruit, appearing in three places depending on the choices you make early in Baldur's Gate 3. The High Half-Elf can be found on the Nautiloid in the prologue portion of Chapter 1, where she can be freed from her pod by using a key from a dead body in a nearby room.
In order to free Shadowheart from her pod in the Nautiloid, your character could choose to use Illithid Wisdom, a once per long rest ability that makes it very easy to succeed Ability checks.
If you choose not to free Shadowheart, your character may still find her at the northern coast of the crash site later, toward the entrance to the Dank Crypt. Shadowheart also shows up in the Druid Grove later if you fail to find her the two other times. A follower of Shar, Shadowheart sports the Urchin Background and combines powerful magic with battle prowess that can help out your party in dangerous situations.
Gale
The Human Wizard Gale has goals tied to the Sage Background, and s your party after speaking to him north of the crash site close to the Roadside Cliffs waypoint. Gale is an ambitious character who may have taken things too far, considering the Netherese Destruction Orb in his chest that could level a city at any time. An incredibly strong and driven spellcaster, Gale could prove to be a wonderful addition to any party in Baldur's Gate 3.
Wyll
Wyll poses a chance to technically recruit two Companions at once from the "Removing the Parasite" quest, where he may be found after battling goblins close to the Druid Grove. The renowned hero of Baldur's Gate may be seen training some kids in the Grove before any conversation takes place. The reason why he could count as two characters comes from the Warlock class, whose magical power comes from a powerful Patron.
A devil of The Fiend subclass for the Warlock grants Wyll his strength in Baldur's Gate 3, which manifests into volatile magic that can be devastating on the battlefield. The "Blade of the Frontiers" tries to keep this a secret though, so you might have to gain his trust before he reveals this aspect of his character.
Lae'Zel
One of the first Companions seen in Baldur's Gate 3, Lae'Zel the Githyanki Fighter actually s you immediately before the first fight on the Nautiloid. While she counts as a member of your party from even this early stage of the game, you must find her again after the Nautiloid crashes. This proud warrior against the Mind Flayers is located north of where Gale is recruited, trapped in a cage by a group of tieflings.
Some dialogue between the tieflings could lead to a Persuasion or Deception check that convinces them to leave the cage entirely. Any ranged weapon can break the locks on the cage in one hit, allowing Lae'Zel to your party once more. This action also boosts her Approval of you, and may even lead to a rare Inspiration point in Baldur's Gate 3 that you can use to reroll a future check.
Karlach
Speaking of tieflings though, the Barbarian Tiefling Karlach is one of the newest Companions seen in Baldur's Gate 3's updates and can be found along the Risen Road. Descended from the Lord of the Nine Hells, Asmodeus, Karlach searches for the one who sold her into slavery to fight in the eternal Blood War. With a particular hatred toward devils and demons, Karlach uses her absurd physical strength to fight her enemies.
The remaining four NPCs that are guaranteed to become Companions in Baldur's Gate 3 are Halsin, Minthara, Minsc, and Jaheira. These characters offer new perspectives and class options to add to your party, such as Halsin's Druid powers or Minsc's survival skills as a Ranger. However, it is unclear how to recruit these Companions yet, as some like Minthara are actually enemies unless you follow a different path in Baldur's Gate 3.
