Karlach guide - abilities, lore and stats in BG3

Karlach is a Tiefling Barbarian and a former soldier in the infernal army of the demon Zariel. She was given a second chance after gaining her freedom. Karlach is one of the story companions in Baldur's Gate 3 and is also available as a protagonist option in the character creation menu. Like some other heroes, her personal quest changes if she is chosen as the protagonist.

This guide explains how to recruit Karlach in the open world, her usefulness to the party, and the skills she possesses.

About the character

karlach guide bg3 Image: Ensigame / Karlach in BG3

Race: Zariel Tiefling
Class: Barbarian
Location: The Risen Road
Starting Health: 14
Equipment: Light Armor
Skills: Athletics, Perception, Survival, Intimidation
Karlach Voice Actor: Samantha Béart

Basic Character Stats:

Strength	Dexterity	Constitution	Intelligence	Wisdom	Charisma
17	13	15	8	12	10

If you create Karlach in the character editor, you will have 27 ability points to distribute across her stats, starting with a base of 8 points in each. For beginners, we recommend using the preset options optimized for the Barbarian class and Tiefling race.

Overview

karlach bg3 Image: Ensigame

Appearance: Karlach is tall and muscular. Her red skin is marred by burn marks from the mechanism in her chest. Tattoos adorn her left arm, while her right arm is burned up to the wrist. Metal elements are embedded in her shoulders, and her chest glows constantly from internal heat. One horn is broken, and the other is curved. Karlach's hairstyle is simple: black hair with a burgundy tint, tousled with shaved sides. Freckles are visible on her cheeks. She wears gray leather armor, heavily worn and weathered.
Personality: Karlach is a gruff but kind-hearted warrior. She values freedom and independence above all but isn’t afraid to accept help when needed. Beneath her tough exterior lies a good and loving heart. Karlach approves of all good-aligned decisions and lives life with intensity and passion due to personal challenges revealed in her quest.
Behavior: Karlach doesn’t shy away from using profanity and doesn’t pretend to be refined. Despite her fiery body, she deeply values and enjoys physical contact. Her straightforwardness is evident in everything she does. Despite her rough demeanor, Karlach is open to conversation and unafraid to express her feelings. She strongly sympathizes with the Tiefling refugees in the druid grove and opposes the idea of driving them out to face the goblins. Karlach cares for the Tiefling children, and if you save the mischievous little Arabella in the story, Karlach will approve of your actions.

Backstory before the game

Karlach was once a peaceful resident of Elturel until she was dragged into the horrifying Blood War, an eternal conflict between demons and devils. She was captured and forced to fight for the archdevil Zariel, ruler of Avernus. For the next decade, Karlach fought under Zariel’s banner, far from everything she loved.

However, fate unexpectedly offered her a chance at salvation when the Nine Hells were invaded by a nautiloid. Seizing the opportunity, Karlach made a daring escape by boarding the illithid ship as it appeared in the skies over Avernus. The escape was successful, but at the cost of being infected with a mind flayer tadpole.

Now, Karlach is on the run from the vengeful Zariel, a fugitive with a malfunctioning "heart". Yet, she is determined to protect her newfound freedom and survive, no matter the obstacles she faces.

Unique abilities

Title	Description
Defense without armor	Karlach is a fierce and powerful warrior, her body hardened by the infernal realms. As long as she isn't wearing armor, her Armor Class increases based on her Constitution modifier. When she enters a rage (a Barbarian feature), heavy armor becomes a hindrance, so it's better to equip light or medium armor instead.

Racial traits

Karlach is a Tiefling, a race that is often shunned in the world of Dungeons & Dragons due to their appearance. Their horns, tails, and claws tend to frighten other inhabitants of the continent. Tieflings have become a distinct people of the infernal planes, and Larian Studios has incorporated all the unique traits of these beings into the game.

Karlach has the passive skill Hellish Resistance, which grants her resistance to fire damage, meaning she only takes half damage. For example, if she runs across a burning floor, everyone else would take 4 points of damage, but our barbarian would only take 2.

Additionally, Tieflings possess Darkvision, allowing them to see in the dark without the need for spells.

Class Features

Title	Description
Rage	Rage is a state that enhances the Barbarian’s melee attacks, grants resistance to physical damage, and provides advantage on Strength checks. It lasts for 10 turns and is activated as a bonus action. Rage is incompatible with heavy armor, spellcasting, and concentration. It ends if the Barbarian does not attack or take damage. Rage is restored after a long rest.

We've already written a detailed build for the barbarian class in Baldur's Gate 3.

Origin

The developers chose the Outlander background for Karlach to highlight the injustice of her fate and provide her with skills that logically fit her backstory before the events of the game.

