Baldur's Gate 3: Karlach Romance Guide (2024)

Karlach is the party's barbarian in Baldur's Gate 3. Despite her rough appearance and ability to break people in two with little effort, Karlach is in fact one of the sweetest characters in the entire game. A fun-loving, affectionate tiefling by nature, Karlach has been dealt a bad hand in life, and that has impacted her ability to enjoy her own life. Should players be so inclined, they may make their relationship with Karlach more than friendly, wanting to share the load of her burden and be a comfort to her as she adjusts to life outside of the Hells.

This unlocks a storyline that is not only touching and at times incredibly humorous but also heartbreaking depending on the choices made. Even if a player can help Karlach repair some of the major damage to her infernal engine, she is still stuck in a countdown. At the end of this timer is a choice to either accept death or return to the existence she hates more than anything else in the world. It will be up to the player's decisions to help Karlach chart her own course. Before facing her end though, Karlach has some truly wonderful romantic moments that understandably make her a fan-favorite in the franchise.

Recruit the Lovable Barbarian in Act 1

Meeting Karlach

Important Things to Note While Romancing Karlach:

• Make sure to save the Tiefling refugees — if you side with Minthara and the Goblins, Karlach will permanently leave your party.
• Make sure to kill the Strange Oxen in the Druid Grove, as failing to do so might prevent Dammon from appearing in Act 2. You need him to continue Karlach's storyline.
• If you say you love or sleep with other origin characters, they might lock you out of further pursuing Karlach.

Like most of the recruitable party members, players first encounter Karlach in Act 1. She is farther away from the Nautiloid Crash Site than most party members, located in the north of the map, just east of the burning mansion. Bear in mind that once players discover Karlach, they will most likely do so with Wyll's initial assessment of her in mind. He has been charged with killing Karlach, and if brought along it will complicate the first meeting with her, forcing the player to either go along with Wyll's mission or find a way to defuse the situation. Once the player succeeds with the latter though, Karlach will introduce herself properly.

Along with gaining her allegiance and being a powerful barbarian, she will also reveal that there is a group of mercenaries serving Zariel who have been tailing Karlach this entire time, trying to return her to Avernus. Players will not be able to get to know Karlach better until they are dealt with, so it is usually in their best interest to immediately pursue these enemies. Doing so will also grant players a rare greatsword for their efforts. Once this is accomplished, and Karlach has vented a bit of her anger, she is much more approachable, and players can learn more about her backstory and how she came to serve Zariel against her will.

Doing so will also explain Karlach's unique design. When she was first taken by Zariel, she had her heart replaced with an infernal engine. This explains Karlach's power and why she is engulfed in flames when in combat, but her recent freedom has complicated matters. The infernal engine is not working the way it's supposed to; it is constantly running and making Karlach hot to the touch. This is a huge damper on Karlach's spirits because it means that despite being free of Zariel, she is unable to really touch anyone without hurting them. This greatly distresses her, as one thing she really wants, and needs, at the moment is to hug someone, just to know that she is safe again.

Helping Karlach Fix Her Engine

The next phase of a player's romantic pursuit of Karlach is located in the Tiefling Camp. When discussing her engine, Karlach mentioned that an infernal blacksmith would be able to do some repairs on it. If players have met the blacksmith, Dammon, then they will have the option to direct Karlach there. This unlocks a cutscene where Dammon explains he knows just enough about infernal engines to be able to make the repairs Karlach needs, but that he requires a piece of infernal iron to do so. The earliest piece of infernal iron players can find is located in the basem*nt below the goblin village, inside a chest.

Once players have this rare material, they can return to Dammon to present it to him. Dammon will use it to reduce the intensity of Karlach's flames, meaning she'll have greater control over it, but this still doesn't solve the problem of her intense heat. She is dismayed to learn she still can't touch anyone, giving the player the chance to flirt with her a little about wanting to touch her. If her approval is high enough, then Karlach will respond positively to this. At this time though, the quest to further repair Karlach's engine is put on hold until Act 2.

That does not mean there are no further opportunities to flirt with Karlach. She generally responds well to heroic and benevolent actions the player performs. So, once they have defeated the goblin camp and are celebrating with the Tiefling refugees, Karlach may take the initiative and approach the player to spend some alone time together. Alternatively, the player can approach Karlach and offer to spend time with her. In the ensuing cutscene, a bold enough player can kiss Karlach, though this will give them a slight burn for their efforts. Regardless of any pain though, a romantic path with Karlach is now open to the players.

Deepen Your Connection in Act 2

Love in the Shadowlands

Once Act 2 begins and players enter the Shadowlands, they can continue their quest to help Karlach fix her engine. Despite promising to meet up with Dammon again in Baldur's Gate, his group has been waylaid again, this time by the Cult of the Absolute and their local leader, Ketheric Thorm. Dammon has taken up residence at the Last Light Inn, where he reveals he is now capable of doing more repairs. He just needs more infernal iron to work with.

If players were vigilant, they may have found some spare pieces on their journey to the Shadowlands, but if not then there are two pieces in the Gauntlet of Shar and one in the abandoned Mason's Guild across the river. Once Karlach has this second repair, she is finally able to touch people again without hurting them. Players can choose to celebrate this by giving her that hug she so desperately wanted. That, or any other number of ways to let her know that it was safe for her to touch people again. It is a major milestone in the relationship between the player and Karlach, but it comes with some tragic news.

