In RPG like Baldur's Gate 3naturally there will be some characters and companions that are more popular than others. There are countless reasons. Some companions are harder to hire, while others may have stories and interactions that resonate with a wider audience. Be that as it may, there will always be some winners and losers, even if you're one of those players who try to change things up every time you play.
Baldur's Gate 3: All Romances, Rated
Each romance option in Baldur's Gate 3 offers unique stories and accompanying quests that can support the journey and emotional growth of the game.
Larian Studios has previously released some information regarding the most popular companions, so we have a little idea of what players tend to pick. Shadowheart, Karlach, Astarion, and Lae'zel tend to be some of the highest rated companions BG3 fans, but what about the other end of the spectrum? If you're looking to completely change things up for your next adventure, try getting these companions into your party instead.
Find all 10 pairs
Start
Find all 10 pairs
Tenants
They are essentially blank canvases
It should come as no surprise that the tenants you can get by talking to Withers are the least picky characters in the party. They don't have strong personalities and interesting backgrounds; they are simply husks working for Withers who will do whatever you say without approving or disapproving. It's definitely a solution if you've somehow created a character so evil and vile that literally all of the original characters are either dead by your hand or have left your horrible company.
There are also some special ways to use these staff, especially in Honor mode. It's not uncommon for some strategies to use something called a camp alchemist whose sole job is to make potions for your party. Other than that, there's almost no reason to use mercenaries unless you're one of those players who doesn't want to deal with the original characters and their lore. But why not? You would miss out terribly.
Minsc
He was introduced too late in the game
For those who know the former Baldur's Gate games as well as general D&D lore, Minsc was a nice throwback character. He is introduced in the third act Baldur's Gate 3 during one of Jaheira's quests, which sends you to investigate the infamous Stone Lord. After Minsc is freed from the control of the Absolute, he can be sent to your camp and used as a companion.
Baldur's Gate 3: 18 Best Racing Mods, Ranked
Baldur's Gate 3 launched some nice race options, but these mods greatly expand the available races to choose from when creating the perfect Tav.
Unfortunately, Minsc is introduced a little too late in the game. While his take on the character is super fun and a nice, nostalgic addition for anyone familiar with the franchise, we just don't get that much time with him. It's even more restrictive because once you enter act 3, the previous acts are locked and you can no longer visit those areas with it.
Jaheira
It is only available at the end of Act 2
Jaheira will be very familiar to many Baldur's Gate fans when she first found the protection of the Last Light Inn. Unfortunately, if you play a selfish, evil character at all, you probably won't be able to get her on your side, but the vast majority of players will still have her as a main NPC during Act 2. Although you meet her here, you don't actually unlock her as a companion until you deal with Ketheric and Moonrise Towers, so she actually becomes a playable companion at the start of the act.
She's incredibly powerful and useful as a druid, but she's in direct competition for that spot with Halsin, who you can have as part of your party as early as Act 1 if you complete the Druid Grove quest fairly quickly. It's also unfortunately possible to lose it during the Moonrise Tower battle if you're playing on higher difficulty, which may contribute to why not everyone has it with them in Act 3. It's a shame, because as far as traditions go, it's a great option to have around town with you.
Minthara
Most people may not even realize they can join you
Minthara is designed as the classic main antagonist in Act 1 as you try to help the thieves and the inhabitants of Druid Grove. You'll find her in the goblin camp, and she'll either insist you join her against the Grove, or you'll perish at her hands after giving up the location. Not the best introduction to say the least! This means you don't actually have to kill her here (or turn against the entire Grove if you want to get her as an ally).
Baldur's Gate 3: 15 cool class mods
The lessons in Baldur's Gate 3 are great for D&D fans, but the modding community is hard at work making them even better and offering more options.
If you reduce her health enough and then knock her unconscious with an Immortal Final Blow, the quest will still complete and say you've dealt with the Goblin Camp leaders. You can later find her in the Moonrise Tower in Act 2 and rescue her. She appears in the camp and from there you can have her as a companion throughout Acts 2 and 3. That said, Minthara is a companion who doesn't like good boots, being a Drow and all, so you'll need to develop a certain ruthless playstyle to please her. She is also a very powerful companion, starting as a Paladin which is one of the best classes in the entire game. Considering how hard it is to get and how the game doesn't exactly telegraph it to you, it's no surprise that most players never had it in their party.
Wyll
A bit bland compared to other original characters
Now for the most tragically underrated character, Wyll. He is an original character and is available at the beginning of Act 1 when you enter the Druid Grove. A warlock looking for Karlach, he's the ultimate hero stuck in a disadvantageous deal with a cambion named Mizora. Wyll's character is one that has undergone several major rewrites, and even a VA change, and fans still find him somewhat bland due to how shallow his character has become. With all the challenges he goes through, you'd really expect Wyll to have a brighter personality and not be so rigid in his beliefs. Right now, he seems more like a paladin than a bladed Warlock, which is why many leave him in the camp sadly.
It's a real shame because he has one of the most interesting quest lines in the entire game that can literally change his entire future depending on the player's choices. His quest is also deeply connected to the main story Baldur's Gate 3 because of his father and his family, which can't be said for a lot of other more popular characters like Astarion. Because of this, some have speculated and argued that he could be the secret main character of the game.
- Released
-
August 3, 2023
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and gore, partial nudity, sexual content, strong language, violence