Title	Description
Athletics	This background grants her advantage on checks related to physical activities, such as jumping, carrying capacity, and throwing objects.
Survival	She also gains an advantage on Wisdom checks when navigating through the wilderness. For example, while walking along a path, Karlach is more likely to notice hidden treasures or traps.

Karlach BG3 Build

The game offers a wide variety of classes, and for all but the Rogue, you can choose three feats over the course of 12 levels. Let's take a closer look at the best feat for Karlach.

Image: Ensigame / Karlach BG3 Build

Savage Attacker. An essential feat for Karlach. It allows you to roll two damage dice with each weapon attack and choose the better result. This significantly increases the number of successful hits and critical strikes, which is crucial for a Barbarian in rage.
Great Weapon Master. This feat allows you to make an additional attack as a bonus action after killing an enemy in melee combat. It also gives you the option to deal 10 extra damage with a -5 penalty to the attack roll, which pairs perfectly with Savage Attacker.
Tough. Increases your maximum hit points by 2 for each character level. This is an ideal choice for Karlach, who needs to rage and fight in close combat without heavy armor. This makes her a true tank with a massive health pool.

For more tips on building a Barbarian in Baldur's Gate 3, check out our detailed guide, which is also applicable to Karlach.

Where to Find Karlach

The first information about Karlach can be obtained from Wyll. He is searching for a dangerous devil who poses a threat to the entire Sword Coast. This marks the beginning of Wyll's personal quest, which is closely tied to our heroine.

You can find Karlach on your own along The Risen Road, near a river. She is exhausted, sitting by a small rocky slope, holding a crossbow at the ready. When you try to talk to her, Karlach will immediately point her weapon at you. The dialogue will vary depending on whether you’ve previously encountered followers of Tyr.

If you manage to convince Karlach that you’re not hostile, she will share her story. She was once a captive and elite warrior serving the archdevil Zariel, fighting on the front lines. Despite Zariel providing her with everything she needed to effectively destroy demons, Karlach decided to escape Avernus on a nautiloid, which led to her being infected with a parasite.

karlach bg3 guide Image: Ensigame

Zariel, unwilling to lose a valuable fighter, is now pursuing Karlach. Nearby, some of the archdevil's servants, disguised as righteous paladins of Tyr, are stationed. Karlach will ask you to deal with them and help her disappear. If you agree and fulfill her request, she will join your party.

If Wyll wasn’t with you when you first met Karlach, there will be a tense conversation in camp, where you’ll have to choose between them. Wyll must fulfill his patron’s mission and hand Karlach over to Zariel.

Killing Karlach as part of Wyll's quest will earn him a reward.

If you previously sided with the goblins and attacked the druid grove, Karlach will be hostile, and you won’t be able to recruit her. In this case, your only options are to either kill her, fulfilling Wyll's quest, or leave her be.

Quick recruitment

To quickly recruit Karlach to your party and see all her reactions to key events in Act 1, players have developed a fast route after many attempts. We've tested it and want to share it with you, but keep in mind that the game is nonlinear, and some details might differ in the final playthrough. Here’s the spoiler-free route:

The journey begins on the beach after the prologue, where you can meet a potential party member.
Alternatively, this companion may meet the hero at the entrance to a certain location, depending on whether you saved them from a pod on the ship or not.
Moving north through the shipwreck debris, you may encounter another important character.
At the grove gates, you’ll face an unavoidable battle with a cutscene.
Cross the bridge. You’ll see gates leading to a village, but don’t visit it yet.
Nearby, you’ll find an animal you can interact with. The decision regarding its fate is up to you.
Karlach is located in a valley by the stream.
Part of her quest is connected to a group of characters situated in a nearby location.

Karlach guide abilities lore and stats in Baldurs Gate 3 Image: reddit.com, DoradoPulido2 / Karlach quest path

How to romance Karlach

Karlach is open to romantic relationships with characters of any gender. The fiery Tiefling can start a romance with both men and women. However, unlike some other companions, Karlach is slow to express her feelings. To see all possible romantic scenes, you’ll need to gradually build your relationship with her by choosing the right dialogue options and supporting her aspirations.

Karlach Approval

Karlach's moral compass leans toward kindness and justice. Despite her demonic origins and harsh past, she has her own sense of what is right and wrong. To win her favor, you need to perform actions that she approves of. Below are some simple ways to increase Karlach’s approval:

When you first meet Karlach, side with her in the conflict with Wyll.
Recruit Lae'zel.
Invite Gale to the party.
In the grove, convince Aradin and Zevlor to stop arguing using either Persuasion or Intimidation, avoiding violence.
Help Guex with training by using Athletics, Insight, or Detect Thoughts. Karlach will greatly appreciate this.
On the beach, calm the frightened boar using a potion or the Speak with Animals spell.
In the refugee camp, convince the trio of Tieflings to stay and help others instead of running away.
If you play as a Cleric, Druid, Paladin, or Bard, offer to heal Pandirna for free.
Agree to help Zevlor convince Kagha to stop the ritual.

