Baldur’s Gate 3 – How To Recruit Karlach

TL;DR

  • Find Karlach northwest of Druid Grove at coordinates X: -104, Y: 520 during Act 1
  • Defeat Anders using strategic positioning and pre-battle preparation tactics
  • Manage Karlach’s Infernal Engine condition by collecting Infernal Iron
  • Maintain party harmony by preventing conflicts between Karlach and Wyll
  • Save Tiefling refugees to ensure Karlach remains in your party

Adding the formidable Barbarian Karlach to your adventuring party significantly enhances your combat capabilities in Baldur’s Gate 3. This resilient Tiefling has survived brutal conflicts in the hellish realm of Avernus, emerging with both enhanced strength and an unexpectedly cheerful disposition. Our comprehensive guide details the precise steps to successfully recruit Karlach, ensuring you gain one of the game’s most powerful and personality-rich companions.

Among the diverse companions available in Baldur’s Gate 3, Karlach stands out for her exceptional combat prowess and engaging character arc. Her unique background as a warrior who battled demons in Avernus provides fascinating story depth, while her Barbarian class offers devastating damage potential that can turn the tide of challenging encounters.

The recruitment process for Karlach becomes available early in Act 1, following your confrontation with the goblin scouting party attacking the Druid Grove. Continue traveling westward from the grove, crossing the stone bridge and veering northward rather than entering the Blighted Village settlement. You’ll discover an open area containing a friendly canine companion that can be interacted with and invited to your camp.

Proceed further north to encounter a river crossing featuring strategically placed rocks enabling traversal. After successfully navigating the river, head eastward and investigate the pathway’s terminus. There, you’ll find Karlach visibly emanating hellfire energy. The precise map coordinates are X: -104; Y: 520.

Critical preparation note: Ensure you maintain an available character slot in your active party before approaching Karlach. Failure to do so will result in her automatically rushing toward nearby combat scenarios, where she functions as an AI-controlled non-player character during battles.

Karlach is waiting for you next to a river.

Karlach is waiting for you next to a river.

Karlach’s personal quest, titled Hunt the Devil, mandates the elimination of Anders and his band of fraudulent Paladins. These individuals are actually devoted followers of the archdevil Zariel. Locate them inhabiting a structure along the Risen Road, but implement strategic positioning before initiating dialogue with Anders:

  • While positioned externally, ascend to the building’s rooftop and access the balcony section. Avoid descending with Karlach prematurely.
  • Position one melee-oriented character in close proximity to Anders.
  • Station another close-combat specialist adjacent to the Halfling Ranger opponent.
  • Your spellcasting party member should maintain distance in a sheltered corner of the chamber.

Only instruct Karlach to descend the ladder after completing all preparatory maneuvers. Once Anders detects her presence, conversational triggers activate, necessitating combat initiation. Your pre-established character placements should facilitate efficient elimination of Anders and his accompanying forces. This engagement rewards you with the Sword of Justice, Anders’ distinctive weapon. Additionally, locate a Soul Coin artifact positioned on a shelf within the neighboring room.

Position your squad properly before starting the battle against Anders.

Position your squad properly before starting the battle against Anders.

After formally recruiting Karlach into your Baldur’s Gate 3 party, you gain access to her specialized combat capabilities. As a Barbarian class character, she utilizes Rage mechanics to dramatically increase damage output, delivering crushing blows that can decimate enemy formations.

Furthermore, following combat engagements, Karlach may exhibit restless behavior patterns. The infernal energies consuming her require periodic release. To address this condition, seek out Infernal Iron resources, along with locating a knowledgeable Tiefling engineer capable of assisting with her condition. Additional details regarding character relationships can be found in our Karlach romance guide.

Karlach runs around while burning, and you need to find something that can control her Infernal Engine.

Karlach runs around while burning, and you need to find something that can control her Infernal Engine.

Additionally, Karlach shares complicated history with Wyll, potentially leading to confrontations between them. Actively mediate these conflicts to secure substantial approval ratings from your other party members. Crucially, ensure you save the Tiefling refugees residing in the Druid Grove. Pursuing alternative narrative paths, specifically to enable romance Minthara opportunities, represents a strategically poor decision. This course of action will irrevocably cause both Karlach and Wyll to permanently abandon your party.

For optimal party composition, consider Karlach’s synergy with other characters. Her high damage output complements support-oriented companions, creating balanced tactical formations. New players often underestimate the importance of managing her Infernal Engine condition, which can impact her combat effectiveness if neglected.

Timing considerations: The entire recruitment process typically requires 15-20 minutes of gameplay, while the Anders confrontation generally consumes 10-15 minutes depending on combat efficiency. Advanced players should note that Karlach’s Rage abilities can be strategically chained with area-effect spells for devastating combination attacks.

Common recruitment errors include approaching without available party slots, triggering combat unprepared, or making story choices that alienate her permanently. Always maintain at least one open character position before initiating her recruitment sequence.

Action Checklist

  • Clear party slot before searching for Karlach
  • Navigate to coordinates X: -104, Y: 520 northwest of Druid Grove
  • Position party strategically before Anders confrontation
  • Defeat Anders using balcony advantage and focused targeting
  • Collect Sword of Justice and Soul Coin as rewards
  • Begin Infernal Iron collection for Karlach’s personal quest

No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Baldur’s Gate 3 – How To Recruit Karlach Complete guide to recruiting fiery Barbarian Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3 with strategic combat tips and party management