Best Baldur's Gate 3 companions ranked

Here are the best companions in Baldur's Gate 3. You will not go far in your adventure through the Forgotten Realms if you decide to tackle it alone. But thankfully, Baldur's Gate 3 provides several companions that you will be able to meet during your journey to join your struggle, help unveil mysteries and, above all, deal with all the dangers that plague the lands.

Each of these companions will be unique not only due to their class, race, and specific abilities but also due to their personalities and the ways they will interact with your character. While we can’t recruit all available companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, we can take a look at the five we have available during Early Access.

For more guides on the game, check out our Baldur's Gate 3 race tier list, alongside a guide on how to play solo. We've also got a look at whether you can become a vampire in Baldur's Gate 3.

All Baldur's Gate 3 companions ranked

During Early Access, we have only five companions available to be recruited in Baldur's Gate 3: Astarion, Shadowheart, Gale, Lae’zel, and Wyll. Once Baldur's Gate 3 is fully released, the player will be able to meet other companions such as Karlach, Halsin, Minthara, Minsc, and Jaheira. Here is the list of the currently available companions:

Astarion

Credit: Larian Studios

Abilities: Strength 8, Dexterity 17, Constitution 14, Intelligence 13, Wisdom 13, Charisma 10

Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Deception, History, Perception, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, Stealth.

Astarion is a Noble Half-Elf rogue. He is also a former vampire, so we have a fascinating combination reflected in his proficiencies and stats. While he sports History, Perception, and Persuasion, he also possesses the Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Deception, and Stealth proficiencies. But this then makes him a very balanced companion that can take any type of enemy thanks to his Dexterity and Constitution stats.

• Read more: Baldur's Gate 3 race tier list

Once you get to pick his subclass, be sure to pick the Thief subclass, since it will make the best out of his proficiencies and abilities, providing Fast Hands that will grant a bonus Action, allowing Astarion to attack three times.

Shadowheart

Credit: Larian Studios

Abilities: Strength 12, Dexterity 14, Constitution 14, Intelligence 10, Wisdom 16, Charisma 10

Proficiencies: Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Religion, Insight

A High Half-Elf Trickery Domain Cleric, Shadowheart is focused on powerful spell-crafting, boosted by her Wisdom stat. But she also has some combat proficiency thanks to her Dexterity, however, you wouldn’t want Shadowheart on your front lines since she lacks the necessary combat variety and options to defend herself. So make the best out of her spells to deal with ranged damage while having more combat-heavy companions on the frontline.

Gale

Credit: Larian Studios

Abilities: Strength 9, Dexterity 14, Constitution 15, Intelligence 16, Wisdom 11, Charisma 13

Proficiencies: Arcana, History, Investigation, Insight

Talking about magic users, Gale is a more than capable wizard, obsessed with becoming Faerun’s spellcaster of choice. He's a very proficient magic wielder, with multiple possibilities to deal magic damage, with a whole lot of spells and cantrips to do the trick.

• Read more: Can you become a vampire in Baldur's Gate 3?

But the best way to make the most out of this wizard is to utilise his damage output possibilities or make him a very strong support character by providing defence capabilities for him and your entire party.

Lae’zel

Credit: Larian Studios

Abilities: Strength 17, Dexterity 13, Constitution 14, Intelligence 11, Wisdom 12, Charisma 8

Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Arcana, Athletics, Intimidation, Survival

So the powerhouse of the companions, Lae’zel is a fast, athletic, weapon-savvy, and overall heavy damage-inducing Githyanki. She can also carry two two-handed weapons at once, and her Strength ability is off the charts. Position her on the frontline and deal as much damage as possible with her weapon versatility.

• Read more: Baldur's Gate 3 class tier list

Moreover, choosing the Battle Master subclass will further take advantage of her strength, providing boosts and protection to her melee weapon prowess.

Wyll

Credit: Larian Studios

Abilities: Strength 17, Dexterity 13, Constitution 14, Intelligence 11, Wisdom 12, Charisma 8

Proficiencies: Arcana, History, Intimidation, Persuasion

So what happens when you make a deal with a fiend? You get Wyll, a Warlock capable of debilitating your enemies while also having enhanced survivability thanks to his Constitution stat. But be sure to position him in a ranged position to deal damage through the powerful Eldritch Blast while also dealing excruciating debuffs.

While not a very weapon-proficient companion, you can still give Wyll some sort of ranged weapon to use from time to time. Just be sure to position a melee character in front of him to secure Wyll’s damage and debuff output.

Baldur's Gate 3 companion locations - where to find

• Astarion - You can find Astarion on a hill after the Nautiloid’s wreckage. He is hiding from a monster. Defeat said monster and he will join you.
• Shadowheart - After waking up on the beach, you will find Shadowheart attempting to enter the Abandoned Ruins.
• Gale - Just above the Nautiloid’s wreckage, Gale is found just next to the Roadside Cliffs’ fast travel point.
• Lae’zel - Lae’zel is trapped inside a cage near the Cathedral Ruins. If you choose to save her, then she will join you.
• Wyll - Wyll be training one of the Tieflings, just outside of Druid’s Grove.

How many companions can you have in Baldur's Gate 3?

Baldur’s Gate 3, just like the Divinity games, has a maximum party size of 4, including your character.

• Read more: How to edit hotbar in Baldur's Gate 3

Other companions that you encounter during the world will be directed to your camp. Visit your camp to be able to change your party’s composition and use the best companions that will complement your play style and the nature of your character.

How do you get your companions' approval in Baldur's Gate 3?

To gain your companions' approval in Baldur's Gate 3, you will have to make choices and confront certain situations the way your companions would in your place. Get to know your character’s personality and moral compass so you get to make the right choice whenever speaking with NPCs or dealing with whatever comes your way.

Standing up for your companions and agreeing with them will make you gain your companion's approval. Gaining one companion's approval may also impact the approval of other companions, since your companion's personality and choices may be aligned to each other. Choose wisely and strategically, and you will gain your companion's approval in no time.

Be sure to find and recruit the best companions you can get in Baldur's Gate 3. As you can see, each of them features unique abilities that you can exploit to become a party worthy of respect. While you are at it, check out all Baldur's Gate 3 backgrounds and quests.