General Recommendation: protect the weak from bullying. For example, stand up for the Tieflings in conflict situations. Show kindness to NPC children you encounter in the game. Choose heroic actions, such as saving innocents, and avoid aligning with evil or engaging in senseless violence.

How to romance Karlach

Courtship Details. The romance with Karlach develops gradually and is tied to the restoration of her Infernal Engine. Due to this mechanism, her body burns and can scorch anyone she touches. The first step toward intimacy occurs after the first part of the engine is repaired. During this time, it's important to show care and understanding of her situation and support her during difficult moments.

Romantic Scene. As the engine is repaired, Karlach becomes more open to intimacy. The first kiss will happen only when she can temporarily suppress the flames on her body, aided by the engine repair. More intimate scenes will follow after the engine is fully restored.

Jealousy and Competition. In Act 3, you can start an affair with the druid Halsin and have the option to tell Karlach about it. She will be upset but will give her consent if you manage to appease her.

When offered the chance to have a foursome with the Drow twins, Karlach will always decline.

If the hero spends the night with Mizora, Karlach will find out and ask for an explanation. This act will deeply hurt her, but it won’t end the relationship.

karlach baldurs gate 3 Image: Ensigame / How to romance Karlach

Relationship Development. The progress of your relationship with Karlach largely depends on the restoration of her engine, which requires finding a blacksmith in the grove to help repair her. You’ll need to collect Infernal Iron, a special material hidden in the world.

There will also be special scenes with Karlach, such as a first date at a restaurant in Baldur’s Gate.

The outcome of the romance with Karlach depends on the decisions you make and the level of intimacy between the characters. Various outcomes are possible, ranging from deep, trusting relationships to a dramatic scenario involving death.

If the player decides to break off the romance with Karlach, it will lead to an emotional scene. Her reaction will depend on the stage of the relationship and the player's previous actions.

Karlach's companion quest

Karlach has several personal quests that reveal her backstory and character. These quests vary depending on whether you are playing as Karlach as the main character or if she is a companion.

Our Fiery Friend

This is Karlach's main personal quest.

It spans all acts of the game and delves into her past and struggle for freedom. At the beginning, you learn that Karlach has a special mechanism instead of a heart, powered by infernal technology. This mechanism gives her strength but is unstable and could explode. As a result, Karlach literally burns from within, making physical contact impossible.

Throughout the game, you will need to collect Infernal Iron to help Karlach. In the Emerald Grove, you’ll meet the blacksmith Dammon, who can temporarily stabilize the mechanism.

In the second act, you’ll learn more about Karlach’s past. She will talk about her service under Lord Gortash and how he betrayed her by selling her to the archdevil Zariel. This will open up a new storyline centered around revenge.

In the third act, the quest reaches its climax. You'll have to make a choice: help Karlach take revenge on Gortash or convince her to abandon her quest. The storyline with the mechanism in her chest will also conclude, and you’ll learn what to do with the problematic engine.

bg3 characters Image: Ensigame / Karlach in a squad

The Hellion's Heart

This is a sub-quest related to Karlach’s main quest.

It begins after Karlach joins your party and tells you about her Infernal Engine. Karlach admits that since her escape from Avernus, the engine has been running at full capacity, and she needs to find an infernal mechanic.

That mechanic turns out to be the Tiefling Dammon. He discovers that Karlach’s heart is from the Nine Hells and believes he can help, but he needs materials. Dammon mentions that he has seen pieces of Infernal Iron during his travels.

Dammon can die in several scenarios:

During the attack on the grove;
During the tavern assault in the second act;
Accidentally in Baldur’s Gate.

bg3 karlach Image: Ensigame

Hunt the Devil

This quest involves agents of Zariel hunting Karlach.

It is available only if Karlach is a companion. On the road, you may encounter a group led by Anders, who is hunting Karlach. If she's already in your party, talking to Anders will inevitably lead to a fight. Other characters can interact with Anders normally, but siding with him is not an option.

The Blade of Frontiers

This is Wyll’s companion quest, in which Karlach plays a significant role.

You can meet Wyll when he joins the fight near the grove. Later, you’ll find him in the hideout, where he will be training Tiefling children. If Karlach joins the party before meeting Wyll, they will confront each other in the camp during your next long rest. The player must resolve their conflict: you can ask one of them to leave, kill someone, or peacefully resolve the situation.