As Dammon explains to Karlach, her engine was not meant to function in the mortal plane. She saw proof of this with its various malfunctions, but these were only preludes to the true threat. If Karlach does not return to Avernus, then the infernal engine will explode, killing her instantly. This is a devastating blow, as it leaves Karlach with two options: Either she accepts her fate and dies with the engine or she returns to Avernus where she will almost certainly be enslaved by Zariel again. Karlach chooses to focus on the now though, not wanting what should be a happy moment to be ruined by this sobering information.

Saying Those Three Special Words

By this point in the player's relationship with her, Karlach should be eager to join the player in bed now that she can safely touch them. During the next long rest, the player can approach Karlach and offer to spend the night with her. This will trigger a cutscene where she speaks about what it feels like to want to be with someone after being held back from it for so long. A romantic scene of the player and Karlach finally consummating their relationship will play, along with the surprising revelation that Karlach's flames change color to blue to suit her more passionate mood.

The following morning, players can approach Karlach and discuss the night before. If they are inclined, they also have the opportunity to tell Karlach that they love her. To say that Karlach is enthusiastic in her response would be an understatement. She practically screams it back at the player, ecstatic to know that they reciprocate her deep feelings. It is a moment of utter joy between the two as they realize they have a partner who will stand by them through the worst of what's to come.

Further romantic scenes with Karlach are not available until the next act, but at this stage, players can speak with Karlach about their relationship and kiss her without the risk of harm. Furthering her personal story though, if players bring her along during the mission into the Mindflayer colony, Karlach will notice Gortash, the man who sold her to Zariel, is among the game's main villains. This will send her into a fury as she realizes the man who ruined her life is now trying to do the same thing to all of Faerun.

Act 3 Presents You With an Important Decision

Karlach Returns to Her Home

• Karlach's story will reach its climax in Baldur's Gate.
• She will try to enjoy more normal romantic outings with the player.
• However, she will also grapple with the decision she has to make about her future.

Arriving in Baldur's Gate is a big deal for Karlach. Aside from being where she grew up, it is also where she may make peace with her past. One of the first things players can do during this time is visit the graves of her parents with Karlach. It brings her a measure of peace to visit them and lets her speak a bit more about her childhood. In a prelude to a bigger conversation, Karlach also discusses her views on death with the player.

Later on, Karlach will invite the player on a date. Taking them to a romantic restaurant, she offers to pretend as though everything is completely normal and have an ordinary dating experience. The two can discuss anything, from their past to something they have never told anyone else, or even their biggest fears. Through it all, the two grow closer as they experience what Karlach has been longing for for the last ten years: a simple life.

Towards the end of the game, if players choose to defy Gortash, they can bring Karlach along to confront him. Once he is dead, Karlach will finally vent all the anger and grief she feels about the unfairness of her situation. It is a moment that was building up for a long time as she mourns the life she never got to have and how any remaining time she had left is almost gone. Yet, she remains resolute in her desire to not go back to Avernus, choosing death instead of continued servitude. The player can comfort her back at the camp and agree to be there with her at the end of her life.

Facing the End Together

At the game's finale, Karlach will finally have to make a decision regarding her engine. Even after the Absolute has been destroyed and Baldur's Gate saved, Karlach's engine begins to overload. As she burns in front of the player, they have a few options available to them. The first is that they can honor Karlach's wishes by letting her die while being there with her. This would be the tragic ending to her story, but there is another option where she lives.

Knowing that part of Karlach's fear of returning to Avernus is being alone again, the player can offer to return to Avernus with her. While this shocks Karlach, she knows that being in the literal Hells would be more bearable with the love of her life at her side. She will agree after a moment's consideration and the two will enter Avernus together. In a final cutscene featuring the two, Karlach will warn the player about what they just signed up for, but she is confident they can handle it. Together, the player and Karlach can charge into the horde of devils approaching them.

This is not the end of the story though. An add-on epilogue has Karlach and the player return to the reunion party Withers has organized. During this gathering, it is revealed that Karlach and the player have joined Zariel's army, but that they are planning a way to break free again. Apparently, Karlach has learned a new version of the infernal engine Zariel is making.

If her sources are correct, then it may be strong enough to withstand the mortal plane, meaning that Karlach could return home permanently. It is a beautiful way to reveal that despite all the odds, there is a chance Karlach can have her happy ending with the player. Even if it turns out to be false, she is content to have them by her side through Avernus, and they seem to be doing very well at it.

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Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 is arole-playing video gamedeveloped and published by Larian Studios. It is the third main installment in the Baldur's Gate series.

RPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:96/100 Critics Recommend:98%

Franchise

Baldur's Gate

Platform(s)

PC , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X

Released

August 3, 2023

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Publisher(s)

Larian Studios

Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer

Engine

Divinity 4.0

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

How Long To Beat

100+ Hours

X|S Enhanced

yes

Metascore

96

Split Screen Orientation

Vertical Only

Number of Players

1-4

PS Plus Availability

N/A

Steam Deck Compatibility

yes

Local Co-Op Support

1-2 Players

Cross Save

yes

Cross-Platform Play

Baldur's Gate 3 doesn't support crossplay